Just Doesn't Matter

[new2BC4bass]

18 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

I don't buy expensive gear because I think it will catch me more fish.  I buy it because it helps me tolerate days that I don't.

Expensive being relative.  I can't force myself to buy a $300 reel very often.  Did spend that much once when TW was selling the PXL Type R for that price.  The most I ever paid for a rod was $175 so as you can see I don't own "expensive" gear.  I do try to buy "better" gear.  I buy new (or new-2-me) gear for the simple reason it is the only thing that keeps me going out fishing.  Fishing is that bad in my area....especially when you fish from shore.

I may not catch a fish in several outings, but my gear brings me pleasure anyway.  Were I still fishing with $30-$40 combos like I use to, I would have quit again.  I did for 23 years when using that kind of gear after moving to this area.  Poor fishing here is why I own 6 to 7 times more gear than I need.  I'd much rather be catching fish than trying new gear.  I'd be happy using those $30-$40 combos if the fishing was good.  Of course $300-$400 combos would make me happier. 

[OCdockskipper]

I hope this doesn't come across wrong, but I don't get the logic behind using more expensive gear just because the fishing is lousy.  Following that rational to the extreme, you should use the most expensive gear at the local urban pond when you are shoulder to shoulder with folks trying to catch the one & only bass left in the lake and then use the cheapest gear when fishing Toledo Bend or Cayuga.

If fishing is so bad where you are at, wouldn't it make sense to instead use the money that would have been spent on more expensive gear and spend it on gas/travel expenses to get to someplace where the fishing is better?  Of course, that assumes that the fishing is indeed terrible where one is and it isn't user error in figuring out how to fish a particular lake.  I have had over a dozen experiences where someone who felt they were proficient at bass fishing told me a certain body of water is lousy only to later meet another angler whom I discover absolutely slays them on that same lake.

I would argue that the rational way to choose ones gear is based on where you are fishing and the methods/techniques you are using.  If a more expensive piece of gear allows you to do something that a less expensive piece doesn't, then it makes sense to have it in order to be successful in landing numbers or certain sizes of fish.

That said, if emotionally one just wants expensive gear, go for it.  No need to rationalize it other than saying using it brings you pleasure.

[EllisJuan]

Do you think high horsepower sports cars are a waste also?

If I am going to be stuck in traffic, I would rather it be in a great car than in a econobox also...

If I am going to make an unsuccessful cast I would rather grind away with my Conquest than with a Zebco.

[new2BC4bass]

14 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

I hope this doesn't come across wrong, but I don't get the logic behind using more expensive gear just because the fishing is lousy.  Following that rational to the extreme, you should use the most expensive gear at the local urban pond when you are shoulder to shoulder with folks trying to catch the one & only bass left in the lake and then use the cheapest gear when fishing Toledo Bend or Cayuga.

If fishing is so bad where you are at, wouldn't it make sense to instead use the money that would have been spent on more expensive gear and spend it on gas/travel expenses to get to someplace where the fishing is better?  Of course, that assumes that the fishing is indeed terrible where one is and it isn't user error in figuring out how to fish a particular lake.  I have had over a dozen experiences where someone who felt they were proficient at bass fishing told me a certain body of water is lousy only to later meet another angler whom I discover absolutely slays them on that same lake.

I would argue that the rational way to choose ones gear is based on where you are fishing and the methods/techniques you are using.  If a more expensive piece of gear allows you to do something that a less expensive piece doesn't, then it makes sense to have it in order to be successful in landing numbers or certain sizes of fish.

That said, if emotionally one just wants expensive gear, go for it.  No need to rationalize it other than saying using it brings you pleasure.

I don't buy "expensive" gear.  I didn't pay over $100 for most of my rods.  I hardly consider that expensive when I read about all the guys fishing St. Croix Avids & Legends, Dobyns Champions & Extremes, Gloomis IMX, GLX & NRX (Heck. even the GL2 & MossyBacks cost more than my rods), Phenix, Kistler, Falcon Cara T7, Megabass and on and on and on.  My most expensive rod (retail) cost me $75.  Two of my Smallmouth rods were less than $80.  I've got a $17 Lightning I use.  I said I use "better" gear than before.

