Does quality of Rod/Reel matter? 2024
Reprsntdc reply :
If you had better equipment, does that mean you catch more bass in general compared to someone who has lesser quality equipment (rod.reed)? With skill/lure/line/body of water being the same? $150 rod/reel set up vs $40 rod/reel set up.
Very very curious if it matters at all. And if it does, how much? 5%? 10% more fish?
Thank you!!! AND DONT FORGET TO VOTE!!
Edited by ReprsntdcJ Francho reply :
You have to be on fish that are biting, have the right bait, depth, and speed to trigger a strike. If all that is satisfied, then short of the gear failing, or incapable of getting the fish in, I'm gonna say no, it isn't really a hindrance. That said, a more sensitive stick, matched with good line, and better reel will up your odds of detecting the strike, delivering the hook set, and landing the fish. It will also be more enjoyable. I'm not talking about really high end gear. More like that $120 rod and $150 reel price point. That's where you get the most bang for your buck.
Scott F reply :
As long as the reel functions, the price of the reel has no effect on how many fish you'll catch. A very cheap rod can keep you from feeling bites on some lures. There is a point of diminishing returns where more money spent has a smaller and smaller effect.
CrankFate reply :
Yes. It matters. Even though I like to knock high end gear, better, lighter gear will catch more fish. As long as it’s right for the application and the guy holding it. Excellent gear can be had for good prices. Once you hit $200-300, you gain little or nothing by going up in price beyond that.
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 3:16 AM, J Francho said:a more sensitive stick, matched with good line, and better reel will up your odds of detecting the strike, delivering the hook set, and landing the fish. It will also be more enjoyable.
Agree.
WRB reply :
What is considered high end ultra sensitive light weight a decade ago and everyone was toting as essential to have to catch bass is now considered obsolete or entry level tackle. The bass haven't changed.
In the hands of a highly skilled angler state of the art tackle can make a difference. Like a formula 1 car if you can only drive around the track at Highway speeds you only need a VW, the formula 1 car requires skills most drivers will never have.
Tom
diversity210 reply :
I dont think having a cheaper setup will yeild you less fish that someone with a 1000 dollar rig. More money for a rod and reel is not going to make you a better angler. Spending more on gear usually means a lighter equipment, more well balanced rods, more sensitive rods, and longevity. While that 150 dollar combo might last you 5 years, the guy with the 800 dollar combo will still have his in 10 years. You dont need expensive gear to be as effective an angler as the next guy. Ive found that once you pass a certain dollar amount then you aren't getting that much more for your money. Hone your skills with what you have. Thats the best way to become a good angler.s I fish with my uncle a lot. Now I am one of those guilty of overkill and have 15-20 rigs on my boat . All costing between 250 and 400 bucks rod and reel. My uncle always brings the same to old 2 cheap rods with reels that sound like someone grinding their teeth when he reels them and some days he out fishes me. He gets a kick out of it too. Me and all my expensive gear and his 2 cheap setups and he out fishes me sometimes.
the reel ess reply :
Sooner or later, a very cheap reel will fail you. If you don't have a spare on hand, you'll be finished catching fish that day. There will be strikes you don't detect with a very cheap rod. I'll add to this, having the right ratio, line and rod will affect how well you can get to, set the hook on and land bass. Case in point: fishing a hollow body frog in lilies. It helps to get long casts, hard hooksets and get the bass to the top as soon as possible. If allowed to dig down in the slop, they'll get off regularly.
That said, I don't own a rod over $129 value (I paid $50 for it used). I don't own a reel that sells for more than $130. Everyone has their pain threshold.
slonezp reply :
The benefit of better gear is if you don't have a clue as to what you're doing, you'll at least look good doing it.
haggard reply :
A skilled or lucky angler can catch fish on a low quality setup; a higher quality setup will probably land you more fish; but beyond the point of diminishing returns, doesn't matter.
As for enjoyment, it's subjective and personal, and nobody else can tell you if or how much it matters.
