For far too long I have sat back and just wondered … “WHY?”

Why do many US rod builders choose to use imported blanks sold by marketing companies?

The innovations start HERE in the US. The highest quality blanks are built HERE in the US. 99.9% of our clients are HERE in the US. Our friends the designers - Jason at St Croix, Todd at Lamiglas, Steve at G Loomis, Jerry at Sage ... they are all HERE in the US.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that we don’t have enough choices among the US manufacturers … ATC, Calstar, G Loomis, Graphite USA, Lamiglas, Sage, Seeker, St Croix, Winston and more.

Between them, at least several hundred blank models covering EVERY aspect of freshwater, inshore, fly and offshore are available – most within days of placing an order.

I really have looked at the price lists and product lineups of both the domestic producers and the US marketers of foreign products … I can’t find a reason to buy anything other than US manufactured products. So, for those of you which do make those types of purchase decisions … “WHY?”

People (both builders and especially fisherman) rather spend $20 on a decent blank, than $80 on a really good blank. Most fishermen, DO NOT have a clue about blanks. IF you're a builder for a tackle shop, who has a dozen rods sitting on a rack, the fisherman does not care if the blanks are made on Yugo blanks, or Ferrari blanks - tehy care that the price is $150 for a custom rod. The less money a builder spends, the more they make, it's quite simple.

For me one of the things I like about buying from a US MAnufacturer (specifically GUSA from Hastings, or LAmiglas) - is that I can call up and speak to teh people who design the blanks. It was great knowing Todd V from Lami, and seeing him at shows, and seeing him come up to NY to design blanks for Blackfishing. It's a pleasure calling Hastings and saying I need a blank to do exactly this, and 2 weeks later I have a blank designed just for me (of course that comes with a minimum quantity order).

And what about guides and reel seats? And reels for that matter.

If a customer wants a rod, I'll find him a blank. Ususally, there's a price-point involved, and that dfetermines the blank I'll use. Quite frankly, the overseas blanks are less expensive to me, and therefore the rod is less expensive for him.

If a customer wants a rod and tell me it has to be "like" such-and-so (brand name & model) I'll tell him I'll build it on that blank if it's available, whether it's US made or not. But I won't try to steer him to a cheaper blank. And then we hit the price problem, 'cause in general he's not gonna like the price, and I know I can't match the action, weight, etc he's talking about without using the blank he just specified. In general, you can add $50-$100 to the price. If he catches his breath, I know we're not gonna make a deal, because I'm way over what he wants to pay and I won't - from experience - try to make something "like" what he wants. If I do that and put it in his hand, there'll be all sorts of "well, it's not quite what I had in mind" - again from experience. That's why we get a 50% deposit. But doing a "substitute" is not worth the hassle we run into at delivery.

I have nothing but respect (and some great memories) for the US-made rods. In my market, though, the majority of customers don't want to pay for them. What they want is for me to build them a custom rod that won't cost any more than the rod they saw on the rack in the store.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

I only build rods for myself. I use the blanks that fit my needs regardless of where it is built. Among the US manufacturers, I cannot find a blank to match the rods used for saltwater popping and vertical jigging for tuna. I travel so I need rods that are two pieces. I like the blanks that are ferruled closer to the butt end where 1/3 of the blank is butt and 2/3 of the blank is the tip end. My vertical jigging rods are 80# class blanks that are 5'8" and under. As is, it is hard enough to find these blanks made anywhere. The ones that I have been able to find comes from overseas. There probably is not enough of a demand domestically for the US mfgs to make these blanks. Perhaps in the future but not now.

Dear Jim,
I also don't understand the preference, but the imported blanks have a global tendency to have thinner butts and tips, as well as faster actions.

Myself, I prefer and trust the American Made blank due to the strength and longevity, because imports from China, Korea, etc, tend to break about one foot below the tip. I'm not saying that all of them do that, but the ones that don't are an exception and are more expensive, and for me, in Brazil, they are really hard to get.

In Brazil however, I have also a problem with blanks with larger butt diameters, often found in American made blanks. Because this market is highly influenced by the Japanese market....more so than the U.S. But I'm starting to notice a tendency to change since many anglers are finding out that the cheaper is really more expensive.

Marco Antonio (Brasil)

Marco Antonio (São Paulo) ( Brasil)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I love the good ole U.S.A .....But when it comes to the customers wants they are the ones that count. I was weened on Fenwick and Lamiglass
and my own rods are all Lamiglas and the original G. Loomis. Price is what counts nowdays. Batsons blanks are all offshore and are all very good blanks and so are Sevier and also alot less $ wise than American Made, not my taste but I do not make these rods for myself anymore and the customer has the final say.

