I have a Gander Mountain Guide series spinning rod that I can't find my self ever abandoning! It came with a combo that was on sale in the store and I currently have it matched with a Pflueger President and have zero problems and love the inexpensive rig.
I am looking into upgrading to a fenwick (either hmx or hmg) but feel that I don't really need to... Should I just leave my setup alone? Or give a more expensive rod a try?
You are currently involved in the sport of fishing. This involves one outfit and catching fish. Most of us started where you are now.
The question you pose suggest that you are considering entry into the world of tackle buying. You will never again find the enjoyment you now have if you take the plunge into the world of finding a better rod and reel than what you now have.
It becomes never ending and all-consuming. Eventually you wind up with a room full of tackle while spending endless hours on the internet looking for a great deal on a better rod and reel. If you're lucky, occasionally you will find time to fish and evaluate your purchases, but the pure love of fishing will have been replaced by the love of buying better tackle.
Embrace the rod and reel that you can't see yourself abandoning, and spend as much time as you can on the water catching fish.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:44 AM, billjaco said:You are currently involved in the sport of fishing. This involves one outfit and catching fish. Most of us started where you are now.
The question you pose suggest that you are considering entry into the world of tackle buying. You will never again find the enjoyment you now have if you take the plunge into the world of finding a better rod and reel than what you now have.
It becomes never ending and all-consuming. Eventually you wind up with a room full of tackle while spending endless hours on the internet looking for a great deal on a better rod and reel. If you're lucky, occasionally you will find time to fish and evaluate your purchases, but the pure love of fishing will have been replaced by the love of buying better tackle.
Embrace the rod and reel that you can't see yourself abandoning, and spend as much time as you can on the water catching fish.
I love that answer! I am already that way with lures so it seems like a good idea NOT to get that way with other gear...
I do have a basement full of several rod/reel combos, both casting and spinning. The "problem" I am having is primarily with rods. I have no issue spending money on a higher end reel, but for some reason am apprehensive when it comes to rods.
If the combo gives you zero problems and you love fishing with it, why get rid of it? Fish it until you can't fish it no more, no matter how many more rod/reel combos you buy.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:54 AM, anthonyfip said:I love that answer! I am already that way with lures so it seems like a good idea NOT to get that way with other gear...
I do have a basement full of several rod/reel combos, both casting and spinning. The "problem" I am having is primarily with rods. I have no issue spending money on a higher end reel, but for some reason am apprehensive when it comes to rods.
I guess what I am wondering is... Will I notice a difference/catch more fish with a higher end rod? I consider the lure, line, and reel (in that order) to gear that makes the biggest difference. I may be wrong? Should I be considering the rod more?
On 4/11/2016 at 9:56 AM, blckshirt98 said:If the combo gives you zero problems and you love fishing with it, why get rid of it? Fish it until you can't fish it no more, no matter how many more rod/reel combos you buy.
I would never get rid of it. It just wouldn't be my primary spinning setup if I purchased somethjng new. I mainly fish from a kayak so I don't tend to bring more than two rods, so rather than setting up for specific applications, I have two versital setups, so taking two spinning rods won't likely happen. I will still keep the rod tho.
Don't do it man, next thing you know you'll be getting a silver hawk, then an aetos. Lol that's the reason I say no when my buddies offfer me their expensive setups and say dude check this out.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:58 AM, anthonyfip said:Will I notice a difference/catch more fish with a higher end rod?
You won't catch more fish with a higher end rod, that comes more from knowledge and experience, however, in my opinion, you may notice a difference. I started out where you were at, and as time went by I was fortunate enough to make little more money and slowly I transitioned into purchasing higher end rods. To me, I noticed a difference each time I made a step up from one price point to the next. I noticed a weight difference in the rod, and I noticed an increase in sensitivity, and typically better components and build. However, let me state, nowadays you can find light weight rods and good components and build quality across the spectrum of price. As far as increased sensitivity, that is more on an individual by individual basis, we are all different, a sensitive rod in my hand may feel dead in your hand, and vice versa, so it's all relative. In the end, as I took the leap into higher end rods, it increased the enjoyment of my experience more than anything. It did not catch me one more fish than if I was fishing with my original rod all those years ago, knowledge and experience has done that. So if you enjoy what your using and the experience it gives you, don't change a thing. If things change over time, take the leap, you may be surprised at what you find.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:44 AM, billjaco said:You are currently involved in the sport of fishing. This involves one outfit and catching fish. Most of us started where you are now.
The question you pose suggest that you are considering entry into the world of tackle buying. You will never again find the enjoyment you now have if you take the plunge into the world of finding a better rod and reel than what you now have.
