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Surfland about drove me nuts this morning

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Well, I decided to try striper fishing from shore on Plum Island a couple of weeks ago and found that my 6'ft9" Tiger Lite rod, while fine for plugging from the boat, wasn't giving me the distance I wanted from shore to reach out to deeper water. I wanted to upgrade to an 8'-class rod that would still be reasonably light and handy. After seeing what they had at Surfland, I did some research in product catalogs online, and calling the manufacturers and went back to Surfland to give the local merchant my business.

 

Turned out they couldn't order the rod I wanted. Then the sales person started herding me towards a St Croix Wild River rod - a freshwater/steelhead rod. It was nice and light, but when I tried to tell her the St Croix customer service people told me not to choose that rod for salt water, she started to give me attitude. She said of course there was actually no difference between salt water gear and fresh, and then started mocking me, saying "Do you think they make salt water cars?" among other strange things.

 

Now, maybe you can use that rod for salt water with a little extra care, that is not the point. I don't want to be told there is no difference between salt and fresh water gear for corrosion, nor made to think I am stupid for believing there is. I actually went in there specifically to give them my business as a local resident. But after "getting the business" from this sales person, I walked. The rationale for buying from a physical store is the customer service, but this was actually much worse than no customer service, it was misleading and rude customer service.

 

Grrrrrr - whether the alternative is Hudson's or the internet, I can't do worse than this morning's experience. :mad:

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For what it's worth, a rod designed for steelhead/salmon fishing is more than well suited for light to medium striped bass fishing. The components used these days for most quality rods are pretty much impervious to saltwater and will last years with minimal maintenance such as rinsing with freshwater after "every" use.

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Let me be the first to say that all three of the women who work in that shop know more about gear and fishing than most of the posters on this board. I've never heard anyone getting bad advice. I can't think of any difference between fresh and salt water rods, so long as the length and action are suitable. I'm guessing that the sarcasm did not start from anyone behind the counter.

 

Somehow, you went into one of the premier shops on the East Coast and something went wrong. Don't give up on them. Yours is the first bad experience I have ever heard of at that shop.

.........Elvis lives....2020

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Let me be the first to say that all three of the women who work in that shop know more about gear and fishing than most of the posters on this board. I've never heard anyone getting bad advice. I can't think of any difference between fresh and salt water rods, so long as the length and action are suitable. I'm guessing that the sarcasm did not start from anyone behind the counter.

 

Somehow, you went into one of the premier shops on the East Coast and something went wrong. Don't give up on them. Yours is the first bad experience I have ever heard of at that shop.

This is exactly what I was thinking. :why:

 

 

 

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In 55 years, other than used car salesmen, who can similarly use being demeaning to try to get you to buy what they want you to, I haven't gotten that kind of "help" anywhere else. I really didn't respond, because I was just very surprised, and I didn't really understand why I was being spoken to this way. But when I left, I still had no fishing rod, and I sure didn't feel good.

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For what it's worth, a rod designed for steelhead/salmon fishing is more than well suited for light to medium striped bass fishing. The components used these days for most quality rods are pretty much impervious to saltwater and will last years with minimal maintenance such as rinsing with freshwater after "every" use.

 

Thanks Mike. I started out thinking I needed a small surf rod, but on thinking more on it, instead of a "short/light" surf rod, I think I might be better served by a "long/heavy" inshore rod - I want some casting distance, but I also want to be able to swing plugs and spoons with it for a couple of hours at least, and if there is an opportunity, wade and fish lighter lures in shallow water - looking for something that can serve multiple purposes

 

The thing about this rod is, it's $180. I know there are rods that can cost a lot more, but for me this is a lot of money for a fishing rod. Then when the maker tells me that it won't hold up to salt water as well as their inshore rods, I am reluctant to plunk down that money on something I may need to "baby".

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Let me be the first to say that all three of the women who work in that shop know more about gear and fishing than most of the posters on this board. I've never heard anyone getting bad advice. I can't think of any difference between fresh and salt water rods, so long as the length and action are suitable. I'm guessing that the sarcasm did not start from anyone behind the counter.

 

Somehow, you went into one of the premier shops on the East Coast and something went wrong. Don't give up on them. Yours is the first bad experience I have ever heard of at that shop.

in

 

I've had bad service from premier shops, will never shop at Red Top again, but Surfland is in a league of their own.lse They do it all, and they do it better than anyone else. Who were you dealing with?

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in

 

I've had bad service from premier shops, will never shop at Red Top again, but Surfland is in a league of their own.lse They do it all, and they do it better than anyone else. Who were you dealing with?

 

I don't know East - there was an older lady in there, but she was helping someone else. I got someone with light brown hair and I'd guess 35-40yo.

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YB. If you are feeling a little bruised you have First Light Anglers in Rowley near the Clam Box and there is always KTP which is not that far to the north.

 

Thanks John - I have never been to First Light, may try them just to see what is there. Hudson's Outboard is also right up the road a little ways.

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