Airman4754 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 I spend way more on rods than reels. I don't think I've ever spent more than $200 on a reel. Your rod is your cast, presentation, angle, hook set, landing, etc. Your reel is just matching the ratio you need for the retrieve. 1 Quote
Florida Cracker2 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 Although I have impulse purchased a few...which turned out OK, I always seem to pick out the rod I like and then pick a reel that matches. The rod to me is more important, but I also have a fondness for Inshore Select Ugly Stiks...so what do I know. Quote
Poolshark Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 Ones philosophy on how he/she allocates cost on their rods and reels is completely their own. It's subjective and has little effect on their ability to locate bass and catch them consistently. Provided there is a certain level of quality which makes an angler more in tune and less fatigued. The price for this level of quality isnt an arm and a leg nowadays. todays reels are all good past 150 or so ( I own some twice this much) Rods for me 120. Again I've bought plenty. But at those prices I think most people would be set. 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 4 hours 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. When I bought my first Calcutta 100A it was $190 which at the time was expensive for a reel but that was 35 years ago. That reel is as good now as it was the day I bought it! A quality reel should last a lifetime where a quality rod is subject to breaking any day! What that means to me is I would buy a quality reel first then the rod. 2 Quote
Super User WRB Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 I agree with Catt, however quality rod is very important also. I tend to keep reel a long time and change rods more often due in part to advances in the state of art. Price depends on your budget, buy good quality. Tom Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 From a fish catching perspective my advice would be to skew the budget toward the Rod for bottom contact rigs especially finesse. For cranks and other moving baits you could make the argument for skewing in favor of the reel . This game is filled with all kinds of enthusiasts. Some like rods or reels or hard baits or..... To each his own. Find your own way and enjoy. 6 Quote
Super User Raul Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 My most expensive rods are around $250, once had a GLX and I swear I felt no difference between it and it's 100 bones less expensive IMX sisters, my average reel cost is around $200 and most cost more than that, personally, I like reels, they are sooooo cool. Quote
Wingman87 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 23 minutes ago, Raul said: My most expensive rods are around $250, once had a GLX and I swear I felt no difference between it and it's 100 bones less expensive IMX sisters, my average reel cost is around $200 and most cost more than that, personally, I like reels, they are sooooo cool. I would have to second this, im a sucker for reels, lol Quote
Turtle135 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 If we are talking about a spinning combo then I will spend more on the rod than the reel. I do not use spinning rods all that frequently. If we are talking about a baitcasting combo then it is the reverse. Nothing better to me than a baitcasting reel that casts and retrieves as smooth as silk for years and years! 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 Ok look at it this way after I bought the Calcutta I now have the next 35 years budget for rods! 1 Quote
clh121787 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 14 hours 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. The majority of my rods cost more than my reels. Except for my swimbait set ups. I can definetly feel the difference in better rods. But I have a core 50 mg on a used 70 dollar rod that is a joy to use. 1 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 My bottom contact spinning rods new for this season are going to be an IMX 852s jwr, NRX 872s jwr and a DX 743sf. I bought 2 Stradic FJ from a buddy last year and had 2 FI's from previous years but I don't plan to upgrade my reels. Quote
Hogsticker Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 14 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said: 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. Here is one example that should help answer your question, why dump 300 on a reel 13 hours ago, Mosster47 said: I spend way more on rods than reels. I don't think I've ever spent more than $200 on a reel. Your rod is your cast, presentation, angle, hook set, landing, etc. Your reel is just matching the ratio you need for the retrieve. Here is another answer to your question. Point being, most who say why would you spend 300 on a reel have never used a 300 dollar reel. I'll spend the money if the reel will get me where I want to be and allow me to do what I want to do. A rod assists in detection. At a certain point the difference is so minimal the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze. Quote
