I think Keith's exactly right about Sage rods and blanks. I know that
a lot of list members have chosen Sage rods and this is certainly not
intended to rag on their rod brand of choice.
But Sage reportedly enjoys one of the highest markups of any rod
manufacturer and it's easy to see why when their web site shows a
factory list price for a 5wt 589-3 SPLCA of $895. Can anyone honestly
tell me that it casts twice as well or catches twice as many fish as
other popular rods that cost half as much or less?
Seems to me (and someone please smack me if I'm missing something
obvious here) that there are two reasons to buy a quality, custom
built rod from someone like George or Mike: the opportunity to get a
quality rod at a discount from factory list price; and the ability to
customize a rod with unique hardware, wraps, finish, etc.
I for one would be much more interested in buying a custom rod built
around a quality blank from a manufacturer that offered the builder a
discount than a Sage blank available only at full retail price. Given
the expertise and craftsmanship that goes into building a fine rod,
rod builders certainly deserve to make a profit, both on their labor
and on the materials they use.
Kent Lufkin
>Mike, I have used Pac(ific) Bay rods for years with very good success. I
>also use quite a few other Pac Bay components. I do think that the St.
>Croix SCIV makes an excellent rod especially in 5 wt and lighter. Many
>people who have used them compare them to Winston. Sage makes excellent
>rods/blanks but you are paying a lot for advertising and perceived value.
>I'm not saying they aren't worth the money but the fish don't seem to know
>the difference.
>
>My approach has been to give people the standard retail price (wholesale
>averages about 60% of that) on components and then add a charge to assemble
>the rod. The truth is that unless you are building very exclusive,
>expensive custom rods the money is not that great. The main reasons I went
>from a hobby to a business were to get parts cheaper and to slow the steady
>flow of people wanting rods built for free.
>
>Keith
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
>Sent: Monday, July 31, 2000 7:35 PM
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Rod question
>
>
>A few weeks ago I posed a question regarding how to get the high end rods
>for wholesale. Well, now I have another rod building question.
>
>Everytime somebody asks me how much one of my rods cost I never have a set
>answer for them. To solve this problem, I want to do up a worksheet for
>them so they can pick their blank, reel seats and hardware to match their
>needs and their budget. I have the hardware information worked out but I
>don't know which rod brands to include in my middle to lower tier of
>choices. So far I plan on offering St. Croix but what other brands do you
>recommend? How about Redington? I heard a few of you mention Talon. Other
>namebrands?????
>
>Thanks for the help.
>
>Mike
>Spangle, WA
