Well it's official, Wally Marshall...

[cityboy]

Here is what I have discovered in a year of using low cost Chinese made rods (these Chinese rods are probably pretty much from the same makers over there regardless of the brand - BPS/Cabelas/GM/B&M/Etc....). On the surface they looked like a deal and in hand the rods seemed like a StCroix at half the price. They feel good and perform good and seem to have great actions, handles, blanks, seats, guides, and construction quality.

Here is the down side. I purchased 2 rods, Gander Mountain 7ft ML and UL 2 piece IM8 rods. First, the UL tip ring disintegrated and started shredding all my 4 lb test gamma during a week long late spring trip crappie fishing. I get it replaced and then it breaks this fall, and I get it replaced again. In the same time frame I broke the ML version twice, getting it replaced both times, except for the last time my local store didn't have the same model in stock when I needed it the next day and I had to settle for a Med action instead. A rod that works fine for the heavy walleyes I fish for in the fall, but is too stiff for the all around rod I like to have in my trunk all the time for getting everything I fish for all year round that i don't use an UL for. They did say they would replace it with a ML later if I decided I didn't like the Med, but since the breakage I haven't been able to locate a ML replacement. I understand they are going to go back to StCroix blanks in their rods like they used to have, but even StCroix has their cheaper blanks made in China now for their Triumph line, and I wouldn't be surprised if the rebadged StCroix blanks are Chinese as well.

The joy I had at getting 2 rods that SEEMED like the StCroix's I had been getting for the last 15 years for about $80 bucks for both rods is kind of dimmed now with all the breakage and having to run 45 minutes to Erie to replace them so much. In the prior 15 years using StCroixs I have had fewer problems than I have had in the single year using the Chinese rods. Yes, StCroix is much more expensive, but you just get a much better rod when its made by an American company with American hands. I will keep letting GM replace these rods under warranty as long as they let me, but the next time I need a rod, I will probably go back to American made.

Its hard to justify paying 2-3 times as much for the American rod when the companies that sell the Chinese rods will keep replacing them when they brake, but the cost advantages diminish with the costs of getting them replaced so often and the frustration of having gear fail when you need it most.

well i wish i seen this 2 days ago!!! i am a bit on the cheapside these days and took a deal from bps on wally marshall 16ft tightline , i got 6 for $215 delivered. i think i should have done better research and just got 3 premium rods for now I HATE CHINESE CRAP!!! i was so eacited about the deal i didnt even think to see if it was chinese junk. junk junk junk junk junk thats all you get from china.

[Mr.Crappie]

Hey Jeepster 04 Sorry that your having some problems with your rods If you would like to give me a call . I know i can help you with your problems. I have been using the Pro Series rods ever since I designed them 10 years ago, if I broke one it was my own fault. If anyone has problems with my rods please call me at 214 683 4759 I will be glad to help you anytime!!! Oh don't forget I will be at Grizzly Jig Jan 22 thru 25th so come on by and enjoy the show!!!
Happy New Year

Wally Marshall
Best Crappie Rods On the Market!!!

[Michael D]

I can't remember the last time I broke a rod and it was "the rod's fault". I have always been at fault. I just try to be more careful. Once it gets into my wallet, then I pay more attention to what I am doing.

[tim]

I have broke two of them lately bp has taken them back but i rear not for long. The rods broke from no fault of mine, one broke when i was running line up through the guides i didnt do anything wrong. I like them but i dont like how they break real easy.

[TnRidge]

Hey Jeepster 04 Sorry that your having some problems with your rods If you would like to give me a call . I know i can help you with your problems. I have been using the Pro Series rods ever since I designed them 10 years ago, if I broke one it was my own fault. If anyone has problems with my rods please call me at 214 683 4759 I will be glad to help you anytime!!! Oh don't forget I will be at Grizzly Jig Jan 22 thru 25th so come on by and enjoy the show!!!
Happy New Year

Wally Marshall
Best Crappie Rods On the Market!!!

Now thats what you call good customer service .

[jaxsprat]

TnRidge

Now thats what you call good customer service .

I would like to second that, my WM rods been holding up good.

[magnum500]

My theory on this topic is that these rods are man made. Man makes mistakes. The rods in question may have come from what is called a "bad run". I am sure that the number of rods without problems is far greater than those with problems.
I had this problem with a Diawa rod. It broke while I was trying to land a 1.5 pound fish. I was upset that the rod broke but what really ticked me off was that there was no response from Diawa after several e-mails that I sent them.
My hat is off to you Wally for personaly wanting to help with this problem. That is the way things should be done.

[talltimber]

Yep, can't get much better than that. I understand getting frustrated though. It doesn't seem like you get much for your money nowadays. Good customer service can make it a lot easier to handle though.

[OsoFishy]

I must say Wallys poles are the tuffest rods out there we were trolling over at Reelfoot in the wind in a tourny last spring and my outside 16' wm Titeline got caught on a stump and had bent under the boat it had so much pressure on the rod I could not get it out of the rod holder I winced as I waited for the rod to go "snap" and we somthing broke It was my driftmaster rod holder now you have to admit that is one tuff pole!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob # 1]

Hey Jeepster 04 Sorry that your having some problems with your rods If you would like to give me a call . I know i can help you with your problems. I have been using the Pro Series rods ever since I designed them 10 years ago, if I broke one it was my own fault. If anyone has problems with my rods please call me at 214 683 4759 I will be glad to help you anytime!!! Oh don't forget I will be at Grizzly Jig Jan 22 thru 25th so come on by and enjoy the show!!!
Happy New Year

Wally Marshall
Best Crappie Rods On the Market!!!

Don't own one but the fact that Wally is willing to stand behind his product is enough for me.
:D