Jim....if my memory serves me right G Loomis has been owned by Shimano/ Japanese owners and who is to say that some of these blanks are or are not actually produced in Japan...I no longer purchase Loomis blanks since the sale of the company as the squirrels are residing in the tip sections. I will wrap these blanks for the customer but only if they order them....as far as I am concerned Gary Loomis was the GURU of Graphite but now it is his name only that goes on and the blanks have suffered greatly. ...My opinion.

Chuck Mills hits it right on the head about the componets that goes on these blanks and the U.S.A. made blanks use all offshore it seems.

Uncle Russ is right on track....well said Russ

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

The differences between off-shore blanks and US made blanks are almost unnoticeable. Companies such as TFO have not only their blanks made in Korea but the entire rod, and they have been booming in sales.

The same factory that makes TFO will sell a quality blank of IM8 for $13.00.

The big difference is the builder spending the time to build it properly and with the utmost care.

Dave

I see many advantages in purchasing USA made blanks, but many of our manufacturers have bitten the bullet and in order to meet certain price points have been forced to source product from overseas. Over the past few years, the performance and quality of many of the oriental made blanks has markedly improved. It's no longer simply a matter of technology or quality, but of what price point you need to meet in order to satisfy your particular clientele.


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

Does any one know where the graphite we use comes from . I think you will be surprised that even though the American blanks are rolled here the material they use comes from several sources including Korea and China. Check out the name of the company they purchase the Graphite from Toray, Mitsubishi ETC... Its all about the quality of blank not where its made and that goes with components and reels as well. I'm not worried about price or where its made as long as it meets my high qualtiy of standards and if I can get great quality and price at the same time then you do the math. I do believe that Gary Loomis and Don Mook set up a factory in China over twenty years ago with some intension in mind not real sure what it was though. Have a great weekend guys see you all soon!

I would LOVE to buy a US made blank instead of an overseas made rod. Before I ruffle any feathers, I come from a 35 year union family and was born and raised RED WHITE AND BLUE and bought ONLY US made when we were kids. But...thoses days are gone.

The number one reason why I buy rods made overseas is that most of the US makers do not have the rods I want. Float rods. Sure Loomis has them, but they are 250.00 for a blank-IF THEY HAVE IT,WHICH THEY DON'T. Lami has them, but they are not even close to the actions and lengths that most of us using float rods like, and to my knowledge they are not open to ANY constructive input to make there rods better and sell more.

And one more reason, most of the float rods made here in the US are like boomerangs compared to other like Batson and RAVEN. Plus, the RAVEN and Rainshdow rods are absolutly BULLET PROOF in my experience- unlike some US makers which have to be handled with kid gloves.

just my .02

The majority of U.S. fly tackle manufacturers and retailers have decided that mark-up rather than volume is the key to their success. They may be right, since the minor differences between most of their products make them parity products. At any rate, their pricing, advertising, and marketing strategies reflect this decision that high-end trumps volume, and they can't have it both ways. Remember when Honda and Toyota were cheap pretenders?

Hi guys,

I guess I would be considered a "US marketer", since my company doesn't actually manufacture blanks. But as such, I have utilized many U.S. blank designers and manufacturers over the years. We still distribute many blanks manufacturered in the US, primarily unique niche blanks that are completely different from the normal cataloged blanks found in the US Manufacturers' array. We approach them for existing designs and more often then not, we ask them to alter or change the design, material, etc. to our (or our customer's) specifications. Offering US made blanks has always been important to us and in fact, a few years back the majority of our cataloged blank program featured US made blanks. However as time progressed, we experienced declines in US made blank sales while conversely import blank sales sky rocketed. As business dictated, we naturally focused attentions on revenue and the import lines were expanded and US offerings reduced. We still continue our private label blank programs and offer design options from more then one US blank manufacturer. Originally I was amazed that sales of US made blanks didn't move as well since they were the product of the best designers and manufacturers available. As time progressed I understood that as always, the consumers will decide how they want to spend their money. It would seem that value (or price) is more important then where they were manufactured. If origination is important to some, they must consider the entrie picture here. For instance, our imported lines are original as they differ from standard US blank offerings in appearence, construction, and as some have reported action/power which makes them very unique. The interesting thing is that we are a US company that designed them (yes design, even though we didn't create the patterns) and some of the companies that were mentioned above have gone offshore for rods and even blanks. Many have purchased raw materials overseas for some time and I would argue with their brands as evidence, that they are "US marketers" as well. Although we do not manufacture, we utilize prominent designers and distribute a lot of US manufactured blanks, so for that I am proud to be a "US marketer" and to offer products with U.S. origins both domestic and imported.

