The Best Is Not A Requirement

[JT Bagwell]

For you guys/gals that are newer to bass fishing, I want to give you a little input.

 

You absolutely do not need to have the best fishing equipment on the market to catch a bass.

 

Instead of spending beyond your means, just get the best that you can afford.

 

Most of the equipment made nowdays is pretty decent so you will be just fine.

 

 

JT Bagwell

@BagwellFishing

[Senko lover]

I would actually recommend that if you're just starting, get something nice. Why? Most people start with a cheap baitcaster to "learn on." You're learning experience is going to be so much better if you use a nice reel. And plus, if you start out with a cheap combo, you'll eventually upgrade, and cost yourself more money than if you just bought a nice combo in the first place. Of course, it doesn't have to be a $300 combo, but you get what you pay for. 

[Catt]

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet!

[the reel ess]

If I may make a suggestion, for anyone looking for a top quality spinning reel, try the Pfleuger Trion series. I've been using one since winter and I can't think of a single complaint. No twists and the drag is smooth as butter and strong.

 

$40 everywhere every day. I'm going to buy another when my MH combo reel quits on me. It's an old BPS Viper $70 combo special that just won't wear out. I'd suggest it too, but they don't make it anymore.

[lecisnith]

I've been using a $60 Black Max combo for two years. Still serves me well in the rotation. None of my combos cost me more than $130.

[Ersteman]

Agreed JT!

Did you experience people pushing high dollar product or did you have an encounter with a new fisherman?

 

My black max combo has caught just as much fish as my other combos.  Does it cast as far as some others? No.  Has it failed me once when I've hooked into a fish?  Nope. 

Fishing equipment can be heavily marketed and just because someone spends $300 on a combo, doesn't mean you wouldn't enjoy a $70 combo and have success with it.

It's easy to buy into the hype of the new lures and rods and reels and the companies want you to dish our your dough. You just have to be reasonable and smart.

 

To add on to JT's point:  If you look for sales and deals and check out the fishing clearance sections, you can find quality equipment for affortable prices.

I pride myself on never paying full price for practically anything.  There's great deals in the Flea Market section of these forums, I've had a lot of success on Ebay, and even Craigslist can be useful.  Your local sports store usually has a weekly circular too.

 

Also, if you have experience under your belt, it's nice to pass along the knowledge to new fisherman to help them in their buying decisions, which is another reason Bass Resource rules.

[frogflogger]

Don't be intimidated by expensive tackle - spinning tackle especially can be inexpensive and functional.

[nosdog2]

Great post/advice.   My blackmax combo is actually one of my favorites in my bunch.

[the reel ess]

I've been using a $60 Black Max combo for two years. Still serves me well in the rotation. None of my combos cost me more than $130.

I've got a combo that, if purchased new, would have cost about $260. I bought the Johnny Morris reel off Ebay used and the Falcon rod from a guy at work getting out of fishing. I have $100 in the combo. By far my best combo. But my personal best was on a cheap used ABU 2005LP BC composite frame reel and a Lightning rod. This has to be one of the best composite framed reels ever made. So strong it could be used for pitching in heavy cover.

 

My point is I have several $70 combos. A lot of people go gung-ho with the best equipment money can buy only to get tired of the hobby and either sell it cheap or let it collect dust.

[papajoe222]

There was a popular saying back in the day. It wasn't coined in reference to fishing gear, but it still applies:

"Buy the best you can afford, the cheapest will disappoint you and the more expensive is only beneficial to the person selling it,rarely to the person buying."

[IndyGlockMan]

If you are near a Gander Mountain, they have the Lew's Tournament SX combo on sale for $99 (was $149)

Great quality combo and doesn't break the bank.

Love my AG black max too!

[stkbassn]

For you guys/gals that are newer to bass fishing, I want to give you a little input.

 

You absolutely do not need to have the best fishing equipment on the market to catch a bass.

 

Instead of spending beyond your means, just get the best that you can afford.

 

Most of the equipment made nowdays is pretty decent so you will be just fine.

 

 

JT Bagwell

@BagwellFishing

 

I agree 100%. It's funny , when I fell in love with bass fishing as a much younger guy I only cared about catching fish. I didn't much care what I caught them with. I was passionate about just getting to the water and couldn't wait to make the first cast. As the years went by I picked up more advanced equipment but never matched anything or worried about what rod was good for what application, action, power, etc.  I caught a ton of fish and never thought about it. Now I feel like there's too much information, too much to choose from, and too many opinions. i think a lot of this gets in the way of learning and probably intimidates more anglers than actually attracts them to the sport.  I got to fish a lot more back in the day too....had less, had lesser quality equipment, had more time and caught more fish.... So, get something decent that will catch you some fish and not break your bank. Worry about fishing and not about what you're using. Enjoy it, it's supposed to be fun after all.  I'm guilty of a lot of things that I'm saying here....I try to buy the best, I worry about my gear, technique specific things...yada yada...I admit it stresses me out a lot of times. I get too caught up in it too. The Bait Monkey is not your friend!! Good luck! I over do it and don't keep it simple like I used to. I am going to try to get back to that. I'm not selling my Metanium though!! LOL

[Canyon explorer]

If I may make a suggestion, for anyone looking for a top quality spinning reel, try the Pfleuger Trion series. I've been using one since winter and I can't think of a single complaint. No twists and the drag is smooth as butter and strong.