Tennessee Boy reply :
$40 for a rod and reel is seriously cheap. I do think there is a big difference between $40 combo and a $150 combo. The difference between a $150 combo and a $1000 combo is not much and most of it is vanity. Many pros do well using combos in the $200 - $500 range. I don’t think they would dare use a $40 combo.
the reel ess reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 8:57 AM, Tennessee Boy said:$40 for a rod and reel is seriously cheap. I do think there is a big difference between $40 combo and a $150 combo. The difference between a $150 combo and a $1000 combo is not much and most of it is vanity. Many pros do well using combos in the $200 - $500 range. I don’t think they would dare use a $40 combo.
I used to routinely see pros with BPS Pro Qualifier reels on the deck. They probably upgraded them with the innards from the Johnny Morris line of reels. I would put the min acceptable baitcast reel at about $70 regular price. For me it has to have a solid frame. No graphite or "composite" frames for me. I've owned two and they were both turds. The cheapest solid metal framed reel I know of is the Academy house brand. So, starting at $70 for a reel, I'd put my cheapest acceptable rod at a regular price of $30. I have a couple Lightning Rods that I bought for that price. They feel incredibly insensitive compared to my other rods. I wouldn't go any cheaper than that for a new combo. I understand if others want to. That's fine. They might get lucky.
I would say though that I will go cheap for reaction baits like cranks or spinnerbaits. Not feeling the strike can be a good thing in that case. The fish inhales the bait before you feel the fish. But it must be durable.
soflabasser reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 3:06 AM, Reprsntdc said:If you had better equipment, does that mean you catch more bass in general compared to someone who has lesser quality equipment (rod.reed)? With skill/lure/line/body of water being the same? $150 rod/reel set up vs $40 rod/reel set up.
Very very curious if it matters at all. And if it does, how much?
The level of bass fishing skill you have and where you fish is far more important than what fishing equipment you own. I know many guys that have top notch gear yet catch average quality fish and those with regular level gear and they catch fish that the average bass fisherman dreams of catching.
Mobasser reply :
I think for a serious fisherman, having a good rod for worm/jig fishing can make a difference. Moving baits or topwater- not as much. Like others have said, you still need to locate fish, and cast the correct bait at the right speed and depth. This is much harder than going to a tackle shop, and spending big money on rods/reels! Lots of guys have the best gear, but still catch very few bass. The #1 reason for not catching bass? Fishing in the wrong places. It's rarely the tackle
Catt reply :
I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable
One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.
Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.
Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.
Definitions
Tools: lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?
Quality has nothing to do with price! ????
AlTheFisherman313 reply :
My opinion is location, presentation and line effect your catch more than rod/reel quality. Now the reason most of us buy higher end equipment as far as rods go the more expensive ones give superior feel and their action tends to be more true. If I showed you how much my medium ugly stick bent vs my medium seeker you would be in disbelief.
as far as reels go, higher price usually indicates better durability as well as a smoother retrieve.
i personally go somewhere in the middle for financial reasons, but I’d be lying if I said a Walmart zebco combo felt as good to use.
at the end of the day I have seen an old guy with a bamboo rod that I had never seen before with no reel catch more pan fish that the two other anglers next to him combined and some.
Basically to sum it up you are paying for reliability(in most cases) and increased pole sensitivity. I have used some pretty bad rods and really all you can tell is something hit it. On my better gear you can feel a fish vs a snag or debris.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Someone once told me, if I buy good tools I buy once, cheap tool twice. Now I have two miter saws, two routers and two circular saw.
this might not apply to fishing gears though since now I have more than 15 rods/reels.
Kidflex reply :
Yes it matters. Take the same person using a $40 setup and let him use a $400 setup. He will detect more bites and catch more fish. Can you catch a lot of fish using cheap gear? Most certainly. Wil you catch more with higher end gear? Absolutely.
Of course someone who is a great angler with cheap gear can outfish a novice with the most expensive setup but that is comparing skill level vs equipment.
