If You Could Buy It All Over Again 2024
Sonik reply :
Well, first off, I have to say that my rod lockers is full of first gen *** Blacks (which I need to sell), Cabela's Tournament ZX, and Lew's Tournament/Tournament Pro/BB1/BB1-Pro reels and most are spooled with P-Line Floroclear (some don't like it, I do). Just so there is a frame of reference to what I normally fish with. But, I bank fish with 2 cheap combos. I mainly use a 7' MH/F BPS Tourny Special/6.3:1 Tourny Special reel. I do most everything with that. Rarely I will use the 6'6" M/F Tourny Special rod/size 20 Tourny Special spinning reel combo. I spool the baitcaster with 12# Big Game and the spinning setup with 8# Big Game.
On Saturday, I cought a 5 ½ pounder off the bank. The night before I caught a bunch of dinks but a couple of 3's were in there. Those cheap combos didn't miss a beat. Had them for a long while too. On Sunday, I took the boat out and the square bill I wanted to use was tied onto my cheap BPS rod so I just threw it in. As soon as the boat was in and off the ramp, I just got lazy and threw the Tourny Special combo instead of retying the crankbait onto my normal BB1 Pro/Tournament ZX crankbait rod. It just tore them up. That poor Square A is chewed up and beat to pieces now.
I guess it just dawned on me that I feel like I wasted my money on the more expensive stuff. Granted the Omens and the ZX's aren't Loomis or Megabass stuff and the Lew's reels aren't Chronarchs. But each combo cost me about $70 total before tax. And Big Game in the ¼ pound spool? Pennies. The Square A was maybe $3 after tax. I could have filled the boat with Tourny Special setups and had duplicate rods for stuff for way cheaper. I know I have caught more and bigger fish off the Tourny Specials. Drives me nuts.
If I had it to buy all over again, I would have filled my boat with those Tourny Specials. Maybe 12 setups. The reels come in a low 5:1 ratio up to a 7:1. The rods go from medium to heavy power. The have smaller but I could have had 6' up to 7'6" and the 7'6" would telescope to fit my locker. It's just what I should have done in hindsight. I would have had more money for gas, insurance, bigger trolling motor for my Alumacraft with another battery, etc. I guess that cheap stuff just really fits me.
Would you have done anything different with the setups or gear in your boat?
kickerfish1 reply :
Downsize for quality over quantity. Had about 36 outfits. Down to about 25 right now. Working on getting that number to around 20.
Jrob78 reply :
Yeah, if anything I would do the opposite. I would have saved a little longer and bought better stuff. I have nice stuff now but I went through a period where I was worried more about adding rods and reels than adding the best quality rods and reels I could afford. It cost me more money in the long run.
tomustang reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:40 AM, Jrob78 said:Yeah, if anything I would do the opposite. I would have saved a little longer and bought better stuff. I have nice stuff now but I went through a period where I was worried more about adding rods and reels than adding the best quality rods and reels I could afford. It cost me more money in the long run.
What he said.
I went from cheap combos, to moderate combos, to high priced combos. For the most part, higher price comes higher quality components and fun factor.
rippin-lips reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:40 AM, Jrob78 said:Yeah, if anything I would do the opposite. I would have saved a little longer and bought better stuff. I have nice stuff now but I went through a period where I was worried more about adding rods and reels than adding the best quality rods and reels I could afford. It cost me more money in the long run.
Pretty much the same here. Used quality gear doesn't sell for hardly anything these days. So now it's either take a big loss, or hold onto it. I'd love to be able to just have 5 really nice combos. Unfortunately Daiwa has more than 5 nice reels and I can't let them go for nothing.
tbone1993 reply :
I wouldn't have bought my gen 3 revo stx. After my gen 2 broke I had it traded in for a gen 3. This gen 3 still has problems. Should have just bought another lews.
MIbassyaker reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:40 AM, Jrob78 said:Yeah, if anything I would do the opposite. I would have saved a little longer and bought better stuff. I have nice stuff now but I went through a period where I was worried more about adding rods and reels than adding the best quality rods and reels I could afford. It cost me more money in the long run.
