Interesting Observation 2024
*Hootie reply :
I have noticed in magazine photos, and on fishing shows a lot of pros using rods and or reels that get regularly slammed on our forum. Have we become a bunch of tackle snobs?
Hootie
donk reply :
Absolutely, even the newbies starting out think they need $ 400.00 combos to catch bass. I for one enjoy what the sport has turned into, and at 45 years old have watched the progression, and I am enjoying the ride.
FishinDaddy reply :
Pro's don't pay for rods, they are the advertisers.
I know several pro's that don't particularly "prefer" the rods that sponsor them.
We pay for them so we are more selective about how we spend money.
Alpha Male reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 5:18 AM, hootiebenji said:I have noticed in magazine photos, and on fishing shows a lot of pros using rods and or reels that get regularly slammed on our forum. Have we become a bunch of tackle snobs?
Hootie
Short answer...yes! and the pros use them because they are sponsored.
Long answer.
I, however, have many other hobbies like, trap shooting, golf, and paintball. And in every one of them there are the "elitists", those who accept nothing but the best and look down on those who use lesser priced equipment or lesser quality. What those of you here need to realize is that you are the minority. millions of people go fishing and most do it with sub $50 combos. While i enjoy a life that affords me 12 combos ranging from $450-40, and i do notice the difference between a $40 daiwa laguna and a $200 Revo STX, I dont think less of anyone who uses cheaper gear.
Paintball, I have to say, is far worse as far as looking down on others but you guys here aren't above it as well. there are a lot of shimano and daiwa fans that really look down on others for their choices. I'm not saying there aren't other "fanboys" but it seems that those two brands get the most. I dont really have much for brand loyalty as far as fishing goes but I do get it. I am a samsung "fanboy" for anything electronic.
Anyway just my $.02
Jeff H reply :
Not me, I use a lot of junk and I really don't care what anybody else uses. In fact, yesterday I took my 2 old favorite crankbait rods in to a builder and asked him if he could put Alconite guides on them cheaper than me buying new rods. They are old Team Daiwa Power Mesh IM6 7' telescoping rods and I still like them. I thought if I could update them a little bit without it being cost prohibitive they'd be worth continued use. Waste of money or not, it was cheaper than buying replacements.
My reels are mostly at least 6-7 yrs old. I do have 3 new Tatula's and they are the first NEW reels I've bought since 2007. I have 6 of the old original Castaic CA-200's that I use for my flippin'/pitchin' rigs.
All my Shimano Crucials are the older, outdated cork handle models. Most of my Avids (again considered outdated and overly traditional in design by many) are new within the last 3-4 years or so.
I've recently gotten rid of 14 old reels I've used up until last year. Mostly old CU-200's and Daiwa TD1's, a few Gen 1 Revo's and a couple Castaic SF's.
I continue to use mostly Berkley XT mono, which most consider only worthy of spittin' on. But I have tremendous trust in it so it stays. Plus it's cheap!
Given that most of what I have and use is considered junk by most, I'm not able to get on the "Snob Team".
Oh, and my boat is 16 yrs old and a brand that no longer exists.
*Hootie reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 5:32 AM, donk said:Absolutely, even the newbies starting out think they need $ 400.00 combos to catch bass. I for one enjoy what the sport has turned into, and at 45 years old have watched the progression, and I am enjoying the ride.
I hear that. My first rig was a Zebco
606 and whatever rod came with it. It was a kit.
Also, I was more noticing pros (new guys)that don't have any particular sponsor for a rod or reel.
Hootie
*Hootie reply :
My retirement has been blessed and I know it, and I am extremely grateful.
Hootie
ww2farmer reply :
I participate in reverse snobery. I'll outfish you and take your money with my $80-$100 rods, leaky tin boat, sub $10 hard baits, and cheap soft plastics.
Brian Needham reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 5:18 AM, hootiebenji said:I have noticed in magazine photos, and on fishing shows a lot of pros using rods and or reels that get regularly slammed on our forum. Have we become a bunch of tackle snobs?
Hootie
examples?
