Are you loyal to a brand? 2025

guest reply :

Do you swear by and type of lure, reel, rod, boat, whatever it might be as long as it has to do with fishing.

Mine is for cranks is Rapala. I think they make the best crankbaits on the market. They might be a little expensive.....unless you buy luckycraft.

Chris reply :

I fish a variety of lures and tackle so i don't have many that i can say this is the best and there is no other no matter the conditions but a jig. I would say that the strikeking pro model jig is the best.

MKYxD reply :

Zoom plastics have always been one of my favorites, and Quantum reels have always treated me well.

Pond-Pro reply :

I really like berkely gulp lures, and there is something about the luckycraft baits that really catches fish.

bquittem reply :

i love strike king for most plastics and i like shimano rods and reels and some bassproshops rods/reels

for crankbaits i havent found a favorite brand, i dont use them enough to come up with a decision.

Danarchy reply :

I also favor Strike King's plastics, especially the Zeros. I started out this year with Yamamoto and Berkley plastics, but by mid-summer, all I seemed to use was 3X plastic. These plastics stretch instead of tearing, and the wiggle may be second to only senkos. I think that the garlic sent may be an added bonus as well. The only thing I don't like about the Strike King line is the fact that I can only find them in four packs. Usually for a day of angling, four is enough. But there's always the risk of getting bit off by a toothy pike, which unfortunately happened to me four times in a row one day. Does anyone know if you can get bigger packages or buy them in bulk?

Big_Bass_Rich reply :

I don't think I'm intentionally brand specific but around here tackle shops are scarce so I basically just have the big chain stores like Wal Mart or Canadian Tire for tackle.. so my plastics are usually Berkley, Yum or Matzuo and my jigs are always Strike King, lol. Stuff like crankbaits there is a big selection and spinnerbaits I have to drive at least an hour to even get any! And it's usually Stanley or Strike King.

I've begun to order online for most of my tackle, but I try not to stay loyal to just one company unless I'm sure they make the best of something.. like for fishing line, it's Silver Thread for me!

L.D. reply :

Case Plastics have always served me well, and I like the upper end Shimano reels. I like the Fenwick rods but don't like the eyes on them. I wear them out in one season useing mono line, but I fish 6 days a week from April to the end of Nov.

Trivib1 reply :

I don't know if I'm loyal to one brand or the other. I feel is more a confidence issue over one lure over the other. As for reels, and rods, I am loyal to one bran to do a certain job. Such as Lews speed reel on a All-Star titanium graphite rod. Or, a Garcia 55 C3 on a Lamiglas pro graphite.

AUTgrPilot reply :

I have all kinds of plastics, all kinds of crankbaits, but I notice that I only buy Terminator spinner and buzz baits. They're impossible to tear up.

Bassin_Nutt reply :

After This past year, I am absolutely sold on Tiki Sticks/Wave Worms. I lost count on my bass from the docks alone but way over 100 in 3 months times. I am already stocking up on these and I cannot fish bass for another 7 months.

roadwarrior reply :

Rods: G.Loomis, St. Croix, Fenwick Techna AV, Lamiglas (Going forward, probably just G.Loomis)

Reels: Shimano

Line: Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft

Hooks: Gamakatsu

Soft plastic: Yamamoto & Micro Munch Tackle

Jerkbaits: Lucky Craft, Smithwick & Rapala

Bassin101 reply :

WARRIOR,

Bassin101 reply :

Opps, hey Warrior, I dropshot using Robo Worms' straight tail and 4" sculpin shad with great success if I am patient enough to dropshot. If I hit a hot spot I cannot keep up. With a bass on the hook another will be following. I also use a RED EWG hook. They are a little soft and easy to tear though. I'm thinking of using the leach on a spinner or buzzbait.

><((((o> ~~~

gophersnake13 reply :

I like RAT-L-TRAPs and mister twister those almost always work for me. I sumtime use rapala but those don't really work for me. I have no particulars for other gear but I do have a tendencies to purchase Shimano reels.

Glenn reply :

Wait a sec... Rich, did you say you bought tackle at a tire store?? ;D

Bassin101 reply :

Glenn, I thought that was wierd too. But he is catching bass...right

Glenn reply :

Maybe "All Season" bass! ;D

DOH!

Nick reply :

Shimano reels, Falcon rods, Gammy hooks, P-line. Hard Lures --whatever it takes. Usually Zoom or Yamamoto plastics. War Eagle spinnerbaits.

roadwarrior reply :

Hey Nick! I used to be a P-Line man but tried some YO-ZURI HYBRID about a year ago and switched everything over. Try it, you'll like it a lot...Strong, supple and nearly invisible.

reellittlephish reply :

Not really - try to keep an open mind and be early adapter.