I am at this very moment resisting the urge to buy another cheap combo simply because I can. I think it's just habit. Nothing in my arsenal is technically the best quality I can afford, so the obvious next step is to make one or more major upgrades. But I could have gone right to the next tier or higher for my last couple rod purchases, if only I had taken the time to do enough research to make an informed decision on what to get.
John G reply :
Instead of spending money on G-Loomis rods, I would have researched JDM rods and bought nothing but JDM rods. For reels, I would have bought nothing but JDM reels and I would have also put more thought into what reels to buy. That means that I would have really put some thought into what I wanted to do with each reel instead of just buying reels. A great example of this is that I, at one time,I was the proud owner of 5 Conquest 50's. I am now down to 2 and I could have used that money for different purchases.
Basswhippa reply :
I would have just bought Shimano Chronarch 100a's. With a few replacement parts, you could use a lot of those for decades, and never be "out reeled" by todays modern equipment. They cast as far, and are as smooth or smoother than anything available today. And they are very reliable.
If I were telling a teenager or 20 something what to do today, I would recommend Citica and Curado I's for the same reason. If you buy 10 of them, you'll have them for decades. Even if parts become obsolete, you can always use one or two for a parts reel and run for a very long time.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:40 AM, Jrob78 said:Yeah, if anything I would do the opposite. I would have saved a little longer and bought better stuff. I have nice stuff now but I went through a period where I was worried more about adding rods and reels than adding the best quality rods and reels I could afford. It cost me more money in the long run.
Same here. I have a hard time passing up a good deal....even tho I don't need it. I could have bought 10 really good outfits for what I have sitting in the basement in lower cost outfits. However, I do have some nice ones I wouldn't get rid of even tho they aren't Loomis, St. Croix, Megabass, Dobyns, etc.. I think the more expensive rods would be wasted on me. Would like to downsize by at least 10, but have a hard time letting anything go. 
WIGuide reply :
If I could do it all over again, I would have bought higher end stuff sooner.
Preytorien reply :
I pared my collection down and have just 4 very good quality combos.
An ultra-finesse spinning combo, standard spinning combo, a mult-purpose casting combo, and a frogging/flipping casting combo
All seem to cover the bases perfectly, and since I sold a lot off and got good quality stuff, I don't really see myself doing any upgrades for a while now. I'd have to get a raise at work....that and a new baby is on the way 
thehooligan reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:40 AM, Jrob78 said:Yeah, if anything I would do the opposite. I would have saved a little longer and bought better stuff. I have nice stuff now but I went through a period where I was worried more about adding rods and reels than adding the best quality rods and reels I could afford. It cost me more money in the long run.
X2
The whole technique specific rod thing really made me think I needed 6+ combos at all times. I also have a hard time passing up a good deal...
Ive spent more money then I'd care to admit these past few years on combos that I really didn't need. After 5+ years of heavy fishing I've found my niche. I like jdm bfs gear. I only need a few finesse rods, mainly tinker with reels now.
Jaw1 reply :
Guilty of being a tackle junky so I have30 plus combos and use 5 on a regular basis. It's hard to let some of your stuff go but I'm trying lately. If I was to do it over I would research more and probably pick one rod company and one reel company and try it that way, but there are limitations to this as well
poisonokie reply :
I wouldn't have any spinning outfits save 1 for trout in winter.
bassbassontherange reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 12:05 PM, tomustang said:What he said.
I went from cheap combos, to moderate combos, to high priced combos. For the most part, higher price comes higher quality components and fun factor.
Everyone is saying what they'd do, qualifying WHY with logic. We're all justifying by saying "too good of a deal to pass up" or "this will work forever" or "I could have gotten by with cheaper stuff".
Okay, I get it, but... to me, fishing is fun, it's relaxing, and it just makes me FEEL GREAT. I love getting on the water, away from almost everything, and enjoying life.
The reason I buy what I buy is based on how it makes me feel when I fish it, not on whether it makes absolute sense logically or financially. Fishing is an escape for me.
