Rod Or Reel...where Do You Invest Your Money?

[Poolshark]

LOL at people who use the word "investment" to describe fishing gear. Other than super high end JDM collectables and antique tackle, fishing stuff is a money pit that only goes down in value with use..................including the fancy $70K boats. The word you looking for is "spend" not invest.

The word investment was meant to mean the best return for your money. If you are a smart consumer, you can do this buy buying the most durable and best performing equipment to give you years and years of enjoyment and memorable experiences. Wait until it's discounted, and at least in my case.... I could sell five of my seven baitcasters, three of which are over a decade old and come out ahead of what I actually paid for them. Technically, that is a valid monetary investment. Especially if you factor in over a decade of inflation! So.... In retort to your comment, if you were smart, you can invest in quality gear. So long as you take care of it.

But that ls probably not why we fish... We fish because it brings us happiness, and that alone is an investment in itself. Is it not?

[Angry John]

The level really maters. At the low end reel all the way. A low budget reel can ruin an outing or catch of a lifetime. On the high end I spend more on rods because I never seem to find the deals I can on reels.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

From the perspective of hooking and landing fish alone the rod plays the major role. If deciding on how to divide a budget scew it towards the rod for jigs, plastics etc and the reel for deep diving cranks. Still toward the rod but maybe less so for spinner baits, square bills etc.

[chillson10]

I fish everything with my setup that consists of an Ugly Stik medium heavy rod ($40) and an Abu Garcia Revo STX bait caster ($200). I have found this setup to work awesome with anything such as crank baits, spoons, spooks, spinnerbaits, frogs, and live bluegill. I don't fish many plastics with it, but It works great with reaction strikes because it is stiff enough to set the hook immediately.  

[urban.angler]

Reels, admittedly, but ideally, I'd like to get to the point where I don't have to choose between "investing" in one or the other.

[Bluebasser86]

I like the best I can afford of both. 

[SirSnookalot]

I don't dissect it that closely.  I will admit I spend more on reels I use for larger fish than the smaller ones.  My rod prices are pretty consistent regardless of species.  For smaller species the cost is about equal, for larger I spend more on the reels.

[travis23]

Like most I woud rather have a great rod and good reel for bottom contacting lures. Everything else I would rather get a great reel and good rod. I am close to getting everything equal though!!

[BassmanDan]

I like the best I can afford of both. 

 

X 2...but the reels are just so much more fun to play with.

[Fishes in trees]

Believe it or not you can argue this issue either way.   I let god decide because she determines what is available when I've got to scratch that new gear itch, and she is the one that put that new gear notion in my head in the first place.    This being said, I have found that there are some less expensive reels that meet my needs for certain presentations.  For instance, for throwing jerk baits, I haven't found a spinning reel that works better for throwing jerk baits than my US Reel 240.   I know it makes noise, and the cranking is herby/jerky sometimes, but that wide spool lets me throw jerk baits into the wind easily and I like that.  $40.  The rod I use for that presentation cost 4 times that when I bought it  - 8 or 9 yard ago.

[fisherrw]

I don't really pay much attention to it, some rods more expensive, some reels more expensive.

x2

[FishTank]

Without a doubt, the rod.  I think it communicates the most important thing, the strike. After that, all the reel has to do is bring the fish back to me. 

 

For crankbaits though, I might go the other way and invest in a better reel.

 

In the end, I really want both to be a quality investment.  If I had to chose, the rod would be my choice. 

[ytail]

Would save more to get a quality pair of rod & reel so that one feels better all the way.

Where do you think the best return is? If you could buy higher quality for only one, would it be in the reel or the rod?

[Big Bait Fishing]

I certainly invest my $ in custom rods and always get high quality reels (Abu Garcia !!) Then invest in ceramic bearings and large EVA paddle handles..

So yes, BOTH !!!!

[David P]

Rod, hands down IMO. 

 

  Rod gives you that sensitivity, the action is ever so important for hook sets and fish fighting and handling ability, a well balanced rod feels effortless for days upon days of fishing without fatigue... A nice rod is night and day difference. I have $400 reels and I have $100 reels, they don't make a whole lot of difference to me. 

[.ghoti.]

I'm on board with the idea that the rod is the more important component most, if not all, of the time. However, I'm a reel guy. I like to take them apart, see how they work, polish and tweak, tune and upgrade. Give me a cool new reel; particularly one I haven't seen before, and I'm a happy guy.

 

When I get a new rod, I'm also a happy guy, but not in the same way.

 

I no longer try to rationalize, or justify, this neurosis. Like the old spinach eater said; "I yam what I yam".

[crankbank]

I agree that when it comes to sensitivity the money should focus towards the rod, and for reaction the money should focus towards the reel. However, that being said my setups mostly fall into this range:

 

$100~  for reels

$200~  for rods

[The Next KVD]

I spend more on the rod.  However, that's mainly because I'm building my own rods and I like to get the best components I can.  Reels for the most part I don't spend my money on anything under $100 except when buying on ebay. Mostly its curados and chronarchs for me.  However, I do like to pick up good deals on rods on occasion, such as the gen 1 Veritas when they where on sale.

[Dwight Hottle]

I like the best I can afford of both. 

 

 

X3

I do like to use the best rods affordable for bottom contact & jerkbait fishing especially.

[WIGuide]

Like most I woud rather have a great rod and good reel for bottom contacting lures. Everything else I would rather get a great reel and good rod. I am close to getting everything equal though!!

this x2

[J Francho]

You can get a heck of a rod for $100. A reel, not so much.

[SirSnookalot]

You can get a heck of a rod for $100. A reel, not so much.

I favor my top brand $100 rod to anything I've had at 2-3 times the price.

[*Hank]

You can get a heck of a rod for $100. A reel, not so much.

Same here.

[War Eagle 44]

You can get a heck of a rod for $100. A reel, not so much.

 

 

X3

[LApanic]

for my application....with the pre tense that I believe you pay for what you get

 

1, maybe 2 local tournaments a month, and maybe fish 3-4x 6-8 hr sessions a month total.......anything less than than $125 will be a waste of money, for a long lasting reel and super cheap right now is the BPS Pro Qualifier!