It becomes never ending and all-consuming. Eventually you wind up with a room full of tackle while spending endless hours on the internet looking for a great deal on a better rod and reel. If you're lucky, occasionally you will find time to fish and evaluate your purchases, but the pure love of fishing will have been replaced by the love of buying better tackle.
Embrace the rod and reel that you can't see yourself abandoning, and spend as much time as you can on the water catching fish.
Billjaco - Although this is your first post, it's full of sage advice.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:44 AM, billjaco said:You are currently involved in the sport of fishing. This involves one outfit and catching fish. Most of us started where you are now.
The question you pose suggest that you are considering entry into the world of tackle buying. You will never again find the enjoyment you now have if you take the plunge into the world of finding a better rod and reel than what you now have.
It becomes never ending and all-consuming. Eventually you wind up with a room full of tackle while spending endless hours on the internet looking for a great deal on a better rod and reel. If you're lucky, occasionally you will find time to fish and evaluate your purchases, but the pure love of fishing will have been replaced by the love of buying better tackle.
Embrace the rod and reel that you can't see yourself abandoning, and spend as much time as you can on the water catching fish.
Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~
Props for one of the better first posts so far this year.
Looking forward to your future contributions.
To the OP ~ there may be no right answer. However, please keep in mind that many of the responses you'll no doubt receive here, will come from humans who have been seriously afflicted with the syndrome billjaco alluded to above.
It's diabolical.
A-Jay
On 4/11/2016 at 9:25 PM, A-Jay said:Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~
Props for one of the better first post so far this year.
Looking forward to your future contributions.
To the OP ~ there may be no right answer. However, please keep in mind that many of the responses you'll no doubt receive here, will come from humans who have been seriously afflicted with the syndrome billjaco alluded to above.
It's diabolical.
A-Jay
My sentiments exactly. Great first post by billjaco. I am one of those guys with a basement full. I honestly think it wouldn't have been so bad if the fishing was decent in my area. I'd be fishing instead of buying. Buying new gear and testing it is what keeps me going out. I might as well enjoy new gear cause I know I won't be catching many...if any...fish.
OP, I say buy a new rod only if you want to add another combo to your arsenal. I fished with one rod for a good many years without realizing what I was missing.
I went through similar painful consideration. Mine wasn't Gander Mtn, but a Cabelas rod that came in a combo a few years ago. The Bait Monkey triumphed and I now have half a number of 'better' spinning rods. The Cabelas rod sat in a corner of the basement for quite some time. I picked it up this winter because the cold weather sends me to the basement to fondle my tackle and I was very impressed by the weight, feel and action. It is now back in regular use and, with one possible exception, is my favorite spinning rod.
So.....since you only take one spinning rod, I'd say that if it fits your range of weight, power, tip, etc that you want from a spinning rod, the only one that will be disappointed if you keep what you got will be the Bait Monkey.
.....however, the BM told me to tell you that the one exception to my 'favorite' Cabelas rod.....just happens to be a Fenwick...sorry
Agree with much here.
@anthonyfip you hit a key thought when you said
"but feel that I don't really need to". Listen to your
inner voice. I've bought cheap, and I've bought
expensive. Sure I love the expensive rod, it is far
more "crisp" than anything else I own. But I went
with it because I wanted to. I didn't need to. In
fact, that money spent could have been better
spent elsewhere... As as been warned, it can be
an endless chase for "the one".
@billjaco Nice first post. Welcome aboard!
I like to select a specific job for each rod so it kinda forces me to rotate them around.
DVT Custom Senko Rod: Senko & Fat Ika
Gary's Custom (ghoti.) 7'2" Rainshadow Imortal ML Trout & crappie
G. Loomis PR844S Live bait
St. Croix Legend Elite LES70M Everything else
Generally I only carry one spinning rod at a time, so "specified jobs" does not always apply!
You will catch just as many fish with 1 setup, and if you're happy, why change anything?
Keep it! I also have a rod i can see myself ever abandoning. Its a 6'6 cabelas tourney trail medium light with a president reel
Thank you all for your feedback! I still can't decide what to do, but am in no rush to make a decision.
Would anyone have a different opinion if I told you this new rod would be a birthday present to myself? (well... technically from my wife) So, if not this rod, it could quite possibly be something else that I would "need" even less!!
On 4/12/2016 at 8:39 AM, anthonyfip said:Thank you all for your feedback! I still can't decide what to do, but am in no rush to make a decision.
Would anyone have a different opinion if I told you this new rod would be a birthday present to myself? (well... technically from my wife) So, if not this rod, it could quite possibly be something else that I would "need" even less!!
A gift? Well, then...that's different. Sort of.
