I dipped my toe in the water with the Gold series Go-To and Muscle. They were shipped separate, wrapped in bubble wrap in heavy duty tubes (couldn't believe they didn't try to save on shipping and put two rods in one tube - great job Karl's!). Since then, I have picked up the Gold series Reaction and Twitch and picked up the Green series Finesse as a free add-on with the recent Karl's sale. All rods were shipped with sufficient wrapping and heavy duty tubes. I haven't had any issue with any of the rods at all, including the grips. I fish freshwater from a kayak and haven't had issues with castability or ergonomics and have caught a ton of fish with them. Previous rods included some Ugly Sticks and some KastKing models and when I started with the Googan rods, I found I was setting the hook on riprap, rocks, logs, etc. that I hadn't felt through my previous rods. Definitely more sensitivity than I had experience with. I am excited to see the new reels and would LOVE more info on the new Elite series rods that were recently hinted at.
Also, if you wax your rod with car wax (quick spray or actual wax) it will help protect your rod. Also, you can seal cork with either polyurethane or actual cork sealer. I have used both and prefer polyurethane. It lasts a lot longer and it makes your cork look really rich in color.
@@patrickwalters8676 oh yeah, polyurethane is safe. It just depends on the texture / look you want. If you want a rich, dark and aged look with a slightly waxy feel, poly is the way to go. If you want the original cork look and feel but with less protection, then cork seal is what you want.
Not sure about the wax for rod... ferrule wax if you have other than one piece. To cork minwax helmsman spar urethane or for more natural u-40 cork sealer. Any missing filler use something like Elmer's probond wood filler in golden oak Some purists say natural fish snot (slime/guts) covered worn is all you need. I like more protection I've had/currently have 60plus year old rods with cork that's fine with no protection ever. I've also had newer rods grip with unprotrcted cork practically disintegrate.
Wow.... can't believe the logo badge came off so quickly. It's a small thing but it's those small attentions to detail that set manufacturers apart. Does that long handle get in the way when you're in the kayak?
I've bought rods from stores before that have broken literally on the first few cast. I knew the rods were good rod but sometimes accidents do happen. I never discredit that unless I don't get my money back or a replacement rod. I think it's just because the rod was damaged somehow when shipped to the store or when stocked on the shelves in the store. I've never heard anything bad about their rods but id never spend that much money on a rod tho when I can get ugly sticks that do everything other rods can do. I've never been that picky about rods. I mean I have micro ice fishing ugly stick rod with a 2500 pen reel that I catch majority of my fish on. 15 pound braid and I literally can catch anything. I've caught monster snook, gag grouper, sharks. You name it I've probably caught it. I have 200$ reels on ugly sticks. I don't think I actually own any rid brands. Maybe a diawa rod somewhere in the travel tackle supplies. I think I still have a 2 piece diawa for backpacking. I also work at FedEx and I've seen some boxes that I knew were rods and I've seen people literally throw them 20 feet onto a truck... That's how they get broken lol.
Had mine for a year. Mine broke in two places with a single cast last night. Was extremely annoyed, because the first one broke with my forth cast of ever having it.
Bought at Academy Friday night. Fished Saturday morning several hours. Accurate, light, didn’t get tired using it. Caught a few fish. Powered them in. No abuse at all. Loved it until I pulled the lure to put it on the bait keeper and it snapped clean off about 4 inches from the tip. Got a refund Sunday. I loved it so much I really wanted to exchange it thinking maybe I got a defect or damaged in the store but so many bad reviews of them snapping for no reason, I’m thinking of getting an Okuma or a Shimano. 🤷🏻♂️🫤 Edit: Wow! I watched the video after posting this. I can’t believe he said he can’t confirm or dispel the “myth” of them snapping. Definitely not a myth. But could be it was damaged in the store. There were three other brand rods on the shelf snapped off by rude customers I assume. Final edit: The break was as clean as if it had been cut with a razor or laser.
Always a gamble when you buy a rod at a retail location where anyone can come up and touch them. It's been about a year since I recorded this. Almost two years with the rod, and its still kicking ass. I've been wanting to get the muscle rod, but I'll wait until the new series comes out.
I have the green go to rod and it's a solid rod I love it. How ever if you look up Becca fishing channel she did break one of her gold series rod mind you she was fishing off a high bridge.. if she hasn't taken that video down. With that said I so far haven't had any with my rod... Mind you to my knowledge the only rod on the market that claims there rod is unbreakable is uglystick..
