Am I Doing It Wrong?

[a1712]

No trying to start an argument just a discussion. When I decide to add a new outfit to my kit, it takes me a good while to decide on all the attributes I need for that setup. Rod action, length, power, handle, guide train, which reel, IPT, line cap, type line, braid, braid+leader, floro, copoly, tons of decisions. I've seen tons of threads on here asking what to use something for after a purchase. How do you guys & girls go about the process of picking and choosing a new setup? I'm very interested in others thought process. Brian.

[rippin-lips]

I purchase depending on how pretty it is, and then I find a use for it in my rotation.

Edit - I'm being facetious btw.

[Trent Wilson]

I purchase depending on how pretty it is, and then I find a use for it in my rotation.

Ah. The horrible impulse buy. The reason I bought a boat. I pick a rod for all around use. The only rods and reels I put effort into are the baitcasters because I use them so much. The only thing I throw on a spinning outfit are my ultra light stuff and that's few and far between. But looks go a long way. I can't stand seeing a blue,yellow,green,or any other weird color on a opposing color. White rods and black rods are for me. They match perfectly with my black Lew's and my Lew's I had custom painted for my rod.

[tomustang]

I'm picky that way, a out a lot of things. Is good to do your research before you buy, very informative. I can't stand impulse buys especially when people brag about them and they have no idea what they are doing with it.

[robster80]

Ah. The horrible impulse buy. The reason I bought a boat. I pick a rod for all around use. The only rods and reels I put effort into are the baitcasters because I use them so much. The only thing I throw on a spinning outfit are my ultra light stuff and that's few and far between. But looks go a long way. I can't stand seeing a blue,yellow,green,or any other weird color on a opposing color. White rods and black rods are for me. They match perfectly with my black Lew's and my Lew's I had custom painted for my rod.

can u post a pic of the custom painted Lews

[SNK]

I research everything and look for reviews by those experienced with the product, whether it be rod, reel, line, or lure. Not to say I have not made an impulse buy from time to time...no account bait monkey. I for one try to match my gear as far as looks are concerned, but does not always happen, performance outweighs looks most of the time. 

[Trent Wilson]

Not if you look hard enough. I actually spent the money on a custom rod just because it matched my reel. I did perform well though. Too bad it broke.

[bigturtle]

Purchase process?

Step 1: look for the Shimano logo

Step 2: buy it

Haha i kid.

[chelboed]

As a bank fisherman...I need a good versatile rig. I don't have the luxury of going out and bringing the variety of shorelines to me...I have to move to the fish. So I have a good versatile rig for everything. I have another good versatile rig for windy days with more brake options.

My next thought process is that of summer on into fall when crankbaits are getting it done. I will be looking for a good versatile crankbait rig...like a BB-1 Pro on a 7' Medium moderate rod.

So I approach it as a need that gets filled.

That said...I also have a beautiful reel sitting in a box. I get it out and play now and then but it will mostly live in the box because it's pretty.

[Trent Wilson]

As a bank fisherman...I need a good versatile rig. I don't have the luxury of going out and bringing the variety of shorelines to me...I have to move to the fish. So I have a good versatile rig for everything. I have another good versatile rig for windy days with more brake options.

My next thought process is that of summer on into fall when crankbaits are getting it done. I will be looking for a good versatile crankbait rig...like a BB-1 Pro on a 7' Medium moderate rod.

So I approach it as a need that gets filled.

That said...I also have a beautiful reel sitting in a box. I get it out and play now and then but it will mostly live in the box because it's pretty.

Do you carry all your gear in with you or do you have one of the packs with rod holders? I do the occasional bank fishing on my way home from work and I get tired of lunking everything in under both arms.

[Bluebasser86]

Several post have been hidden, some were just responses to a bunch of trash talk that had to be hidden along with the junk post to keep the topic on track. If you don't see your post and didn't get a message from me, that's what happened. 

[SirSnookalot]

I generally go with my past experience and check out friend's new gear.  I keep things real simple, my rod and reel sizes are based pretty much on the water conditions or whether I need to pull a fish from high canal or a jettie.  I fish with about 6 lures on a regular basis.  My inshore fishing follows the same philosophy.  Not to say I don't try something new once in awhile, I always seem to go back to what's been working for me.

I have quite a few combos, but I'm fishing fresh, inshore and offshore, I have too much that overlap.  I'm pretty much at the point of buying only when something needs to be replaced, I'm happy with what I have.