TOXIC reply :
Yes............to a point. At some point you will exceed your skill level and the extra $$ for higher end gear becomes redundant. Usually this is most evident with fishermen just starting out. In that example they get no real benefit from higher end gear until their skill level advances to the point they can take advantage of it. Better reels offer longer and more accurate casts, better drag systems, more functions, etc. Better rods offer actions designed for specific techniques, better sensitivity and upgraded performance. But those advantages are lost if you don't know how to use them. It is much easier for an experienced angler to catch fish on cheaper gear than an inexperienced angler to catch fish on more expensive gear.
ResoKP reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 3:18 AM, CrankFate said:Yes. It matters. Even though I like to knock high end gear, better, lighter gear will catch more fish. As long as it’s right for the application and the guy holding it. Excellent gear can be had for good prices. Once you hit $200-300, you gain little or nothing by going up in price beyond that.
This is very untrue. You're saying there's not much difference between an E6x vs NRX or a Levante vs Destroyer. There's still a world of a difference even if you go beyond $300. You obviously have not tried actual high end gear. Please don't talk about things you have no experience in and spreading misinformation.
Anyways, to OP, I fish on both $200 combos to $1000+ combos side by side. They both catch fish but of course I enjoy using my high end gear more. I actually own both a Toyota and a Lexus. They both get me from point A to point B... and I think you know where I'm going with this. Regardless, besides just "feelings", high end gear also uses better materials, components, and usually also come with a better warranty. Which comes down to the individual if it's worth it to them or not to have lighter blanks with higher quality graphite, better guides with premium insert materials, etc. Some people like leather interior, some people are fine with cloth.
Truth is, I don't get to have too much time on the water. So when I do get the precious chance to be out on the water, I would rather be fishing with equipment that will maximize my enjoyment and to me higher end equipment helps with that.
BaitFinesse reply :
Yes it matters. No it does not catch any more fish.
CrankFate reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 10:13 PM, ResoKP said:This is very untrue. You're saying there's not much difference between an E6x vs NRX or a Levante vs Destroyer. There's still a world of a difference even if you go beyond $300. You obviously have not tried actual high end gear. Please don't talk about things you have no experience in and spreading misinformation.
Anyways, to OP, I fish on both $200 combos to $1000+ combos side by side. They both catch fish but of course I enjoy using my high end gear more. I actually own both a Toyota and a Lexus. They both get me from point A to point B... and I think you know where I'm going with this. Regardless, besides just "feelings", high end gear also uses better materials, components, and usually also come with a better warranty. Which comes down to the individual if it's worth it to them or not to have lighter blanks with higher quality graphite, better guides with premium insert materials, etc. Some people like leather interior, some people are fine with cloth.
Truth is, I don't get to have too much time on the water. So when I do get the precious chance to be out on the water, I would rather be fishing with equipment that will maximize my enjoyment and to me higher end equipment helps with that.
The quality of gear is not directly related to the price. The difference is Toyota and Lexus. Almost entirely psychological.
The only thing worse than buying something because of the price, is buying it for a good warranty. I always get a good laugh when people justify a high price because of the great experience they had when they had to use the warranty.
Once you you can buy any fishing rod you want—the fact that high end is not better starts to become more real.
I would also think that the reason so many expensive rods wind up on an Internet BST is they were not really better, but people are just too ashamed to admit it (and probably want to keep the price high for the sale).
Catt reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 3:18 AM, CrankFate said:Excellent gear can be had for good prices. Once you hit $200-300, you gain little or nothing by going up in price beyond that.
On 5/30/2019 at 9:49 PM, TOXIC said:Yes............to a point. At some point you will exceed your skill level and the extra $$ for higher end gear becomes redundant.
Absolutely correct!
What's generated up the line then down the rod has to be felt by the hands & then interpreted by the brain. Everyone's sense of feel aint the same & everyone's interpretation of what's being felt is different.
Who's holding the rod? ????
redmeansdistortion reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 9:50 AM, the reel ess said:I would put the min acceptable baitcast reel at about $70 regular price. For me it has to have a solid frame. No graphite or "composite" frames for me. I've owned two and they were both turds.