I don't guess have noticed, of course I been blessed to have figured out exactly what I like and can afford it... or want it bad enough where I make myself afford it, LOL
but something says I liked it more when I only had one BPS Carbonlite combo.
shootermcbob reply :
I started with a zebco 33 combo...about 6-7 years ago. I still have it, but dont use it much. My kids do.
I love experiementing in all things fishing... and have found what I prefer over the years. I am a bargain hunter, and prefer shimano cumara rods and 200E/50E series rods - most bought used. They feel better in my hand. I used to be an avid, maybe even fanatical archery shooter...the only place that has contact with a bow is your hand. Cumara rods and shimano reels fit my hands.
I do have a couple okuma komodo reels, a couple bps gold carbonlites, and have tried many others. I don't judge anyone, and hope others get as much enjoyment out of fishing as I do, no matter what gear they are using, car or truck they are driving, or boat...or bank they are fishing from.
Jeff H reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 6:13 AM, ww2farmer said:I participate in reverse snobery. I'll outfish you and take your money with my $80-$100 rods, leaky tin boat, sub $10 hard baits, and cheap soft plastics.
I wish this guy was my neighbor. Always succinct, to the point, and possesses great humor. I bet his hands smell like fish a lot too! What more could you want in a neighbor? 
OK Bass Hunter reply :
I buy what I buy because I have no kids and can afford to splurge every once in awhile. That being said I don't begrudge anyone for the gear they buy. We all have economic priorities and people buy what they can afford. Fishing is for the enjoyment not a status contest.
Shimano till I die or until someone pays me to fish with something else.
Tywithay reply :
I've heard tales in the past of well-known pros having custom rods and reels painted to look like duplicates of their sponsor's gear too. I don't know how true it is, but I've heard it multiple times from more than one person; must be at least some truth to it.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
i like staying in the 100 to 200 dollar price range for bait casters and the same with my rods. they are very well made and suit my needs. also the same with my rods. i find that price range holds up great , i wish i had better luck with veritas micro guide i liked that rod. just got a ghost i cant wait to fish it
Catt reply :
It aint the gun...it's the person standing behind it!
Jack O'Conner
Raul reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 11:52 AM, Catt said:It aint the gun...it's the person standing behind it!
Jack O'Conner
It´s not the wand, it´s the magician.
It ain´t the arrow, it´s the Indian.
It has always been that way, doesn´t hurt to have nice stuff, my most expensive rods are IMXs , I did purchase a GLX once, couldn´t feel the 100 bones difference. 
I sill fish with my 2 + decade old Lightning Rods.
frogflogger reply :
They're just tools - I still use a fenwick fiberglass I built 50 yrs. ago for fishing a spook - as the
On 3/31/2014 at 2:30 PM, Raul said:It´s not the wand, it´s the magician.
It ain´t the arrow, it´s the Indian.
It has always been that way, doesn´t hurt to have nice stuff, my most expensive rods are IMXs , I did purchase a GLX once, couldn´t feel the 100 bones difference.
I sill fish with my 2 + decade old Lightning Rods.
Yep - I've been lucky to have known some of the great innovators in the sport - they would be successful with any tackle. I have a near 50yr old fiberglass fenwick that still throws a spook a mile.
John G reply :
I'd rather get skunked with an $800.00 combo than a $50.00 Wal-Mart special any day of the week!
roadwarrior reply :
"Tackle snobs" or just collectors that have chosen fishing as their hobby?
Today's rod & reels are so superior to the equipment we were using a decade
ago, I think for a modest price the "catching" part is not significantly effected.
However, better equipment makes the "fishing" part more fun!
MacP reply :
I was watching a fishing show this weekend and the guy had a load of sponsers boat wrap and everything. You know what I saw him throwing? Bass Pro Pro Qualifiers.
*Hootie reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 11:03 PM, MacP said:I was watching a fishing show this weekend and the guy had a load of sponsers boat wrap and everything. You know what I saw him throwing? Bass Pro Pro Qualifiers.
Edwin Evers maybe?
Hootie
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 8:31 PM, John G said:I'd rather get skunked with an $800.00 combo than a $50.00 Wal-Mart special any day of the week!
a skunk is a skunk, regardless of what youre using. and speaking of walmart specials, i got a couple combos i put together at walmart in the $70-80 range for rod and reel both. and you know what, today they work just as good as they did the day i bought them and probably just as good as your $800 combo, i really dont get your line of thinking there...
