Stupid Decision Buying High End Rods/reels?

[WdyCrankbait]

I agree with a lot of the statements here.  A $100 reel will catch fish as well, but the higher end reels usually are lighter, more refined with better ergonomics.  It's your money, be smart, buy the tackle you want, fish what you want and if people are going to talk down to you about that, well you know they're really not your friends, or looking out for you.  

 

Fishing is fun, and it is more enjoyable when you have good equipment to use.  Go fish and ignore the haters.

 

PS, maybe you should find a different tackle shop, store clerks calling their customer an idiot for buying equipment he wants to fish with, really?

[Bigchunk]

Some people just dont know what time it is

[Josh Smith]

I generally buy $100 to $200 reels and sink another $50 to $100 into them.  These range in retrieve rate from 23ipt to 30+ipt.  I'm thinking about changing the gears out in one of the 23ipt to 18ipt or so, though, for a couple specialized applications.

 

If I did not have the skill to do this, I'd buy a Morrum or a Calcutta reel and call it good.  I love this hobby, though; it gets my mind off business.

 

Rods.  I don't spend as much on rods as maybe I should, and definitely not as much as some here.  I have a couple custom orders planned from DVC, but being the only one working in this family, money is tighter than it was.  I have to save for them.

 

The rods I do have range from inexpensive to fairly expensive, ones I've accumulated during my 37 years on this earth, 35 of which have been spent fishing.

 

I choose rods for what I want them to do.

 

My Cherrywood HD, for example, feels exactly how I want it to for its intended role.  Likewise the old fiberglass Lew's rod that was Dad's first casting rod, as is the 5'6" MH and very stiff pistol grip rod from Bass Pro, as is the 7'6" (or whatever) rod that I use for long distance casts (in reality, there's only a gain of about 5 yards over my beloved pistol grip rods.)

 

Having used more expensive rods, I'd have to say they'd have a niche role in my collection.  They're sensitive partially because they're light, but growing up on pistol grip rods, I've learned to feel on them, too.

 

Point of all this is that you pick what you need to catch fish, or win, if it's a tournament.  I would never expect, say, an Ambassadeur S to perform with an Ambassadeur c3, c4, or c5.  The quality parts just aren't there.

 

For someone who hasn't gotten used to a particular type of rod, I'd likewise say that the lighter and stiffer (to a point!) the better, from a sensitivity standpoint.

 

Just a few thoughts on the subject.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

[MickD]

You've got some great advice already, so just let me add that this issue goes beyond fishing tackle.  don't worry about what others think of you.  You will never meet the expectations of some people and you can go crazy trying.  Besides that, as others have said, none of their business what you spend on anything.

[Darren.]

You're good, man. If you can afford it, and want to 

spend it, it is your choice. 

 

For me, rods in the $100 range, and reels as high 

as Shimano Chronarch 50e is about my limit. And 

I look for those on sale, LOL.

 

I also have a wife, 4 boys, 3 dogs, 1 cat, a mess of

snakes, 3 cars with 1 paid for...a mortgage, etc.

 

I do what I can with what I have. If I had more money

to spend, the Aldeberan would be in my arsenal!

[Mista bass]

Thanks guys! It's great to know I'm not crazy and there is others like me out there. I've learned a ton from this site and I keep learning every day. If any of you are in the northeast lets catch some fish!

[RSM789]

In most products, be it fishing gear to electronics to automobiles, there is a diminishing return as you go up the scale of price.  That doesn't mean you are stupid for what you chose nor that what you chose wasn't right for you.  Rather is sounds as if the guys who were chiding you are misapplying this adage to mean that less expensive is the way to go for you.  They seem to be making a universal declaration without looking at your particular situation, wants & needs.  I would wager that none of them are in sales or if they are, they aren't any good.

 

If you fished from the bank once a month and were struggling to make rent, then they might have a valid point.  However, from your posts, this doesn't seem to be the case.

 

 

[SirSnookalot]

Spend what you want.   A nice rod and reel certainly affects ego and makes one feel good.  As Catt always says fishing is done between the ears, that's going to give you more pleasure than anything you might buy.

[Joedodge]

If you like nice things and are in a position to get them and not owe debt. Why not! Just be responsible. Were all at different points in life. I personally am a young guy with a family. I buy mid grade equipment so I can maximize my technique specific. If I spent top dollar I couldn't have the several combos I have. But hey it's different strokes fr different folks. Enjoy what you bought and find a new tackle shop. I won spend money where people talk down to me out of ignorance and jealousy.

