The Best Is Not A Requirement

[masterbass]

I used to catch just as many fish with my shakespeare spinning combos from walmart. 

[FinCulture]

most spinning reels over about 30 bucks will usually be of decent quality, so I wouldn't dump a lot of money into one if I was just starting out. as far as baitcasters, I would say you can find some great starter options for about $100, give or take maybe twenty bucks. Going cheap is kind of the automatic thought by lots of people starting out new things, but this doesn't really even work with fishing. Having said that, you don't need to spend $500 on your first combo, either.

[Musky_Fever]

I'm glad this topic came up because I was going to post something similar about how all  my cheaper, older rods/reels catch more fish than the Avid and Loomis and shinny reels.  The rod I have caught the most fish on is an old Berkley lighting rod that was given to me by an elderly fisherman.  He's been fishing it since the early 90s.  The reel I've caught the most fish on....an old Shakespeare reel from an Ugly Stick combo and an old school Shimano spinning reel with a rear drag.  I can fish for hours with new expensive stuff and not catch a thing.  Then, just for fun, I'll use old gear with el-chepo worms and catch something.  Drives me insane.  Fish are scared of all of the expensive s***.  

[fishindad]

Keeping this on topic and about rod and reel combos, I would recommend to someone just starting out to use their money for 3-5 entry level combos, with more emphasis towards the reel. This way one could start out the right way with maybe 3-5 hard baits of each : spinnerbaits, topwater, cranks, jerk baits, lipless. And a small box of jigs and soft plastics, etc. Learn to use both baitcaster and spin gear. Learn to use each bait type and which situation you use them for. Then move up in quality as desired and skills increase.

 

No question it's human nature to want something better, with time. As one gains more experience they "outgrow" their tools and gadgets, be it fishing, photography, cycling, whatever. When I started fishing, a Fenwick Lunkerstik and red 5000 or Daiwa Millionaire was high end. But that was over 40 years ago and now look at the evolution of the sport. No one in the industry could have ever envisioned touch screen electronics, GPS, 300HP, 21 foot bass boats, etc. JDM gear? Unheard of. It is tempting as a beginner to "copy" the pros but as was pointed out in another thread, today's pros don't use high end equipment on the scale the most enthusiasts do. What you can buy for $100 far exceeds the performance of yesterday's gear. 

 

All this said, that bait monkey is awfully hard to ignore 

[the reel ess]

I used to catch just as many fish with my shakespeare spinning combos from walmart. 

 

I'm only 15 (16 in a week!), so I know I'm no expert, but I will say that I agree 100% with everything JT and Cat said. I'm the only one in my family who fishes, so I began by using a $20 Rapala combo I bought at Marshall's (yes the clothing store lol).

I'm not sure if it's the same chain, but I have a little story about Marshall's. We have those stores around here too. When I was about 22 (a very long time ago) my dad and I hired a striper/hybrid guide on Lake Hartwell. I called him and we arranged to meet at Marshall's Marina in Anderson, SC. We showed up and the place was already open at 5:00 AM and our guide was getting blueback herring for bait. The owner of the marina asked us where we were from and we told him. He said his family owned a store there. We asked what it was and he said Marshall's department store. I think they have since sold out to a larger company though.

[the reel ess]

if Ike can make it to a Classic fishing with Veritas you can probably catch a fish on cheaper setup… just sayin'.

I see pros using a BPS Pro Qualifier. That's a less-than-$100 reel.

[roadwarrior]

Well...

 

Pick your priing point and you will get some GREAT advice.  There are great values  out there and

no one has a lock on what might be "the best" for you. As a collector of "technique specific" rods and

reels, my preference is different than yours. For strictly "fishing" I think anything in the $150- $200

range is the very best "value". That said, some of us are "collectores" and the pricing point is much

different.

[einscodek]

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

Amen

[BradGuenette]

Save your money, make a fishing fund, heck even if it's $20 a pay. My biggest reason for buying higher end gear is because it will last the ages. That $60 baitcaster you bought breaks down the road in two three years so you buy another and so on and so on. Spend the little extra, buy of quality the first time and it will last. I have old Chronarch 100b's that have been in my line up for nearly 10 years.

[roadwarrior]

Okay,,,

 

On the otherhand ther is some GREAT gear to consider if you want to up your game.

Most of "fishing" is fishing and has verylittle to do with "catching":  Better gear is simply

more fun to play with.

