Anyone have any experience with these rods? Looking to buy casting rod however look kinda pricey. I will spend the money for quality.
mactx812
Waterloo Rods
1 reading
Waterloo rods are the best Texas rods in my opinion. Laguna is good too. If you want the best bang for you buck, get you a Waterloo Salinity for $160. Quality rod that doesn't break the bank. One of my favorite rods as a matter in fact
I've had a Waterloo Salinity for awhile now and it pairs up nicely with my Lews reel. Like DK said, it's good bang for the buck.
I fish with the Waterloo HP Lite. out of all the rods I own, this is my favorite. light rod, good backbone.
The Slam Mag changed my opinion of rods in general. When it comes to working topwaters, it was as close to life-changing as I could have imagined. The action I can put on a topwater, with a minimum of effort is amazing. So much so that I've been on a quest for a few special-purpose rods that would be as good for one thing as that rod is.
I just bought an HP Lite (spinning) with recoil guides, and I'm not happy with it at all. I'm not going into more detail, because I don't have a beef with Waterloo - it's just not my cup of tea. I will say that it is called a medium-lite, but I don't see the "medium" part. It's just not what I was expecting.
One more thing I need to mention. The first Waterloo rod I bought was a Salinity, and I had a problem with it. The company was extremely good about dealing with it. They examined the defect, as they should, and just made me whole on the deal. I wound up spending the extra to go to the Slam Mag, and they didn't bust my chops about it. I can't say enough good about that experience.
If you want a deal on a like-brand-new HP Lite, PM me. I'll take a haircut and buy another Slam Mag.
I just bought an HP Lite (spinning) with recoil guides, and I'm not happy with it at all. I'm not going into more detail, because I don't have a beef with Waterloo - it's just not my cup of tea. I will say that it is called a medium-lite, but I don't see the "medium" part. It's just not what I was expecting.
One more thing I need to mention. The first Waterloo rod I bought was a Salinity, and I had a problem with it. The company was extremely good about dealing with it. They examined the defect, as they should, and just made me whole on the deal. I wound up spending the extra to go to the Slam Mag, and they didn't bust my chops about it. I can't say enough good about that experience.
If you want a deal on a like-brand-new HP Lite, PM me. I'll take a haircut and buy another Slam Mag.
the HP Lites are a little "whippy" in my opinion. great rods, but a little too much flexible far down the blank.
the slam mag is my favorite rod. I originally bought a 6'9" for top waters, but started using it for just about everything. I have a 6'6" for topwaters, and the 6'9" for anything else. I still use the HP lite for soft plastics too. it just doesn't have the backbone I prefer like the slam mag.
a big part of the cost of these rods are the recoil guides. they add a bunch to the price of a rod, but after fishing with them for a while, I won't go back to regular guides.. they're unbreakable. don't have to worry about the stupid ceramic insert cracking and jacking your line up with the recoil guides.
the slam mag is my favorite rod. I originally bought a 6'9" for top waters, but started using it for just about everything. I have a 6'6" for topwaters, and the 6'9" for anything else. I still use the HP lite for soft plastics too. it just doesn't have the backbone I prefer like the slam mag.
a big part of the cost of these rods are the recoil guides. they add a bunch to the price of a rod, but after fishing with them for a while, I won't go back to regular guides.. they're unbreakable. don't have to worry about the stupid ceramic insert cracking and jacking your line up with the recoil guides.
Just going to have to hold one for yourself and see how you like them. I have a couple Salinities and HP Lites. The Salinity is a little too "flimsy" for me, not enough backbone. The HP Lite is my go to rod, especially for wading. If I start off throwing tops, I can switch to tails with a 1/16 oz. jighead and not have problem. But, everyone has their opinion and favorite as you can see from all the comments. They're all good rods though.
My favorite rod is my HP lite, especially for wading.
When wading I can throw everything from 1/16 jig head to medium topwaters (for me I usually throw skitterwalks and one-knockers) The super spooks would be a bit too much for HPLite. When fishing from the boat and Have access to different rods, I do prefer a medium action for tops but no issues using the HPLite when I need to.
I prefer the Laguna liquids over the Salinity for rods under $200, especially when you can often get them for $125ish at a boat/fishing show.
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When wading I can throw everything from 1/16 jig head to medium topwaters (for me I usually throw skitterwalks and one-knockers) The super spooks would be a bit too much for HPLite. When fishing from the boat and Have access to different rods, I do prefer a medium action for tops but no issues using the HPLite when I need to.
I prefer the Laguna liquids over the Salinity for rods under $200, especially when you can often get them for $125ish at a boat/fishing show.
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I have a few older ones before the company was sold, they are nice, but there are lots of great rods in those price ranges. Shop around.
IMO..
I would spend the extra bucks on a good reel. I've been using 2 $35 Okuma Aquis rods I got at Roy's Spring sale in Corpus for the last 10 years. Had to replace the guides a couple of years ago, but still working great.
I would spend the extra bucks on a good reel. I've been using 2 $35 Okuma Aquis rods I got at Roy's Spring sale in Corpus for the last 10 years. Had to replace the guides a couple of years ago, but still working great.
You can't go wrong with a Waterloo rod. If you have time to go by the shop in Victoria, talk to them, and they will hook you up with the model most suited for your fishing preferences.
