curious question about high priced reels 2024
gravyfor3 reply :
well, i am just a kid, and most of my rods and reels are hand me downs and from walmart. i have just been crazy bout fishin lately so i ordered a cabelas catalog. there are reels like the daiwa steez that are 400 bucks! i thought i was payin alot when i got a abu garcia cardinal from walmart for 30 lol. is there that much of a performance difference between different costs?
roadwarrior reply :
Yes
8-)
Evan Pease reply :
Yes. When I got my first real reel was blown away by how much better it was. In most cases the more expensive reels last longer so you save money in the long run, not to mention the performance benefits.
The_Natural reply :
It's pretty amazing...there is nothing like that first high-end rod or reel.
Jake. reply :
For sure.
hawgchaser reply :
There is a trend in fishing that actually bothers me a little. Many people act like you have to spend a lot of dough to be a successful fisherman. That's just not the case.....
KVD is the best and he uses gear that many on this board have deemed as junk! It's really humorous to me. I just hate to see fishing going in this direction.
But to answer your question, you are the only one that fishes with this reel so if you like it, then it's good!
Jeff H reply :
QuoteThere is a trend in fishing that actually bothers me a little. Many people act like you have to spend a lot of dough to be a successful fisherman. Thats just not the case.....KVD is the best and he uses gear that many on this board have deemed as junk! Its really humerous to me. I just hate to see fishing going in this direction.
But to answer your question, you are the only one that fishes with this reel so if you like it, then its good!
I agree with you to a point, but it's like this in anything. You oughta see what some guys think they have to spend on a shotgun to qualify themselves as a bona-fide grouse and woodcock uplander. You ever seen a $50,000 shotgun? ;D Seriously, some guys figure you have not arrived until you spend at least $5000 on a SxS shotgun. Weird. Trust me.....even in the upper levels, fishing equipment can seem cheap compared to other pursuits.
hawgchaser reply :
QuoteQuoteThere is a trend in fishing that actually bothers me a little. Many people act like you have to spend a lot of dough to be a successful fisherman. Thats just not the case.....KVD is the best and he uses gear that many on this board have deemed as junk! Its really humerous to me. I just hate to see fishing going in this direction.
But to answer your question, you are the only one that fishes with this reel so if you like it, then its good!
I agree with you to a point, but it's like this in anything. You oughta see what some guys think they have to spend on a shotgun to qualify themselves as a bona-fide grouse and woodcock uplander. You ever seen a $50,000 shotgun? ;D Seriously, some guys figure you have not arrived until you spend at least $5000 on a SxS shotgun. Weird. Trust me.....even in the upper levels, fishing equipment can seem cheap compared to other pursuits.
That's certainly true....being from Arkansas, duckhunting is my true passion with fishing a close second. Though there aren't many $50000 guns in the marsh, the same trend is there.
Tts no longer about killing ducks or catching fish for some. For the love of pete some people are actually worried that their reel doesn't look good on their rod....very strange but hey its none of my business. I'll just keep pulling in fish after fish on my "cheap""junk" 
Micro reply :
I also agree that higher cost usually gets you higher quality and better performance. If you graphed it, it certainly wouldn't be linear - there is a point of diminishing return. But for the most part, a $200 reel is going to outperform a $50 reel.
My problem isn't that nice stuff is beyond my means. But rather that I have a quirk that prevents me from enjoying super high end stuff. I baby it. Someone mentioned guns. I experienced that. I had a custom Mannlicher-Schönauer .30-06 with a custom Paul Jaeger quick detachable scope mount and a Zeiss scope. I could barely bring myself to hunt with it, and I was always protecting it when I did, to the point I didn't enjoy it. It got to the point that all I did was take it out of the safe occassionally and rub it with a silicone cloth. I ended up selling it and bought several rifles that I did hunt with and enjoyed. I'd probably do the same with a $600 Megabass rod, or a $450 Steez reel.
My upper limit for a reel is about $200-$250. About the same for a rod. (Most of mine are much lower.) IMO, those prices will get you premium equipment, but not so expensive I have to worry breaking it and not being able to replace it.
hjerk24 reply :
Here -Here HawgChaser! Bass don't know if it's a quantum or a barbie rod.....so just go out there and WHACK-EM"!
