Anybody have any experience with these rods?
No personal experience, Dave, but I have read some reviews from people I trust. Guys that fly-fish for carp LOVE the Echo rods! I take that to mean they cast well, have good feel, and are VERY durable.
Got the 10’ 7wt for GL steel. Love it so far. Also sees extended duty for bass & pike, as well as making a trip to the salt a few weeks ago, where it made a good showing on a flounder. Clean, minimalist appearance, solid hardware. The cork wont make you drool, but its good quality stuff. A workhorse rod.
Dang…I think I’m sold…I’ve been wanting to replace the 8wt that was stolen out of my luggage earlier this year (the airline DID finally reimburse me…hooray!), and I think this might be THE one.
Dave, there are also some reviews on the Cabela’s website that you might find worth reading.
I got mine about a year ago, but I will say it only accounts for maybe 10-15% of my total fishing. The vast majority of the time, I’m using 4wts or lighter. Compared to the (very) few other graphite “heavyweights” I’ve cast (7 and up), it has a fairly laid back action. Slow enough to allow me to make big, open loops with gobs of weight on the line for steel, but with enough ‘oomph!’ to flip big bunny flies out a fair piece. Not necessarily the best 7wt in a stiff wind, but that is probably just as much me as the rod.
I’m looking for a 9wt for those occassional Pike trips and our winter week in FL. I’ve read some good reviews and appreciate that Cold has one. I would like to be able to try before I buy, but no one around here carries them. I called Rajeff Sports and the guy I talked to wasn’t very helpful. When I asked him why I should buy their rod he told me because Tim designed it. Heck I could care less if Moe, Larry & Curly designs their rods, but I would hope they could give me a better reason than that. Nuk! Nuk! Nuk!
Dave
Hmmm, I tend to agree with your sentiments on that one. :-/
My FLFS carries a handful of Echo rods, and I gave the 9 footer he had in stock a good once over and a test wiggle, then asked him to order a 10 footer for me. I didn’t have to deal with Echo directly, but they do love Tim. If it matters in your decision, I do believe they have lifetime, unconditional, transferrable warranties on all their rods. Tip snaps? Send it back. Slam it in your car door, send it back. Lend it to your buddy, who slams it in your car door? Send it back. That played a part in my decision, as some of the guys I steelhead fish with are…unfortunate with regularity.
Unfortunately customer service seems to be going the way of the do-do bird - and I hate it that these companies think it’s just fine - or worse, cute.
Shame on them.