I have a Waterloo Phantom for sale in the classified ads. It's a good all purpose rod and I can save you $40 off retail plus tax if you are interested.
http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=2274418
http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=2274418
I love my waterloo's, I throw a 6'6" Ultramag for my plastics and throw a 6'6" slam mag for tops, really light and sensitive rods. Call Jimmy at the shop and he can get you set up with some custom rods to your specs. I know Laguna makes great rods too, but don't have much experience with them besides fishing buddies having them.
You won't be disappointed with either
-Moondog
You won't be disappointed with either
-Moondog
I have a dozen and ordered another for my son in law for his first fathers day.
They are excellent rods and even better people. I personally throw my ultra mag and bait runner (corks) more then my slam or hp lite but i fish all of em.
They are excellent rods and even better people. I personally throw my ultra mag and bait runner (corks) more then my slam or hp lite but i fish all of em.
I have an 6'9" HP Slam and a 6'9" HP Slam Mag 2. Both have Recoil guides and cork handles (one has full grip and the other has split-grip). I use the Slam for soft plastics, smaller topwaters, regular Corky's and Corky Devils. I use the Slam Mag 2 for bigger topwaters and Fatboys.
Both rods have been great. Very light rods and very sensitive. I think they are worth the price.
I've started building my own rods recently and my Waterloo's have been collecting dust. Nothing wrong with them, just like fishing a rod I've built. I've got some rods I've built that weigh less them my Waterloo's. Going to build a couple of HM (high mod) blanks I've got on hand and if they turn out as nice as I think, then the Waterloo's may get put up for sale
hwell::frown:.
Both rods have been great. Very light rods and very sensitive. I think they are worth the price.
I've started building my own rods recently and my Waterloo's have been collecting dust. Nothing wrong with them, just like fishing a rod I've built. I've got some rods I've built that weigh less them my Waterloo's. Going to build a couple of HM (high mod) blanks I've got on hand and if they turn out as nice as I think, then the Waterloo's may get put up for sale
hwell::frown:.Waterloo is good but so are Hookspit, Laguna, and Sarge Custom Rods. Also you might want to go to the Rod Building Forum on here and get someone to build you a rod to your exact specifications and needs and wants. Lots of options these days on semi custom and custom bay fishing rods. If I were you I would not buy an off the shelf already made rod from anyone or company. These days you can get someone to build you a rod that is exactly what YOU want or need including length, types of guides, power and action and thread color. Also make sure you specify you don't want a foregrip on your rod. There is no need for a tiny piece of grip above the reel seat nut. Adds weight and looks ugly and is pointless. Waterloo is great but there are tons of options out there and for the money, you should not have to sacrifice any needs or wants on your rod.
I fish the same setup Speckled mentioned most of the time. I also have some Sarge rods, and I love the CHAOS the most out of his line, especially for that wintertime barely there bite, on artys!
And JRI, that foregrip is personal preference. I have them on all my rods, as I have big hands, and when working plastics, I keep my index finger under that cork foregrip, as I have fished that way all my life. One day fishing without one, and I have blisters on my fingers.
To the OP, to each his own, is our general premise here anyway, with a higher end custom rod. You're paying to have it made, so get what YOU want. I would recommend the extra amount for recoil guides....it's nice not ever having to replace a guide.
And JRI, that foregrip is personal preference. I have them on all my rods, as I have big hands, and when working plastics, I keep my index finger under that cork foregrip, as I have fished that way all my life. One day fishing without one, and I have blisters on my fingers.
To the OP, to each his own, is our general premise here anyway, with a higher end custom rod. You're paying to have it made, so get what YOU want. I would recommend the extra amount for recoil guides....it's nice not ever having to replace a guide.
There were several comments on this thread (including my own) about the HP Lite being too light. There were also some very positive comments. I just wanted to follow up. I have a new one, and I wasn't too pleased with it. I tried a variety of lures, and didn't care for the results.
I re-strung it with 15 lb. braid, and it made a world of difference. It still bogs a big trying to cast anything heavier than a 1/4 oz. jig head and plastic. I can cast a 3/8 oz. jig, as long as the plastic isn't too huge. I haven't tried a larger sized topwater, but I don't think I'd like it.
BUT... for 1/4 oz. jig heads, it's been pretty nice. I didn't like it with 30 lb. braid, and didn't care for it with 20 lb. But with the 15, it's actually pretty nice. I had never used 15 lb. before, but it was surprisingly quieter going through the recoil guides, too. It still may not be my cup of tea - I don't know if I will pick it off the rack often enough. I may try to trade it to someone who loves them, for another Slam Mag or something. But I can understand people who love them a lot better now.
If you spend a lot of time throwing 1/4 or 1/8 oz. heads with plastic, it's a pretty good rod after all.
I re-strung it with 15 lb. braid, and it made a world of difference. It still bogs a big trying to cast anything heavier than a 1/4 oz. jig head and plastic. I can cast a 3/8 oz. jig, as long as the plastic isn't too huge. I haven't tried a larger sized topwater, but I don't think I'd like it.
BUT... for 1/4 oz. jig heads, it's been pretty nice. I didn't like it with 30 lb. braid, and didn't care for it with 20 lb. But with the 15, it's actually pretty nice. I had never used 15 lb. before, but it was surprisingly quieter going through the recoil guides, too. It still may not be my cup of tea - I don't know if I will pick it off the rack often enough. I may try to trade it to someone who loves them, for another Slam Mag or something. But I can understand people who love them a lot better now.
If you spend a lot of time throwing 1/4 or 1/8 oz. heads with plastic, it's a pretty good rod after all.
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