Jeff H reply :
Hawgchaser.....I am most certain in saying that I believe I would really enjoy sharing a boat with you. Screw image, haul bass and enjoy it all the way.
weknowhowtolive reply :
Yup. I get the same way. Even with lures. Ill get a really expensive lure and rarely use it because I'm afraid i'll lose it.QuoteI also agree that higher cost usually gets you higher quality and better performance. If you graphed it, it certainly wouldn't be linear - there is a point of diminishing return. But for the most part, a $200 reel is going to outperform a $50 reel.My problem isn't that nice stuff is beyond my means. But rather that I have a quirk that prevents me from enjoying super high end stuff. I baby it. Someone mentioned guns. I experienced that. I had a custom Mannlicher-Schönauer .30-06 with a custom Paul Jaeger quick detachable scope mount and a Zeiss scope. I could barely bring myself to hunt with it, and I was always protecting it when I did, to the point I didn't enjoy it. It got to the point that all I did was take it out of the safe occassionally and rub it with a silicone cloth. I ended up selling it and bought several rifles that I did hunt with and enjoyed. I'd probably do the same with a $600 Megabass rod, or a $450 Steez reel.
My upper limit for a reel is about $200-$250. About the same for a rod. (Most of mine are much lower.) IMO, those prices will get you premium equipment, but not so expensive I have to worry breaking it and not being able to replace it.
gravyfor3 reply :
QuoteI also agree that higher cost usually gets you higher quality and better performance. If you graphed it, it certainly wouldn't be linear - there is a point of diminishing return. But for the most part, a $200 reel is going to outperform a $50 reel.My problem isn't that nice stuff is beyond my means. But rather that I have a quirk that prevents me from enjoying super high end stuff. I baby it. Someone mentioned guns. I experienced that. I had a custom Mannlicher-Schönauer .30-06 with a custom Paul Jaeger quick detachable scope mount and a Zeiss scope. I could barely bring myself to hunt with it, and I was always protecting it when I did, to the point I didn't enjoy it. It got to the point that all I did was take it out of the safe occassionally and rub it with a silicone cloth. I ended up selling it and bought several rifles that I did hunt with and enjoyed. I'd probably do the same with a $600 Megabass rod, or a $450 Steez reel.
My upper limit for a reel is about $200-$250. About the same for a rod. (Most of mine are much lower.) IMO, those prices will get you premium equipment, but not so expensive I have to worry breaking it and not being able to replace it.
thanks this helped a lot. because yes i am just a kid so a 50 dollar reel is like a mini steez to me lol but i was just curious because i see the guys on the outdoor channel who look like walking billboards for companies have really nice rods and they pretty much just yank the little 2 pound bass out of the water with there medium heavy action rod and whoop and hollar over the fish.....but ya sorry i am not one who likes tourney fishing like that....thanks all i love this forum lots of guys who know what there talkin bout
hawgchaser reply :
QuoteHawgchaser.....I am most certain in saying that I believe I would really enjoy sharing a boat with you. Screw image, haul bass and enjoy it all the way.
Well hurry down..I got the bass pegged and the hybrids just started busting shad on the surface, which means lots of topwater hawgs!!
Red reply :
i started off last year with lower end stuff and i caught fish and had fun doing it. then i upgraded a little bit. i have never spent over $100 on a reel and not more than $125 on a rod. since last year i have either sold or given away my lower end stuff. now i have only two combos, both are custom rods and both have revo S-L's. i love these two setups!!
now, since i have upgraded, have i caught more fish? absolutely not, in fact, so far this year i think my numbers are much less than last year, but my size is up from last year. but that has more to do with my knowledge increase than my gear.
i enjoy my more expensive rods and reels, but it dosent make a difference to the fish. i think it was Catt who said..."the key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet", or something to that effect.
my old abu cardinal walmart special for $33 is still being used and catching bass (alot of the time more than me) by my buddy i gave it to. and he has it mounted on the $20 berkley cherrywood rod i also gave him.
Cliff
Redlinerobert reply :
Doesnt matter if you can spend $50 or $500 on a reel. The bottom line is enjoying the sport. Buy within your means and have fun!
Daniel My Brother reply :
Quotei thought i was payin alot when i got a abu garcia cardinal from walmart for 30
The Cardinal is a fine $30 reel.
Some day, when you have a little more disposable income, and can afford the latest and greatest, I'm betting you will still remember that Cardinal and the good times you had with it.
