Anybody have any experience with this series, and/or shed some light on the difference between the "base" models and the DS ones, for example the PUR60L and the PUR601DS? Curious to know what the cost difference is for.

Might help if I'd finished writing before posting...

I'm out of plum Traditions and my 2003 Forecast stock is nearly gone so I'm looking around for a new line of inexpensive, durable and decent quality blanks, mainly for kid rods (which usually get cut down some) in light to light-medium casting and spinning setups. The old Forecasts and Traditions were perfect for what I wanted them to do and they are getting harder and harder to find.

Mick,

I'm in the same boat and DID sell Pioreers. I did very well with them until the supply all but dried up. I just met with the rep a couple of weeks ago and he said that they were back online after the move and orders were being filled in about three weeks. The kicker was, orders for singles (if a customer wanted a blank that we didn't stock) would be longer as they were building product to order and were making blanks in "batches". They really didn't have anything on the shelf, so if a customer wanted a blank that we didn't stock, we'd have to wait until they could make a quantity of them to fill other orders as well. Not the best situation in our case, so I'm still on the fence.

Also, as far as kids rods? I've got two Pioneers here for warranties that were broken by "kids". Both high sticks I'm sure. You might actually want to look for something with more glass in it, IMO.

You might want to take a look at St. Croix (as I am) as they're launching a new line of blanks priced similar to the Pioneers.

Mark Griffin
[]
C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California

Take a look at the New Forecast models. I don't understand why you would any further. We carry so many different models there ought to be something you can use.
Give ma a call so we can figure it out for you.
Bill Batson
CEO
877-875-2381

Bill,

I just built one of the new Forecast...Xtra Lite spinning model for my son and it is a very nice little rod.....I like it much better than the older forecasts I have built.

You know, the spiral wrap demo device that I have had at the last two National Rod Building Shows is fitted with two rods built on identical ForeCast blanks. They've had a pound and half of weight hanging on them for days at a time and are still in great shape. The ForeCast models are a great value.

................

Thanks guys, and Billy for some great offline discussions too. I still want to use Forecasts for a lot of them, and have my eye on a few models that I want to try. Would give you a call, Bill, but the Supreme Commander won't let me buy any more stuff this month. You'll be hearing from me in a couple of weeks though!