I've had two graphite frames fail on me, but I was float fishing for kings which fight much harder than bass. The foot snapped off of both of them. One was a Pflueger President baitcaster and the other an Abu Revo X baitcaster. Outside of myself using them to bite off more than they could chew, they were fine reels for other smaller less fighty fish.
ResoKP reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 12:31 AM, CrankFate said:The quality of gear is not directly related to the price. The difference is Toyota and Lexus. Almost entirely psychological.
The only thing worse than buying something because of the price, is buying it for a good warranty. I always get a good laugh when people justify a high price because of the great experience they had when they had to use the warranty.
Once you you can buy any fishing rod you want—the fact that high end is not better starts to become more real.
I would also think that the reason so many expensive rods wind up on an Internet BST is they were not really better, but people are just too ashamed to admit it (and probably want to keep the price high for the sale).
I'm not talking about diminishing returns here. Of course there's diminishing returns going up the price point and this obviously applies to every materialistic thing in life. It's redundant to even talk about it because it's implied in these types of conversations. My North Face jacket is $300 and my Mackage parka is $1,200. I didn't buy the expensive jacket because its 4x warmer. NOBODY buys it for that reason. But are there benefits? There's still lots of benefits.
What you said about no benefit to going above $300+ on rods is so far from truth it's not even funny. Again, think E6x vs NRX.
Also, difference between Toyota and Lexus is "almost entirely" psychological? Are you trolling?
Josh Smith reply :
Price does not necessarily indicate quality. Often, it indicates complexity, which leads to failure.
Witness the Abu Garcia Eon, and the Ambassadeur AB models, for example.
I argue today that excellent reels could be made less expensive, but of same quality. For example, if Abu Garcia were to take their Revo, delete the thumb bar in favor of an older style button, and delete the bearings (except for the IAR bearing) in favor of bronze bushings like in the old Ambassadeurs, they could build an excellent reel that could complete in price with, say, the Made in China Lew's, etc, and at better quality.
In act, I'd love to have an all-bushing Ambassadeur for fishing heavy cover. I've never liked thumb paddles for casting.
As-is, I don't catch more fish on my lighter graphite rods than I did/do on my fiberglass rods. There have always been techniques to get around sensitivity, or lack thereof.
The biggest benefit I've noticed with graphite rods (combined with proper line) are increased ability to feel the bottom, and more fishing time with less fatigue.
Regards,
Josh
Largies4Life reply :
I will say that more expensive equipment does come with advantages. My brother has a baitcasting reel that he got for around $50, and a couple years later, it cannot cast more than 20 feet if you tried. And that's after loosening the tension and braking systems as much or as little as you want. This has obviously put a hinderance on his fishing capabilities, as we do fish a lot of clear water and without being able to make those extra long casts, I would say he is at a disadvantage compared to reels in the $150 range and up as we have not had any issues with those and have had them for years.
CrankFate reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 12:52 AM, ResoKP said:I'm not talking about diminishing returns here. Of course there's diminishing returns going up the price point and this obviously applies to every materialistic thing in life. It's redundant to even talk about it because it's implied in these types of conversations. My North Face jacket is $300 and my Mackage parka is $1,200. I didn't buy the expensive jacket because its 4x warmer. NOBODY buys it for that reason. But are there benefits? There's still lots of benefits.
What you said about no benefit to going above $300+ on rods is so far from truth it's not even funny. Again, think E6x vs NRX.
Also, difference between Toyota and Lexus is "almost entirely" psychological? Are you trolling?
I have a custom made extremely high end cashmere overcoat that costs more than a very nice bass boat (really) — it’s a little better than my $150 Ralph Lauren overcoat.
ResoKP reply :
As for reels, if you open up a $200 reel and a $500 one, at a quick glance, they look the same.
Where the money goes is in tighter tolerances, better materials for components such as gears, more attention to finer details like paint/finishing/clearcoats, which all typically leads to improved longevity and less failures.
To me haptics are generally improved as well. The gears feels smoother, there's less "play" in the handles/knobs, and overall less "plasticky" feeling which is nice if you're holding on to it for hours.
