Top Shelf, Newest Thang, Bargain, Last Years Model Fishing Rods?

[bigbill]

I wish we had a few topics separating the high dollar products and the affordable fishing equipment so everyone could get involved here.

How do you pick a fishing rod?

Top Shelf, high dollar newest thang?

Sale or bargain?

Last years model will do?

Affordable old new stock?

I still have south bend, Shakespeare, but also use all-star, Berkeley, lews, quantum rods.

Does the cost of our equipment and brand separate all of us fisherman?

I wish we had a shore fishing section.

A section where us frugal fisherman can talk.

Maybe a bass resources II sight.

We have so much to offer to other fisherman who won't post here.

[cottny27]

Hey I'm frugal!  I like to get the most bang for my buck.  Personally, I use decent stuff, but don't feel the need to drop $400 for a rod.  I cannot feel the difference between a 100-150 dollar and a $300 rod.  However, I can feel the difference between 20-30 dollar gear & 100 dollar gear.  I like Bass Pro gear especially their plastics and reels.  Their Stik-os I believe are the best on the market and prefer them over the name brand ones.  I fish for fun though and don't do tournaments.  I can understand why a serious tournament fisherman needs the best gear available.  I don't shore fish though, but mainly fish from a kayak or pond hopper.  I fish places where fish rarely see a lure and that's how I like it.  I have no problems detecting strikes with an $80-$120 rod.  So I guess I use more mid range gear.  I do like Berkley rods they can take a beating for the cost.  I grew up using them.

[bootytrain]

No offense to anyone here, but I consider this forum a budget fisherman's forum already vs the TackleTour forums where Im a little more active. Of course it's all relative to what you can or are willing to spend.

[blckshirt98]

I look for 1) a brand I trust with a good warranty, 2) bargains/closeouts/clearances/sales.  I usually like to spend a certain minimum on a rod to make sure the components will last (i.e. I use braid and fish in saltwater so I make sure the guides are ceramic/titanium and can take the abuse of salt water corrosion) but will go cheap if I know I'm just using it for freshwater (i.e. I have a couple of Shimano Sojourns I got for like $15 each at a Sports Authority closeout and I've caught a bunch of trout on those rods and they're both still good as new.)  I also look at re-sale value in case I ever want to buy something different - so non-chain-branded rods/reels, and stuff with transferable warranties are a plus.  One thing I'll never do is pay full retail for the latest and greatest.  It'll only be latest and greatest for one season anyways.

[rippin-lips]

No offense to anyone here, but I consider this forum a budget fisherman's forum already vs the TackleTour forums where Im a little more active. Of course it's all relative to what you can or are willing to spend.

This is very true. I feel like I buy pretty decent stuff, but a lot of those guys on TT make me look like I'm fishing with a Fisher Price combo.

The guy who posted his reel collection for sale would make most of these people's head spin around. Or Jerry C who just buys pop x's to collect basically.

[fishballer06]

I think that all fishermen, for the most part, are frugal, regardless of what their budget is. Even your guys (like myself), who might be using rods and reels in the $250+ price range, more than likely did not pay full retail for those rods and reels. Those guys are always shopping around online both domestically and internationally, in order to save a few dollars. Same goes for the guys who are spending sub $100 on their rods/reels. They want the best bang for their buck as well. It's just human nature.

[Jake the Cake]

I don't mind spending up to $100 on a rod and probably same price for a reel if I know they'll last.  Mainly I just need it to be 6 or 6 1/2 foot, medium to medium-fast action, and smooth eyelets.  5 1/2 foot slow action for my Crappie fishing. 

 

 

Here's a question to add to this list:  I've got 7 reels and only 4 rods because I don't ever take more than 4 with me but depending on how I'm fishing I'll grab more spincast reels or more spinning reels or heavier or lighter.  Does anyone else have separate reels they put on a standard set of rods depending on the type of fishing? 

[Darren.]

I've been laying low on the game for a while now,

no big purchases, heck no fishing purchases at all

since this past summer -- my wife is happy

 

But I look for sales and pick rods in the $100 range

when I'm in the market. Most expensive I've got is

an Avid, though.

 

I pick based on BPS availability and ease of warranty.

Only thing I'm not thrilled about is the lack of shorter

lengths in the Carbonlite series I like (in M power).

 

Reels I have bought on eBay, BPS, other retailers, and

almost always on sale or with points.

[DTack]

This is very true. I feel like I buy pretty decent stuff, but a lot of those guys on TT make me look like I'm fishing with a Fisher Price combo.

