The Nice Gear Double Standard Thread

[FD.]

I've been around a while and I have never seen a post where someone was getting bashed for fishing with inexpensive setups, out of a tin boat or no boat, having no electronics or anything of that nature.

 

On the flip side, if someone has a $100k rig, with power poles and side imaging, prefers $400 setups over $50 setups, or chooses to fish with $80 swim baits, then they appear to be open game for criticism.  

 

It is a bit of a double standard if you ask me. 

 

 

 

[mjseverson24]

I know for me I have the desire to have quality boat/truck/electronics/tackle/gear, and when the bank account can cover the wants and desires then i will get them... So no criticism here on people with top quality stuff, only criticism i have is with the people who believe you "need" it to be good/great/best fisherman... it is just more enjoyable to fish with... that being said high end gear can actually make you a better fisherman, by adding some confidence, and a little extra confidence can go a long way...

 

Mitch

[bootytrain]

Haters... Lol

[Raul]

It´s all about braggin´, one group loves to brag about how cheap they can go and the other loves to brag about how expensive they can go.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

As long as people want the newest ill sit back and wait a yr and get what they think wont work and get it discounted yuup im cheap but i catch fish all that matters

[Tywithay]

There's a reason that there's so many options out there. Some people make more money, it's just a fact or life. Buy what you can afford, or what you're willing to spend; then go out and have a good time fishing. Who cares if someone else has a nicer rod, reel, truck, boat, or whatever? I use some higher end gear because I WANT to, not because I need it. I can afford it and frankly it's nobody else's business what I want to do with my money. Bashing anyone for what gear they're using is pathetic, in my opinion.

[0119]

Its not the $100K rig, its the ignorant owner/operator that stares down his nose at me as he flies full throttle square at me just about swamping me in my 12ft yak.  Then goes about telling me I'm keeping him from his livelihood and that his snowbird butt is more deserving to fish the waters I've been fishing for the last 52 years.   Its not the dirt poor bucket sitting hungry fisherman with the cane pole, it's his buddy sitting next to him who makes no effort to pick up his trash.  Don't you see its not whats in your wallet, its whats in your heart that makes us hate you. (not necessarily directed to the o.p.)  

[Grantman83]

I think each side gets worked up by the "extremist" in each side.

 

I love to trick out my reels, buy expensive rods and have good equipment.  I don't have a boat yet, but hope to one day.  I feel that the better stuff helps me because I don't consider myself to be that good of an angler.  Therefore, the better rods allow me, the less experienced angler to detect things that a MORE experienced angler would probably feel or notice even with cheaper stuff.  As I have stated multiple times, there are guys here who could outfish me 20:1 with an ugly stick, mono and a zebco reel against my daiwas and dx's. 

 

What gets guys like me (Those who like expensive stuff) angry is when people speak as if buying expensive gear is a fools errand and a waste of money.  That rods over $150 are a scam and catch fisherman yadda yadda yadda.  If you don't believe in spending alot of money on a rod or reel, that's fine.  However, don't bash those that do as either snobs or fools for how they spend their money.  I don't have a wife or kids, I work hard and choose to put my money into gear as opposed to hunting, cars or any other number of hobbies I read about people here.

 

 

On the reverse side, those who spend less get angry when they feel they are looked down upon by tackle snobs.  There is a certain forum where this is entirely apparent.  Terms like "refined", "smooth" and "crisp" get thrown around when speaking of high end rods/reels but not with moderately priced gear.  I can see why this would get people upset especially when they are good anglers lol.  It also is wrong to imply that only those who use high end gear can catch fish. 

 

Maybe it's because I have used a wide variety of brands and price-points, I find it very hard to bash anyone as I have been there at one point.  On one hand I can appreciate the guys who spend a ton on gear I could only dream of having.  On the other hand, I can appreciate guys who can catch fish with anything they use.  In my mind, it is only when one side bashes the other that I get annoyed as I feel it is entirely unnecessary. 

 

Last comment, conflict also seems to arise from two differing points of view on fishing.  One group views catching fish to be the only goal.  Lines such as "the goal is to catch fish, bottom line" etc are what I mean.  This comes off like a tournament mentality to me, which is fine.  Catch fish using whatever you can in any way you can.  The other view seems to be the joy of fishing both in the ACT and catching.  Namely, the feeling of using a great rod, great reel, great line and the experience associated with it as well as catching fish. 

[plumworm]

I guess I've never seen any of either on these threads. Looks to me like it's an effort to start a class war over bass fishing. Pretty dumb.

[Goose52]

I think each side gets worked up by the "extremist" in each side.

I love to trick out my reels, buy expensive rods and have good equipment. I don't have a boat yet, but hope to one day. I feel that the better stuff helps me because I don't consider myself to be that good of an angler. Therefore, the better rods allow me, the less experienced angler to detect things that a MORE experienced angler would probably feel or notice even with cheaper stuff. As I have stated multiple times, there are guys here who could outfish me 20:1 with an ugly stick, mono and a zebco reel against my daiwas and dx's.

What gets guys like me (Those who like expensive stuff) angry is when people speak as if buying expensive gear is a fools errand and a waste of money. That rods over $150 are a scam and catch fisherman yadda yadda yadda. If you don't believe in spending alot of money on a rod or reel, that's fine. However, don't bash those that do as either snobs or fools for how they spend their money. I don't have a wife or kids, I work hard and choose to put my money into gear as opposed to hunting, cars or any other number of hobbies I read about people here.

On the reverse side, those who spend less get angry when they feel they are looked down upon by tackle snobs. There is a certain forum where this is entirely apparent. Terms like "refined", "smooth" and "crisp" get thrown around when speaking of high end rods/reels but not with moderately priced gear. I can see why this would get people upset especially when they are good anglers lol. It also is wrong to imply that only those who use high end gear can catch fish.