Do I think my Chronarch Ci4 will catch me more fish? Maybe 1 or 2 over the course of a year compared to my oooold POS Shimano Lexica I bought when I was 10. But the Ci4 sure feels great in my hands and I love how it casts.
Do I think my Curado I's have more power to reel in the hawgs when I finally hook into one than my old 200b's? No, I know they don't, but I love how smooth they are letting out drag and on the retrieve.
To me, it's about enjoying the experience, not just whether fishing with "x" rod and reel makes sense or not. If you start with whether it makes sense, some will be satisfied with that, but most of us may not necessarily enjoy the experience.
I love going home, thinking, "Jeez, that was fun! I can't wait to do it again!", rather than, "I caught some fish, I wonder if I really needed to spend that much to do it and I'm not completely satisfied until someone else agrees with me about it."
I just want to go home with a smile on my face as often as I can.
-If that means I love fishing with the cheapest I can get away with and that makes me happy, I'd do that.
-If that means I save until I can afford what I really want, that puts a smile on my face every time that I make that perfect cast and just makes me feel great, then THAT's what I'd do.
More often I'm in that second camp.
buzzed bait reply :
i wouldn't have bought every lure and plastic available.... and likely would have gone with all rods from the same manufacturer... that might help me with just dialing in the power and action. otherwise i would have said the same as above, save up and get the nicer stuff rather than middle of the road.
Evan K reply :
I really like bassbassontherange's answer. That's something I've kind of discovered about equipment too- fishing with a smooth, solid, obviously high quality rod and reel is just a pleasure in itself, regardless of whether fish are caught.
I'm in the process of "doing it right" I hope. For years I only had sub-$40 Walmart stuff, and I beat it up and broke it and it didn't work well after a year or two. Now I've moved to mid-range (Lews/***/low end St. Croix) and the difference is amazing. I doubt I will ever drop more than $150 on a rod or reel but who knows?
Cgrinder reply :
Couple things. I would have stayed out of BFS casting and probably bought an OG Zillion and '13 Met earlier. Also should have tried a TD Ito by now. Probably should have stayed out of serious mods and dress parts. Definitely should have purchased an Orochi XX sooner (and multiple. Flat Side's loney!). Not certain that I need new Conquests and an Antares but they're kinda sweet.
We'll see what happens over the winter. This thread has me thinkin'.
Raul reply :
If I could start purchasing all over again some few things would have changed:
- Instead of purchasing 3 2005 Limited Edition Daiwa Pixy Airy Red I should have purchased only one
- I should have purchased the TD-Itö when I had the chance but noooo, I purchased 2 more Red Airy Pixies ..... DUHHHHH !
- Maybe I should have waited when I purchased the Scorpion 1000 Mg, but who would have known that several years later Shimano was going to launch it in the form of the Chronarch 50 Mg ?
- Should have ordered that TDZ 103 Custom when I had the chance, missed the first opportunity to order and let go the second opportunity when Daiwa reopened the production. Still kicking myself on the butt for that one.
- Should have purchased another Alphas Itö when Ichibantackle had them on clearance.
Well that´s pretty much about it when t comes to reels, I have nothing to say about rods, I´m pleased with the ones I got ..... ok, as for the rods: should have never purchased those Kistler Magnesium TS, but since everybody talked so highly about them ........
A-Jay reply :
If I Could Buy It All Over Again ~
I wouldn't change anything.
The decisions & purchases I've made in the past are what lead me to the decisions & purchases I make today.
Although some of the earlier experiences didn't turn out as I had expected or even hoped, there were several very valuable lessons along the way which enable me to make some better choices now.
Well, at least most of the time . . . .
A-Jay
Senko lover reply :
Bank fishing, I keep it simple, so I'm slowly upgrading instead of buying new combos.
If I had to do it over again, I'd buy three combos, any more than that and I'm severely limiting my ability to move around easily.
I'd buy rods in the $150-$200 range used, you can find them for $100 or even under. There's a Powell Max rod (I believe it retails for 190 dollars) for sale in just about new condition for $80 shipped in the Flea Bay. Unbelievable deal.
