Design and Use Philosophy
Skilled Fishermen design Rogue rods for the enjoyment of other Fishermen. When used properly, we claim that they will catch more Fish by providing a lightweight, strong, sensitive, yet powerful rod that will give an extra advantage to an angler. Proper use includes using line that falls within the poundage rating on the rod. Proper use means keeping the proper angle relationship between the Fish and the rod so the power of the rod is fully utilized but it is not over stressed. Proper use means not trying to lift a substantial Fish out of the water or into the shore by lifting or putting an excessive angle on the rod. Please use a gaff or net for this purpose. Proper use means not sacrificing your rod to improperly retrieve a snagged lure.

We can, and other companies do make heavy "unbreakable" rods that can stand improper use or excessive stress by Fishermen but this is not what we want Rogue Rods to be. It is like taking a bullet bike to a motocross or a dragster to a tractor pull. You wouldn't expect Lance Armstrong to ride a heavy, rugged mountain bike in the Tour de France. Hi performance products, and we consider our rods highest performance, are designed to focus on doing a certain job the best way and taking it to the limit. An example is: Rods rated for 15 - 30 # line are not designed for use with 40# line. Our 5/D designs make an extremely light 30# rod that can properly handle all the enjoyment and rigors of fishing with 30# line. When we need a rod that can be used with 40 # line we design one as light as possible for that purpose and scientifically test it for proper use up to and beyond it's rating. Your Fishing experience will be greatly enhanced if you purchase the right rod, the right line and use your head when Fishing and transporting your rods. If you want a high performance rod, buy it, care for it and enjoy it. If you want a heavy "Unbreakable" rod, buy one that is advertised as "Unbreakable" but don't expect the enjoyment or results that a light, high performance rod can bring. Your Rogue dealer can assist you in choosing the right rod to match your goal and you can weigh the advantages of "unbreakable" against Fishable.

Blanks
The graphite in our rods is the correct type, grade, modulus or whatever you want call it that suits the intended application of the rod. There is no hype about grades of graphite or fancy marketing names. Higher modulus alone does not make a better rod. There are about 10 different specifications to graphite material along with countless resin systems that have to be considered to pick the material to make the best rod. We carefully study the intended purpose of the rod and then choose the correct materials system that will optimize weight, strength, and achieve the correct action. The overall design of the rod and blank is more important to the performance than just the graphite modulus. Good material, bad design and execution = Ordinary Rod. Right material, good design and execution = Fish Whipping Weapon. There are 5 dimensions to blank design that must be calculated perfectly to create the right blank for the job.

5/D (5 dimension) Blank Design
1. Length
2. Diameter
3. Taper
4. Wall Thickness
5. Material.

If you change one, it affects the others. Not one of the 5/D's is more important than the other. Material hype alone can be just that, hype. Sensitivity and power in a rod is determined by rod weight, action and balance, not just material hype. Pick up one of our rods and you will see that we are experts in calculating the 5/D's to make the perfect rod.

Guides
We use the lightest guide set possible that will stand up to the intended use of the rod. Our standard choice has been black frame Fuji Alconite Concept guides. The Fuji Concept guide design is the lightest and strongest available. The Alconite guide ring is very smooth and durable. Whenever possible we utilize single foot guides to reduce weight and allow us to use more guides on the rod. More guides enhance casting distance, hooking and fighting power and reduces line twist. 
Our Kokanee rods are fitted with the smallest and lightest guide set available. We searched the world to find the special small (4mm) guide for this application specific trolling rod.
Our heavier Salt Water Rods will use the newest Fuji Silicon Nitride II Concept guide set when available late this fall. The new ring is tough enough to be used with wire line and almost as smooth as SIC. The black stainless guide frames are stronger yet lighter than the older stamped and welded brass frames. The lighter models of Salt Water rods use Fuji Alconite Concept guides. The Surf and the current heavier Salt Water rods use Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides with black stainless guide frames. 

Reel Seats and Handles
Again we use the lightest and smallest reel seat that will satisfy the intended use of the rod. Some manufacturers use large bulky, fit everything, reel seats to accommodate all sizes of reels. Our reel seats will fit a reel that is of the correct size that will balance and not destroy the weight advantage you gain with our rods. All light casting rods have an exposed blank style Fuji reel seat with a black padded hood. Light spinning rods have a cork filled seat that is matched to finesse diameter cork grips. Surf rods utilize TICH Titanium coated hoods on the reel seat for corrosion resistance and good looks. Salt Water rods use Heavy Duty Fuji reel seats. The balance of the rods use Fuji casting and spinning reel seats, all with black padded hoods. We use "A" grade cork on all rods except fly rods, which have "super" grade cork. Surf and some Salt Water rods have handles that utilize non-slip tape in place of cork or foam.

New and Hot!! 
RoGrip Graphite Handle
Rogue is offering the RoGrip Graphite Handle package as an option on most Salmon, Steelhead, Bass, Light Salt Water, Popping and SJ spinning rods. The cork grip and fore grip are replaced with very light and durable woven graphite tubes. Our guides were the inspiration for the light and sensitive RoGrip  Graphite Handle. They also wanted a handle that did not deteriorate with age and use, and was easy to keep clean. The polished finish is smooth to the touch but is not slick when wet and it is warm in cold weather. This can be ordered as an option on many Rogue rods. Lead time is 60 days. (Spinning handle available spring 2003)