On 3/31/2014 at 10:38 PM, roadwarrior said:"Tackle snobs" or just collectors that have chosen fishing as their hobby?
Today's rod & reels are so superior to the equipment we were using a decade
ago, I think for a modest price the "catching" part is not significantly effected.
However, better equipment makes the "fishing" part more fun!
no lets word it properly here: tackle snobs. collectors are different. i really dont credit any of the catching part to price of equipment. we've all heard the story of the barbie and spiderman poles pulling out the biggest fish of a fishing trip.
as for the fishing part, if one of my cheap combos is working just as perfectly or better than someones high dollar combo, then how is fishing with your high dollar combo(or supposedly better equipment) any funner than me with a much cheaper combo? i dont relate fun to the equipment either.
Jar11591 reply :
On 4/1/2014 at 5:35 AM, Red Earth said:no lets word it properly here: tackle snobs. collectors are different. i really dont credit any of the catching part to price of equipment. we've all heard the story of the barbie and spiderman poles pulling out the biggest fish of a fishing trip.
as for the fishing part, if one of my cheap combos is working just as perfectly or better than someones high dollar combo, then how is fishing with your high dollar combo(or supposedly better equipment) any funner than me with a much cheaper combo? i dont relate fun to the equipment either.
I personally think it's more fun to cast 150' than it is to cast 50'. I think it's more fun to feel a hit on a super-sensitive rod than it is to not feel a strike at all on a cheap Ugly Stik. I think it is more fun to use a combo that feels comfortable in your hand rather than one that doesn't.
Jar11591 reply :
RedEarth, so are you saying that driving around in a red Ferrari isn't more fun than driving in a rusted Neon, even if both get you from A to B?
John G reply :
On 4/1/2014 at 5:35 AM, Red Earth said:i really dont get your line of thinking there..
You have obviously never used a Conquest 50 that is mounted on a Loomis MBR783 GLX.
*Hootie reply :
This is fun!
Hootie
Scott F reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 11:01 AM, Tywithay said:I've heard tales in the past of well-known pros having custom rods and reels painted to look like duplicates of their sponsor's gear too. I don't know how true it is, but I've heard it multiple times from more than one person; must be at least some truth to it.
Did you hear it on the internet? If you did, it must be true.
Brian Needham reply :
I think there is a lot to be said for what red earth is saying.
scrutch reply :
I buy GM because it is WHAT I LIKE. I can afford a Mercedes, but I LIKE GM.
I buy Levi's because it is WHAT I LIKE. I can afford $300 jeans, but I LIKE Levi's.
I buy the fishing gear I have because it is WHAT I LIKE. It just happens to be Shimano, Revo STX's, Dobyn's and Loomis rods... Why?
Because it is WHAT I LIKE.
I don't care what you fish with.
Tywithay reply :
On 4/1/2014 at 7:01 AM, Scott F said:Did you hear it on the internet? If you did, it must be true.
Heard it from other tournament fishermen, face to face.
Scott F reply :
On 4/1/2014 at 10:38 AM, Tywithay said:Heard it from other tournament fishermen, face to face.
I'm sure it's true, I hope you know I was just having fun.
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 4/1/2014 at 5:55 AM, Jar11591 said:I personally think it's more fun to cast 150' than it is to cast 50'. I think it's more fun to feel a hit on a super-sensitive rod than it is to not feel a strike at all on a cheap Ugly Stik. I think it is more fun to use a combo that feels comfortable in your hand rather than one that doesn't.
you completely missed the point of my post. it was to be expected, i dont feel like rehashing myself, so maybe you should reread it instead. and dont even get me started on the sensitivity thing, because its very very minimal difference in rods from cheap to expensive, sensitivity is more in your hands than the rod...
On 4/1/2014 at 6:24 AM, Jar11591 said:RedEarth, so are you saying that driving around in a red Ferrari isn't more fun than driving in a rusted Neon, even if both get you from A to B?
like i said, you missed the point. and actually i had an old paint chipping rusted Neon, it will hit 100+mph just like a Ferrari will. i rather enjoyed driving it.