[einscodek]

No offense to anyone esp if it doesnt apply

My sincere theory on this high end buying is that most fisherman are under the idea that their unmet goals or disatisfaction with fishing results..

have more to do with a lack of "something material" rather than a lack of "understanding or knowing or skill" which would hurt the ego to no end

and so deep down it must be that I dont have this or that lure or am not using the best of this or that

 

..and of course we have a robust capitalistic system in place to take advantage of this insecurity

when really it is fishing wisdom and knowledge which would impact your results the most

extrapolate this out to life in general if desired

[offsidewing]

Know what you need. Buy what you can afford.

[WPCfishing]

I have some nice gear.. But I'll share this with you.

I bought a Berkley Shock casting rod for versatility.

50 bucks at BP. I can say from experience it's one hell of a rod.

[NathanW]

I bought a sky blue Columbia PFG long sleeve jersey. I've never been skunked while wearing it. Coincidence?

 

But my daughter left Chap Stick in the pocket of her jeans and I dried them with the shirt. Now it has darker spots all over it. I wear it anyway. Still stops the sunburn and makes me look knowledgeable.

I am a big fan of those PFG shirts. Not sure I would consider it a jersey but I bet if its like one of the ones I have and has the big letters down the arm you are catching lots of fish.

[SirSnookalot]

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

[K_Mac]

This topic always stirs much discussion. I think most of us learned on inexpensive gear. Truth is for many of us the equipment in common use when we started was pretty primitive by today's standards. That even entry level rods and reels today are far better than what I used as a kid is not in doubt.

With that said, you can still buy gear that limits your ability to catch fish effectively in my opinion. That is why the advice, "Buy the best you can afford" is the standard advice given. Spending just a little more can make a big difference in making the entire experience more enjoyable and productive. For those who can afford the best, this advice really is too simple. Just because you can afford top of the line gear doesn't mean that it is a good investment. For the avid fisherman with deep pockets it may be. For the collecting enthusiast, sure. But for the vast majority of experienced anglers there is a fairly clear point where the dimishing returns don't justify spending more.

The problem for me is the methods and materials continue to improve. While I don't really need new gear, I am always curious about the advances. This is the engine that keeps the wheels turning for tackle manufacturing IMO.

[the reel ess]

I am a big fan of those PFG shirts. Not sure I would consider it a jersey but I bet if its like one of the ones I have and has the big letters down the arm you are catching lots of fish.

Absolutely! I have another short sleeved one that has the logo of a company I previously worked for on it. But since it doesn't have Columbia or even Calcutta on it, my confidence is low while wearing it. And you know fish, with their brains the size of a grain of sand, can feel the confidence transmitted down that superline like a telegraph.

[the reel ess]

I have some nice gear.. But I'll share this with you.

I bought a Berkley Shock casting rod for versatility.

50 bucks at BP. I can say from experience it's one hell of a rod.

I've been using two regular Lightning rods for maybe 8-9 years years. I bought a MH and a M BC rod because I didn't want to break the bank. I mostly use them for trebles because they aren't extremely sensitive. But I've started using one for T rigs because I had to poach a better rod for frogs. I could probably sense a bite with a fiberglass rod nowadays.

 

I just recently bought a 7'M spinning Lightning Rod for jerkbaits and the like.

[MrBigFishSC]

This topic always stirs much discussion. I think most of us learned on inexpensive gear. Truth is for many of us the equipment in common use when we started was pretty primitive by today's standards. That even entry level rods and reels today are far better than what I used as a kid is not in doubt.

With that said, you can still buy gear that limits your ability to catch fish effectively in my opinion. That is why the advice, "Buy the best you can afford" is the standard advice given. Spending just a little more can make a big difference in making the entire experience more enjoyable and productive. For those who can afford the best, this advice really is too simple. Just because you can afford top of the line gear doesn't mean that it is a good investment. For the avid fisherman with deep pockets it may be. For the collecting enthusiast, sure. But for the vast majority of experienced anglers there is a fairly clear point where the dimishing returns don't justify spending more.

The problem for me is the methods and materials continue to improve. While I don't really need new gear, I am always curious about the advances. This is the engine that keeps the wheels turning for tackle manufacturing IMO.

This topic always stirs much discussion. I think most of us learned on inexpensive gear. Truth is for many of us the equipment in common use when we started was pretty primitive by today's standards. That even entry level rods and reels today are far better than what I used as a kid is not in doubt.

With that said, you can still buy gear that limits your ability to catch fish effectively in my opinion. That is why the advice, "Buy the best you can afford" is the standard advice given. Spending just a little more can make a big difference in making the entire experience more enjoyable and productive. For those who can afford the best, this advice really is too simple. Just because you can afford top of the line gear doesn't mean that it is a good investment. For the avid fisherman with deep pockets it may be. For the collecting enthusiast, sure. But for the vast majority of experienced anglers there is a fairly clear point where the dimishing returns don't justify spending more.