I'd buy reels anywhere from $140 up used or on sale. I love my Tournament MG to death, but I haven't tried anything else.
Bottom line: you can buy nice stuff used without paying a ton. If you're patient and wait, you can find some fantastic deals on Flea Bay.
And OP, I can't stand Tourney Special Rods. They feel so terrible in-hand and fish even worse. If I had to get another cheap rod, I'd get a Berkley Lighting or one of the Abu Garcia Vengeances. I've have both and they knock the TS out of the water. It might just be me, but I wouldn't buy one.
desmobob reply :
It's surprises me when I think about it, but I don't think there's much I would change. I started with some lower-end stuff and added better stuff as I went along. Now, I'm replacing some of the lower end rods with rods I know I like. (I know I need to keep my paws off any top-end rods, or I'll want to replace all my rods again!)
Luckily, I started off buying good reels and haven't had any reason to upgrade any of them so far. I went crazy buying lots of baits when I first started, so I have a good selection and variety. Now, I only need to replace things I've lost or plastic baits I've used up. And I've found out what my preferences are for brands/colors/styles, so my future purchases should be more useful.
No regrets,
Bob
the reel ess reply :
I always bought the best my wallet and conscience would allow. So I have one great BC combo that, had I bought it new, would have cost $260 and a couple $120 BC combos. I have $70 and an $80 spinning combos that work just fine.
A $200 St Croix is not necessary to cast and retrieve a Rat L Trap or Spook. I've caught my best fish this season on my cheaper combos.
Whenever I wear one out it'll be replaced by the best I can afford. If I buy another that's not intended to replace one of these it too wll be the best I can afford.
NathanW reply :
5 years ago I might have agreed with this concept. The problem is the better I get at finding and catching big fish the more I need equipment that performs and rods that have lightweight yet powerful blanks. My rod lineup of 5 years ago consisted of almost entirely sub-100 dollar rods with forgiving action and medium to medium light power. They were easier to cast and friendly to smaller lures.
You look at my rod section today and you are talking mostly MH to Heavy Action and true fast tips. A true fast tip is not something you find often in most rods under 100.00, but there are a few out there. Low budget rods with MH or H power are usually well on the heavy side.
Regarding reels every sub 100 dollar reel I bought stopped working eventually and the opposite is true for reels over MSRP 100.00. I have Curado D's that are 8 years old and still in the boat and BPS Pro Qualifiers that are three years old sold AS-IS on Ebay.
the reel ess reply :
On 10/1/2015 at 2:13 AM, desmobob said:(I know I need to keep my paws off any top-end rods, or I'll want to replace all my rods again!)
I have this habit of keeping one or two combos that are not well-balanced to justify buying another rod or reel to balance out my arsenal. They never get completely balanced.
the reel ess reply :
On 10/1/2015 at 3:21 AM, NathanW said:Regarding reels every sub 100 dollar reel I bought stopped working eventually and the opposite is true for reels over MSRP 100.00. I have Curado D's that are 8 years old and still in the boat and BPS Pro Qualifiers that are three years old sold AS-IS on Ebay.
I've said this to some guys who look at me like I'm an insane elitist bass snob, which I'm not. $100 does seem to be the dividing line between good and junk BC reels.
That said, I have an old Abu Garcia 2005LP with a composite or graphite frame I'm doing my best to break. I bought it off ebay thinking it was a metal frame. I was determined to use it after paying for it ($50). I caught my PB and a lot of other good fish on it. But I know it's a matter of time and if I'd used it more it would eventually give up. But it's smooth, strong and has a flippin' switch that I don't use. Best cheap reel I've ever had.
Poolshark reply :
For me after a couple of decades of buying all types of stuff. If I lost it all, I'd restart a few curados, a calcutta and an assortment of at croix Avids. Maybe five combos or so.
tholmes reply :
On 10/1/2015 at 2:00 AM, A-Jay said:If I Could Buy It All Over Again ~
I wouldn't change anything.
The decisions & purchases I've made in the past are what lead me to the decisions & purchases I make today.