However, I've been using Yo-Zuri for about 3 years on baitcasters for bass fishing and like it. Using P-Line on Spinning outfit - first time this fall. Seems OK.

earthworm77 reply :

I am brand biased!

Reel: Shimano Sustain, Antares and Scorpion

Rod: Kistler Helium

Line:Yo Zuri Hybrid, Sea King Ultra, Berkely Vanish

Hooks: Gammie Split Shot Hooks and Owner EWG's

Soft Plastics, Jigs, Spinner Baits, hair jigs and Tubes: I make my own and don't fish anyone else's.

Cranks: Bagley's Honey B, Killr B1 and Arbogast Mudbugs

crankbait reply :

RAPALAS---Been catching fish for me for 25+ years.!!!!

Jagrrich reply :

Crankbaits- Rapala's and Rebel

Spinnerbaits- Terminator

Jigs- HammerHare

Plastic- no brand preference

Rods- GLoomis

Reels- Quantum, Shimano

Line- Spider

Hooks- Gamakatsu

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

This past summer I fell in love with YUM plastics (I think I had every single thing they made), but I do fish a lot of other plastices. I used nothing but Gamakatsu hooks, but I fished with a guy in the late fall that fished Oner(sp)? hooks. I might have to try those. They are mean looking. Always Shimano reels. All-Star Rods.

crankbait reply :

My wife had the nerve to tell me I fuse over tackle like a girl does over makeup.....She's got nerve....Now pass that Spike-it so I can do my hair...

Nick_Barr reply :

strike king and zoom are my all time favorites because they are consistent on the water

RoLo reply :

Rods:

Daiwa (also st croix, bobby morris, fenwick)

Reels:

Shimano (also penn)

Plugs:

Rapala (also lucky craft, bomber, bill lewis)

Spoon:

Johnson Weedless Spoon (also hopkins)

Spinnerbait:

Lazer Eye Single Colorado (also booyah single colorado)

Soft Plastics

Yum Tubes (Mega Flash & Vibra King)

Yum Dinger (Yum's Stick Worm)

Yum Ribbon-Tail Worm (true killers)

There's no blind loyality, and all brands are subject to change but do tend to persist.

dodgeguy reply :

reels = pflueger

rods = presently johnny morris signature series

line = power pro or cajun red cast

spinnerbaits = booyah

buzzbaits = booyah

soft plastics = yum and some zoom and senkos

scent = smelly jelly

lipless cranks = rapala

hooks = gamakatsu and jobee pro hooks

Rattlinrogue reply :

I like and use the following brands a lot:Abu Garcia,Quantum,Berkley,Yo-Zuri,Strike King,Smithwick,Rapala,Zoom,Yamaha,Rebel,and Excaliber.

KenDammit28 reply :

Zoom and strike king are my most consistent money winners (they win my money because I can't stop buying, lol). I'm open minded though...I'll use whatever brand has what I need or want. I always like Zooms plastics, however I have plastics from tons of different brands.

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

Quote
This past summer I fell in love with YUM plastics (I think I had every single thing they made), but I do fish a lot of other plastices. I used nothing but Gamakatsu hooks, but I fished with a guy in the late fall that fished Oner(sp)? hooks. I might have to try those. They are mean looking. Always Shimano reels. All-Star Rods.

Thought I would update mine:

Reels: Still nothing but SHIMANO

Rods: I used to be All-Star, but then switched to Shimano, and now if I had the money I would switch out to all Custom G-Blanks. I just got my first one last week and so far I am in love

Line: Yo-Zuri on all reels except two and they are both Power Pro

Soft Palstics: Still mostly YUM, but I do use some GYCB, and ZOOM products

Crankbaits: This is the place I am not brand loyal what so ever. I use them all.

Jigs: Mainly Strike King, but I will use anything

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

I'm more loyal to value,...which certain brands can embody.

Terminator, rocky ledge jigs

North Face gore-tex and technical Clothing.

Pflueger President Spinning reels

***- $10/50 senkos

Zig zag

Kershaw Knives

Heineken

Sears die hard batteries (T/M)

*************************************

SALTWATER

Penn reels

Jen-Kai flourocarbon

SPRO swivels

Ben reply :

Loyal to a brand, NO.

