JB Salter Jig Poles

Well, the toy truck dropped off a package that I had been waiting all week for. It was with much anticipation that opened the box to see my two new rods. To say the least.......I am disappointed! I was appalled when I saw that the reels are held on with electrical tape, the eyes are not straight, sloppy glue job on the eyes. I'm torn about whether to call the man back and complain about his craftsmanship or to just suck it up and go fishing. I had really high expectations for an $80 custom tied rod........I just don't know what to think:scratchhead You guys be honest with me, what would you do? Thanks for the advice. I really don't want to call this man, I know the conversation won't go well when I tell him that I'm disappointed in his craftsmanship.

You payed for a product and it should be up to par.....I would call and complain or ask for your money back.

I have 4 of his rods and have no complaint......of course, I was able to see one before I bought it and knew what I was getting.....I love it that the very lightweight reels are taped on.....especially when I accidently stepped on one and had to replace it......IMO, the man has a very good rod but it appears you had expectations of something different.....maybe comparing it to another brand......as far as the eyes not being straight. I recently read on the forum that this is maybe the trend to keep the line from sticking to the rod.....I think that was the reason......I have landed some 10 or 15# fish on this rod....catfish and buffalo....I love the stiff butt with good tip action.....

being "up to par" is a matter of interpretation......

sorry you are not happy with your purchase.....JB is a fair man.....call him or try the rods first then call him....

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Originally Posted by prefers shiners

I have 4 of his rods and have no complaint......of course, I was able to see one before I bought it and knew what I was getting.....I love it that the very lightweight reels are taped on.....especially when I accidently stepped on one and had to replace it......IMO, the man has a very good rod but it appears you had expectations of something different.....maybe comparing it to another brand......as far as the eyes not being straight. I recently read on the forum that this is maybe the trend to keep the line from sticking to the rod.....I think that was the reason......I have landed some 10 or 15# fish on this rod....catfish and buffalo....I love the stiff butt with good tip action.....

being "up to par" is a matter of interpretation......

sorry you are not happy with your purchase.....JB is a fair man.....call him or try the rods first then call him....

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I'm sure they probably fish great, I was just kind of disappointed when I opened the package to find the reels and most of the handle covered with electrical tape. In my mind, I guess I envisioned something much more slick and polished. When I think "custom built", I was thinking something really, really nice. I think I'll try one out before I call him and complain. Like I said, my expectations and what I actually received didn't match up very well.

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....I recently read on the forum that this is maybe the trend to keep the line from sticking to the rod.....

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That was me Bruce who posted on the main forum - I guess you knew that. I recently bought two of the new SlabSticker rods from B'n'M that had the guides twisted. I was looking for feed-back because I didn't know what the deal was. Thought as well it was an issue with craftmanship. I am going to try them and see after I heard from folks on this forum. Barry, like Bruce said, maybe call him and explain what your expectations are. I don't know him, but if prefers shiners trust him - I do as well.

My father grew up with his kids in and around port Allen. He has a few of his rods and they all kooky that way. I I guess it's all in what you expect them to look like. He has one that is atleast 20- 25 years old because I used it when I was little. They may night be pretty. But the work and will last forever if taken care of.

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Originally Posted by Barry70Stang

Well, the toy truck dropped off a package that I had been waiting all week for. It was with much anticipation that opened the box to see my two new rods. To say the least.......I am disappointed! I was appalled when I saw that the reels are held on with electrical tape, the eyes are not straight, sloppy glue job on the eyes. I'm torn about whether to call the man back and complain about his craftsmanship or to just suck it up and go fishing. I had really high expectations for an $80 custom tied rod........I just don't know what to think:scratchhead You guys be honest with me, what would you do? Thanks for the advice. I really don't want to call this man, I know the conversation won't go well when I tell him that I'm disappointed in his craftsmanship.

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This is done to keep the weight down. the reel is use only to hold the line, not to play the fish. The reel is also free spinning for casting. I would recoumed stopping by his shop for a lesson on how to use his rods. He has help in making his rods. Mr. Salters is 80+ years young and can't do it all himself.
Like PS I've landed some big fish with his poles. I've also tried a lot of differant pole setups over the last 40+ years and my Salters is what I grab first. I'm sure he would buy em back, If not you can send em to me. I'll need em sooner than later. LOL

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Originally Posted by jig rig

This is done to keep the weight down. the reel is use only to hold the line, not to play the fish. The reel is also free spinning for casting. I would recoumed stopping by his shop for a lesson on how to use his rods. He has help in making his rods. Mr. Salters is 80+ years young and can't do it all himself.
Like PS I've landed some big fish with his poles. I've also tried a lot of differant pole setups over the last 40+ years and my Salters is what I grab first. I'm sure he would buy em back, If not you can send em to me. I'll need em sooner than later. LOL

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They're growing on me, I covered the handles with heat shrink, and they look and feel much better. I'm gonna cover some of my other jig pole handles with heat shrink too. I'm sure I'm gonna love'em once I get a chance to fish with them. Like I said, I was just kind of shocked when I first opened the box........not expecting to see my new $80 rods wrapped in electrical tape! I compared the eyes on the two rods today, the tips appear to be off center about the same, so I'm assuming they do that on purpose. If I can ever get off of these dang graveyards and go pull in some slabs, I'm sure I'll feel much better about my new purchases. I will sell'em to you though, $100 each:).......just saying, I've customized'em now! Haha, happy fishing!

my brothers son&law bought him one over 15 yrs ago. it is his favorite go to pole. he said if he wasn't so broke after he retired , he would buy another.

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Originally Posted by Barry70Stang

They're growing on me, I covered the handles with heat shrink, and they look and feel much better. I'm gonna cover some of my other jig pole handles with heat shrink too.

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OK....I think you may be on to something......so teach an old dog a new trick....what does the heat shrink do to make it better......I may want to do it also.....I've developed a bad habit of hooking my hook in the end of the butt and it's tearing it up....just fast that way.....