Although some of the earlier experiences didn't turn out as I had expected or even hoped, there were several very valuable lessons along the way which enable me to make some better choices now.
Well, at least most of the time . . . .
A-Jay
Truth right there. I know what I know today because of past experiences. I've gone through a lot of tackle in the 50+ years I've been fishing. In that process, I learned what I like and what I don't, along with learning that following the latest hot trend doesn't always end well.
Tom
smalljaw67 reply :
I understand what you're saying but you didn't get the right perspective. Go out and use the Tourney special for a solid 2 to 3 hours making a lot of casts and then put it down and pick up one of your better outfits, that will tell you all you need to know. The least expensive rod that I purchased myself is an Abu Garcia Vendetta, I really like the rod and feel it fishes above its price point, I got it to use on the small boat fishing river smallmouth as it will work well for several techniques and if it gets broke no harm no foul. Now, when I use that rod and go pick up one of my better outfits, the difference is night and day and it isn't just weight, it is what you feel, everything feels as if it is amplified, and when you go through that process it makes it hard to imagine not having that to go to when you really need the extra sensitivity and lighter weight.
roadwarrior reply :
Well, I don't dwell on doing it all over again, but going forward it's all custom build for me.
d-camarena reply :
If i did it all over again i would not have sold off my shimano crucials to buy my zodias rods. Both are great rods but i like the crucials better.
Thats the only thing id change.
Oh and i wouldnt of bought so many baitcasters. The type of fishing i do is mostly done with spinning gear
travis23 reply :
I can't say I would have changed the way I went. I had a few decent combos in the $100-$250 range, and now I've upgraded all of those. I now have 6 combos that I absolutely love and they are all high quality. I catch hell from people for having such nice setups, and I know I won't catch more because of them, but I do cast better and have more confidence with them.
poisonokie reply :
I don't understand why you guys are always saying something to the effect of, "I spent $600 on a JDM Steez rod and it's awesome, but I know I don't catch any more fish with it than I did on the Ugly Stik junk I used to fish with, but that's okay..."
That must mean you're the world's best angler with crap tackle or the world's worst with enthusiast grade gear. I, for one, know I catch more and better fish using higher quality, technique appropriate tackle than I ever did with my bargain bin browning combo.
I'm not saying you can buy yourself into being a better fisherman, necessarily, but it certainly doesn't hurt. After all, if you can't feel a bite or set a hook or rely on a smooth drag and rod action to play a fish, you might as well use that rod to club those fish out of the water.
Don't write off your passion for quality fishing gear as pure enthusiasm. If it wasn't landing you lunkers, it'd be decorating the wall of some other guy's man cave.
zachb34 reply :
If I could do it all over again, it wouldn't necessarily be the quality I changed. It would be the deals I hopped on and the ones I didnt. I think it's fun hunting for deals and waiting for the perfect price. A lot of my gear I've gotten for next to nothing on some for sale sites, garage sales, pawn shops. Etc. Some of it I've been able to use for a few years and then either break even or even make a little money on. I pay attention to resale values now a lot. I buy either heavily discounted new gear, or slightly used gear. All my reels are shimano's and tags my preference performance wise. The nice part about that is most hold their value very well. I've also noticed the 5:1 and 7:1 gear ratios hold their value better than the in between 6:1 ratios. I guess if money ever got tight I could sell off my gear for what I paid for it and I still got years of enjoyment.
bigfruits reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:04 AM, Sonik said:
. I could have filled the boat with Tourny Special setups and had duplicate rods for stuff for way cheaper. I know I have caught more and bigger fish off the Tourny Specials. Drives me nuts.
did you think that the more you spent on a rod, the bigger the fish it would catch?
when i started spending cash on a quiver of rods i did a lot of research and made good choices. i am going to sell a few that are redundant now however with some nrx purchases i made.
i learned from other hobbies, if you are in for the long haul, buy good quality or end up buying again.
if all of my rods were stolen, id probably buy avids for moving baits and glx or nrx for bottom contact. nrx has to be on sale for my wallet! (outdoor proshop)
PourMyOwn reply :
I would have spent more on the rod, less on the reel. I have 10-12 "combos", most of which are approaching 15 years old (had a ton of disposable income in my early 20s). It's all high quality Fenwicks, Falcons, early Johnny Morris and Team Daiwa reels. I take great care of my stuff, every year I maintain my reels, all that sorta thing.