The guy who posted his reel collection for sale would make most of these people's head spin around. Or Jerry C who just buys pop x's to collect basically.

I enjoy this board more because I feel there is more diversity versus TT where all they seem to want to talk about is scientific results of a rod...  I hardly hear anyone talking about CATCHING fish over there.  Just a lot of focus on materials or what metal is in a reel instead of what is caught with the gear.  

Everyone enjoys things differently though and there's NOTHING wrong with enjoying using the equipment you own.  I enjoy mine as well, however I enjoy it the most when it is landing big fish haha. 

[rippin-lips]

There definitely is more diversity here. It's more average fisherman where TT is more enthusiast based. Which I also enjoy because I'm an enthusiast. I like messing with reels and swapping parts and so on. Half the fun of fishing is buying gear.

[Darren.]

I enjoy this board more because I feel there is more diversity versus TT where all they seem to want to talk about is scientific results of a rod...  I hardly hear anyone talking about CATCHING fish over there.  Just a lot of focus on materials or what metal is in a reel instead of what is caught with the gear.  

Everyone enjoys things differently though and there's NOTHING wrong with enjoying using the equipment you own.  I enjoy mine as well, however I enjoy it the most when it is landing big fish haha. 

 

 

There definitely is more diversity here. It's more average fisherman where TT is more enthusiast based. Which I also enjoy because I'm an enthusiast. I like messing with reels and swapping parts and so on. Half the fun of fishing is buying gear.

 

I'm on TT as well, but very rarely am I on their forums

anymore. I've found good info on both forums, but feel

this is by far the best on the internet

[bootytrain]

I enjoy this board more because I feel there is more diversity versus TT where all they seem to want to talk about is scientific results of a rod...  I hardly hear anyone talking about CATCHING fish over there.  Just a lot of focus on materials or what metal is in a reel instead of what is caught with the gear.  

Everyone enjoys things differently though and there's NOTHING wrong with enjoying using the equipment you own.  I enjoy mine as well, however I enjoy it the most when it is landing big fish haha.

Its because that site is focused on tackle, hence the name TACKLE tour

[Jrob78]

I wish we had a few topics separating the high dollar products and the affordable fishing equipment so everyone could get involved here.

I wish we had a shore fishing section.

A section where us frugal fisherman can talk.

Maybe a bass resources II sight.

We have so much to offer to other fisherman who won't post here.

This a bass fishing site.  Every 3rd post seems to be about the best $100 rod or reel.  That IS the lower budget bass fishing equipment.

 

Why do you think bank bass fishermen are somehow using stuff less expensive than other bass fishermen?   Why would you think those people need a 2nd site to talk about it?  You're the only person here that seems to have a problem with any of this.

[K_Mac]

I like the mix here. There are plenty of folks at both ends of the fishing spectrum. Ask about budget gear and you will get many responses-most of them useful. Same way with enthusiast stuff. No other place on the web comes close IMO.

[WRB]

When the Loomis NRX series rods hit the market I seriously gave it thought to purchase a off the shelf $500 rod, then I came to reality...$500 plus $100 certificate insurance rod replacement! Researched a custom rod builder with nearly identicle rod blank and bought 3 custom rods for $230 each, lifetime warranty and free shipping with 90 day free trail period, great rods at a fraction of the price.

Right now the Aaron Edge series rods are $50 off, $170 rod for $120, good deal. If you are not in a hurry wait for year end clearance sales, same rod for less money.

Tom

[deep]

This a bass fishing site.  Every 3rd post seems to be about the best $100 rod or reel.  That IS the lower budget bass fishing equipment.

 

Why do you think bank bass fishermen are somehow using stuff less expensive than other bass fishermen?   Why would you think those people need a 2nd site to talk about it?  You're the only person here that seems to have a problem with any of this.

 

Hey, he's right. I mostly fish from the shore, sometimes from a rowboat, occasionally from the back of my buddy's aluminium boat.

 

All but one of my reels are plain jane Curados- a mix of D's, G's, and I's.

 

And I catch a fish once in a while too.

 

 

(that was sarcasm).

[roadwarrior]

I guess it is a matter of perspective. It seems to me we have a handful of "enthusiasts", but the

overwhelming majority of our members fish "affordable" gear. My guess is that 90% of our guys

are fishing combinations costing $100 or less AND fishing from the bank. The next 9% are +/` $250

and may have some kind of boat.