I do only buy Shimano and Ambassador reels, simply because they have served me well for many years and feel with them, you get the best reel for the money. Not saying they are any better than anyone elses, just they have always met my needs and have had no reason to change.

On most other products I usually buy the original and not the rip offs. I buy GYCB Senko's, not those wanna be's etc. I buy cranks for size, color, sound/or lack of it and action, but again, I buy the name brands, not the cheap copies. Spinner baits, I've got a half dozen or so different brands I buy, depending what action I want and how I'm gonna be fishing it.

Plastics, I throw a lot of GYCB's, Zoom's, Culprit's and Creme's, with a few other specialty baits mixed in. Again, just depends on what I looking for in the bait.

guest reply :

Rods Fenwick Reels Pfluger Hardbaits Rapala Plastics Zoom and Manns Jelly Worms and Storm Finesse minnows and thats all I carry now 1 tackle bag 3 rod and reels (Probablly could get that down to 2 ) keepin it simple havin success abd LUVIN IT

5bass reply :

Quote

Zig zag

LOL! ;D I aint too proud to use a zig zag!

Bankbeater reply :

I like Zoom Plastics just because they have a large assortment, and I can usually find what I need without looking all over. For small jigs, I like the Strike King Bitsy Bug.

Grey Wolf reply :

I always keep an open mind when looking to buy anything. I still have my favorites but that doesn't stop me from exploring new items.

Upnorth reply :

Reels: Shimano

Rods: build my own

Line: Seaguar flourocarbon, P-Line mono, and Power Pro braid

Baits: Use them all, but really like Reaction Innovations, Zoom, Bandit, Lucky Craft, All Terrrain, Nichols

guest reply :

I'm forever experimenting untill I find something that I'm just so pleased with that I stop looking. So far that includes:

Reels - Daiwa TD-Z

Rods - GLoomis - St. Croix

Braid - Power Pro

mono leader - Trilene XL

suspending jerkbait - Lucky craft pointer

Floatin Jerk bait - megabass ito vision

popper - Lonbina Rico

Big Popper - Megabass pop max

soft plastics - GYCB and Zoom (depending on style)

except for ribbon tail worm = culprit

Hooks - Owner

hollow body Frog - Swamp donkey

ratLbait - Original ratltrap

*******Items still experimenting with********

Jigs - I try alot of different styles- most work but havn't yet found "The one"

swimming jig - clueless- have no idea which one to try-no luck with anything

Walking baits - very partial to Sammy but still trying out others

spinnerbaits - I think I have settled on the Stanley wedge but not yet certain

crankbaits - definite preference for wiggle warts, but keep trying others.

Well, there it is. It was a good excercise to do this. I do experiment a little even with items I listed as favorite, but that's only because I am a slave to the bait monkey :'(

Minuteman reply :

Quote
Wait a sec... Rich, did you say you bought tackle at a tire store?? ;D

I know in rural areas tackle turns up in just about any kind of stores. We still have a small town grocery store that sells tackle. It seems weird today, but up until about 20 years years ago they used to stock trout in the nearby stream and the place used to get packed with anglers. I doubt they will continue with the tackle since a WalMart opened up a mile away.

Loyalty: Abu/Garcia baitcasters. Quality and Price! I learned on them and have about 5 or 6 I still use.

cowboyzone11 reply :

Quantum Reels

Maineiac reply :

Rods I can't say I have a choice other than maybe Fenwick and BPS Extremes.

Reels I must have something with the old Ambassador round winches I certainly have enough of them.

Line Berkley XL, Vanish Fluro and Stren Super Braid.

Scent Smelly Jelly and Jacks Juice

Lures, Yammy Senkos especially in 7", Berkley worms, V&M Lizards

Crankbaits not sure Rapala maybe.

0119 reply :

Shimano reels, the basic Calcuttas. Im just as likely to catch a small Tarpon or huge Snook while Im Bass fishing so I started using them, now nothing else feels right in my hands. Senkos, Leverage Buzzbaits/Spinnerbaits and St. Croix Rods, mostly Premier since I sense very little difference between them and the higher priced models.

guest reply :

rod - bps pro qualifier

reels - shimano

line - yo zuri hybrid

lures - i basically use whatever i think will work. Lots of yamamoto, lots of terminator, bandit crankbaits, and strike king tubes, and eakins jigs.

SneakySnook reply :

Rod: St.Croix and G-Loomis

Reel: Shimano

Line: Power Pro

Lures: Wave Tiki Worms and anything made by Zoom

Hooks: Owner Sled Heads

Upnorth reply :

Quote
Wait a sec... Rich, did you say you bought tackle at a tire store?? ;D

to clear up any confusion, Canadian Tire is like the Canadian version of WalMart. They have a bit of everything. I have no idea why it has the name.