I won't get started on components (you can thank me on that) but all rod manufacturers rely on imported parts, thats a fact. That fact is what keeps them competitive in so many ways. Being an American company servicing US rod factories, we would love to manufacture here in the US but likewise, we rely on manufacuring overseas to stay competitive as well.

Darrin Heim
American Tackle Company

I believe St. Croix is the largest US rod manufacturer, and they are coming out with more import rods every year!!! I think they have an import line for every product they have now - spinning, casting, musky, fly, and saltwater. It is a case of the market dictating what is in demand.

Hi,

Like many of you I am a custom rod builder. My business plan was that I would use the best for my custom rods and I do. My top end rods use Lamiglas, Calstar and Seeker blanks with Fuji reel seats and guides/tip tops. (Let me note that Lamiglas now sells import blanks. I bet $$$/sales has something to do with it.)

For several years anglers were contacting me and telling me that they would like to purchase a rod crafted by me BUT the customs were toooo expensive for their pocket book. What to do? For several years I had contact with Batson Enterprises. I decided to test several of their blanks. The price was right, the blanks worked great around the Long Island salt water environment and my customers sing their praises.

I was told by concerned friends that the less expensive rods would hurt my top shelf custom business and after all are you not a custom rod builder? Why go to selling rack rods. I call them rack rods and DO NOT promote them as customs. However the customers walk out saying what a great custom rod I purchased at a price I could afford. Once a customer pays for the rod they can call it anything that they want. So I sell Cadillac rods and Escort rods. All these rods help pay the real estate taxes. That is the main reason I have the business and spend so much time at it.

I now use Forecast reel seats, guides and tip tops on these less expensive rods along with the blanks. They work and work just fine! My personal rods are Lamis, Calstar and Seekers. They all sat in the rack the last 2 years as all I use now is my Batson rod using the SWB70B blank. It is a great rod that gives me great enjoyment with a fish on the hook. It is a blank that is the closest I have found to an all around rod for the fishing we do.

To me this is all about meeting the demands of the customers. I could be a fool not to do this and make X$$$ but now combining both price levels I can make XXX$$$. There are more people willing to pay $130 or so then there are willing to pay $400 or so. Happy customers = repeat business.

Thank you Batson Enterprises for being there when I needed you.

Capt Neil Faulkner

Actually Karry,
Mitsubishi & Toray are Japanese fibers. Both company's have manufacturing in the us also. Currently the only fibers being manufactured in China are large tow standard mod fibers. other top end fibers that aren't manufactured here are made in Europe. And the Loomis Franklin endeavor of the early 80's was a Taiwanese venture and not a manufacturing facility.
I have worked in some of the high end plants in China and while the quality certainly is getting there the application development will be quite some time.
Now this is just my opinion but without the development here the product from there would be quite limited.

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

A proposed solution to this delima:

1. Go out in the boonies somewhere and buy a huge piece of property and do the political deal to declare it a free trade zone with no taxes, government manufacturing requirements or environmental or safety restrictions.

2. Build a nearby gated community with golf course and spa for executives, engineers and designers.

3. Build a high rise complex to house and feed low wage piece workers while teaching them to speak English.

4. Buy a small label company to make the Made In USA components for All!

5. If the above is not feasable get the equipment needed and give it to Sheriff Arpeyo and let the prisoners who wear the pink suits and live in tents in the desert make all the blanks - then maybe we can all have free blanks!

The business of fishing rod blanks is no different that the supply and demand model placed on all manufactured products in the global economy. If no one would buy a TV simply because of origin of manufacturing there would be very very few watching the Super Bowl tomorrow!

Gon Fishn



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/2008 08:15AM by Bill Stevens.

OK - I wasn't going to mention this but........I have seen wholesale price lists from Large US rod makers. In many cases they are asking us to pay as much for a blank as they sell a whole rod wholesale for!!! Part of the reason US blanks are not more cost effective is that they CHOOSE not to be. It they can sell a complete rod wholesale to a dealer for $40.00, how much do you think that blank really cost them to make?

Bills wright again

Thank You Bill Stevens....I am with you better than 100%....very well said !!!!

Are the big names like Lamiglas etc. REALLY wanting our rod building business anymore ? ...I really don't think so, at least not at the prices they are charging us. Everytime their prices to the rod builder goes up the QUALITY takes another dive... My thanks to the people like Batson ,Sevier,
and American Tackle giving us QUALITY blanks at a REASONABLE PRICE.

I notice that Todd Vivian is now with Mudhole and if you notice his thread here you can also read between the lines and see what seems to be going on with our blanks we are building on..... A name nowdays is only as good as the quality.

Jim Gamble has asked why ??? on the thread he started and it looks like he has been told by a large multitude of the above...he also mentioned Todd Vivian who is no longer with Lamiglas but at Mudhole....why ??? has been answered.

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred