Did I Pick The Right Stuff? 2024
astaf reply :
So I decided to upgrade my rod and reel and I dont really know if i made the right decisions. A lil back ground, i got back into fishing big time this summer, got a begginer combo spinner reel and rod, lately i felt like it wasnt performing the way i wanted so i decided to upgrade, I purchased a Pinnacle Fishing Deadbolt pro RH Baitcasting reel and a Field and Stream IM6 7'Casting Rod because I have seen a lot of pro's on tv and online using baitcasting set ups so i wanted to try one. I fish from shore and am using mostly crank baits and sometimes a texas riged fake worm. so did I get a good set up for a novice fisherman?
roadwarrior reply :
Hmm...
Why not ask before buying or reviewing 154,000 posts
on the topic?
Your choice isn't something most of us would have recommended.
The "question" is absurb. Do your homework first.
astaf reply :
thanks for the honesty, i guess I am just gonna have to use what i got and make it work
breezy reply :
You could have possibly found a Citica E on clearance for a little bit more and it would have been a much more durable reel. But in all honesty without spending closer to $100 any reel under that price range is going to be pretty similar. It may not last years but it will catch fish. I have no experience with the rod but have heard other people speak favorably about F&S rods for the price (believe it was a different model).
In the end your best bet would be to save up and budget $150-200 and you could get a nice combo that will last you for many years. If you could return your two purchases you would probably be halfway there and IMO it would be worth waiting a little longer for some better equipment. With rods and reels it really is quality over quantity IMO. If that's all you can budget towards a new rod/reel then don't worry about it...go fish and have fun! When you're ready to upgrade then do some research and try to get the best bang for your buck. Buying lightly used equipment will give you better gear at a big discount so be sure to keep an eye out on for sale forums.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
It will work...may not be the best setup for the money, but it will do its job. 
Fat-G reply :
Those rods are surprisingly sensitive. Minus the reel I say you did a good job.
NorcalBassin reply :
If you're happy with it, then you did a good job. It's not a Shimano, but it should suit you just fine. Next time you're ready to upgrade, ask for opinions first.
Stasher1 reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 9:16 AM, roadwarrior said:Hmm...
Why not ask before buying or reviewing 154,000 posts
on the topic?
Your choice isn't something most of us would have recommended.
The "question" is absurb. Do your homework first.
Way to make a new guy feel welcome.
It's always nice to see the forum mods setting a good example. Good job, RW. 
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
I bought a Pinnacle Deadbolt Classic 8 years ago and its still going strong use it quite a lot. If you are a novice the best thing to do is practice with it often.
breezy reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 12:05 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:I bought a Pinnacle Deadbolt Classic 8 years ago and its still going strong use it quite a lot. If you are a novice the best thing to do is practice with it often.
Do these have a graphite frame? I just assumed so based on the MSRP from a quick google. You hear so many negative comments towards graphite frames but I have two bargain-bin reels with graphite frames that have been put through years of abuse and are still going strong. Of course I would prefer an aluminum/mg frame but at the time I didn't know there was a difference. They were cheap, readily available and have caught tons of fish. I would bet a lot (if not the majority) of reels move towards a graphite based frame in the future for cost and weight savings. Of course the material will have some new name (C6, CI4, Zaion, etc)...but is it really that much of a difference?
zachb34 reply :
See if you can return the rod for a lightning rod its an amazaing rod for 40 bucks.
Packard reply :
You get what you pay for...
SirSnookalot reply :
When it comes to buying equipment I will do a little bit of homework for some technical information, upfront I generally know what I'm looking for. I may read a few professional reviews, but so many reviews from private individuals are too biased towards 1 brand over another. A few members on here are worth noting when it comes to a fair review, J. Francho being one of the few, he knows his stuff.
Buying something and not being happy with it is all part of the learning curve. If possible I like to see the equipment I'm interested in being used, and hopefully catch fish with it, then I know exactly if I like or not.
midnighthrasher reply :
You didnnt buy what everyone on BR would have suggested but...... Thats how you learn. Next time to a bit more research.
5 yrs ago i was bass fishing with a ultra light ugly stick with a crappy reel on it. I was pitching worms in heavy cover, spinnerbaits, tubes, crankbaits and everything else and catching fish like crazy. Was it the best combo... NO but once i figured that out i knew what i wanted and what i needed to get specific techniques done.
OkobojiEagle reply :
It's only fishing! Grab your gear and enjoy. The best advice I can pass along: "AN OUNCE OF BIOLOGY IS WORTH A POUND OF TACKLE"
oe
ChiCityBasser reply :
Practice with it and if it catches fish it works for you. No it may not last ten years but most of us upgrade rods and reels often. As you get more into the sport and gain more knowledge you can upgrade again. If you went with the board recommendations we would all be fishing Shimano . Just practice as someone else stated
Grey Wolf reply :
Why do some of you boys get ticked off when some one gives an honest opinion ? 
SirSnookalot reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 9:02 PM, Grey Wolf said:Why do some of you boys get ticked off when some one gives an honest opinion ?
I may have had a change of heart, I don't mind giving a positive opinion of a product I owned or have had in the past. Regarding a product I didn't care for(or never owned) I prefer not to make some one feel bad after they've made a purchase, especially if it's a new fisherman(woman). Some of the negative opinions come from people not much more experienced that the person asking questions.
I don't pawn myself off as a qualified reviewer, only whether I like something, that's more opinion than review.
J Francho reply :
My only gripe with the reel is that it's a graphite frame. It's a durability issue. When looking at reels, I must have a metal frame, unless we're talking some other high end material, like carbon fiber or magnesium. Those reels don't fall into the $100 range, though. I think the rod is fine, and you'll catch fish with it. That said, start reading reviews on this site, and pay attention to the Flea Market. There are GREAT deals to be had for new and gently used items all the time!
Stasher1 reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 9:02 PM, Grey Wolf said:Why do some of you boys get ticked off when some one gives an honest opinion ?
I'm all in favor of giving your honest opinions of a product that you've actually used, however there are many here who insist on talking trash about gear they have NO experience with and belittling new forum users when they ask for opinions. That's what I have a problem with.
To tell a new forum user that his question regarding his new gear is "absurd" is downright rude and in extremely poor form, especially when it comes from site staff.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 12:36 PM, breezy said:Do these have a graphite frame?
Mine has a one piece aluminum frame.
J Francho reply :
On 8/18/2011 at 3:29 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Mine has a one piece aluminum frame.
That was then, this is now: http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/shop/p-90-deadbolt-slyder.aspx#page=page-2
QuoteReinforced Lightweight Graphite Frame
junkman reply :
I fish with what I can catch fish with. who cares what the pro's use (no offense). I have bass fished with a Zebco 33 all my fourty plus years with no regrets. yes there is allot better reals out there, but the old 33s serve all my bass fishing needs. I have the older all metal 33 that was in like new condition then put it on a Shakespeare rod. got a little of nothing in the whole setup and would not think about using anything else. Yes I have Abu Garcia's and the like, but I bass fish with only the 33. Check out garage sales and yard sales for sometimes you can get some real bargains. This was were my pole came from. Had a abu Garcia 6500 mounted on it for $15. Reel came out of the Junk yard I used to work at. Would not be afraid to wrassel a 15 pounder with it.
PondBoss reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 9:02 PM, Grey Wolf said:Why do some of you boys get ticked off when some one gives an honest opinion ?
You only feel this way, because you make the same rude remarks all the time. You however have a little more wiggle room since you are not a MOD of the site. Bad form on RW's post. 
roadwarrior reply :
C'mon boys.
I have been "collecting" gear for 14 years (1997). I don't fish anything I bought those
first 5, but I will fish stuff I have accumulated for the last 10 years for the rest of
my life. I wish someone had given me some straight forward advice in those early years.
Buying better equipment saves thousands, maybe tens of thousand of dollars over time.
Asking for advice after he fact is like being "just a little bit pregnant". The poster
responded positively, he took no offense, why would a few of you? I hope everyone, new
or experienced, would seek advice before making a "major purchase" whatever that dollar
price means to you.
astaf reply :
thanks for the advice everyone, i used the setup today and ended up catching 2 decent size bass 2-3lbs i guesstimate.
Raider Nation Fisher reply :
On 8/18/2011 at 5:58 AM, roadwarrior said:C'mon boys.
I have been "collecting" gear for 14 years (1997). I don't fish anything I bought those
first 5, but I will fish stuff I have accumulated for the last 10 years for the rest of
my life. I wish someone had given me some straight forward advice in those early years.
Buying better equipment saves thousands, maybe tens of thousand of dollars over time.
Asking for advice after he fact is like being "just a little bit pregnant". The poster
responded positively, he took no offense, why would a few of you? I hope everyone, new
or experienced, would seek advice before making a "major purchase" whatever that dollar
price means to you.
Wish someone had told me this when I first started fishing. Would have saved me a small fortune over the past four years. Yet you live and learn.
You know I kind of wish I had discovered Calcuttas before last year. That in and of itself would have saved me a fortune. Instead of having fourteen medium to high end reels, I could have just bought fourteen of them and been done with it. Now I'm having to scrimp and sale stuff off, to make that happen. Oh well as long as I'm catching em, I can't complain to much.
hatrix reply :
I have 5 junky spinning reels I got from a flea market that I got for dirt cheap and I use them all the time. I have been hard up since since my gear was stolen this year so I just gotta make due. The fish don't seem to care how good or much my set up cost. The line I put on them costs more then I even paid for it but they keep catching fish so i'm in no rush to upgrade at the moment.
Avid Angler FL reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 9:49 AM, astaf said:thanks for the honesty, i guess I am just gonna have to use what i got and make it work
Hey don't let folks getcha down! We've all gotta start somewhere, right? If it seems like a good setup right now then it's good! As long as you're comfortable with it and it meets your personal expectations then it's a good choice! You can always upgrade later on, and if you ever need advice on baits, presentations, techniques, or anything else related to bass fishing, or fishing in general, don't hesitate to ask!
Grey Wolf reply :
On 8/18/2011 at 5:29 AM, PondBoss said:You only feel this way, because you make the same rude remarks all the time. You however have a little more wiggle room since you are not a MOD of the site. Bad form on RW's post.
You are going to fall off of that box some day .
K_Mac reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 9:31 PM, Stasher1 said:I'm all in favor of giving your honest opinions of a product that you've actually used, however there are many here who insist on talking trash about gear they have NO experience with and belittling new forum users when they ask for opinions. That's what I have a problem with.
To tell a new forum user that his question regarding his new gear is "absurd" is downright rude and in extremely poor form, especially when it comes from site staff.
I completely agree. Being civil and honest are not at odds.
RW is absolutely right when he says that doing the research to buy good quality the first time will save money in the long term. There are many opinions of what "good quality" means though. I think a BPS Pro Qualifier baitcast reel bought on sale for $80 is a very good value. RW would disagree. My point is we each have to figure out what works best at a price we are willing to pay. I would rather have 10 outfits worth $200-250 each, than 2 or 3 high end combos. A compelling case could be made that the 2 or 3 would be money better spent. Thank goodness for the choices. 
astaf welcome to the Forum. It is a great place to learn about bass fishing and spend some time. 
slonezp reply :
On 8/17/2011 at 8:34 PM, ChiCityBasser said:Practice with it and if it catches fish it works for you. No it may not last ten years but most of us upgrade rods and reels often. As you get more into the sport and gain more knowledge you can upgrade again. If you went with the board recommendations we would all be fishing Shimano
. Just practice as someone else stated
The rod/reel combo is a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. A Milwaukee drill and a Ryobi drill are both tools that do the same thing. They both drill holes. The Milwaukee is made better, it costs more but it will last longer, and make work easier.
Same thing with fishing gear. I've used cheap gear, average gear, and expensive gear. They all catch fish(DEPENDING ON THE FISHERMAN 
) but are not all created the same.
Diablos reply :
I still have my Mitchell Copperhead combo from like 18 years ago. At the time I felt I had a great combo that gave me confidence and all for $39. My 6 year old uses it today and loves it.
I don't post that much because I am a more diehard saltwater fisherman and any knowledge of freshwater I leave to those who know more. One of the reasons I do enjoy reading this site is it seems to be a hell of a lot less corrupted by internet arrogance than other hobbyist forums. We should try and keep it that way.
For many people a hobby shouldnt be like a crack addict chasing a better high. Not everyone needs the best of the best of the best to enjoy themselves.
SirSnookalot reply :
I think there is a difference between being an elitist and and a enthusiast, the former honestly believes the highest priced gear improves the quality of fishing and enhances the experience, pure non sense. An enthusiast likes to keep up with technology, so for me I do not want a reel to last me a lifetime. Like Diablos I'm more of a saltwater fisherman, I can easily stay up with technology spending no more than $200 for a very decent saltwater reel, but buying stellas at 900 a pop I can't do that ( I'm also not out of mind either )
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