MOST pros aren't getting rods and reels for free, but rather at a discounted price. There are a select few that get theirs free, i.e. KVD.

I would have to agree with Redneck Shadrap. In my opinion, I would imagine that most of them would still be using the same thing that they are using today. They have too much money invested in their tournaments to be using something that they don't have 100% confidence in.