As it stands now, I only buy rods and reels with BPS/Cabela's credit card points. Last year I picked up an Abu Garcia Silver Max reel-I know, not exactly a tournament pro quality-but it's a nicer reel to fish with than my 1990s $200 dollar reels. I figure it will last until I want another one, then my nephew gets it. Point being, all of my sweet reels that cost me a ton of money are obsolete, but the rods are not.
WPCfishing reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 10:48 PM, poisonokie said:I wouldn't have any spinning outfits save 1 for trout in winter.
I have one tiny spinning ice rod....... I use 6 rods for Bass, all baitcasters. I'm contemplating one spinning setup for dropshots. I doubt I will do it.
byram bassturd reply :
I am very blessed to use the gear that I do now but it took me 30+ years and a lot of wasted money becuase I started and stayed with cheaper setups for a while. I would buy the best that I can afford and upgrade whenever possible.
Silas reply :
I've fished over 65 years. Ran a sporting goods store for awhile.
Down in Louisiana, fishing , for ME, I came to realize, was NEVER about catching fish. It's the total synergistic experience, a revitalization process in my life.
It is a time of relaxation, enjoying the beautiful bayous and swamps.
I HAVE caught a lot of fish while enjoying myself, also.
There is an analogy to riding my motorcycles. We are ONE , me and the bike. There is that perfect moment when all meshes and the bike is an extension of you.
Same with fishing rods and reels. There is that pride of ownership, and that perfect moment when you and the rod and reel are one. It becomes a joy! Catching fish is not really in the equation.
I've bought a lot of gear, but will eventually ( read NOW) keep what makes me smile when I use it.
Some things that make me smile: Dobyns DC702C matched with a Steez 103. Airy Red Pixy on a Jackson Trickster. Megabass IP73C on a X4 Cyclone. NRX 893 with 2015 Aldebaran. Megabass Zonda 10 on a X4 Hedgehog. Megabass Ip79 on an X4 Black Elseil.
These are works of art that I put in the boat. Many times I'm casting each one just because I like the way it feels. What those have in common is they are EFFORTLESS to use. Like artists brushes.
When the end comes I'll probably leave these to the grandkids as a legacy.
So to answer the question: no, I chose this path because it makes ME happy , and I would not changes a thing.
But then, I've always been known to be a little "strange."
thehooligan reply :
On 10/3/2015 at 5:35 AM, Silas said:I've fished over 65 years. Ran a sporting goods store for awhile.
Down in Louisiana, fishing , for ME, I came to realize, was NEVER about catching fish. It's the total synergistic experience, a revitalization process in my life.
It is a time of relaxation, enjoying the beautiful bayous and swamps.
I HAVE caught a lot of fish while enjoying myself, also.
There is an analogy to riding my motorcycles. We are ONE , me and the bike. There is that perfect moment when all meshes and the bike is an extension of you.
Same with fishing rods and reels. There is that pride of ownership, and that perfect moment when you and the rod and reel are one. It becomes a joy! Catching fish is not really in the equation.
I've bought a lot of gear, but will eventually ( read NOW) keep what makes me smile when I use it.
Some things that make me smile: Dobyns DC702C matched with a Steez 103. Airy Red Pixy on a Jackson Trickster. Megabass IP73C on a X4 Cyclone. NRX 893 with 2015 Aldebaran. Megabass Zonda 10 on a X4 Hedgehog. Megabass Ip79 on an X4 Black Elseil.
These are works of art that I put in the boat. Many times I'm casting each one just because I like the way it feels. What those have in common is they are EFFORTLESS to use. Like artists brushes.
When the end comes I'll probably leave these to the grandkids as a legacy.
So to answer the question: no, I chose this path because it makes ME happy , and I would not changes a thing.