Majority of cost is really just overpricing and companies squeezing out extra $ from the enthusiasts because enthusiasts are willing to shell out for those bits of improvements.
Josh Smith reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 1:24 AM, ResoKP said:As for reels, if you open up a $200 reel and a $500 one, at a quick glance, they look the same.
Where the money goes is in tighter tolerances, better materials for components such as gears, more attention to finer details like paint/finishing/clearcoats, which all typically leads to improved longevity and less failures.
To me haptics are generally improved as well. The gears feels smoother, there's less "play" in the handles/knobs, and overall less "plasticky" feeling which is nice if you're holding on to it for hours.
Majority of cost is really just overpricing and companies squeezing out extra $ from the enthusiasts because enthusiasts are willing to shell out for those bits of improvements.
No reason one can't supertune. That's a lot of what you're paying for.
Regards.
ResoKP reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 1:28 AM, Josh Smith said:No reason one can't supertune. That's a lot of what you're paying for.
Regards.
Can definitely supertune reels to perform better than a stock more expensive one. Get a lot more of your money's worth.
Sometimes that's not a choice though. If you want a magnesium frame, or a more sophisticated DC braking system, gotta be willing to shell out the coins from the get go 
roadwarrior reply :
I don't think so.
KVD and most professional fishermen fish stuff I would not consider using.
"Better Equipment" is not so much about "catching", but more about enjoying
"fishing".
Choporoz reply :
What's the real question? And which of us is your husband?
J._Bricker reply :
Do both ends of the spectrum catch fish @Reprsntdc, absolutely. As mentioned above by other BR members, one end of the price point will get the job done. As our equipment gradually gets better IMO we as fishermen become better with better equipment. I fish with the best equipment I can afford as most of us do, in my case I believe it helps me catch a few more fish and further enjoy my time out on the water.
A rotary phone and the latest Android or IPhone all can make telephone calls....
Boomstick reply :
I am going to say that in some situations it does not matter at all and in some situations, it matters a little bit. If the fish are chasing and biting hard, I don't think anyone of us is going to have a hard time detecting bites on a $20 Berkley Cherrywood rod, and as long as the rod and reel work as intended we can land those fish on cheaper gear.
Where it might matter is fishing finicky fish that aren't hitting your baits hard, a more expensive rod will transmit bites better than a cheaper rod. As others have said there are a lot of solid options in the $130-150 price range, going much past that may yield marginally better results at a very high cost, but at that point I'm going to wager the fish count remains about the same.
Likewise, if you have a poor reel that is difficult to skip or make certain casts with and spend time pulling out a birds nest, that's time where you could have potentially missed a fish.
On 5/31/2019 at 12:52 AM, ResoKP said:Also, difference between Toyota and Lexus is "almost entirely" psychological? Are you trolling?
It depends on which Lexus. Some of the models are made on an entirely unique platform and offer handling and stability that is not offered from a Toyota. Some of the models are simply rebranded Toyotas with a Lexus badge on it at a much higher premium at the end of the day yet the owners still pass you in the breakdown lanes and refer to you as "peasant" or "common folk" because all you can afford is the same 1981 Buick Electra that you bought in 1985 and have driven ever since. A better reference may have been Lincoln, as at one point every single Lincoln model was just a Ford with a Lincoln badge, but I think they may have a few unique models now.
5by3 reply :
No, quality of gear does not put more fish in the boat. The guys with top of the line rods, reels, electronics, and boats are often not the ones winning tournaments on my local bodies of water.
That being said, higher quality gear means more comfort and less hassles on the water. I personally fish a lot of gear in the $150-200 range and have no complaints. It’s what I can afford and what works for me.
BassWhole! reply :
Fish don't know how much your tackle costs. As long as it's functional, it will catch as well as "higher end" gear.
MAN reply :
No in my opinion it does not matter. But having said that I am happy to see so many responses saying "yes". That for me... is job security ????