The_Natural reply :
QuoteDoesnt matter if you can spend $50 or $500 on a reel. The bottom line is enjoying the sport. Buy within your means and have fun!
+1
A lot of times that is forgotten. I LOVE tackle...and that will never change. However, I know that the angler is 90% of the game. Yep...90%. Fishing is my passion...I'm not looking to do it as cheaply as possible; I'm looking to enjoy it as much as possible. I love every aspect of bass fishing and the tackle related to it.
daviscw reply :
A nicer reel won't catch fish for you, but it will make it easier and smoother.
I look at it this way...
You could drive a BMW to work every day, or you could drive a 1980 Pinto. Either way you are more than likely going to get to work. (As long as you know how to drive... {a.k.a fish}) But how you get there will be different. (Faster, smoother, nicer luxaries, etc....)
islandbass reply :
Quotewell, i am just a kid, and most of my rods and reels are hand me downs and from walmart. i have just been crazy bout fishin lately so i ordered a cabelas catalog. there are reels like the daiwa steez that are 400 bucks! i thought i was payin alot when i got a abu garcia cardinal from walmart for 30 lol. is there that much of a performance difference between different costs?
The short answer is yes. However, high end gear is not necessary to enjoy a day of fishing.
There is a great thread here about el cheapo rods that we who have "upper" end equipment have and still love to use. Hopefully you'll find it to help out you at ease about "needing" to "have to" spend big money for fishing.
Be happy with what you have right now. I have an el cheapo Lightning Rod that has seen more action than my Loomis this season. ;D
KvD reply :
QuoteQuoteThere is a trend in fishing that actually bothers me a little. Many people act like you have to spend a lot of dough to be a successful fisherman. Thats just not the case.....KVD is the best and he uses gear that many on this board have deemed as junk! Its really humerous to me. I just hate to see fishing going in this direction.
But to answer your question, you are the only one that fishes with this reel so if you like it, then its good!
I agree with you to a point, but it's like this in anything. You oughta see what some guys think they have to spend on a shotgun to qualify themselves as a bona-fide grouse and woodcock uplander. You ever seen a $50,000 shotgun? ;D Seriously, some guys figure you have not arrived until you spend at least $5000 on a SxS shotgun. Weird. Trust me.....even in the upper levels, fishing equipment can seem cheap compared to other pursuits.
Have you ever seen a 100% custom made Kregoff k-80? hand carved wood hand carved metal. everythign hand made.... Costs well over $150K a doctor here shoots it at my local club.... man i wish i had it beautiful gun.... ive actually shot that one one time then gave it back to him afraid i was gonna drop it...
but to answer the OP question.... i think to a certain amount they are better... like was is the difference between $400 and $200 reels? not much
Alex
roadwarrior reply :
Well, as has already been mentioned, as you move up in price there is "diminishing return". A $400 or $500 reel is significantly different than a $200 reel, but it is definitely not twice the reel.
8-)
senile1 reply :
QuoteWell, as has already been mentioned, as you move up in price there is "diminishing return". A $400 or $500 reel is significantly different than a $200 reel, but it is definitely not twice the reel.8-)
In your estimation, how much more of a reel is it? 8-)
roadwarrior reply :
Well, some of the answer is features, components, weight and balance,
but the bottomline is "subjective feel". My general estimation is a 25%
improvement for twice the price, but keep this in perspective: The
$200 reel is probably a fine piece of equipment, the bar is set pretty
high to begin with.
8-)
senile1 reply :
QuoteWell, some of the answer is features, components, weight and balance,but the bottomline is "subjective feel". My general estimation is a 25%
improvement for twice the price, but keep this in perspective: The
$200 reel is probably a fine piece of equipment, the bar is set pretty
high to begin with.
8-)
Thanks RW. I tend to be like Micro in that I can afford the expensive stuff but I purchase mid-range equipment due to diminishing benefits and eliminating the worry of damaging nice stuff. Because of this I have never purchased a $400 reel, so I am curious as to how much of an improvement they are perceived to be.
hawgchaser reply :
Let me be clear on my point. I am NOT saying that cheaper gear is as good or that there is something wrong with buying expensive stuff. But I see a lot of posts were people, often kids and teenagers, are looking for quality stuff that they can afford or ask their parents for.....only to be told that their options aren't worth a darn and they need to go get a curado and a loomis.
I think it is better to point them towards a BPS reel and a lightning rod and congratulate them on their new rod and reel! Now that doesnt mean that you cant give honest reviews of equipment, i just dont get the snobbery.
I use what I do bc it works for me. I have American rodsmith, falcon, loomis, bps, browning, all star, shimano, abu, quantum, lews.. And probably several more brands. I use stuff that works for me and I have tried a lot.... Actually too much ;D
Redlinerobert reply :
It's like driving a Lamborghini or Ferrari. You do so because you can. Not necesarily that it makes the drive better. It usually does make the drive better though....
hawgchaser reply :
QuoteIt's like driving a Lamborghini or Ferrari. You do so because you can. Not necesarily that it makes the drive better. It usually does make the drive better though....
Exactly, but when a 16 y/o brags on his new(used) Ford, would you tell him its no good and he should go buy a lamborghini?
Thats my only point. Lets not pretend this equipment is necessary to be a great fisherman. Once again, there are folks that don't even have boats that are sporting equipment that cost more than the pros.
Redlinerobert reply :
QuoteQuoteIt's like driving a Lamborghini or Ferrari. You do so because you can. Not necesarily that it makes the drive better. It usually does make the drive better though....Exactly, but when a 16 y/o brags on his new(used) Ford, would you tell him its no good and he should go buy a lamborghini?
Thats my only point. Lets not pretend this equipment is necessary to be a great fisherman. Once again, there are folks that don't even have boats that are sporting equipment that cost more than the pros.
Good post. I fish with friends that have the $50 rods and reels, and let me tell you, they kick my butt often out on the water. As I posted earlier, doesnt matter what you spend, do so within your means and have fun.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteLet me be clear on my point. I am NOT saying that cheaper gear is as good or that there is something wrong with buying expensive stuff. But I see a lot of posts were people, often kids and teenagers, are looking for quality stuff that they can afford or ask their parents for.....only to be told that their options aren't worth a darn and they need to go get a curado and a loomis.I think it is better to point them towards a BPS reel and a lightning rod and congratulate them on their new rod and reel! Now that doesnt mean that you cant give honest reviews of equipment, i just dont get the snobbery.
I use what I do bc it works for me. I have American rodsmith, falcon, loomis, bps, browning, all star, shimano, abu, quantum, lews.. And probably several more brands. I use stuff that works for me and I have tried a lot.... Actually too much ;D
My observation is that people who request guidance at a given pricing point get very good and specific advice. As a matter-of-fact, I don't recall ever reading a reply that stated "your low end gear won't work, you need a Loomis and a Curado".
:
grimlin reply :
I think hawgchaser is right on the money.
It's what you are most comfortable with and can afford.My budget is anything within $150 or less.if i had a $300 rod or reel i'd baby it...like micro said...which would be no fun then.
I still like to drool over the expensive stuff once in awhile.
senile1 reply :
I agree with the statements that success can be had with lower-priced equipment but the original post asked for the extent of the performance difference between equipment with different costs. I don't see any snobbery in someone stating their opinion if they think very expensive equipment has a tremendous performance difference over inexpensive stuff.
Too me, I find a big difference in sensitivity between rods in the $150 - 200 dollar range and rods below $100. As for reels, those in the $100 - $200 range tend to be smoother and have better drags than less expensive models. However, I have a couple of cheaper baitcasters that perform well and I don't see that they have hindered me from catching fish. If you are going to spend extra money the rod is where you will receive the most benefit from the extra dollars, especially if you fish jigs and soft plastics a lot. The difference in sensitivity between an excellent midrange rod and a high-end rod is not so significant. Again, these are just my opinions.
daviscw reply :
QuoteQuoteWell, as has already been mentioned, as you move up in price there is "diminishing return". A $400 or $500 reel is significantly different than a $200 reel, but it is definitely not twice the reel.8-)
In your estimation, how much more of a reel is it? 8-)
This is how much LESS of a reel it is....
Shimano Citica 9.9 oz $119.99
Diawa Steez 5.5 oz $449.95
Red reply :
QuoteI think hawgchaser is right on the money.It's what you are most comfortable with and can afford.My budget is anything within $150 or less.if i had a $300 rod or reel i'd baby it...like micro said...which would be no fun then.
I still like to drool over the expensive stuff once in awhile.
i could probably save up and buy some higher end stuff, but i just cant take the extra seconds to make sure it dosent get scratched or something. i treat my stuff like crap, i admit. but i bought it to fish with, not to look at. so as long it works i am happy. if i screw up and bust a rod tip, well that is just part of the game i guess.
Cliff
Crowcommander reply :
With Fuel and o/b oil being so high maybe we need to look at the middle of road rod,reels,equipment. It's like my Pa used to say." It doesn't cost but a little more to go 1st class, you just can't stay as long. Seriously people,life is short,Buy the best you can afford and enjoy everyday!!! Just my .02.Crowcommander
daviscw reply :
QuoteWith Fuel and o/b oil being so high maybe we need to look at the middle of road rod,reels,equipment. It's like my Pa used to say." It doesn't cost but a little more to go 1st class, you just can't stay as long. Seriously people,life is short,Buy the best you can afford and enjoy everyday!!! Just my .02.Crowcommander
I always heard "You can pay $1 and go half-***, or you can pay $3 and go first class". I agree that money should be spent. I have witnesed family members that were potential millionaires that lived without HVAC, in rags for clothes, and ate pork and beans every night. While this has nothing to do with fishing, some people put way too much empasis on saving money for their kids and grandkids when they die, and they forget to enjoy life themselves. It all comes down to what you like, want, and are willing to spend.
SpecialSause reply :
i find a bit of diffrence between the two but to me its not worth the cash. i just bought a diawa supertuned reel and also a pflueger echlon with an all star rod. the pflueger came with the rod as a combo from sports academy it cost me $90. the most i will ever spend on fishing stuff. i got the diawa for $69 off ebay. i sugest if you want a great reel and great rod for an even better price to to sports academy and get that combo. however if you do want some higher end things you dont always have to pay the higher end price just get an ebay account and paypal account, its free. get your parents permission and bid on something. here is the reel i almost bought it cost $200 + at a store. here is the link to the reel i almost got along with another few on my list of reels that i will one day aquire...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380035393792&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260249068512&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching
good luck fishing its not the equiptment that makes the fisherman.
SS
flechero reply :
Diminishing returns? yup. But sometimes better really is better, even if it's only a little. (in my case, I like light weight reels) It's not for everyone, but if you can afford nice gear, very few people ever regret buying it.
As for being afraid to hurt it...
You just have to decide that you are going to fish it. If it gets scratched then it has charactor... I find that I'm careful even with cheap stuff so I don't worry about the $$$ stuff either. If you bought it to sell later, you are a collector... if you bought it to fish with, then enjoy the spoils and have fun.
=Matt 5.0= reply :
QuoteA nicer reel won't catch fish for you, but it will make it easier and smoother.I look at it this way...
You could drive a BMW to work every day, or you could drive a 1990 Pinto. Either way you are more than likely going to get to work. (As long as you know how to drive... {a.k.a fish}) But how you get there will be different. (Faster, smoother, nicer luxaries, etc....)
Sorry, no Pinto's built after 1980.....
daviscw reply :
Thank you for your generous clarification. I will make sure to go back and edit so no one will be confused or misled.
tennwalkinghorse reply :
High end gear will not make you better at what you are doing only practice will . Once you get to a certain point better gear will make you more proficient but you must first get to that point. JMHO
The Rooster reply :
I'm the type person that no matter how careful I am I just seem to have accidents. Like last summer I bought a new Shimano Sedona spinning reel, went to the lake later on that summer, boat rubbed up against a stump and knocked me off balance and I ended up stepping on it and bending the bail completely beyond recognition. Took me a good 2 hours working with it to make it fishable again. If it had been more than just a $50 reel I'd have been beyond sick. Even at that price I was very disturbed by it. So I won't allow myself to spend that much on stuff. But at the same time, I can't fish with very cheap stuff, just is not nearly as enjoyable. I try to hold my purchase price on a single reel or rod under $100, $200 for the pair at MOST. I figure I might break the rod, or destroy the reel, but the odds of me destroying both at the same time are not as high as just getting one of them. ;D And to date, I've never thrown an entire combo overboard while casting (as that would be the only way I could think to destroy the entire combo)........but last week I did see that done while fishing at the river..........someone else done it though, not me.
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