 

$40 everywhere every day.

Amen Great reel for the $.

[scaleface]

Glad to see so many other thrifty anglers .

[BassinLou]

I agree 100%. It's funny , when I fell in love with bass fishing as a much younger guy I only cared about catching fish. I didn't much care what I caught them with. I was passionate about just getting to the water and couldn't wait to make the first cast. As the years went by I picked up more advanced equipment but never matched anything or worried about what rod was good for what application, action, power, etc.  I caught a ton of fish and never thought about it. Now I feel like there's too much information, too much to choose from, and too many opinions. i think a lot of this gets in the way of learning and probably intimidates more anglers than actually attracts them to the sport.  I got to fish a lot more back in the day too....had less, had lesser quality equipment, had more time and caught more fish.... So, get something decent that will catch you some fish and not break your bank. Worry about fishing and not about what you're using. Enjoy it, it's supposed to be fun after all.  I'm guilty of a lot of things that I'm saying here....I try to buy the best, I worry about my gear, technique specific things...yada yada...I admit it stresses me out a lot of times. I get too caught up in it too. The Bait Monkey is not your friend!! Good luck! I over do it and don't keep it simple like I used to. I am going to try to get back to that. I'm not selling my Metanium though!! LOL

This is a great point! 

 

Imho, when I first started fishing as a kid, (long time ago..lol) information was not easy to come by. At least for me. I was self taught, My exposure were a few fishing show's and the occasional magazine I would come across at the library or a waiting room somewhere. All my equipment was cheap because it took me forever to save up to it. But I had an absolute blast doing it. I guess that's why I appreciate my gear so much today.

 

Fast forward to today: Internet alone: you have youtube and fishing forums. TV: multiple fishing shows and fishing channels. Magazines: although this arena is quickly becoming extinct, you still have multiple fishing magazines. Books? Plenty of those too!! The point I am trying to make, taking books out of the equation, is advertising. Anglers are being bombarded with advertising unconsciously and consciously every waking moment. Why do you think we get so many rookie anglers here on forums such as BR asking for the "Best" fill in the blank,  all the time? They are trying to sift through all the overwhelming amount of information that there is out there and don't know what choose. 

 

Yes... there are plenty of cheap and affordable fishing equipment out there. Let time be your guide. Buy equipment you can easily afford, you will quickly learn if you have the fishing bug or not. If you don't have the bug, or fishing wasn't "your thing" then you didn't spend alot of money on gear. But... if you did get the bug, over time start improving your gear, and time and $$ will dictate what you will get. Fishing is an evolving sport. You will always be changing something every 5-10yrs. If you don't you are honestly missing out on pretty good technological advances that fishing equipment has to offer. 

[Freak78]

I grew up on a zebco 33. Used that for many many years and caught 100's of large fish in multiple species. I even used them into my 20's but the quality of them has definitely changed over the years. I got the boy using them and man it was tough getting one to last a month without breaking down. He caught the bass in my picture on them and well as numerous pike, cats, and 35+ lb carp. You absolutely do not need to put hundreds into rigs to catch fish.

[K_Mac]

I completely agree JT. Good equipment is enjoyable to use, and most of take a while to find the level that works best for us. Even entry level gear today is far better than was available a few years ago. Investing in high end gear is best done when you've had enough experience to know what you like and need.

[RoLo]

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet!

 

An inescapable fact.

 

There's a rumor going around that as a fisherman ages

'both' of those resources are diminished....Then what?         

 

Roger

[scaleface]

The fish in my avatar were caught with a cane pole .

[the reel ess]

Glad to see so many other thrifty anglers .

When you have a family and aren't a pro, you have to make choices regarding food, clothing, etc.

[the reel ess]

I grew up on a zebco 33. Used that for many many years and caught 100's of large fish in multiple species. I even used them into my 20's but the quality of them has definitely changed over the years. I got the boy using them and man it was tough getting one to last a month without breaking down. He caught the bass in my picture on them and well as numerous pike, cats, and 35+ lb carp. You absolutely do not need to put hundreds into rigs to catch fish.

Me too. I got a 33 with a stiff rod and a Daiwa UL spinning combo. I had all the bases covered!

[Freak78]

33's will always be near and dear to me. Its wasn't until the internet had been around until I heard them being referred to as kids toys and whatnot. Hell I met several pros on the potomac who either had one in the boat or sung thier praises. Ease of use, quality (back then) and simply never broke or got tangled. I might go buy another lol

[Jaderose]

If I may make a suggestion, for anyone looking for a top quality spinning reel, try the Pfleuger Trion series. I've been using one since winter and I can't think of a single complaint. No twists and the drag is smooth as butter and strong.

 

$40 everywhere every day.

 

Yep...I bought one from Fleabay for $25.  Wound up giving it away last year but only because the guy needed it.  I upgraded to a President.  While I don't have much experience with spinning reels, I'm not sure what more you could want from a reel than what the President has to offer for 60 bucks.

[Cgrinder]

Yeah, but don't cheap out on baitcasting reels unless you want to give yourself an aneurysm.

[slonezp]

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet!

I ain't got nuthin in either one of those places. Guess I'm screwed