On 4/1/2014 at 6:34 AM, John G said:You have obviously never used a Conquest 50 that is mounted on a Loomis MBR783 GLX.
my point is a skunk is a skunk, no matter what combo youre using. the equipment isnt what defines my experiences on the water either...
On 4/1/2014 at 7:02 AM, Brian Needham said:I think there is a lot to be said for what red earth is saying.
i just cant stand the misconception that you need high cost gear to catch fish or have fun while fishing. sends the wrong message to uninformed people like beginner fishermen...
Master Bait'r reply :
Of course you don't NEED it... Just like you don't NEED to get laid either. But just like getting lucky, man I'll be damned if fishing with some awesome gear doesn't just feel great. It really is it's own reason. Not to mention it's all in the capacity you want to enjoy it in and by that I mean if it matters to you you'll buy it, if not you'll do it in your own way. Nobody's forcing sexy gear on you in any case.
Besides, we all need something to work towards. For some, that's what they view as the next step they're working towards and there's nothing wrong with that.
Tywithay reply :
On 4/2/2014 at 1:15 AM, Red Earth said:you completely missed the point of my post. it was to be expected, i dont feel like rehashing myself, so maybe you should reread it instead. and dont even get me started on the sensitivity thing, because its very very minimal difference in rods from cheap to expensive, sensitivity is more in your hands than the rod...
like i said, you missed the point. and actually i had an old paint chipping rusted Neon, it will hit 100+mph just like a Ferrari will. i rather enjoyed driving it.
my point is a skunk is a skunk, no matter what combo youre using. the equipment isnt what defines my experiences on the water either...
i just cant stand the misconception that you need high cost gear to catch fish or have fun while fishing. sends the wrong message to uninformed people like beginner fishermen...
I could probably pull a boat with a rusty 1978 truck, but I like having my newer F150. In the same way I like having nicer fishing equipment. Nobody is saying you can't catch fish or have fun if you're not using high end gear, but it certainly adds to the excitement for me. I have cheaper stuff and more expensive stuff, neither makes me a better fisherman necessarily, but if I feel like I am going to do better because of my gear then I'll be happier out on the water.
boostr reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 5:52 AM, Alpha Male said:I am a samsung "fanboy" for anything electronic.
Anyway just my $.02
Same here
boostr reply :
On 4/1/2014 at 7:01 AM, Scott F said:Did you hear it on the internet? If you did, it must be true.
There is truth to it, last week my 3 year old son out fished a bunch of us adults using his $16.95 Spiderman combo to our more adult higher priced combos... so I started using it and killed it.
Hyrule Bass reply :
more people missing the point. lets see if i can simplify my position for you. and i realize not everyone feels the same way. but i could have just as much fun fishing with a cane pole w/o a reel as i could fishing with one those so called $800 combos. the equipment doesnt impact my fun one bit, im just happy to fish and thats where the fun is for me. its not about NEEDING this or that, but if it takes an $800 combo for someone just to be happy and have fun while fishing, well that makes me wonder is all. as for me, the cost of my gear or level of quality is not what puts the fun in fishing...
Jar11591 reply :
On 4/2/2014 at 4:17 AM, Red Earth said:more people missing the point. lets see if i can simplify my position for you. and i realize not everyone feels the same way. but i could have just as much fun fishing with a cane pole w/o a reel as i could fishing with one those so called $800 combos. the equipment doesnt impact my fun one bit, im just happy to fish and thats where the fun is for me. its not about NEEDING this or that, but if it takes an $800 combo for someone just to be happy and have fun while fishing, well that makes me wonder is all. as for me, the cost of my gear or level of quality is not what puts the fun in fishing...
I understood your point. My point is just that quality gear can certainly add to your overall experience. Now I'm not knocking inexpensive gear or the people that use it at all, because my gear is hardly expensive or what anyone would consider "high end". All I am saying is that just like anything, quality adds to your experience. Just like a trac-phone and an iPhone can both do the basic function of a cell phone, the iPhone is a lot more fun. Just like driving a sports car is more fun than driving a junker even though they both get you from A to B. Just like a flat screen TV is better than one of the 3000lb boulders that were 1990's TVs, even though you can watch TV on both. Fishing equipment is no different. Quality adds to your experience. It may not be the deciding factor of whether you have fun, but it certainly can help.
fishva reply :
Nobody is thinking about their gear when they pull a fish out of the water.
Brian Needham reply :
I am a gearhead.. I love gear and gadgets and buttons with lights.
but I have just as much fun, if not more with a bucket of crickets and an ultralight push button rig.
so I agree with Red Earth
and I would ask others, if the gear puts the fun in it, then why do you fish?
gripnrip reply :
Sunday I used a Ci4 paired with a Crucial flipping stick. That combo is 400 plus. My son was using a 200 plus setup. Long story short I caught nothing. Although I helped my little girl more than having "my" stick in my hands. Dylan caught his fair share of bass and one crappie over about a 4 hour time frame.
My little girl caught the biggest fish on a Princess Pole. It doesn't matter what setup you use.
What matters is that you go. That you enjoy the experience and have a ton of fun fishing. I agree with red earth 100%.
I just choose to purchase the higher priced setups. I don't necessarily "need" them. Like RW said, IMO it makes it all that more enjoyable for "ME"
John G reply :
Some people are content with cell phones that do nothing but allow them make calls and others like me, prefer an iPhone or similar. Some people are content with a $99.00 Huffy and others buy a $1000.00 or more Cannondale. The examples are endless and fishing gear is no different than anything else.
Jar11591 reply :
On 4/3/2014 at 2:46 AM, Brian Needham said:I am a gearhead.. I love gear and gadgets and buttons with lights.
but I have just as much fun, if not more with a bucket of crickets and an ultralight push button rig.
so I agree with Red Earth
and I would ask others, if the gear puts the fun in it, then why do you fish?
Who said the gear puts the fun in it? I literally haven't read one post where someone says they could not have fun fishing without expensive gear. Please find one for me. What people are saying is that nice gear can add to your overall fishing experience. You can't play angry birds on a trac-phone. Can't go from 0-60 in under 3 seconds in a stock Kia. You pay for quality, and quality is something, not nothing.
Brian Needham reply :
On 3/31/2014 at 10:38 PM, roadwarrior said:
However, better equipment makes the "fishing" part more fun!
On 3/31/2014 at 8:31 PM, John G said:I'd rather get skunked with an $800.00 combo than a $50.00 Wal-Mart special any day of the week!
On 4/1/2014 at 5:55 AM, Jar11591 said:I personally think it's more fun to cast 150' than it is to cast 50'. I think it's more fun to feel a hit on a super-sensitive rod than it is to not feel a strike at all on a cheap Ugly Stik. I think it is more fun to use a combo that feels comfortable in your hand rather than one that doesn't.
On 4/2/2014 at 1:48 AM, Tywithay said:Nobody is saying you can't catch fish or have fun if you're not using high end gear, but it certainly adds to the excitement for me.
On 4/2/2014 at 4:56 AM, Jar11591 said:All I am saying is that just like anything, quality adds to your experience.
there are a few examples for you!!!!!!
now keep in mind, I don't give a Rats Arse, but you got an attitude with your quote so I figured I would respond.
I say all of this knowing, I have all supertuned Lews TPs or CORES, all on DOBYNS rods(mostly DX series) have Jason Williamson's old boat, nitro Z9 with THREE 1198's and a 998 with a hydrowave, and dual power poles and a new 112# Terrova Ipilot link, remote locking system and 20 inch aftermarket wheels on the trailer........ and I pull that sum-batch with a 2013 Ram Longhorn with EVERY factory option
and you know what that proves??????
1. I still get snubbed by Ranger ****** at the ramp
2. I still get my head kicked in by a ole timin' local that uses ugly sticks and $30 baitcasters........ I GAURENTEE you he had more fun than ME, and a better experience CATCHING than I did WATCHING
so as long as the equipment works properly, cause we are catching fish not playing "rod n reel"
PS, I don't WANT to play angry birds, nor do I want to go 0-60 in under 3 secs.
Brian Needham reply :
also, to anyone I quoted I do not hold any ill will what so ever.
fish what you can/want when you can/want....... we all have the same goal, great pictures and full livewells!
Jar11591 reply :
On 4/3/2014 at 4:58 AM, Brian Needham said:there are a few examples for you!!!!!!
now keep in mind, I don't give a Rats Arse, but you got an attitude with your quote so I figured I would respond.
I say all of this knowing, I have all supertuned Lews TPs or CORES, all on DOBYNS rods(mostly DX series) have Jason Williamson's old boat, nitro Z9 with THREE 1198's and a 998 with a hydrowave, and dual power poles and a new 112# Terrova Ipilot link, remote locking system and 20 inch aftermarket wheels on the trailer........ and I pull that sum-batch with a 2013 Ram Longhorn with EVERY factory option
and you know what that proves??????
1. I still get snubbed by Ranger ****** at the ramp
2. I still get my head kicked in by a ole timin' local that uses ugly sticks and $30 baitcasters........ I GAURENTEE you he had more fun than ME, and a better experience CATCHING than I did WATCHING
so as long as the equipment works properly, cause we are catching fish not playing "rod n reel"
PS, I don't WANT to play angry birds, nor do I want to go 0-60 in under 3 secs.
I see nothing saying that you need nicer gear to have fun, only saying that its MORE fun, which was my original point. It ADDS to the experience. It makes a good thing better for some people. It makes a GOOD thing BETTER. And like I have said before, my gear is not expensive in the least so I am certainly not talking down on inexpensive gear or the people that use it. Of course you can have fun and catch fish with gear any price. I 100% agree with you that you don't need expensive gear to have fun. But it can make it MORE fun. I don't know why people are twisting that. Here's another example (they are endless):
You can watch the TV with no sound obviously, but some people prefer to watch the TV with the volume on. It adds to the TV watching experience.
Jar11591 reply :
On 4/3/2014 at 4:58 AM, Brian Needham said:now keep in mind, I don't give a Rats Arse, but you got an attitude with your quote so I figured I would respond.
Sorry you thought I had an attitude. Not my intent at all. My posts are being read wrong, or "selectively" perhaps. But again, no attitude here. Sorry for the misinterpretation. Just an interesting debate with differing view points, that's all. Maybe not that different actually.
FishinDaddy reply :
On 4/3/2014 at 4:58 AM, Brian Needham said:nor do I want to go 0-60 in under 3 secs.
Dude, you're getting old. The old double zero dude would say that is blasphemous.
Brian Needham reply :
CAN is a debatable word....... until you understand that you will just want to argue, thus you are trying to shape other people's experience.
case in point:
I still have a square 35in TV. I do because I cant stand how the flat screens stretches the picture, I PREFER a square TV.... so a plasma adds NOTHING for me, in fact for me it detracts from the experience.
I'm out.
rippin-lips reply :
It's already been said 50x. Having nicer things makes it more enjoyable for some. I have a lot more fun driving my 400hp car vs my 150hp truck. Yes they both do the same thing in the end but one is more enjoyable. I take my $20 2pc Shakespeare spinning rod and $30 shimano reel river fishing all the time and catch fish but I would rather fish with my nicer stuff. It can also be a confidence booster for some and there's no better tool in fishing then having confidence in what you're doing. Fish what you like and have fun doing it. Who cares what other people do.
Jar11591 reply :
On 4/3/2014 at 5:24 AM, Brian Needham said:CAN is a debatable word....... until you understand that you will just want to argue, thus you are trying to shape other people's experience.
case in point:
I still have a square 35in TV. I do because I cant stand how the flat screens stretches the picture, I PREFER a square TV.... so a plasma adds NOTHING for me, in fact for me it detracts from the experience.
I'm out.
I'm now 100% convinced that you have a bad case of selective reading. Shape other people's experience? Wow that's truly comical. Just don't see whats wrong with people preferring quality, even if it costs more. Some people get joy from devoting time and money into a hobby as well. Before you try to make me a bad guy, please just go back and re-read my posts. If you turn off the selective filter, you will find absolutely nothing that is condescending towards anyone or the gear they use.
roadwarrior reply :
I'm sure we will need to revisit this topic down the road, we always do.
Good night Irene.
-Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior
Global Moderator
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