Shimano Trevala rods

I'm in the process of trying to buy a new Trevala Rod to pair with an Avet SX 6/4 and I was wondering if anybody has ever seen one of those rods on sale or knows where I might find one on sale. $99 isn't outrageous for a rod, but it always seems suspicious to me when every single distributor everywhere in the world charges the exact same price for a product right down to the penny. Whatever happened to laws against price fixing and the whole free market concept of competitive pricing? Anyhow, just a little ranting this afternoon 

I'd also be open to picking up a used one if anybody wants to unload theirs.  Maybe this should have gone in classifieds?

Jay,

$99 is expensive for a rod. I've looked all over the internet for a lower price as well, but I think that is the set price.
I bought the rod and have no complaints. It works great! You get what you pay for.

Dude!
I posted a link in the Classifieds (granted, about 3 months ago) for Trevalas at Cabelas for 70 bucks! It was limited to the med-light 7' rod but I got one and really like it. Opening day RF season was the de-virginizing trip for my Trevala and it caught 4 big lings. No problem hoisting them off the bottom in kelp. I also have the 6'6" med-hvy and like it too (as reccommended by da moochy).
Had a long conversation yesterday at the tackle shop w/a guy heading to Mex. He said he switched out all of his rods for Trevalas. Uses them for everything from livebait to casting to trolling to jigging. They seem like very versatile rods for the price. I like the fact that they're so light; perfect for kayak fishing.

I also have a knock-off version, made by Dblue (I found them through eBay) that I got for like $60. Same TC4 material and construction process. But it has better eyes and reel seat....but the cork handle seems average-quality. Here's the link: http://www.dbluefishing.com/ProductShow.asp?ID=101
Good luck Jay!
PK

FJ, not sure how far you're willing to travel or how soon you want the rod, but Mel Cotton's in San Jose puts out a 20% off coupon about 4 or 5 times a year and that would bring a Trevala down to $80.  Food for thought.

In fact, just about a month ago they had their spring fishing expo where there wasn't sales tax and you could apply the coupon.  I know what you're probably thinking,   

Michael

LOL, it's always the way that the sales are when I'm the poorest 

It seemed like I should have been due one of those Cabelas $20 off coupons any day now, but they may have stopped sending those out. I'll be traveling to Reno around Memorial Day and may just swing in and pick one of the Trevalas up.

Thanks for the link PK, I'll check it out when i get home today, my work blocks eBay. In your opinion, is it worth $70 for the other rods considering the lifetime warranty that Shimano gives on their Trevalas?

I definitely think that those 6'8" Dblue rods are a great deal at $60. But yes, considering that the Trevalas have a lifetime warranty (I didn't even know that!)....tough call. Chances are, on my kayak, I'd lose a rod before breaking it; in which case, the warranty is void.

Jay -

I try to match the rod to the reel and to the species being targeted. I have a Avet SX 6/4 and love it. You can get away with a $70 production rod for most NCAL fishing but if you are going for dinos or pelagics, the Trevala or Baidarka would be the minimum quality, IMHO. A $70 production rod with a $300 Avet 2 speed reel is like drinking French Champagne from a Dixie cup. 

Scott

...is like drinking French Champagne from a Dixie cup. 

...you mean I shouldn't do that?   

That's a good point Great Bass, I hadn't thought about the costs involved. Of course I could just put the Avet on an Ugly Stik  I think I'll end up kicking down the $100 and go for the Trevala MH.

Jay, as mentioned, I picked up the Trevala at Mel Cotton's last month and used one of those 20% off coupons, reducing the price of the rod to ~ $80... I've put an Avet Sx on it and it is a sweet match! 

I'm going to a graduation at UNR in a week and a half, and making my first pilgramage to Mecca (aka Cabelas)... I'll see if they have any deals on the Trevalas (because I want another one!!!).

Champagne from a Dixie cup, eh?  How about Coors Light from a Ming Dynasty chalice?  That's how I roll!

Backcounty 

A $70 production rod with a $300 Avet 2 speed reel is like drinking French Champagne from a Dixie cup. 

$70 $100 not much difference there if I'm matching up a $300 reel I'm going to put it on a nice Loomis,Lami or Kunz.
Why would you use a 2 speed reel in a kayak unless you were doing a mama ship trip??

Mike, that's what Jay intends to do.

Another source for the Trevala rods (BIG rack of 'em) is Outdoor Pro Shop in Rohnert Park. Take the Rohnert Park Expressway exit off 101, head East to next intersection, at the light, turn right (South), pass the gas station on your right, take very next driveway and you're there.

John

Why would you use a 2 speed reel in a kayak unless you were doing a mama ship trip??

I do plan doing a mothership trip, but I also saw this as a good all-around heavy duty/light tackle saltwater reel. My wife and I are starting to look at trips to Mexico and Central America in the next couple years, and I also was looking for something that could be used for sturgeon or the occasional mud marlin. A 2 speed Avet is probably overkill around here, but I've got other trips in mind where I think it will come in handy.

As far as the rod goes, I've decided to put it on a Trevala for now, but I also build my own fishing rods (mainly fly rods) so ultimately the Trevala is just a place holder for the reel until I build a nice custom for myself. My skills aren't at the Kunz level when it comes to being fancy, but the years of building fly rods have made it so that I have the capability to build something that's solid and pretty nice. 

is just a place holder for the reel until I build a nice custom for myself.

Good plan Jay

$99 is expensive for a rod.

For a shimano Trevala, I think it's cheap. IMO: the performance of the Trevala is worth more than $99.00. ChuckE caught a good sized tuna on a Trevala (Baja). Fish Hunter recently caught and released an over sized sturgeon on this particular rod as well. For it's specs, it's got a wide range of use. That's why I LOVE it. Today, I fought a big batray and the rod was up to par - gotta love how "light" (and cheaper) this rod is compared to the cal stars and seekers.

Like Backcountry, I'll be getting another one pretty soon cause I simply afraid that shimano just might discontinue this rod - I hope not - but I want to make sure I'll have one on standby - just in case Oh...and there's always that possibility of losing my only one off the kayak

...just my 2 cents