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

Quote

Quote
Wait a sec... Rich, did you say you bought tackle at a tire store?? ;D

to clear up any confusion, Canadian Tire is like the Canadian version of WalMart. They have a bit of everything. I have no idea why it has the name.

Just like Wal-Mat. They don't even sell walls to my knowledge. ;D

preach4bass reply :

Quote

Quote
Wait a sec... Rich, did you say you bought tackle at a tire store?? ;D

I know in rural areas tackle turns up in just about any kind of stores. We still have a small town grocery store that sells tackle. It seems weird today, but up until about 20 years years ago they used to stock trout in the nearby stream and the place used to get packed with anglers. I doubt they will continue with the tackle since a WalMart opened up a mile away.

Loyalty: Abu/Garcia baitcasters. Quality and Price! I learned on them and have about 5 or 6 I still use.

Tire store? That dosn't sound odd. I used to buy my tackle at a bowling alley. The benefit was that I never had to buy scent, after being around all those stincking shoes they smelled bad enough. Thankfully, the guy who ran the bowling alley/tackle shop moved out and started a great little tackle store right beside the ramp I use at the river.

bigbill reply :

I like to buy different brands just to hammer them. Not too much trouble with the $12 and up reels(50% off so they are $25 reels). Remember i buy what ever is on sale or discounted at the time.

For spinning reels its been Quantum, Globe, Viva and Okuma's. They say the more ball bearings the better but when cranking is involved the less bearings the better because its easier to crank plus its a smoother lure action too. The 3 and 4 ball bearing reels are perfect for crankbaits easy to turn'crank. I picked up some older new 4 ball bearing Quantums that are really good too.

Now fishing rods is another story I buy the cheapest ones too from a 5' $5 southbend or shakesspear to a $25 6' rod. But i'm using the "master brand" lately too its a Penn rod. I carry 5 to 6 rod setups with me one for each style of bait in the 3 tackle boxes from small baits to large baits from topwater to cranks to plastics. Some of the Master rods are under $10 too.

For line there is no mistaken its silver thread co-polymere line. I can't be too cheap with the quality of line this is were you need to put your money into buying a good quality line. Any thing cheaper means lost fish i have been there. I learned that 8lb test just isn't doing it all anymore too i have gone up to 10lb and 12lb now too. I've lost too many good sized bass in the double digit range. In some areas i'm using a braid too now in the very thick heavy cover where my last battle was lost.

bigbill reply :

Quote
I like to buy different brands just to hammer them. Not too much trouble with the $12 and up reels(50% off so they are $25 reels). Remember i buy what ever is on sale or discounted at the time.
For spinning reels its been Quantum, Globe, Viva and Okuma's. They say the more ball bearings the better but when cranking is involved the less bearings the better because its easier to crank plus its a smoother lure action too. The 3 and 4 ball bearing reels are perfect for crankbaits easy to turn'crank. I picked up some older new 4 ball bearing Quantums that are really good too.

Now fishing rods is another story I buy the cheapest ones too from a 5' $5 southbend or shakesspear to a $25 6' rod. But i'm using the "master brand" lately too its a Penn rod. I carry 5 to 6 rod setups with me one for each style of bait in the 3 tackle boxes from small baits to large baits from topwater to cranks to plastics. Some of the Master rods are under $10 too.

For line there is no mistaken its silver thread co-polymere line. I can't be too cheap with the quality of line this is were you need to put your money into buying a good quality line. Any thing cheaper means lost fish i have been there. I learned that 8lb test just isn't doing it all anymore too i have gone up to 10lb and 12lb now too. I've lost too many good sized bass in the double digit range. In some areas i'm using a braid too now in the very thick heavy cover where my last battle was lost.

Tire store selling fishing stuff sure in the country areas i have seen all types of store selling tackle and hunting stuff too even grocery stores.

Matt Fly reply :

I can't say yes, because I use a little of everything. I use falcons, all except one, castaway, I have curados on most, Garcia on one. I use different brands of cranks, spinners, hooks, and worms.

ball_coach_1 reply :

shimano reels

FlyRod reply :

MY brands :-??

Maker's Mark

Tanqueray

Stella Artois

Thash 'bout...hic!...all.

Oh, and GREEN Curados too!

FlighRahd

10575

Are you loyal to a brand? 2025

related General Bass Fishing Forum topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic