Super User *Hootie Posted March 30, 2014 Super User Posted March 30, 2014 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 1
donk Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 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.
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted March 30, 2014 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted March 30, 2014 Pro's don't pay for rods, they are the advertisers. Â I know several pro's that don't particularly "prefer" the rods that sponsor them. Â Â We pay for them so we are more selective about how we spend money.
Alpha Male Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 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
Super User Jeff H Posted March 30, 2014 Super User Posted March 30, 2014 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. 5
Super User *Hootie Posted March 30, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 30, 2014 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
Super User *Hootie Posted March 30, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 30, 2014 My retirement has been blessed and I know it, and I am extremely grateful. Hootie 3
Super User ww2farmer Posted March 30, 2014 Super User Posted March 30, 2014 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. 13
Brian Needham Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 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. 1
shootermcbob Posted March 30, 2014 Posted March 30, 2014 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. 1
Super User Jeff H Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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. Â I wish this guy was my neighbor. Â Always succinct, to the point, and possesses great humor. Â I bet his hands smell like fish a lot too! Â What more could you want in a neighbor? 1
OK Bass Hunter Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 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.
Super User Tywithay Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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.
Super User Grizzn N Bassin Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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. Â just got a ghost i cant wait to fish it 1
Super User Catt Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 It aint the gun...it's the person standing behind it! Jack O'Conner 7
Super User Raul Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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. 1
frogflogger Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 They're just tools - I still use a fenwick fiberglass I built 50 yrs. ago for fishing a spook - as the  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 Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 I'd rather get skunked with an $800.00 combo than a $50.00 Wal-Mart special any day of the week!Â
Super User roadwarrior Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 "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! Â Â Â 6
MacP Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 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.Â
Super User *Hootie Posted March 31, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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 Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 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...   "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. 1
Super User Jar11591 Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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. 1
Super User Jar11591 Posted March 31, 2014 Super User Posted March 31, 2014 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? 1
John G Posted March 31, 2014 Posted March 31, 2014 Â i really dont get your line of thinking there.. Â Â Â Â You have obviously never used a Conquest 50 that is mounted on a Loomis MBR783 GLX. 1
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