[DogBone_384]

You pretty well said it all in your opening post: you finished school (comgratulations) and have a good paying job. It's something you like doing, enjoy your equipment, and good luck in your tornaments.

Lastly, you know what they say about opinions ...

[blackmax135]

Me and a buddy went to bass pro to get us some reels.  We got there and I got me a abu Garcia revo and a good rod for about $200 and he said that was stupid he would be just as happy with a cheaper reel so he goes and finds a combo for about $70. Talking crap and saying he wishes he had my money and everything in between.  You know what? That was a lot of money but that was 5 years ago and guess who still has their rod and reel; This guy does!!!!  His lasted about a year and has bought 2 more because he can't put his mind to spending $200.  Not saying cheaper stuff wont last or catch fish but odds are you paid for quality that will last you a long time.

[Montanaro]

To be fair, Chris Lane won the Sabine with BPS carbonlite combo.

[.ghoti.]

Yes, young man, you are stupid. But then so am I. You're in pretty danged good company. Enjoy your gear. You earned the cash to buy it, and it's yours to enjoy.

 

It's only fair and proper to issue a warning to you. Beware the Dark Side.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don't know a single person that restricts all spending to 100% NEED. It's good advice to live within your means, but if you're doing that and it gives you pleasure to splurge here or there whether it be on a car, furniture, vacation, fishing tackle, other hobby related equipment or whatever no one has any business commenting. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Remember we work to live, not live to work. 

[Choporoz]

Fishing gear purchases are little different than any other non-necessities.  I have the same conversation about any number of purchases; If you have made your purchase based on reason and well-thought out plans, considering what you already have and what you can afford to spend on this 'hobby, and you've taken impulse and irrational thinking out of the equation.... then you have every right to ignore those opinions of the the guys at the shop and sleep well with your decisions.

[OK Bass Hunter]

It's called sour grapes. Some people put down things they can't as not worth it as a way of protecting their egos.

[F14A-B]

Lord have Mercy! A topic and postings that we all generally agree with! Go figure!!

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Mista bass, noticed you are in Danbury. Is the shop you're talking about The Valley Angler? I've only been there a handful of times since I moved away, but never felt very welcomed in there.

[stkbassn]

I'm surprised to hear your local tackle guys tell you that. To me, I say buy the best that you can afford and enjoy fishing with it. Once you've bought enough you'll know what fits you best and what you enjoy fishing with most. If you can afford high quality gear and enjoy what you bought then I say you bought exactly what you should have. Good on you for that! Let no one bring you down! Enjoy it sir.

[S Hovanec]

I give my buddys a hard time about their high-end gear but I'm fishing with custom SCVs. I especially like to pick on the guys that modify NRX's!!

[jignfule]

Main reason I fish is to have FUN. Using quality equiptment makes fishing more FUN for me and that isn't stupid.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I was at my local tackle shop talking with a couple guys and they brought up the reels and rods I bought recently. They were telling me I could get stuff just as good for under $100 and I'm an idiot for spending that much. I've been fishing since I was little and I am now 21 years old. I'm done with college and I got a great job making great money. I'm able to splurge on stuff I like. This is my first year fishing Tournaments so I bought some nice gear. I went with Dobyns rods, Lews and diawa reels. Was I stupid for spending so much on quality gear? I kinda feel like the joke of the shop now....

Honestly, who cares what they think?

If you're happy with it, screw them. You're the only person who's opinion matters.

[robster80]

enjoy the fruits of your labor my friend.

[jignjake]

As with anything you can buy there are endless levels of cost versus quality, proven name brands versus new companies to an old game. Me personally? I am a big believer in CONFIDENCE! Nothing is more importanrt in fishing, especially tournament fishing you are talking about. Get quality gear you can rely on and have confidence in, period. Another thing people get twisted is the use of high end equipment in the wrong application. Example, someone will go out and buy a very high end flippin stick and tie on a spinnerbait and complain about the rod. Be sure that if you DO spend serious money on rods and reels that they are being used for what they were designed to do and you shouldn't be dissapointed.

Side note but in my experience I haven't found a better reel for the money than Lews. WOW, durable, smooth and powerful. And they make some sweet spinning reels that cast further than anything I've ever owned.

 

Tight Lines!

[Mista bass]

I love the rods and reels. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thanks for all the support guys!