The JLM rods and reels are in my opinion, better rods and reels than the RC's, due to better components and overall quality. However the overall marketing strategy for both of them is slightly different. The RC's are his bread and butter, developed, marketed and endorsed by BPS and RC as a packaged combo. The same goes for Woo's "Extreme" rods and Quantum's "KVD Signature series" (available ONLY through BPS stores)....all of BPS's Pro's have their own signature line of products. Rick uses and promotes his stuff exclusively and together, he and BPS offer a good rod and reel combo for cranking, spinnerbaits, jiggin', topwater etc....Rick also uses 6'6" Med/Hvy rods for virtually every bait he throws.....he just prefers that, and it works for him (VEERRY WELL too i might add!..LOL) BPS also sells a lot more RC rods/reels than they do the JM Sig, stuff....mainly because of the price difference. I just like the JM and PQ stuff because I think it's lighter and the reels are a better. Again, it's just personal preference. I have a few RC combo's and they are top drawer stuff,..the action of the rods is excellent...especially for crankbaits and spinnerbaits!! I like the sensitivity and the fast tips of the JM rods and the PQ's better for tubes, jigs, worms and other finesse style baits. It wouldn't be a very good idea for RC to have his own line of signature rods and reels and then NOT use them....why would he want to do that?? If BPS, goes to the expense and trouble of developing a signature line of products for one of their Pro-Staffers,...it's because they know they can get that pro's full support when it comes to R&D, marketing, promtions and most importantly,..increased SALES! Believe me,..those guys won't endorse something that doesn't meet their needs or if they don't believe in it or use it all the time. I think the RC stuff is good stuff,..but I also think the JM stuff is a little better....just my .02 though. (Hope it helped!!)
Mac
and no...unfortunately they are not available in LH models....sorry Sim!! ;o(