Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 I've heard guys in my club and have read guys on here say, "I'd never spend X amount of money on a rod. If I was going spend that much money it would be on a reel". Granted maybe I fish more bottom contact lures but I'd rather invest more money in a rod than a reel. Explain to me what I'm missing about the other philosophy. Quote
Wingman87 Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 I try to match the cost of my reels with the cost of my rods. I've often said I would never spend $200 on a rod or reel and now I find it hard to spend less than that amount for a rod or reel. 4 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted March 16, 2016 Super User Posted March 16, 2016 27 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: I've heard guys in my club and have read guys on here say, "I'd never spend X amount of money on a rod. If I was going spend that much money it would be on a reel". Granted maybe I fish more bottom contact lures but I'd rather invest more money in a rod than a reel. Explain to me what I'm missing about the other philosophy. Myself, I can't feel the difference between a $400 rod or a $100 rod when they have similar ratings. Everyone is different. What matters to me, has no bearing on what matters to you. Pay for what you value and don't let others tell you what you should like. 9 Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted March 16, 2016 Super User Posted March 16, 2016 Depends 100% on what deals are available at the time and what I'm trying to do with the combo. It's worth noting, however, that you can tune a reel to cast just about over the moon- the rod you buy is the rod you'll use until you sell it. You can't really change a rod. 1 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 For example I bought a NRX recently. I have Stradic FJ reels. I don't understand the thought that I would need to put a Stella on there. FJ's are great reels. 2 Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted March 16, 2016 Super User Posted March 16, 2016 No right or wrong on this really. Each person has different values they place on products. Ive used lesser priced reels that have absolutely impressed me and been disappointed in higher priced reels, and too the opposite. Same with rods. Basically a person should get in where they fit in. 3 Quote
Wingman87 Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 Just now, Scott F said: Myself, I can't feel the difference between a $400 rod or a $100 rod when they have similar ratings. Everyone is different. What matters to me, has no bearing on what matters to you. Pay for what you value and don't let others tell you what you should like. Ive often wondered what makes a $500 loomis rod worth $500. I cant feel a difference once a rod gets over $200 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 10 minutes ago, Wingman87 said: Ive often wondered what makes a $500 loomis rod worth $500. I cant feel a difference once a rod gets over $200 They say there is a big jump in sensitivity between the IMX and a GLX. I've fished an IMX but not a GLX. I have a new NRX in the garage that I haven't used yet. I'm sure the St Croix guys probably could relate it to their line of rods too. From what I understand at a certain point there is a diminished return in performance on the high end rods. I'll be honest the only reason I bought a NRX is because I got for a little over the IMX price. Maybe this will help clarify things to, I live in Michigan so many of my bottom contact rods are spinning rods. Most of moving baits I fish with baitcast rods but in my mind I don't need a sensitive rod for that. More for fishing a tube, drop shot, twin tail grub. Does that make sense? Why would I need a $300 baitcast reel to pull a spinnerbait? 1 Quote
Wingman87 Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 2 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: They say there is a big jump in sensitivity between the IMX and a GLX. I've fished an IMX but not a GLX. I have a new NRX in the garage that I haven't used yet. I'm sure the St Croix guys probably could relate it to their line of rods too. From what I understand at a certain point there is a diminished return in performance on the high end rods. I'll be honest the only reason I bought a NRX I'd because I got for a little over the IMX price. Would you say the nrx series is "worth every penny"? Dont get me wrong if i could swing it i would probably have a locker full loomis rods. Seems to me your a loomis guy, any experience with the e6x series? Ive been contemplating buying one. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted March 16, 2016 Super User Posted March 16, 2016 I have found rods that offer what I'm looking for for $180-300 so I have no need to go above that. Usually about $250 is my normal spending price. I also buy used a lot so my $250 is getting me a much higher prices rod if I was to purchase at retail. I don't pay retail unless its something I really want. As for reels to own some of the higher end or limited versions you have to spend more than that like the J dream or Steez limited. That's also still buying used. Plus with reels and especialy Daiwa and Shimano you have tons of options for upgrades like higher gears,spools,handles,knobs,and dress up parts. It's easy to turn a $100 reel into a $300 reel very quickly. A decent used tdz is roughly $100 then you add in the 'necessary' parts. Sure they all might not be needed but that's part of the fun for me. 7:1 gears = $50 SV spool = $80+ carbon handle = $60 swept drag star = $27 carbontex drag = $8 good bearings = $20+ 2 Quote
IndianaFinesse Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 I almost always get a higher priced rod than the reel I pair it with. For example, one of my combos is a 200$ villain on a 70$ orra (although I only paid 90$ for the combo, I never buy a rod or reel unless it's at least 50% off) . I just feel the rod is much more important than the reel, so I save money on reels so that I can get a better rod. 2 Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted March 16, 2016 Super User Posted March 16, 2016 7 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: For example I bought a NRX recently. I have Stradic FJ reels. I don't understand the thought that I would need to put a Stella on there. FJ's are great reels. I put a Stella on one of my rods recently. It was an older model and I got a great deal on it, so was even cheaper than an FJ. Still a wonderful 15 bearing reel with a stellar drag and line management, but a fraction of the cost of a new one. I couldn't be happier. I have an NRX 852c with a wildcard also, but I got that used too- killer deal. I put a Megabass Ito Ai reel on it, which again is a great reel but older and used... Pair perfectly. Spent way less than half what people would assume otherwise. I think people who buy new or pay retail are the crazy ones, but fishing and collecting gear is like eating a Reese's PB cup- there is no wrong way. Do what works for you! 2 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 2 minutes ago, Wingman87 said: Would you say the nrx series is "worth every penny"? Dont get me wrong if i could swing it i would probably have a locker full loomis rods. Seems to me your a loomis guy, any experience with the e6x series? Ive been contemplating buying one. Haven't used the NRX yet. I picked up a e6x at Bass Pro Shops and I was pretty impressed. Quote
