2pc vs. 4pc rods

[brain]

thinking about getting a new 4wt, from st. croix. the specific rod i'm looking at only comes in 4pcs....i never handled a 4pc rod, let alone fished one.

so, is there any noticable differences between how the two feel?

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear brain,

See if you can test cast the rod just to see if you like it.

I haven't bought a 2 piece rod in well over 10 years with the exception of older used bamboo and fiberglass rods. I sold many of my 2 piece graphite rods and replaced them with 3, 4, or 5 piece models. To me they are just much more convenient to travel with or store.

Having said that I have cast some rods that had a noticeable difference between the 2 piece and 4 piece versions. In my case I always felt the 4 piece versions handled better and felt better to me, you might not feel the same way.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

 

[jayL]

If there's any difference, the 4 piece will be a bit stiffer and faster. To me, that's a good thing most of the time.

 

[gfen]

fwiw, rods can be tapered to design where the extra pieces can be advantageous to use. while similar-but-different, i've seen many instances where 3 piece rods are considered to be better than 2 or 4 piece rods. it all depends on design.

 

[pcray1231]

It used to be that fishermen thought ferrules negatively affected the action. There were even 1 pieces, but most were 2 piece.

That seems to have changed. Better ferrule design, or just a change in mentality, or perhaps a bit of both.

FWIW, almost all of my rods are 2 piece. No particular reason, just thats how it ended up, I wasn't avoiding or aiming for any particular number of pieces. I don't find 4 pieces to be any incredible advantage as far as carrying and storing, my car handles the length of a 2 piece just fine, and when carrying, I carry it as a 2 or 1 anyway cause I don't take the case out of the car. If there is a real advantage to 4 piece, I'd say it's probably air travel. I did just pick up a 4 piece and it casts just fine.

 

[just_jon]

I don't ever envision a time where I would purchase a 2 piece rod over a 3 or 4 piece rod. I've been fishing for over 40 years and can tell any discernible difference on the water. I can tell a difference when it comes time to pack my rods for travel. I say go 4 piece and don't look back.

 

[troutslammer]

everywhere you have a joint in the rod it is weaker ! I think 2 piece rods telegraph better than 4 pc rods too.

 

[whheff]

troutslammer wrote:
everywhere you have a joint in the rod it is weaker ! I think 2 piece rods telegraph better than 4 pc rods too.

I agree with this statement too. The only rod I broke was a 4 piece rod where the top piece went into the next.
If you travel by air alot, the 4 piece is the way to go.. You can carry them on the plane instead of shipping them. Other than that it is what you like to fish with.
I have both and prefer the 2 piece rod.

 

[Shock]

There are times when I would like to go back to two peice rods. Specifically when I get tired of putting the extra pieces together and lining up all of the guides so I can get rigged and start fishing.

My best friend only takes his four piece rod apart in the middle and stores it in a two piece rod/reel tube.

He is the practical one and consequently beats me to the water when we fish together.

Shock