I had the same experience as your friend. Got the rod replaced within 36 hours. I work at the store I bought it from ( a Dick’s sporting goods lmfao) and left it in the package before I bought it. It broke on the 15th cast :/ but it was replaced in less than 2 days and I like the replacement
I’ve had mine for about a year and I have loved it but the other day I was casting and right when I went to cast it snapped at the base of it and I had never stepped on it or anything like that. Very shocked and surprised about it because it had been a great rod.
That rod is light in its price point, in my opinion the Phenix Feather rod is much lighter and the price is same as that rod, so if you think that rod is light, that's compare nothing to the G Loomis NRX, but although the price of the NRX is much higher, and lastly that rod is so uncomfortable in my opinion
I’ve been using a lot of Googan stuff. Everything from clothing to gear and lures. I’ve had 2 rods break on me in the last couple months. Probably most likely due to user error.
Great rod and company. Definitely my favorite rod of all time. I use mine all the time and have caught hundreds of fish ranging from crappie to 20lb blue catfish. I will never shop around for another brand. By the way great review.
Keep in mind, the statements I made are my own personal opinion. As for the so called "drawbacks", no they haven't been addressed. The chipped finish, that was my fault for leaving it in the yaks rod holders rubbing on everything. The grips, they're cork, all cork grips do that. Plus I use this rod in salt water, and that destroys cork over time. The hook keeper, I said I use a very castable braid. That is probably the reason why it catches the hook keeper. All moot issues in the grand scheme of things. They're awesome rods, as I stated in the video. Regardless of any complaints I made.
You'll definitely love any of their rods. Paired up with a quality reel and its going to be a difficult combo to beat in terms of performance, and weight. I just ordered their muscle rod. Looking forward to getting it out on the water.
@@FloBass I ordered the muscle and twitch rod. I already have a very similar specced rod on the way from lews (the TP1 black 7’3” casting). I’ll probably still pick up the go-to at some point. Karl’s has great deals on them right now!
It all depends on where you fish and what technique you plan on using. All of the rods are good. I got to use the black series on a video shoot I was the camera boat for, and they are the creme de la creme 🤤
I experienced a Googan rod breaking it on first fish set. Set the hook on 15inch bass and on the flip 8 inches snapped off the tip. I messaged Karls and new one was shipped that same day. They took care of it instantly! I had 2 rods that came together. 1 goto casting the other the finesse spinning. The casting has no issue the finesse was the one that snapped.
I’ve literally never had a rod break in 50 years of fishing, and never have bought high end expensive rods. Never owned a St. Croix, Fenwick, Penn, Okuma… I’ve always owned Shakespeare, Berkeley, Ugly Stik, Abu Garcia, Shimano. Usually Wal-Mart combos. But I’ve never been one to be super forceful on a fish. Just play them on in. Caught fish from 12” trout, one pound panfish, all the way up to 6’ blacktip shark, 47 lb Cobia. Been super lucky I guess.
I came here to see your review and when you mention the shop Karl's military discount, I immediately hit that subscribe button. 1) you're from my homestate 2) you saving me money 3) you gave me an honest review, you got a new subscriber and my loyalty lol Tight lines bro
What happened to your friend 100% confirms everything for me. Same thing happened with both my googan go-to rods. I would take so much care for these rods (rodsleeves) and everything with how expensive they are.
Sounds different to me. His happened on first hookset right out of the box. He had the replacement free of charge in only a few business days, and has been fishing it ever since with 0 issue. Oh btw, I can see that you hit the like button on your own comment...
I mean, any rod can break. I had a Berkley Big Game break on the first cast. They were awesome to deal with. My Ugly Stik also broke at one point and Shakespeare was also good to deal with. Both were replaced with very little hassle. Not had a problem with either since and I also don't take the best care of my rods.
For the price point it’s not really gonna break the bank but from the hook keeper to something you didn’t say was they don’t list the weight specs on the rods which is a huge deal… honestly tho for 150 there are better rods out there. Seen someone say Phenix feather rod just think you would be better off with another rod at that price point that gives you 0 issues while at least 2 or 3 comes with this one standard.
I had one break too before I’d say that’s the only real con but I figured it would break easier given it’s extremely light weight kinda give and take yk
@@xavierjimenez5659 I am sorry, if I am paying over $100 for just a rod it better not break so easily. I have bought far cheaper rods that are just as light and they are still working like champs.
