If You Could Buy It All Over Again

[the reel ess]

  (I know I need to keep my paws off any top-end rods, or I'll want to replace all my rods again!) 

 

I have this habit of keeping one or two combos that are not well-balanced to justify buying another rod or reel to balance out my arsenal. They never get completely balanced.

[the reel ess]

Regarding reels every sub 100 dollar reel I bought stopped working eventually and the opposite is true for reels over MSRP 100.00. I have Curado D's that are 8 years old and still in the boat and BPS Pro Qualifiers that are three years old sold AS-IS on Ebay. 

I've said this to some guys who look at me like I'm an insane elitist bass snob, which I'm not. $100 does seem to be the dividing line between good and junk BC reels.

 

That said, I have an old Abu Garcia 2005LP with a composite or graphite frame I'm doing my best to break. I bought it off ebay thinking it was a metal frame. I was determined to use it after paying for it ($50). I caught my PB and a lot of other good fish on it. But I know it's a matter of time and if I'd used it more it would eventually give up. But it's smooth, strong and has a flippin' switch that I don't use. Best cheap reel I've ever had.

[Poolshark]

For me after a couple of decades of buying all types of stuff. If I lost it all, I'd restart a few curados, a calcutta and an assortment of at croix Avids. Maybe five combos or so.

[tholmes]

If I Could Buy It All Over Again​ ~

 

I wouldn't change anything.

 

The decisions & purchases I've made in the past are what lead me to the decisions & purchases I make today.

 

 Although some of the earlier experiences didn't turn out as I had expected or even hoped, there were several very valuable lessons along the way which enable me to make some better choices now.

 

Well, at least most of the time . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

 

Truth right there. I know what I know today because of past experiences. I've gone through a lot of tackle in the 50+ years I've been fishing. In that process, I learned what I like and what I don't, along with learning that following the latest hot trend doesn't always end well. 

 

Tom

[smalljaw67]

I understand what you're saying but you didn't get the right perspective. Go out and use the Tourney special for a solid 2 to 3 hours making a lot of casts and then put it down and pick up one of your better outfits, that will tell you all you need to know. The least expensive rod that I purchased myself is an Abu Garcia Vendetta, I really like the rod and feel it fishes above its price point, I got it to use on the small boat fishing river smallmouth as it will work well for several techniques and if it gets broke no harm no foul. Now, when I use that rod and go pick up one of my better outfits, the difference is night and day and it isn't just weight, it is what you feel, everything feels as if it is amplified, and when you go through that process it makes it hard to imagine not having that to go to when you really need the extra sensitivity and lighter weight.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I don't dwell on doing it all over again, but going forward it's all custom build for me.

 

 

 

[d-camarena]

If i did it all over again i would not have sold off my shimano crucials to buy my zodias rods. Both are great rods but i like the crucials better.

Thats the only thing id change.

Oh and i wouldnt of bought so many baitcasters. The type of fishing i do is mostly done with spinning gear

[travis23]

I can't say I would have changed the way I went. I had a few decent combos in the $100-$250 range, and now I've upgraded all of those. I now have 6 combos that I absolutely love and they are all high quality. I catch hell from people for having such nice setups, and I know I won't catch more because of them, but I do cast better and have more confidence with them.

[poisonokie]

I don't understand why you guys are always saying something to the effect of, "I spent $600 on a JDM Steez rod and it's awesome, but I know I don't catch any more fish with it than I did on the Ugly Stik junk I used to fish with, but that's okay..."

 

That must mean you're the world's best angler with crap tackle or the world's worst with enthusiast grade gear. I, for one, know I catch more and better fish using higher quality, technique appropriate tackle than I ever did with my bargain bin browning combo.

 

I'm not saying you can buy yourself into being a better fisherman, necessarily, but it certainly doesn't hurt. After all, if you can't feel a bite or set a hook or rely on a smooth drag and rod action to play a fish, you might as well use that rod to club those fish out of the water.

