new fly rod

Looking to get a new fly rod. Looking at sage,gloomis,TFO something for steelhead and salmon any imput on these or any others would be helpful Thanks

I guess I should have mentioned my price range tops out at $4oo . Just didnt want to buy one and have a member say this one or that one is junk. Just looking for opinions. Thanks KJH807

Check ebay if you are in the market for a used rod. Pawn shops and such from out West usually selling for cheap.

I have a redington CPS 4 wt. for the small trout streams but know plenty of people that use that 8WT for steel with no complaints.

Cabelas,LST 8 or 9wt,9',$130 with a 25 year unconditional warrenty,with no cost replacemt,hard to beat

ORIGINAL: kingnuke32

Check ebay if you are in the market for a used rod.

 
A lot of rods have passed through my hands this way. If i was looking for a particular weight/length rod, I would buy a few different ones on ebay until I found a keeper. Then I would send the others back to auction. Sometimes, some would sell back at a higher bid than my original purchase. Sometimes not. The downside is that this takes patience and a bit of extra cash.
The reason I would go through the hassle is that  I would like the way a certain rod would cast at the fly shop. But once I got them on the water, it just didn't seem to be the same rod in actual fishing conditions. I'd get buyers remorse.
 The two main rods I use Is a 10' 7wt Orvis TL mid-flex that was a demo and i paid $80 for it. They only make these in tip flex, now. A real shame.
The other is a 9 1/2' 7wt Scott ARC that I got brand new for 1/2 price ($325).
If you can find an old Sage SP for a good price, nab it. I sold one and now have sellers remorse.
Another thing to consider about a rod for Erie, and this may have to do with preference, is that fast or tip flex rods are fine in 10 ft length but shorter than that, they are not very forgiving when landing fish.

ORIGINAL: carpklr5point

What does that mean? If you break they replace? That was my next question, what kind of warranty does the different rod companys have? I dont want to spend the $$$ on something they wont stand behind. Thanks for the great info I appreciate it.

Most of the high end rod manufacturers have pretty watertight customer service.  Anything from 25 years, defects-only, to lifetime, no questions asked.  Either way, unless you really beat on your rods or are highly unlucky, you will get a warranty with any good-quality rod, bought retail.  Many times, however, these warranties only apply to the original owner, so be sure to keep that in mind when buying used.

I've heard of people having problems with the repair/replace depts. of some rod manufacturers, but when I talked to a guy at cabelas about it, he said normally this happens only on their lowest, entry level rods with limited warranties, and even then, only when circumstances are highly suspicious.  That said, I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the customer service from any of the big names (Loomis, St. Croix, etc.) on middlin' to high end rods. 

I own a St. Croix Reign, 905-4, that I got the Sleepy special on.  When Cabelas had to make room for the new Imperials coming out, they needed to reduce their stocks of Reigns fast, marking them down by 50%.  I picked up my Reign for $75, a pretty good buy by almost anyone's standards.  Apparently, they made enough room, as I checked back a month or so after I got mine, and the price had gone back up into the low 100s.

It took St. Croix a while, but about 3-4 weeks after registering online, they sent a confirmation in the mail, with a decal as well as a few brochures in case I was in the market for another rod.

So far, I've had good experience with them, and will consider St. Croix for any future rod purchases.

cold, to add support to st. croix's warranty service:  i bought a st. croix premiere spinning rod back in the late 90s and broke the tip section.  i sent the rod back, they informed me that the model was not being made any longer, but they hand-built a match for it.  my cost was the shipping there.  since then, i have bought eight more st. croixs.