I did buy a PXL Type R on closeout because I got tired of trying to make reels that weren't designed for very light baits work.  It is my most expensive reel.  Plenty of my reels cost less than $100.  Several were less than $50 used.  I don't think "expensive" describes my gear.  More along the lines of everyday gear for someone who likes to fish, but isn't a fanatic about it.  I just have more of it.

I am comparing my "better" gear to what I owned previously.  The only decent spinning reel I had was a Penn 430SS that I still have and use and is still on the most expensive rod I owned back then...a Berkley Lightning.  The other reels weren't as good as the current Pflueger Trions nor were my other rods near the quality of the Lightning.

I do have more gear than necessary....just to keep my interest up.  If I had a bass boat, I would be trying lakes further out.  I would have less gear if I had a bass boat.  I also have driven about an hour and a half to try out a lake I hoped would be better.  Maybe it was....the day before I got there.  I've never used a depth finder.  I admit to not being that good of a fisherman.  I caught my fair share of fish the first 15 years and did it without a bass boat or depth finder.  Of course most of them were not bass.  (I was out of fishing for awhile because of working on the road.  Then out again for 23 years after moving here.)

And my "expensive" gear does bring me more pleasure.  If what I read is true, I am not the only member who feels the same way.  I am not trying to rationalize spending money on fishing gear or justify what I spend to anyone else.  Nor do I think it will suddenly make me a better fisherman.  It has taken me a bit over 7 years to get what I have.  Strange as it may seem to you, I do get more pleasure out of my $76 Smallmouth rods than my $60 Tec Spec.  I feel the Smallmouths are much better rods, and I don't like the tip recovery time on the Tec Spec.....even if it will catch just as many fish.

EDIT:  Remove part of my first statement.  No idea why I made it since "lousy fishing" is exactly why I have a lot more gear than needed and I have stated so more than once.  However, I have about reached my acquisition saturation point.  Doubt there will be any more rod and reel additions.  Also practicing my casting at a local boat ramp no longer gives me the pleasure it once did.  Think I will stop wasting my time and gas money going there.  Maybe I'll still make the occasional trip to a lake just for the fresh air. 

[OCdockskipper]

6 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I do get more pleasure out of my $76 Smallmouth rods than my $60 Tec Spec...

Then that's fine, no justification needed.  I may have misunderstood your previous post where you said "...Poor fishing here is why I own 6 to 7 times more gear than I need...".  

[OCdockskipper]

10 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

Do you think high horsepower sports cars are a waste also?

If I am going to be stuck in traffic, I would rather it be in a great car than in a econobox also...

If I am going to make an unsuccessful cast I would rather grind away with my Conquest than with a Zebco.

No, I enjoy high horsepower cars, specifically American muscle cars.  However I wouldn't buy one just because I know that I am going to be stuck in traffic.  I would buy it despite the fact I could be stuck in traffic.

That said, if I lived in New York City and never had an opportunity to drive outside of Manhattan, I wouldn't own a tricked out '69 Camaro in order to go to the grocery store & back.  There are other cars that are more appropriate for that situation & environment.  The joy I would get from sitting in the Camaro would be offset by never getting out of 2nd gear and being perpetually worried that it would be damaged.  I would choose the right tool for the job, which isn't necessarily an econobox.

Actually, in the above scenario, I would choose to move out of the city in order to enjoy the Camaro... 

[roadwarrior]

I have no idea why anyone would need to justify the cost of their hobby. "Affordability" is very subjective. If you "catch & keep' the cost per pound maybe small if you fish locally from the bank, but how can you justify the cost of "catch & release"? I think it's silly, but boils down to this: If it is just about catching fish, everything generally works regardless of the cost. However, for a lot of guys better gear is simply more fun to fish with.

 

[Oklahoma Mike]

15 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I have no idea why anyone would need to justify the cost of their hobby. "Affordability" is very subjective. If you "catch & keep' the cost per pound maybe small if you fish locally from the bank, but how can you justify the cost of "catch & release"? I think it's silly, but boils down to this: If it is just about catching fish, everything generally works regardless of the cost. However, for a lot of guys better gear is simply more fun to fish with.

 

Absolutely. I think this goes for just about any hobby.

Hobbies cost money, and you can put in a little or put in a lot. If you are able to put in more money and that enhances the joy you get while participating in your hobby, then why not? If you don't find the value in buying high end equipment and feel you are getting enough enjoyment out of your hobby by putting in less and using basic gear, knock yourself out.

It really just comes down to individual preferences.