One of the newsgroups I visit on the internet has a couple of custom rod builders that visit often. I have a rod from each that I won in tournaments, and they are excellent rods. The flipping stick sells for $400 and the casting rod for $300. I priced a spinning rod like I want with them for $325.
While browsing at Berry’s Sporting Goods I found a Castaway six foot spinning rod that felt good. It was light weight, had a flexible tip but lots of backbone. I bought it for less than 1/4 what the custom rod would have cost, Jim has them on closeout sale.
I really like the rod. I used it at Oconee throwing several different baits and it “fished” good. Although I did not catch a fish on it, I was sure it will work great.
My next trip was to Clark's Hill to work on a Georgia Outdoor News article. I fished with a local pro fisherman the day after Valentines Day and it rained most of the time. We did not fish a lot but he caught two nice bass and I finally broke in my new Castaway rod - on a baby jack. It hit a Lucky Craft Pointer and did not put up any fight at all.
The next day on the way home I stopped by my farm and made a few casts in my pond. Two bass about 1.5 pounds each hit the Pointer. They fought fairly good in the cold water and I liked the way the rod handled them.
The following Thursday I went to Lake Sinclair to practice for a club tournament. I hooked three bass on the Pointer using the Castaway rod and landed a nice 3 pound fish. I was able to pull it away from the dock it was hiding under and keep it under control. The rod did all I wanted it to do. I was able to cast the plug easily with the light tip but the backbone of the rod gave me the ability to control the bass.
My rod is the HS60TN model, six feet long with a Tennessee Handle. That means it has a cork handle with no rings - you tape the reel to the rod, which I like.
This rod works well for me and I like it. Check out Castaway Rods if you are in the market for a new fishing rod.