The problem for me is the methods and materials continue to improve. While I don't really need new gear, I am always curious about the advances. This is the engine that keeps the wheels turning for tackle manufacturing IMO.

A perfect post to this thread. Good quality equipment will make it more fun and allow you to reach your potential. If you need more expensive then go for it. Money can't buy fish just experience. Same goes for most things in life.

[MrBigFishSC]

That should read money can't buy fish but experience will pay dividends.

[SenkoGuru]

 I grew up very poor with a loving family that worked hard and had good values. I learned to fish on very cheap gear and I loved every second of it. Now that I'm older and I have a family of my own, I've been lucky enough to have good work ethic's and a great job. I am now able to buy good fishing gear and I have bought a LOT of it.  It has never made me a better fisherman but it has sure made me enjoy fishing a whole lot more. I Spoil my son by letting him fish with Megabass rod's and TDZ reels. I have came a long way since my dad and me were fishing cheap $20 rod and reel combo's. I am teaching my son the basic's of fishing and how to be a good person, he is just lucky enough to be doing it on good equipment.

 

  Here is a good example. My Son's high school has a fishing team and a fishing club in the school, it took us a long time to get this going and this will be the first year my son gets to fish it. My wife told me the other day, that our son should have a big advantage with that giant room full of fishing gear that I have collected over the years. I was quick to correct her and let her know that the equipment would not give him an advantage, that he would need to know when and when to use what type of bait in what cover and that I had taught him those things over the years and that would be where he would get an advantage, if he had one at all.

[SirSnookalot]

 

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

 

Well said

[Josh Smith]

I have fished for about 35 years now, since I was two or three.

I bought a relatively expensive rod a while back, and it promptly broke.

While it was being returned and replaced, I bought a Cherrywood HD to use with the reel that was on it, sort of an experiment.

That $20 Cherrywood is now my go-to rod. It is used first, though I take much higher-end rods along.

It would be perfect with upgraded eyelets.

It's all in what you're looking for, I think. This is perfect for heavy cover.

Looks sort of funny with a supertuned and upgraded 5500c3 on it, but it's the most useful setup I have.

Josh

[chelboed]

I love gear...gadgetry...I geek out.

That said...I get a kick out of listening to people talk about what they "need". Like recent posts around here regarding down sizing to only 4-5 rigs.

When I started bass fishing 25 years ago...with baitcasters...with lures, you looked for a good 6'6" Medium or medium heavy rod and some 14# Stren. We caught fish. I don't know that we catch any more fish today on 20 different rigs with hundreds of different lures than we did back then.

I'm actually down-sizing my tackle because I catch most of my fish on Stick-O's, Mepps, Frogs, and Lipless cranks.

I mean seriously...as a bank fisherman, what am I going to do with a lipped crankbait that dives more than 5'? Get it hung up as I draw it into shallow water?

Why do I need a drop shot or shakey head when a Senko dropped I'm the same hole will likely catch the same fish?

Any fish I've caught on jigs lately...I could have caught on a Stick-O. Anything I've caught on traditional spinners and chatter baits, I could have caught on Mepps. I really only need 2 colors of stick bait, 3 colors of spinner, 3 colors of Lipless, and 1 frog.

Everything else is just marketing. Not really necessary.

I love to oogle the new rods and reels out there, but most likely if I buy another new rig...it'll just be another versatile 6'10" MH,F for bank fishing. That's all I use.

[thehooligan]

This topic always stirs much discussion. I think most of us learned on inexpensive gear. Truth is for many of us the equipment in common use when we started was pretty primitive by today's standards. That even entry level rods and reels today are far better than what I used as a kid is not in doubt.

With that said, you can still buy gear that limits your ability to catch fish effectively in my opinion. That is why the advice, "Buy the best you can afford" is the standard advice given. Spending just a little more can make a big difference in making the entire experience more enjoyable and productive. For those who can afford the best, this advice really is too simple. Just because you can afford top of the line gear doesn't mean that it is a good investment. For the avid fisherman with deep pockets it may be. For the collecting enthusiast, sure. But for the vast majority of experienced anglers there is a fairly clear point where the dimishing returns don't justify spending more.

The problem for me is the methods and materials continue to improve. While I don't really need new gear, I am always curious about the advances. This is the engine that keeps the wheels turning for tackle manufacturing IMO.

 

Couldnt agree more.

 

I learned on my dad's berkley fiberglass rod with mitchell 308 from the 60's. Used that combo up till about 5 years ago. 

 

The best is absolutely not a requirement, but i will say highend tackle will make you can grin all day long