I’ll keep this brief. I had a Star Paraflex conventional rod I purchased for bottom fishing about a year ago. About a month ago I happened to hook a 100 plus lb. shark and during the ensuing fight I noticed that about the last fifth of the rod rotated severely to the right under load. At times the tip was literally at 45 degrees rotation relative to the butt/reel. I contacted Star/Big Rock Sports and CS talked to the manager of Star rods line and he said the rod was likely splined incorrectly. I dropped the defective rod off at Big Rock in MHC and I received a replacement rod 10 days later. As I was mounting my reel on the replacement rod I noticed the flat, top part of the fore-grip was rotated off the center line of the rod. It was bad enough I noticed it immediately after seating the reel. I sent BRS three emails over the course of the next 12 days regarding the defective rod that was sent to replace a defective rod and got zero response to any of the emails. So here we are.
I really liked Star rods, own 5 of them, and really liked the idea of supporting a “local” company. But after this experience I will never purchase another one and if you do, just realize it is at your own risk due to their poor quality and their customer service is pathetic.
I have several lighter rods and would buy another. I do understand your point. I think they are a good inexpensive rod. Never had a "heavy" star rod. Just curious; were you holding the rod or fighting the shark from a rod holder? Best glenn
Why not call them?
Had 3 Star Paraflex. Why did I have 3? because they kept breaking. Neuse Sports shop in Kinston swapped them out for me each time so no issues there but there is no reason they should have broken on small fish. I know someone that uses the Star Plasma and has caught hundreds of Grouper with them so maybe it’s just the Paraflex that are junk.
I have several lighter rods and would buy another. I do understand your point. I think they are a good inexpensive rod. Never had a "heavy" star rod. Just curious; were you holding the rod or fighting the shark from a rod holder? Best glenn
I was holding the rod the whole time.
star rods are not nice handmade custom rods anymore...Now there cheap Chinese junk. Its a shame
I'd imagine what you were seeing on the conventional setup under load is what you will see on most any conventional that is straight wrapped. The load you describe is exactly why many will use a spiral wrap. But As mentioned above star quality like so much has go down.