long island basser Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 19 minutes ago, Scott F said: Myself, I can't feel the difference between a $400 rod or a $100 rod when they have similar ratings. Everyone is different. What matters to me, has no bearing on what matters to you. Pay for what you value and don't let others tell you what you should like. I would agree with this. Call me crazy but to me there's not much of a difference between my Abu Garcia vendetta $80. and my Dobyns champion extreme $340. Let's just put it this way, I don't buy $340. rods anymore. Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 13 minutes ago, long island basser said: I would agree with this. Call me crazy but to me there's not much of a difference between my Abu Garcia vendetta $80. and my Dobyns champion extreme $340. Let's just put it this way, I don't buy $340. rods anymore. What model DX did you order? And I just bought a Villian. I'll trade you for any other DX's you don't want Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 Seriously though I'd like to hear from the guys that fish a $300 reel on $100 rod and explain why. Not that you're wrong. I'd just like to hear your reasoning. 1 Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted March 16, 2016 Super User Posted March 16, 2016 15 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: Seriously though I'd like to hear from the guys that fish a $300 reel on $100 rod and explain why. Not that you're wrong. I'd just like to hear your reasoning. My favorite combo Core50mg7($360) on a Quantum Smoke 7' M/F rod($100-$130). The Smoke rod is very light weight 3.4oz yet balances very well with the lightweight 5.5oz reel. The rod has very good sensitivity as well and power to boot for a Medium power rod. I havent found all these features combined (length,power,weight,price,sensitivity,balance) in another rod,yet. I just picked-up my 3rd 7' M/F Smoke rod today. Reels using the 50mg7, CI4 and SV105 on them. I have Avid, LTB, Elite, Black Cumara, Helios rods to compare but the lower priced Smoke impresses me the most. Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 16, 2016 Author Posted March 16, 2016 3 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said: My favorite combo Core50mg7($360) on a Quantum Smoke 7' M/F rod($100-$130). The Smoke rod is very light weight 3.4oz yet balances very well with the lightweight 5.5oz reel. The rod has very good sensitivity as well and power to boot for a Medium power rod. I havent found all these features combined (length,power,weight,price,sensitivity,balance) in another rod,yet. I just picked-up my 3rd 7' M/F Smoke rod today. Reels using the 50mg7, CI4 and SV105 on them. I have Avid, LTB, Elite, Black Cumara, Helios rods to compare but the lower priced Smoke impresses me the most. What do you mainly use this rod for? Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 15 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: What do you mainly use this rod for? Range from 1/8 spinnerbaits to 3/4 lipless cranks, but 3/4 is its limit. With my 50mg7 mostly Ikas set-up. The SV105 is going to use 3.8" Swing Impact Fats with 1/8-1/4 jigheads. Currently the SV105/Smoke combo Im tossing ned rig with braid. The CI4 is the multi purpose reel that I will toss most everything else 3/8 jigs senko 1/8-1/2 spinnerbaits even crankbaits that run 1'-8' 1.0 1.5, arashi 3,5,7. Frogs is the point at which it starts to falter power wise but baby/smaller size frogs it can handle. Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 3 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said: Range from 1/8 spinnerbaits to 3/4 lipless cranks, but 3/4 is its limit. With my 50mg7 mostly Ikas set-up. The SV105 is going to use 3.8" Swing Impact Fats with 1/8-1/4 jigheads. Currently the SV105/Smoke combo Im tossing ned rig with braid. The CI4 is the multi purpose reel that I will toss most everything else. Frogs is the point at which it starts to falter power wise but baby/smaller size frogs it can handle. I understand the reaction baits on a less expensive rod but you fish a Ned Rig on a baitcast setup? I thought that was more of a finesse setup like ML spinning rod. Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 24 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: I understand the reaction baits on a less expensive rod but you fish a Ned Rig on a baitcast setup? I thought that was more of a finesse setup like ML spinning rod. I was editing my post as you replied but I do use for bottom contact as well. Ikas mostly but running senko along bottom and jigs as well. Now with 3 rods I cover top to bottom and the bottom contact with this rod is what I like about it. I rarely throw cranks. The casting with ned?? Well with casts recommended being short 35' and the SV105 with 10# braid being able to cast the weight very well and easily, actually nearly 3x farther, just another fun way to fish it. My aim/accuracy/control with casting is better than with spinning. Plenty of people finesse fish with bc reels. A 1/20 or 1/10shroom and 2.75" TRD weighs .212-.283oz so in the 1/4oz range. My Smoke rod will cast 1/8 better than my ML/XF LTB rod. 1 Quote
EllisJuan Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 One of my setups has a reel that is a good bit more expensive than the rod...it is hard to find a crankbait rod that out-costs my tuned Conquest 101. Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 11 minutes ago, EllisJuan said: One of my setups has a reel that is a good bit more expensive than the rod...it is hard to find a crankbait rod that out-costs my tuned Conquest 101. EllisJuan your "slumming" rods are GLX's. Quote
blckshirt98 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 I think the important thing is to just find a rod/reel that you like and are happy with using trip after trip. For me my favorite rod is the Phenix M1 - if it melted down in a fire I would have no issues buying another one, even if they jacked the price up double, because I just use it THAT much. 1 Quote
EllisJuan Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 6 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: EllisJuan your "slumming" rods are GLX's. Lol...come on man. I have some St Croix Premiers I would gladly dive into the water to save! 1 Quote
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