Which Do You Prefer?

[bassackwards12]

When buying a rod, reel, or both. Do y'all prefer to keep them in the same brand? Or do you like to mix and match the setups that you have. I prefer to mix and match mine that way I am able to try out several different companies to find what I really like. Just wondering how you all went about it.

[aavery2]

When buying a rod, reel, or both. Do y'all prefer to keep them in the same brand? Or do you like to mix and match the setups that you have. I prefer to mix and match mine that way I am able to try out several different companies to find what I really like. Just wondering how you all went about it.

Think about it a little bit, if you always matched your rods and reels by brand you would miss out on fishing some of the best rods available.  G. Loomis, St. Croix, Falcon, and many, many, others.  The best plan is to decide what you are purchasing your combo for and then do the research to find out who makes the best equipment in your budget. 

[BassinLou]

I miss and match all the time til I narrow down what works for me. I am pretty sure I have settled with outfits I have for the time being. It has taken me a long time $$ wise to get the gear I have so I am going to hold on to it for a while. Some like to mismatch, some don't... that's the beauty of our sport. there really are no rules.... 

[Mike L]

Think about it a little bit, if you always matched your rods and reels by brand you would miss out on fishing some of the best rods available.  G. Loomis, St. Croix, Falcon, and many, many, others.  The best plan is to decide what you are purchasing your combo for and then do the research to find out who makes the best equipment in your budget.

Ditto

[Master Bait'r]

Nah, I go by whichever rhymes the best, also whatever action and blank color my astrologer thinks will align my fishing chi with the third moon of Orion best.

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously though, just figure out what parts will work best and use them.  Who cares what words or pictures are on the side of the thing??     

[0119]

Reels, I'm loyal to certain brands.  Rod, I used to be loyal to strictly St.Croix but now I judge a rod by strictly by its components and avoid all the color matching stylish stuff.

[LMB KING]

I'm also loyal to a brand. Had too many failures in my fishing life.

[Tywithay]

I buy for particular techniques, unless I just really want something...then I'll figure out a new technique.

[Jig Man]

I want all of my stuff to feel and work the same so I don't have to guess at night.  So I buy Shimano Curados and Gloomis IMX rods.  Just the stiffness and weight of the bait is the only difference when I pick up a setup.

[TNBassin']

I like to keep them the same brand. When u fish shimano though, that's not a bad thing. Nice rods and reels.

[ColdSVT]

Im an equal opportunity guy lol

i have rods from loomis, croix, 13 and Lews

reel are mostly shimano with some abu and lews mixed in

[FishTank]

I am partial to G. Loomis and St. Croix rods.  I use Shimano and Daiwa reels.  I mix and match as to what I intend to use them for,  But most importantly to me, is the feel and balance they have together.  When the rod and reel balances well, my confidence goes up and for what ever reason, I catch more fish. 

 

For instance, I use to own a Daiwa Steez and Shimano Calais (sold both unfortunately).  I put the Steez on my G loomis 844C Heavy and it was a great combo but it did not balance well. It never quite had that feel I wanted.  I put the Calais on this rod and it was a match made in heaven.  I then put the Steez on my 803C GLX Jig n Worm rod.  It was great set up.  After selling both of these reels, I now have a Zillion on my 844C and Core on the 803C>   These two set ups have restored my fishing mojo....

[JGBassinAL]

As a tournament angler, I keep my rods one brand and my reels another. I use all Shimano reels and Tigerodz rods. I like all of my combos to have the same feel to them, like mentioned earlier by Jig Man. The Tigerodz are custom built rods so whenever I need one for a new technique I can really get the perfect rod for it.