tholmes Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 In my case, I will spend more on a reel than a rod, although I don't spend a lot on either. My reason is that I'm much more likely to break a rod than a reel and if I do break a reel I can (in most cases) repair it myself. A broken rod is junk. Tom 1 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 1 hour ago, tholmes said: In my case, I will spend more on a reel than a rod, although I don't spend a lot on either. My reason is that I'm much moer likely to break a rod than a reel and if I do break a reel I can (in most cases) repair it myself. A broken rod is junk. Tom Tom not if you buy a good rod. I had a 10 year old IMX that I just snapped the tip on a week ago. For $100 I got a new $300 rod delivered to my door no questions asked. Something to be said for that kind of warranty. Quote
HookdUP Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 I know reels matter when doing more specific things like pitching ... Or for distance it helps ... But most thing I notice from more expensive reels is when a big fish is being caught. As far as rod I can't feel difference after 250.... They all feel good and just what feels extra good to me is what I go with ... But who knows ... I'm the guy who fishes metaniums on duckett rods ... Barely catch anything got anyways Quote
Super User Raul Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 15 hours ago, Wingman87 said: I would have to second this, im a sucker for reels, lol How about this beauty ? Got to admit I´m a real sucker for reels to the point I have 3 of those. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 16 hours ago, Turtle135 said: If we are talking about a spinning combo then I will spend more on the rod than the reel. I do not use spinning rods all that frequently. If we are talking about a baitcasting combo then it is the reverse. Nothing better to me than a baitcasting reel that casts and retrieves as smooth as silk for years and years! agree with turtle. spinning reels reach a point of diminishing return, seems to be about the $100 mark. i'll never spend more than that on another spinning reel, but the rods yes. my casting gear is probably pretty close to even in terms of the cost of one to the other. at the end of the day though, what does it matter to anyone but you? all these what's best, what's more sensitive, etc. are all so subjective it boils down to one thing only, YOU! what makes you happy to fish with? 1 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 19 minutes ago, buzzed bait said: agree with turtle. spinning rods reach a point of diminishing return, seems to be about the $100 mark. i'll never spend more than that on another spinning reel, but the rods yes. my casting gear is probably pretty close to even in terms of the cost of one to the other. at the end of the day though, what does it matter to anyone but you? all these what's best, what's more sensitive, etc. are all so subjective it boils down to one thing only, YOU! what makes you happy to fish with? You're right. I was just curious to why a fisherman would put more into the reel than the rod. There is no wrong or right answer but just wanted to start a debate. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 why do some people drive a Porsche and live in their mom's basement? why do some people have $5,000 electronics in a $500 car? why would you live on a lake if you don't own a boat? i mean i don't know, truly!! that's why i say just do you.... and i'm all up for debates, i win them all 2 Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 21 minutes ago, buzzed bait said: why do some people drive a Porsche and live in their mom's basement? why do some people have $5,000 electronics in a $500 car? why would you live on a lake if you don't own a boat? i mean i don't know, truly!! that's why i say just do you.... and i'm all up for debates, i win them all Lol. Good point. Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 16 Shimano reels, 9 Loomis rods and counting. Hootie 1 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 8 minutes ago, *Hootie said: 16 Shimano reels, 9 Loomis rods and counting. Hootie Is that your entire collection Hootie? My family looks at my arsenal and just shake their heads.... I have only one Loomis ... For now ?!?!?!?! 1 Quote
desmobob Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 It's for sure a personal thing! I spend bigger bucks on my fly rods (the last new rod I bought, an Orivs T3, cost more than a NRX bass rod). With bass gear, I've been pretty pleased with the rods I have, which are in the $200-$250 range. That said, I'm dying to try an NRX, but don't know if I ever will. I have reels ranging from $99 to $500, and feel the "sweet spot" is about $200. My spinning reels are all in the $80-$100 range and I've never felt like I needed to spend more, nor have I had the urge to try a pricey one out of curiosity. I do love baitcasting reels though, and would love to buy all high-end models if my budget allowed it. With that said, I don't think I'd be feeling undergunned if I stuck to rods that were around $120, and the same for reels. There seems to be a lot of great gear out there at all price points. Tight lines, Bob 1 Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 9 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said: Is that your entire collection Hootie? My family looks at my arsenal and just shake their heads.... I have only one Loomis ... For now ?!?!?!?! Nah, I didn't mention the Shimano rods, St Croix rods, Fenwick. Johnny Morris signature reels and a few PQ's. Hootie Quote
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