 

Don't write off your passion for quality fishing gear as pure enthusiasm. If it wasn't landing you lunkers, it'd be decorating the wall of some other guy's man cave.

[zachb34]

If I could do it all over again, it wouldn't necessarily be the quality I changed. It would be the deals I hopped on and the ones I didnt. I think it's fun hunting for deals and waiting for the perfect price. A lot of my gear I've gotten for next to nothing on some for sale sites, garage sales, pawn shops. Etc. Some of it I've been able to use for a few years and then either break even or even make a little money on. I pay attention to resale values now a lot. I buy either heavily discounted new gear, or slightly used gear. All my reels are shimano's and tags my preference performance wise. The nice part about that is most hold their value very well. I've also noticed the 5:1 and 7:1 gear ratios hold their value better than the in between 6:1 ratios. I guess if money ever got tight I could sell off my gear for what I paid for it and I still got years of enjoyment.

[bigfruits]

 

 

 

. I could have filled the boat with Tourny Special setups and had duplicate rods for stuff for way cheaper. I know I have caught more and bigger fish off the Tourny Specials. Drives me nuts.

 

 

did you think that the more you spent on a rod, the bigger the fish it would catch?

 

when i started spending cash on a quiver of rods i did a lot of research and made good choices.  i am going to sell a few that are redundant now however with some nrx purchases i made.

 

i learned from other hobbies, if you are in for the long haul, buy good quality or end up buying again.

 

if all of my rods were stolen, id probably buy avids for moving baits and glx or nrx for bottom contact. nrx has to be on sale for my wallet! (outdoor proshop)

[PourMyOwn]

I would have spent more on the rod, less on the reel. I have 10-12 "combos", most of which are approaching 15 years old (had a ton of disposable income in my early 20s). It's all high quality Fenwicks, Falcons, early Johnny Morris and Team Daiwa reels. I take great care of my stuff, every year I maintain my reels, all that sorta thing. 

 

As it stands now, I only buy rods and reels with BPS/Cabela's credit card points. Last year I picked up an Abu Garcia Silver Max reel-I know, not exactly a tournament pro quality-but it's a nicer reel to fish with than my 1990s $200 dollar reels. I figure it will last until I want another one, then my nephew gets it. Point being, all of my sweet reels that cost me a ton of money are obsolete, but the rods are not. 

[WPCfishing]

I wouldn't have any spinning outfits save 1 for trout in winter.

 

I have one tiny spinning ice rod....... I use 6 rods for Bass, all baitcasters. I'm contemplating one spinning setup for dropshots. I doubt I will do it. 

[byram bassturd]

I am very blessed to use the gear that I do now but it took me 30+ years and a lot of wasted money becuase I started and stayed with cheaper setups for a while. I would buy the best that I can afford and upgrade whenever possible.

[Silas]

I've fished over 65 years. Ran a sporting goods store for awhile.

Down in Louisiana, fishing , for ME, I came to realize, was NEVER about catching fish. It's the total synergistic experience, a revitalization process in my life.

It is a time of relaxation, enjoying the beautiful bayous and swamps.

I HAVE caught a lot of fish while enjoying myself, also.

There is an analogy to riding my motorcycles. We are ONE , me and the bike. There is that perfect moment when all meshes and the bike is an extension of you.

Same with fishing rods and reels. There is that pride of ownership, and that perfect moment when you and the rod and reel are one. It becomes a joy! Catching fish is not really in the equation.

I've bought a lot of gear, but will eventually ( read NOW) keep what makes me smile when I use it.

Some things that make me smile: Dobyns DC702C matched with a Steez 103. Airy Red Pixy on a Jackson Trickster. Megabass IP73C on a X4 Cyclone. NRX 893 with 2015 Aldebaran. Megabass Zonda 10 on a X4 Hedgehog. Megabass Ip79 on an X4 Black Elseil.

These are works of art that I put in the boat. Many times I'm casting each one just because I like the way it feels. What those have in common is they are EFFORTLESS to use. Like artists brushes.

When the end comes I'll probably leave these to the grandkids as a legacy.

So to answer the question: no, I chose this path because it makes ME happy , and I would not changes a thing.

But then, I've always been known to be a little "strange."

[thehooligan]

I've fished over 65 years. Ran a sporting goods store for awhile.

Down in Louisiana, fishing , for ME, I came to realize, was NEVER about catching fish. It's the total synergistic experience, a revitalization process in my life.

It is a time of relaxation, enjoying the beautiful bayous and swamps.

I HAVE caught a lot of fish while enjoying myself, also.

There is an analogy to riding my motorcycles. We are ONE , me and the bike. There is that perfect moment when all meshes and the bike is an extension of you.

Same with fishing rods and reels. There is that pride of ownership, and that perfect moment when you and the rod and reel are one. It becomes a joy! Catching fish is not really in the equation.

I've bought a lot of gear, but will eventually ( read NOW) keep what makes me smile when I use it.

Some things that make me smile: Dobyns DC702C matched with a Steez 103. Airy Red Pixy on a Jackson Trickster. Megabass IP73C on a X4 Cyclone. NRX 893 with 2015 Aldebaran. Megabass Zonda 10 on a X4 Hedgehog. Megabass Ip79 on an X4 Black Elseil.

These are works of art that I put in the boat. Many times I'm casting each one just because I like the way it feels. What those have in common is they are EFFORTLESS to use. Like artists brushes.

When the end comes I'll probably leave these to the grandkids as a legacy.

So to answer the question: no, I chose this path because it makes ME happy , and I would not changes a thing.

But then, I've always been known to be a little "strange."

You speak my language, lol. Fishing & motorcycles

[desmobob]

I've fished over 65 years. Ran a sporting goods store for awhile.

Down in Louisiana, fishing , for ME, I came to realize, was NEVER about catching fish. It's the total synergistic experience, a revitalization process in my life.

It is a time of relaxation, enjoying the beautiful bayous and swamps.

I HAVE caught a lot of fish while enjoying myself, also.

There is an analogy to riding my motorcycles. We are ONE , me and the bike. There is that perfect moment when all meshes and the bike is an extension of you.

Same with fishing rods and reels. There is that pride of ownership, and that perfect moment when you and the rod and reel are one. It becomes a joy! Catching fish is not really in the equation.

I've bought a lot of gear, but will eventually ( read NOW) keep what makes me smile when I use it.

Some things that make me smile: Dobyns DC702C matched with a Steez 103. Airy Red Pixy on a Jackson Trickster. Megabass IP73C on a X4 Cyclone. NRX 893 with 2015 Aldebaran. Megabass Zonda 10 on a X4 Hedgehog. Megabass Ip79 on an X4 Black Elseil.

These are works of art that I put in the boat. Many times I'm casting each one just because I like the way it feels. What those have in common is they are EFFORTLESS to use. Like artists brushes.

When the end comes I'll probably leave these to the grandkids as a legacy.

So to answer the question: no, I chose this path because it makes ME happy , and I would not changes a thing.

But then, I've always been known to be a little "strange."

 

 

I think you said it far better than I could have, and I see nothing "strange" about it at all.  I have the one-ness with my old Ducati.  I'm almost there with the fishing gear... just need to start acquiring my first premium rods.  I just can't seem to make my checking account become "one" with a couple of NRXs!

  

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[bigbill]

My south bend and Shakespeare rods with Wal-Mart quantum reels in the beginning of my serious bass fishing caught many, many bass. Never had a problem. I started to upgrade with OKUMA exiptor and Fin-nor spinning reels. Again no problems. Then thinking about the rods. I found new LEWS spinning rods for around 50% off. Replaced all my spinning rods. I wanted to get more into casting setups. I have decent reels but older rods. I upgraded to all the brand's that are $99. Now I don't like some of them the way the action runs from the handle to the tip. They feel like there a different action on the way up the rod. By the time I get to the tip it's a light action on a med action rod. Different brands. So I purchased a No8 tackle blackout spinning rod med action graphite rod. The action is perfect and the taper is perfect. The tip isn't wimpy. What a nice rod for just $79. Ill put it up against any $100+ rod.
The LEWS are good rods. My favorite c-rig plastic rod is a Berkley cherrywood med rod. ($37?)

Does it matter what we use or how much it costs as long as we're fishing that's what matters. Buy what you can afford just buy good quality line.

[poisonokie]

I have one tiny spinning ice rod....... I use 6 rods for Bass, all baitcasters. I'm contemplating one spinning setup for dropshots. I doubt I will do it. 

 

I have 5 BC for bass. A L/MF bfs setup that's great for any technique from 1/16-1/4, dropshots included, a ML/MF for most techniques from 1/4-1/2, a M/M glass for 3/8-5/8 trebles, a MH/MF for 3/8-3/4 jigs/spinnerbaits, etc, and a H/F flip for 1/2-1 1/2 jigs, deep cranks, and frogs. That covers all my bases nicely and i can use braided line for everything, so my 2 spinning bass rigs just sit there. They're great for friends and responsible kids to use, though, so it's not a complete waste.

[WPCfishing]

I have 5 BC for bass. A L/MF bfs setup that's great for any technique from 1/16-1/4, dropshots included, a ML/MF for most techniques from 1/4-1/2, a M/M glass for 3/8-5/8 trebles, a MH/MF for 3/8-3/4 jigs/spinnerbaits, etc, and a H/F flip for 1/2-1 1/2 jigs, deep cranks, and frogs. That covers all my bases nicely and i can use braided line for everything, so my 2 spinning bass rigs just sit there. They're great for friends and responsible kids to use, though, so it's not a complete waste.WP_20150927_21_52_01_Pro.jpg

Yes it is... lol

[fishindad]

Silas said it best. Though often I think we anglers overthink things or make things more complicated than they should be. Fishing can be a simple as a cane pole and red and white bobber dunking red worms for sunnies or tossing streamers for steelhead with a top end Sage. Bass anglers seem to think they need 20-25 rods on deck.

 

What is interesting is there are some rods that most can agree are "perfect" - DX702, EMTF, NRX893, CC-7-173 etc. yet for some reason each rod company cannot get it "perfect" with every rod they build. Not that I've fished every rod out there but I'll say it again - if I could do it all over I'd buy 1 each of Loomis' original GLX of their CR, MBR, and SJR rods. That lineup was about the closest to perfection with each and every rod in the lineup. 

[shaggydog]

all the same reels and same model rods

[Mike2841]

If I could do it all over again I'd buy all shimano reels, yeah I'm one of them now, and I'd pass on the nrx rod. The nrx is nice but if rather have 2 rods in the 200-250 price range, you get 97% of the performance for half the cost imo

[WPCfishing]

If I'm throwing lipless cranks I don't need a seriously

expensive rod. It wasn't a rod I had to go online to research.

I found a Black Tech Spec MF at Dicks for $60.00 that's

casts in perfect harmony with a Lews Team Mag reel with braid

and a leader, the rod also does great job setting hooks. It's s sleeper rod.

On the other hand I'm into toads and frogs, I bought and

sent back 5 rods that didn't live up to what was talked

about and described by sales reps. So now I'm having one built.

My regret is wasting my time with online dopes...

I also regret sending my reels out for services I did not

receive and losing time waiting for them to come back.

Is a month to long? For a 30 minute job? You bet it is.

I do my own services now. It's easy...

[sofarfrome]

Downsize for quality over quantity. Had about 36 outfits. Down to about 25 right now. Working on getting that number to around 20.

 I too have found that quality over quantity is the key, for me at least. I started off with rods in the $100 range (some damned fine ones) but once I got into the higher end Dobyns, St. Croix, and G. Loomis I realized that was the way I should have started. But I still use all of those $100 rods too to not real bid issue for me.