Maybe it's because I have used a wide variety of brands and price-points, I find it very hard to bash anyone as I have been there at one point. On one hand I can appreciate the guys who spend a ton on gear I could only dream of having. On the other hand, I can appreciate guys who can catch fish with anything they use. In my mind, it is only when one side bashes the other that I get annoyed as I feel it is entirely unnecessary.

Last comment, conflict also seems to arise from two differing points of view on fishing. One group views catching fish to be the only goal. Lines such as "the goal is to catch fish, bottom line" etc are what I mean. This comes off like a tournament mentality to me, which is fine. Catch fish using whatever you can in any way you can. The other view seems to be the joy of fishing both in the ACT and catching. Namely, the feeling of using a great rod, great reel, great line and the experience associated with it as well as catching fish.

Great post...

[FD.]

Looks to me like it's an effort to start a class war over bass fishing. Pretty dumb.

 

Was that directed at me?

[FD.]

Great post...

 

Yes it was..

[Teal]

I don't bash either group. Sure I've seen both extremes. I've seen tin boaters with Berkley Lightning Rods run the tables on a tourney series and Ive seen guys with gear that is high end and are so lost that a compass couldn't help them. And I've seen the reverse.

Alot of times, its a case of sour grapes.. sometimes its a since of arrogance because you know your heart that your a great angler and don't feel like u need to spend 900 per combo.

Im never gonna bbash a guy for how he spends his money. Besides I don't have time to worry about another's gwar or how he fishes.

[tomustang]

It's like that in every hobby..

[FD.]

It's like that in every hobby..

 

I guess you are right, I'm just disappointed it's here.

 

I have met so many members here and none of them have any snobbery either way.  None of my fishing friends are like that.  Maybe I am just guilty of holding us to a higher standard.

[bflp3]

How I imagine the guy with the $100k rig feels when people make fun of him...

 

 

[aavery2]

An old friend use to tell me all of the time, Get in where you fit in. I have been repeating this phrase for years. Every hobby out there has different levels from beginner to enthusiast, get in where you fit in. Fishing is about enjoyment if you can enjoy fishing on the cheap then do it, if it takes top end equipment to bring out the enjoyment, then do it.

Cheap and expensive are subjective terms at best anyway.

[Frog Turds]

generally speaking to the OP's point, maybe you don't see high end gear folks talking down as much because the very vast majority didn't start out with expensive setups and understand both sides of the coin because they had been there at one time...where some of the others have yet to cross that road to experience whats on the other side...

[jbsoonerfan]

Unfortunately, this is happening on every level and with everything. I see it all the time at school. The kids who have the expensive clothes, shoes, sunglasses, cell phones, etc. etc. etc. Look down on those who aren't as fortunate as they are. The sad part is, they are learning this from their parents. My son wears the nicest clothes I can afford, but he doesn't know the difference in Nike vs. Wal Mart brand and he doesn't care. Unfortunately there are kids in his class (2nd grade) who think that having the best is the standard.

[Teal]

generally speaking to the OP's point, maybe you don't see high end gear folks talking down as much because the very vast majority didn't start out with expensive setups and understand both sides of the coin because they had been there at one time...where some of the others have yet to cross that road to experience whats on the other side...

EXACTLY!!!!

[tomustang]

I guess you are right, I'm just disappointed it's here.

 

I have met so many members here and none of them have any snobbery either way.  None of my fishing friends are like that.  Maybe I am just guilty of holding us to a higher standard.

At least it's not that bad here, in other hobbies I've been in and still are a part of have it much worse, hate is drawn down through subcategories of particular products but then the haters spare no expense in another product.

[plumworm]

I guess you are right, I'm just disappointed it's here.

 

I have met so many members here and none of them have any snobbery either way.  None of my fishing friends are like that.  Maybe I am just guilty of holding us to a higher standard.

"I guess you are right, I'm just disappointed it's here"    ... Yes I was, because I hadn't seen it here until you brought it up. I wish you would give  examples of this bias,  ie: threads, posts, and quotes of what you claim. 

[FlipnLimits]

Bragging on how much of a deal I get on something is what makes me tick   I buy good gear, not the very best, but choose that gear because it's the minimum level I need to handle what I put it through.  It has nothing to do with one-upping anybody, never has.  Not to mention, I refuse to pay full price for anything (unless it's discontinued or very rare) and buy bulk as often as I can.  I'm a private person and don't flaunt my stuff, whether the stuff is good or bad, but I've never been jealous of anybody either.  Work, save your money, and buy good gear if you're jealous.  Better yet, don't get jealous because it's just some metal and plastic anyways.  I'm jealous of you guys who have your dads to fish with.  Now that's something worthy of jealousy!

 

FL

[FD.]

"I guess you are right, I'm just disappointed it's here"    ... Yes I was, because I hadn't seen it here until you brought it up. I wish you would give  examples of this bias,  ie: threads, posts, and quotes of what you claim. 

 

First of all, I am not trying to start a class war and I am certainly not dumb. I was not claiming anything.  I was merely stating my opinion on something I had noticed.  Apparently other members have also noticed.

 

Secondly, I did not specifically call out any thread or member because personal attacks are not allowed by the forum rules. 

 

And lastly, It's here.  Mostly in this sub forum.  Just because you have not noticed it does not mean it does not exist.  There have been several threads in the last month where it was obvious.

[Raul]

I keep saying, this subject about me having better than you or me having cheaper than you and still being able to do it becomes a contest about which one can pee the farthest.