Why Are Reels So Much More Expensive When Bought Separately?

[dtruesdell24]

Why is it that individually sold reels are so expensive? I know they are better but why do you never see combos with reels that nice? Is it better to buy a combo or buy the reel separately? Will it make a significant difference?

[Jrob78]

The reels that are sold separately are normally much higher quality.  Someone willing to spend $100+ on a reel is going to want to pick out their own rod to go with it.  The pre-made combos are aimed at people who might not know or care about the intricacies of powers and actions of rods.  They want one general purpose combo, the pre-made one's are fine for that.

[rockchalk06]

Main reason, when spending over 100-200-300 etc on a reel/rod, people want a specific reel or rod to pair with each other. If you paired a Shimano Chronarch on a Crucial rod, your limiting your sales to a few specific people that want that combo. Separate them, and you open your market up to people that want one or the other.

[dtruesdell24]

The reels that are sold separately are normally much higher quality.  Someone willing to spend $100+ on a reel is going to want to pick out their own rod to go with it.  The pre-made combos are aimed at people who might not know or care about the intricacies of powers and actions of rods.  They want one general purpose combo, the pre-made one's are fine for that.

What makes them so much higher quality? Are the subtle differences that people who fish a ton will notice?

[Jrob78]

What makes them so much higher quality? Are the subtle differences that people who fish a ton will notice?

It's really more about materials used and much tighter tolerances in how the parts fit together.  The majority of combo reels are built on graphite frames while more expensive reels are built on aluminum frames.  You can definitely tell a difference in a $40 reel vs. a $200 reel.  There is no comparison.

[kschultz76]

The answer is, it depends. I'm no expert but I recall seeing combos in BPS catalogs for Smoke or Curado reels paired with. BPS brand rod. In this case I would surmise that BPS is discounting their branded rod where they can likely control costs and make a higher margin, in the meantime they're selling two pieces of merchandise instead of just a reel. As many have said the combos are likely to have a bigger mass market appeal for folks just getting into the sport, people buying gifts, etc who may not know there could be an advantage to buying separate, or who wouldn't spend 300 on a rod alone anyway.

I don't think I've ever seen combos advertised with mid-higher end rods like St Croix Avids and above or G Loomis GL2s and above, or Shimano Crucials, etc.

[Mike2841]

It's kind of like buying a car. A corolla and a Mercedes are gonna get you to the same place, one is just more comfortable to drive.

[AK-Jax86]

It's kind of like buying a car. A corolla and a Mercedes are gonna get you to the same place, one is just more comfortable to drive.

That's a great analogy well said

[The Rooster]

Occasionally you find good reels on so so rods. Pflueger President spinning reels sell for $60 alone and on a combo at Walmart they're just $80. The rod is cheap but it's still a decent rod for certain things.

[RNSkeeter]

A better reel has things that affect your direct fishing performance and things that are just part of having something quality that lasts and feels nicer

 

To me, things that affect fishing performance:

• Better bearings, lighter spools, better design = better cast distance. That's important for casting, but not for flipping rods etc.
• Higher quality drags. Smooth drag won't jerk when the fish runs, possibly saving more break-offs. Good for all fishing styles.
• Higher drag rating. Not as important for casting, but for heavy cover flipping/punching, you usually use heavy line and tighten the drag down for maximum hook set.
• Better braking systems. This lets you dial-in the right settings to reduce backlash for your given lure and rod. 

 

Things I don't think put more fish in the boat, but are 'nice'

• Smoother reeling, smoother anti-reverse
• Higher quality parts will last longer
• Lighter weight. Saves your wrists, helps you balance the rod better.

[SirSnookalot]

BPS for example can put a decent reel on one of their rods, their brand name rods don't cost them that much money,  they still make out.  They are banking that you may be purchasing other items while you are there, lines lures and asserories.  Mail order or on line purchases the shipping can be a bit pricey they make up some money on the extra handling charge built in to the shipping price.

[LMB ANGLER]

It's kind of like buying a car. A corolla and a Mercedes are gonna get you to the same place, one is just more comfortable to drive.

yea the only thing is that a corolla is more reliable and will last way more than a Mercedes. my corolla has 500.000+ miles and still drives like it left the dealer years ago 

[bassasaurus]

I take it that you tried driving a mercedes for 500,000+ miles but it wasn't reliable and broke down?

[Mike2841]

yea the only thing is that a corolla is more reliable and will last way more than a Mercedes. my corolla has 500.000+ miles and still drives like it left the dealer years ago

Haha mine is getting close to 200k, she needs a little love but she gets the job done

[Raul]

I never ever purchase "combos", normally I don´t like/want the rod used to create the combo.

[bigbill]

I just noticed the cost difference between a combo and buying the rod and reel seperate. It maybe cheaper to buy the combo for the reel and put on the rod you prefer. Is the combo a better balanced combination setup? I wonder if the manufacturers combo is a better setup.

[Devexeur Mendonez]

I don’t think it has anything to do with quality. I can get a lews mach 2 combo rod and reel for $150 but if I were to get the same items but separate it would cost me a total of $230. Bout 130 for the reel, and 80 for the rod and only difference is, is that the reel doesn’t come In a box. Got the Mach 2 combo and it works just fine, just as well as the one I got separately. 

[the reel ess]

On 11/3/2013 at 8:28 AM, bassasaurus said:

I take it that you tried driving a mercedes for 500,000+ miles but it wasn't reliable and broke down?

Then he traded it in on a Corolla. LOL

[the reel ess]

If you were in BPS or Cabela's and you wanted a reel they have as part of a combo deal, but you didn't want the run-of-the-mill 6'6" MH rod, you could ask them to switch the rods for another action and power of the same line of rods for the combo price. They probably would do it, especially if at least one of the pieces was their brand.

[new2BC4bass]

Wow!  I didn't think cabin fever was still happening. 

[CrankFate]

If you want the best experience, your best bet is to individually match a rod/reel to the particular task. One of the biggest factors in price is the bearing quality. Also, lighter, corrosion resistant strong materials are expensive to develop. Some of these new metals are as strong as steel but have the weight of balsa wood. These things take years and experts to design. 

[LxVE Bassin]

On 7/5/2018 at 3:50 PM, Devexeur Mendonez said:

I don’t think it has anything to do with quality. I can get a lews mach 2 combo rod and reel for $150 but if I were to get the same items but separate it would cost me a total of $230. Bout 130 for the reel, and 80 for the rod and only difference is, is that the reel doesn’t come In a box. Got the Mach 2 combo and it works just fine, just as well as the one I got separately. 

The Mach II combo has a better rod than the Mach Speed Stick that sold alone. The rod with the Mach II combo is IM8 and the Mach Speed Stick is IM6. Ur limited to one rod with combo but have different options with Mach Speed Stick.

[Raul]

On 11/3/2013 at 2:27 AM, LMB ANGLER said:

yea the only thing is that a corolla is more reliable and will last way more than a Mercedes. my corolla has 500.000+ miles and still drives like it left the dealer years ago 

BS

My grandmother's Mercedes 220 is 55 years old, looks and drives like new.

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, Raul said:

BS

My grandmother's Mercedes 220 is 55 years old, looks and drives like new.

Yeah.  But do they still make them like they used to?