Could still ignite the fires of the Bait Monkey,
but you'll enjoy it for a while
So, I know you all have been anxiously waiting an update on this...lol
the other day I went to gander mountain with the intent to buy a rod that was marked down quite a bit. While there, after talking with a store associate, I decided against the cheap rod and began looking around for something a bit nicer. Again, with the intent to only spend $X, I discussed more with the guy, mainly about the gander mountain line of rods (which I am a big fan of). I learned that *** were the manufacturers of the newer gander rods so figured they would be a nice addition to my gear.
btw, I am not giving up on my guide series. I plan on keeping both in the kayak as I am having trouble with baitcaster hooksets being in a sit in yak (limited elbow room)
I have dozens of rods and reels yet I find myself using the same few all the time. Use what you like.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:44 AM, billjaco said:You are currently involved in the sport of fishing. This involves one outfit and catching fish. Most of us started where you are now.
The question you pose suggest that you are considering entry into the world of tackle buying. You will never again find the enjoyment you now have if you take the plunge into the world of finding a better rod and reel than what you now have.
It becomes never ending and all-consuming. Eventually you wind up with a room full of tackle while spending endless hours on the internet looking for a great deal on a better rod and reel. If you're lucky, occasionally you will find time to fish and evaluate your purchases, but the pure love of fishing will have been replaced by the love of buying better tackle.
Embrace the rod and reel that you can't see yourself abandoning, and spend as much time as you can on the water catching fish.
Dont do it man. I went through that route. In less than a year i had over 20 combos. All g.loomis, zodias, crucials. Tons of money. In the end i found myself catching the same amount of fish and not having as much fun because i was scared of braking a rod or dropping it in water. I recently sold of all my expensive rods and i bought 8 lightning shock rods i found for $9 each at walmart. I having tons more fun now and i dont care if i break a rod. And they are great rods too.
Now im not saying go get the cheapest rods. There are a lot of rods that are awesome at a great price. For me its the shock. For you it may be something else
On 4/11/2016 at 9:44 AM, billjaco said:You are currently involved in the sport of fishing. This involves one outfit and catching fish. Most of us started where you are now.
The question you pose suggest that you are considering entry into the world of tackle buying. You will never again find the enjoyment you now have if you take the plunge into the world of finding a better rod and reel than what you now have.
It becomes never ending and all-consuming. Eventually you wind up with a room full of tackle while spending endless hours on the internet looking for a great deal on a better rod and reel. If you're lucky, occasionally you will find time to fish and evaluate your purchases, but the pure love of fishing will have been replaced by the love of buying better tackle.
Embrace the rod and reel that you can't see yourself abandoning, and spend as much time as you can on the water catching fish.
So d**n hurt but so true. ?
On 4/11/2016 at 9:58 AM, anthonyfip said:I would never get rid of it. It just wouldn't be my primary spinning setup if I purchased somethjng new.
Yes it will be. I virtually guarantee it. Survey your fishing habits. Think about those things that you'd LIKE to do and don't really have the setup to do it. Frogging......punching......lighter finesse stuff....what ever it is that your current setup doesn't do or can't do well and buy a setup for THAT. 3 years ago I carried ONE rod and laughed at the guys that carried a bunch of rods. Now I don't leave home without at least 3 and usually 5. Get another multi-purpose setup but make it a multi purpose that is DIFFERENT than your current set up. Make sense?
The bug is serious!!! I was where you were a month ago, then I happened to find an Abu Garcia mounted on a St. Croix Mojo bass at a pawn shop for $30. Now a month later I have purchased 2 Daiwa Tatula R100XS's mounted on Daiwa Tatula Rods, 2 Pflueger Presidents LE's one mounted on a Daiwa Tatula rod, the other mounted on a St Croix, an Abu Garcia Orra s30 mounted on an Abu Garcia Veritas, and I have another Daiwa Tatula rod waiting on my Daiwa Tatula R100H to come in. I also purchased an ultra light and a catfish setup. So yes, the bug bites and it bites hard, much harder than the increase in fish I have caught since the spending spree. However I am very happy with my purchases. Take your time and look around, everything I have bought other than the pawn shop purchase I have bought new and at half price. Most of the rods were $50 each, and for that price you can't pass them up.
So... There are brands you CAN talk about on this site and those you CAN'T. However there is no list of those you CAN'T talk about anywhere in the FAQ section (which I have read several times), but you may get BANNED for mentioning those brands even though you don't know which they are. So anyone that mentions any brand runs that risk.
I just purchased a new rod, am excited to talk about it with other fisherman, but CANNOT for reasons that are vaguely explained. I am very disappointed about this as I presumed this site, in particularly THIS THREAD was a place to talk about gear... but only certain gear?
I see different brands plastered all over this site and I now have to assume that $$ has a lot to do with this situation, which again is disappointing, when all some people want to do is find out if they made a good purchase with their hard earned paychecks.
I suppose I am looking for a better explanation than just simply being routed to a link to the FAQ which is what tends to happen.
I hope this post sees the light of day!
The current situation came mostly from the manufacturer requesting it be that way. Dollars, at least from the board members, has nothing to do with it. Please understand that we just "live" with the solution. There is no intent on behalf of the current members here to say anything bad about the brand, it is just the reality. Welcome to Bass Resources, I for one hope you come to enjoy this group as much as I do. There are some really terrific people that spend lots of time learning and sharing the sport of fishing here together. Welcome aboard. I own some Gander Mountain gear and really enjoy it. I freely admit though the bait monkey lives in my home, as both myself and my wife own too much gear! LOL. I have bank fished, fished from several canoes, and have owned 7 aluminum jon boats and bass boats as well as two fiberglass bass boats. The one rig I have never fished from is a kayak. I guess it presents it's own challenges. Good Luck fishing and let us Know how the new rod works out. We can talk "about it", we just can not mention it's brand name! It is strange I know.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:58 AM, anthonyfip said:I guess what I am wondering is... Will I notice a difference/catch more fish with a higher end rod? I consider the lure, line, and reel (in that order) to gear that makes the biggest difference. I may be wrong? Should I be considering the rod more?
I would never get rid of it. It just wouldn't be my primary spinning setup if I purchased somethjng new. I mainly fish from a kayak so I don't tend to bring more than two rods, so rather than setting up for specific applications, I have two versital setups, so taking two spinning rods won't likely happen. I will still keep the rod tho.
I too started upgrading rods after everything else. Someone on this site pointed out the error of my ways. If you fish bottom bouncing baits especially Texas rigged worms or craws then a sensitive rod actually can help you catch more fish. Sometimes fish pick up and spit out a bait in the span of a second. A sensitive rod helps you detect the strike much easier. You might not believe how many fish you were missing. Just my two cents.
I have a Gander mountain clearance rod that I use all the time .Its the Lady guide series and I use it for worms and jigs .
On 4/11/2016 at 10:28 PM, roadwarrior said:I like to select a specific job for each rod so it kinda forces me to rotate them around.
DVT Custom Senko Rod: Senko & Fat Ika
Gary's Custom (ghoti.) 7'2" Rainshadow Imortal ML Trout & crappie
G. Loomis PR844S Live bait
St. Croix Legend Elite LES70M Everything else
Generally I only carry one spinning rod at a time, so "specified jobs" does not always apply!
Great point. To the original poster, as I've made more money over the years, I've upgraded to higher end gear. It's enjoyable, but not an end all, be all. Certainly it's not the key to finding and catching fish. The above post stood out to me though, because I still don't hesitate to buy a "lower end" rod when I see a ridiculous sale. Especially if it's light and the right action, despite it's cheaper components. They don't get used near as much as my higher end stuff, but I still keep them. And the reason is as stated above. I've found these rods often come into play when I need something for a specific application that I just don't have the right rod for, or the ideal rod. I go back to my stash of "lower end" rods, and sure enough...usually there is a fit. For example, I've done a decent amount of inshore fishing in my life. One of my favorite techniques is pitching jigs underneath docks for flounder. The problem is I'm not using heavy lures, but maybe slightly heavier than the typical jig and plastic combo I use for open water and speckled trout fishing. And I'm throwing a weedless setup with a weighted wide gap. It calls for a medium action setup, but most of my high end medium rods are too light for pitching a dock. Well, I bought a Gander Mountain Tournament series "medium" action baitcast rod a few years ago on sale, that is really too heavy for most medium action applications. But I kept it....and sure enough, it's perfect for the above application. Not a medium heavy, and not a medium. But dang can it send a 1/4 oz jig WAY up underneath a dock. Just feels right. Glad I kept it.
My situation is similar to yours. I bought a cheap rod, it broke for no apparent reason, so I took it back to Walmart and exchanged it for a wright and McGill drop shot rod. I love this rod, it balances great with my Pflueger president, and it has plenty of back bone. I thought about upgrading but I honestly don't see a reason to get something different when what I have now works good for me.
On 4/11/2016 at 9:27 AM, anthonyfip said:but feel that I don't really need to... Should I just leave my setup alone? Or give a more expensive rod a try?
Welcome to the jungle...
If it's not broken, don't fix it.
You can't possibly be a good fisherman if you use and like a cheap rod! (sarcasm)
BTW, braid will increase the sensitivity of ANY rod.