Jewell Virtus rods

[mixermarkb]

Hey Guys-

So, I picked up my pair of new crankbait rods the other day. I thought I’d post a quick review.
 

The rods are American made, seem to be high quality, and bear a striking resemblance to the old USA made Falcon Cara’s, which is not surprising as they are made in the same OEM factory right here in the Ozarks (Harrison, Ark)

I bought the blue diamond medium moderate crankbait rods, and they are everything I expected. Extremely light, sensitive, Fuji reel seat, and the guides are somewhere in between normal and micro guides. The rods load up on the cast very well, and have plenty of backbone, as the 6 pound LMB I caught on the first afternoon fishing them found out.

The blue diamond rods are priced at $199, and the red diamond rods at $289, and they have a $100 buck no questions asked replacement plan. If you are looking for a rod in those price ranges, the Jewell rods are a solid contender.

[mixermarkb]

Falcon Super Duty rod next to the Jewell to show the similar grips, down to the American flag. Falcon blank is thicker because it’s a way heavier action rod.

[Macsimus]

Just got my hands on some of these down at Ozark Hunting & Fishing Co in Berryville and I have to say I was sorely tempted. I thought the feel was exceptional. I suspect I will own one by the time I have to return to the Tundra. 

[fishinwrench]

For the life of me I can't seem to understand the desire for split-grip style handles on fishing rods.    And nearly every rod company is building their entire lineup that way now.     

Seriously, what's the deal with that ?    

[Maverickpro201]

5 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

For the life of me I can't seem to understand the desire for split-grip style handles on fishing rods.    And nearly every rod company is building their entire lineup that way now.     

Seriously, what's the deal with that ?    

Yep I want to know also. I like the full grip much better.

[kjackson]

5 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

For the life of me I can't seem to understand the desire for split-grip style handles on fishing rods.    And nearly every rod company is building their entire lineup that way now.     

Seriously, what's the deal with that ?    

Cork has gotten really, really expensive...

[fishinwrench]

5 hours ago, kjackson said:

Cork has gotten really, really expensive...

No, it hasn't !   

I have a whooping 5.00 invested here.   

[fishinwrench]

Somewhere along the line, some jackleg built a split-grip rod and thought it looked "tactical", and a bunch of TACTICAL TYPE GUYS adopted it........So now we're stuck with it, unless we wanna build our own.    🙄 

[fshndoug]

It is cheaper to build such a rod. I don't like them either. And the prices are stupid.

[tjm]

7 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I have a whooping 5.00 invested here.   

What's the source? I need a couple grips.

I thought those butt extensions were for rod holders ??  I've never handled one outside the BPS store, but figured that  if I ever had to use one like that I'd just hacksaw off the useless part.