Shimano_1 reply :
I dont believe anyone needs high end gear. I used to catch plenty on very cheap gear. However, I feel that the rod sensitivity, casting distance and smoothness of a reel, quality of line etc. All equate to more fish in some form or fashion. I refuse to spend hundreds on a single rod or reel. I could afford to do so but I dont see that a 400 reel would perform well enough to justify the price when there are so many less than 200 that are good quality. I usually spend about 200 bucks on a combo and I'm happy with my gear. My thoughts are also that I'd rather be able to buy 3 combos for 600 bucks than 1. I'm also of the belief that most people just tend to be more confident and feel better when they have what they consider quality gear! Pretty comical tho to hear someone act like warranty doesnt matter. What made Loomis so popular? I've always believed it was the whole buy a rod and have it for life. I fished cabelas rods for years but now that theyve done away with their lifetime warranty I'll be looking elsewhere when I need new ones.
Smalls reply :
Higher end gear doesn’t put you on the fish.
But you also can’t be on the fish if you’re at home with a broken reel. I’m a firm believer in not buying “budget” gear, because I’d rather spend $150 on a reel once than spend $60 twice.
soflabasser reply :
Too bad you can not buy skill, that you have to earn with experience and hard work which many people are not willing to do. As for having expensive gear I say go for it if it makes you happy just do not expect to out fish your buddy who fishes harder than you do with his ''cheap to moderately priced gear'' that he knows how to use very well.
On 5/31/2019 at 12:31 AM, CrankFate said:The quality of gear is not directly related to the price. The difference is Toyota and Lexus. Almost entirely psychological.
The only thing worse than buying something because of the price, is buying it for a good warranty. I always get a good laugh when people justify a high price because of the great experience they had when they had to use the warranty.
Once you you can buy any fishing rod you want—the fact that high end is not better starts to become more real.
I have seen more Lexus on the side of the road having car problems and rarely see Toyotas on the side of the road. More people drive Toyotas where I live so it is surprising to see so many Lexus having problems. Maybe those Lexus owners do not take care of their car or it is not such a reliable car to begin with?
CrankFate reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 7:22 AM, soflabasser said:Too bad you can not buy skill, that you have to earn with experience and hard work which many people are not willing to do. As for having expensive gear I say go for it if it makes you happy just do not expect to out fish your buddy who fishes harder than you do with his ''cheap to moderately priced gear'' that he knows how to use very well.
I have seen more Lexus on the side of the road having car problems and rarely see Toyotas on the side of the road. More people drive Toyotas where I live so it is surprising to see so many Lexus having problems. Maybe those Lexus owners do not take care of their car or it is not such a reliable car to begin with?
I drive a Toyota. Never had a problem with it.
There were only three times in my life I’ve resorted to a warranty. One was a laptop, one was a Nintendo-both were mishandled by my kids about 10 months after getting them. The other was my one year old Mitsubishi in 2002, when the O2 sensor broke, one week after I put a K&N air filter in it. Other than that, I’ve never used a warranty on anything. I take it back, I did get a defective BocaBearing that was replaced—so four times. That was the only thing I ever got that just didn’t work right (kept snapping back on the cast or spinning erratically on the first use).
I could add in my wife’s Dyson vacuum. She breaks every vacuum every year or two from excessive OCD vacuuming, so we trade it in and pay for a new warranty every time it wears out. (We don’t even have carpets)
when it comes to fishing, I have gear and decent skill—but there’s no fish here ????
Manly Studson reply :
I think the answer is ‘yes.’ If all things are equal, better gear makes for better fishing. But, in my opinion, the gear should be much better in order to notice a difference. For example, I can’t tell a difference between some expensive house-brand rods and a Berkley Lightening Rod. But I can feel how much more sensitive a St. Croix Avid X is than a Lightening Rod. I also agree with others who have said that fishing quality gear is more enjoyable.
the reel ess reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 12:42 AM, redmeansdistortion said:I've had two graphite frames fail on me, but I was float fishing for kings which fight much harder than bass. The foot snapped off of both of them. One was a Pflueger President baitcaster and the other an Abu Revo X baitcaster. Outside of myself using them to bite off more than they could chew, they were fine reels for other smaller less fighty fish.