But then, I've always been known to be a little "strange."
You speak my language, lol. Fishing & motorcycles
desmobob reply :
On 10/3/2015 at 5:35 AM, Silas said:I've fished over 65 years. Ran a sporting goods store for awhile.
Down in Louisiana, fishing , for ME, I came to realize, was NEVER about catching fish. It's the total synergistic experience, a revitalization process in my life.
It is a time of relaxation, enjoying the beautiful bayous and swamps.
I HAVE caught a lot of fish while enjoying myself, also.
There is an analogy to riding my motorcycles. We are ONE , me and the bike. There is that perfect moment when all meshes and the bike is an extension of you.
Same with fishing rods and reels. There is that pride of ownership, and that perfect moment when you and the rod and reel are one. It becomes a joy! Catching fish is not really in the equation.
I've bought a lot of gear, but will eventually ( read NOW) keep what makes me smile when I use it.
Some things that make me smile: Dobyns DC702C matched with a Steez 103. Airy Red Pixy on a Jackson Trickster. Megabass IP73C on a X4 Cyclone. NRX 893 with 2015 Aldebaran. Megabass Zonda 10 on a X4 Hedgehog. Megabass Ip79 on an X4 Black Elseil.
These are works of art that I put in the boat. Many times I'm casting each one just because I like the way it feels. What those have in common is they are EFFORTLESS to use. Like artists brushes.
When the end comes I'll probably leave these to the grandkids as a legacy.
So to answer the question: no, I chose this path because it makes ME happy , and I would not changes a thing.
But then, I've always been known to be a little "strange."
I think you said it far better than I could have, and I see nothing "strange" about it at all. I have the one-ness with my old Ducati. I'm almost there with the fishing gear... just need to start acquiring my first premium rods. I just can't seem to make my checking account become "one" with a couple of NRXs!
Tight lines,
Bob
bigbill reply :
My south bend and Shakespeare rods with Wal-Mart quantum reels in the beginning of my serious bass fishing caught many, many bass. Never had a problem. I started to upgrade with OKUMA exiptor and Fin-nor spinning reels. Again no problems. Then thinking about the rods. I found new LEWS spinning rods for around 50% off. Replaced all my spinning rods. I wanted to get more into casting setups. I have decent reels but older rods. I upgraded to all the brand's that are $99. Now I don't like some of them the way the action runs from the handle to the tip. They feel like there a different action on the way up the rod. By the time I get to the tip it's a light action on a med action rod. Different brands. So I purchased a No8 tackle blackout spinning rod med action graphite rod. The action is perfect and the taper is perfect. The tip isn't wimpy. What a nice rod for just $79. Ill put it up against any $100+ rod.
The LEWS are good rods. My favorite c-rig plastic rod is a Berkley cherrywood med rod. ($37?)
Does it matter what we use or how much it costs as long as we're fishing that's what matters. Buy what you can afford just buy good quality line.
poisonokie reply :
On 10/3/2015 at 4:57 AM, WPCfishing said:I have one tiny spinning ice rod....... I use 6 rods for Bass, all baitcasters. I'm contemplating one spinning setup for dropshots. I doubt I will do it.
I have 5 BC for bass. A L/MF bfs setup that's great for any technique from 1/16-1/4, dropshots included, a ML/MF for most techniques from 1/4-1/2, a M/M glass for 3/8-5/8 trebles, a MH/MF for 3/8-3/4 jigs/spinnerbaits, etc, and a H/F flip for 1/2-1 1/2 jigs, deep cranks, and frogs. That covers all my bases nicely and i can use braided line for everything, so my 2 spinning bass rigs just sit there. They're great for friends and responsible kids to use, though, so it's not a complete waste.
WPCfishing reply :
On 10/3/2015 at 7:22 AM, poisonokie said:I have 5 BC for bass. A L/MF bfs setup that's great for any technique from 1/16-1/4, dropshots included, a ML/MF for most techniques from 1/4-1/2, a M/M glass for 3/8-5/8 trebles, a MH/MF for 3/8-3/4 jigs/spinnerbaits, etc, and a H/F flip for 1/2-1 1/2 jigs, deep cranks, and frogs. That covers all my bases nicely and i can use braided line for everything, so my 2 spinning bass rigs just sit there. They're great for friends and responsible kids to use, though, so it's not a complete waste.
