"I wouldn't say its just the rods themselves, but the amount of time and preparation I put into my tackle ... Whoever took it just sees it as fishing stuff, but to me it was what made me, me."

Man, I am sorry to hear that for you also. I hope you catch them. It makes me mad too; hearing it. There is a special place in Hell for lowlifes like that if they don't repent someday.

What you say about the time and preparation; the fact that they are yours and you get a feel for your own equipment.

It's really neat of Skeeterjames to offer to let you use his equipment and others.

Something like that may want you to give up on something you love; I had a bunch of coins stolen that I collected; just wheat pennies. I really never collected coins again with the same fervor. I hope that does not happen to you and your fishing.