 

Based on everything you (bigbill) post, I don't consider you frugal, just silly. I hope our younger guys

take a different approach than yours and buy "better" equipment that they can build on over the years.

I have spent 18 years acquiring 19 combinations or about one addition per year. Although there is quite

a bit of overlap, I have technique specific gear for everything, but never actually carry more than 8 rods.

When I fish ponds it's just one or maybe two at the most.

[bigbill]

This a bass fishing site. Every 3rd post seems to be about the best $100 rod or reel. That IS the lower budget bass fishing equipment.

Why do you think bank bass fishermen are somehow using stuff less expensive than other bass fishermen? Why would you think those people need a 2nd site to talk about it? You're the only person here that seems to have a problem with any of this.

Everybody here talks about the high dollar equipment. Ill bet that 90% of the fisherman don't use expensive equipment.

I can't talk about the lesser priced equipment here. We don't get others like me here. There scared to post.

I can't mention the new rod I'm using but others can they got no message warning. That's odd.

[Jrob78]

Everybody here talks about the high dollar equipment. Ill bet that 90% of the fisherman don't use expensive equipment.

I can't talk about the lesser priced equipment here. We don't get others like me here. There scared to post.

I can't mention the new rod I'm using but others can they got no message warning. That's odd.

This isn't a generic fishing site, it's a bass fishing site.  Most of us here use bass fishing gear.  The generic rods and reels that one can buy for $20 at Walmart isn't considered bass fishing gear, therefore most of us don't use it or talk about it.  It doesn't have anything to do with looking down on anyone for the gear they use, it just isn't what most of us use. That's really all there is to it.  If you have a problem with the vast range of price points and gear mostly discussed on a bass fishing site, that's on you, but please stop whining about it.   

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Im a elcheapo most of my rods and reels were free,trades, or bargain bin stuff...only thing i dont skimp on is fresh line yo zuri and bi game.BTW my 5$ abu reels work fine on my 2$ falcon all from yard sales.i aint rich but i can afford $200 reels and rods ,BUT being a fisherman so long i have found my ideal tools and im happy and succesful thats all that matters to me anyhow

[Jaw1]

I have a self imposed rod and reel budget of around $200 apiece max. I have owned higher and certainly have and do own cheaper. I'm not a collector but my wife would argue that. I don't begrudge people who will only buy higher priced gear nor do I look down on the ones who fish the cheapest they can get. You can define bass gear any way you want in my opinion. Whatever works for however you choose to fish is what counts. I enjoy your posts Bigbill I get a kick out of them and hope you enjoy the feedback. I have friends who are much better than myself at catching bass who think we are all crazy for spending more than 50 or so dollars on any gear. They have no problem spending $30 to $40,000 on a new boat though. I guess we all have our prerogatives.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Ya that also thinking a 30 to 40 boat makes ya better .i know dudes that have boats and there biggest bass is 4 lbs in 10 yrs yet they keep buying new boats each yr..lol the shoes your wearing dont make the man .

[tomustang]

I can't talk about the lesser priced equipment here. We don't get others like me here. There scared to post.

I can't mention the new rod I'm using but others can they got no message warning. That's odd.

Don't take that part too seriously, many others have been warned about posts and been deleted because of the content that's not allowed, it's all layed out in the rules which is extensive, could possibly say its novel sized.

That goes for certain websites too.

[tomustang]

I hope our younger guys

take a different approach than yours and buy "better" equipment that they can build on over the years

Really comes down to how you fish, I've met many guys that fish the local waters here and they have a similar approach to bill's. Old school, lower budget gear that still gets the job done. Mentality dictates that you don't need to pay for higher end equipment but the same result of catching fish happens.

I wouldn't call it silly, but the different levels of fishing as "diverse" and I like it that way, so anyone can go out and enjoy the hobby in which they choose.

[PourMyOwn]

In the last year, I have bought (using Cabelas points) two Abu Silver Max reels and a Fenwick HMX-all under 100. They are nice pieces of eqipment, but time will tell if they last as long as my 15 year old Johnny Morris and All Star rods. Like roadwarrior, I try to add a nice outfit every year or so. The Silver Max reels are the cheapest I've ever bought, but i knew what I was getting into.

The only time I care about what other people are using is when their stuff breaks in my boat and it inconveniences me. If I'm going with a guy who I know has suspect equipment, I usually pack an extra rod/reel from my "2nd string." not everyone I fish with is equipped to throw football jigs in 30 feet of water.