I hear you. Mine both got loose on the frames to the point the gears wouldn't always engage when you started reeling. The cheap frame just didn't keep it all aligned.
On 5/31/2019 at 7:22 AM, soflabasser said:Too bad you can not buy skill, that you have to earn with experience and hard work which many people are not willing to do. As for having expensive gear I say go for it if it makes you happy just do not expect to out fish your buddy who fishes harder than you do with his ''cheap to moderately priced gear'' that he knows how to use very well.
I have seen more Lexus on the side of the road having car problems and rarely see Toyotas on the side of the road. More people drive Toyotas where I live so it is surprising to see so many Lexus having problems. Maybe those Lexus owners do not take care of their car or it is not such a reliable car to begin with?
Lexus is Toyota
10On 5/31/2019 at 6:10 AM, Shimano_1 said:I dont believe anyone needs high end gear. I used to catch plenty on very cheap gear. However, I feel that the rod sensitivity, casting distance and smoothness of a reel, quality of line etc. All equate to more fish in some form or fashion. I refuse to spend hundreds on a single rod or reel. I could afford to do so but I dont see that a 400 reel would perform well enough to justify the price when there are so many less than 200 that are good quality. I usually spend about 200 bucks on a combo and I'm happy with my gear. My thoughts are also that I'd rather be able to buy 3 combos for 600 bucks than 1. I'm also of the belief that most people just tend to be more confident and feel better when they have what they consider quality gear! Pretty comical tho to hear someone act like warranty doesnt matter. What made Loomis so popular? I've always believed it was the whole buy a rod and have it for life. I fished cabelas rods for years but now that theyve done away with their lifetime warranty I'll be looking elsewhere when I need new ones.
They also don't have a $100 rod anymore. As expected, BPS has turned Cabela's into the WalMart of outfitters.
GreenPig reply :
Fished with a guy for four hours the other night and 4 out of 10 cast he had to sit down and fight his over runs. His equipment is bargain combos and seem to perform as priced. 40 % of his cast were wasted.
soflabasser reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 3:53 PM, GreenPig said:Fished with a guy for four hours the other night and 4 out of 10 cast he had to sit down and fight his over runs.
Sounds like he is fishing with baitcasting gear which is well known for line tangles. That is why I prefer fishing with spinning gear. I rather focus my efforts on catching lots of fish than deal with bass baitcasters.
stratoliner92 reply :
Regarding rods that I use for Texas rigs/Jigs. There's a huge difference in the way my GLX and Zillions transmit feel compared to a lower end rod
Yumeya reply :
I started with a Ugly stick when I was a kid, they are good rods, very durable but lack sensitivity, then
I got a fenwick, St Croix and eventually Gloomis and IMO it totally helps and sensitivity is a major
contributor.
Action also helps, my crankbait rod is glass and it helps keep fished pinned.
KP Duty reply :
The pros can win with any rod or reel, but they also keep a bunch of spares.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
I caught more fish in my childhood then i have in my adulthood.....from 4 yrs old till i was 16 or 17 all i had was a zebco some plastics later i got a abu spinning reel and rod..nothing fancy but thing was i caught fish i had so much time and so many places to fish i set my own records back then some days 200 bass/bluegill/catfish/perch this was for about 12 yrs solid then i found out girls had a inny i was more interested in that after about 18 yrs old ....in general if u have the time and places to fish dont matter what u use all day fishing with a zebco on a good pond .u will.outdo someone looking traveling all.day to fish 1 hr
diversity210 reply :
People that own expensive gear will justify it and those that only buy cheaper gear will justify it. The point is that you can make and argument for or against anything. You have to find what you are most comfortable with. Dont just assume you have to spend a ton of money on gear, but dont just buy gear because its cheap either. Dont listen to all the fanboys recommending expensive gear because they heard some pro angler sponsored by the company say they love it. Trust me when I say a lot of people touting expensive gear do not own it themselves. They just think expensive is where its at. Find your balance where the performance and quality of the gear balances well with how much you spent on it. That might be different for everyone.
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