WP_20150927_21_52_01_Pro.jpg
WP_20150927_21_52_01_Pro.jpgYes it is... lol
fishindad reply :
Silas said it best. Though often I think we anglers overthink things or make things more complicated than they should be. Fishing can be a simple as a cane pole and red and white bobber dunking red worms for sunnies or tossing streamers for steelhead with a top end Sage. Bass anglers seem to think they need 20-25 rods on deck.
What is interesting is there are some rods that most can agree are "perfect" - DX702, EMTF, NRX893, CC-7-173 etc. yet for some reason each rod company cannot get it "perfect" with every rod they build. Not that I've fished every rod out there but I'll say it again - if I could do it all over I'd buy 1 each of Loomis' original GLX of their CR, MBR, and SJR rods. That lineup was about the closest to perfection with each and every rod in the lineup.
shaggydog reply :
all the same reels and same model rods
Mike2841 reply :
If I could do it all over again I'd buy all shimano reels, yeah I'm one of them now, and I'd pass on the nrx rod. The nrx is nice but if rather have 2 rods in the 200-250 price range, you get 97% of the performance for half the cost imo
WPCfishing reply :
If I'm throwing lipless cranks I don't need a seriously
expensive rod. It wasn't a rod I had to go online to research.
I found a Black Tech Spec MF at Dicks for $60.00 that's
casts in perfect harmony with a Lews Team Mag reel with braid
and a leader, the rod also does great job setting hooks. It's s sleeper rod.
On the other hand I'm into toads and frogs, I bought and
sent back 5 rods that didn't live up to what was talked
about and described by sales reps. So now I'm having one built.
My regret is wasting my time with online dopes...
I also regret sending my reels out for services I did not
receive and losing time waiting for them to come back.
Is a month to long? For a 30 minute job? You bet it is.
I do my own services now. It's easy...
sofarfrome reply :
On 9/30/2015 at 11:32 AM, kickerfish1 said:Downsize for quality over quantity. Had about 36 outfits. Down to about 25 right now. Working on getting that number to around 20.
I too have found that quality over quantity is the key, for me at least. I started off with rods in the $100 range (some damned fine ones) but once I got into the higher end Dobyns, St. Croix, and G. Loomis I realized that was the way I should have started. But I still use all of those $100 rods too to not real bid issue for me.
WPCfishing reply :
On 10/4/2015 at 12:50 AM, sofarfrome said:I too have found that quality over quantity is the key, for me at least. I started off with rods in the $100 range (some damned fine ones) but once I got into the higher end Dobyns, St. Croix, and G. Loomis I realized that was the way I should have started. But I still use all of those $100 rods too to not real bid issue for me.
I think a hundred buys a very good rod these days if you buy the right brand. I'm stepping it up now too but not to a point of foolish. I'm not on the Elite circuit.
ibobpeb reply :
If I could do it all over, I'd sell all my dobyns and st croix rods and go with all megabass.
bigbill reply :
I regret not researching the $50 to $100 price range on fishing rods better. To see what's better. I think the best buy out there in this price range is the No.8 Tackle Blackout rods. I should of looked for reviews first on you tube. And checked the reviews here. I don't go by price. I look how the rod feels from the handle to the tip. Right now it's the blackout and the LEWS SPEED STICK, lews speed stick tournament rods. But we're all different in what rod action/power/taper we want.
Before you pick on me I'm disabled and can't go to the store. I buy online. It's hard with the ratings all different. It says what I think I'm buying them it's totally a different feel.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
if i could do it all over again - i would have bought Thorne Bros predator blanks in XH & XXH in 9 ft. from the get go besides my custom St. Croix Big Nasty that i have now . for my casting rods i would just buy Phenix rod blanks to build on
as for reels - i really like Lew's reels and recently been replacing all my Abu Garcia Revo reels with them ....
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