An odd and yet telling confrontation on social media

[Tweek1106]

Had something weird happen recently on FB. 

 

A site dedicated to bass fishing ran a article about how to choose a spinning rod/reel combo.

 

Flippantly in the comments I posted "buy cheap. If you're spending triple digits and NOT getting 3 combos you're doing it wrong. I have a $15 combo that I use for any and all spinning applications and it has never failed me or failed to do what my buddy's rod (over $200 investment compared to my $15) could do."

 

The hate and vitriol that came at me from multiple anglers was surprising to say the least. After being called a a-hole, a loser, a cheapskate, a piece of excrement, and being told by the one guy that he should turn over his business to me because he must be doing something wrong I figured I'd stop by here and see if anyone else has run into this?

 

Ever find someone butthurt because you can do what they do only their setup costs 3 x as much as yours so they get upset?

 

 

[MassYak85]

There's definitely two sides to this coin. On one hand you have the guys that won't even consider gear outside of certain select brands and only their flagship top of the line products. Then you have guys that think super low budget gear is just as good and there is no reason to spend money on those items. In reality you do get what you pay for most of the time, and while the returns get less as you go up the ladder in price they are still there, to not acknowledge them at all is just silly. I think most of us here fall into the category of "buy what you can afford". There are plenty of great options at all price ranges and all budgets. All will catch fish, but not all are equal in performance. 

 

The backlash you got seems extreme and completely unwarranted, but the "If you're spending triple digits and NOT getting 3 combos you're doing it wrong" comment I think is probably what set people off. Sure you can absolutely get 3 combos for a hundred bucks and do great with them but to say upgrading beyond that is "doing it wrong" comes off poorly IMO. 

[DomQ]

People these days smh... People have been catching fish with a stick and some line tied to the end of it with a worm. Its not the gear that catches fish, its the angler and their skills. Sure it helps to have a 400 size tranx to pull in a striper over a 20 dollar Wal-Mart rod and reel but I'm sure its fully capable of reeling in a fish just fine. Fish can't see what gear your using nor would they care. 

[JustJames]

"Buy what you can afford"

There a magic word. You get a lot of hateful comments becuz you said if someone spent triple digit and not getting 3 combo is wrong.

 

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Tweek1106 said:

 

Ever find someone butthurt so they get upset?

 

 

Apparently, it seems like you are.

A-Jay

 

[npl_texas]

1 hour ago, DomQ said:

People these days smh... People have been catching fish with a stick and some line tied to the end of it with a worm. Its not the gear that catches fish, its the angler and their skills. Sure it helps to have a 400 size tranx to pull in a stripper over a 20 dollar Wal-Mart rod and reel but I'm sure its fully capable of reeling in a fish just fine. Fish can't see what gear your using nor would they care. 

Now I know what my problem is...my 300 tranx is too small for the strippers!

[BuzzHudson19c]

I stay away from social media. These forums and Tnation forums are it for me. That other stuff (facebook, twitter etc) just seems toxic.

[geo g]

To be perfectly honest, in the whole scheme of things it doesn't matter what you buy. If your happy with cheap stuff, that is good for you.  They also have the right to buy expensive stuff, if they chose too.  This whole conversation is a big waste of time, but that's only one persons humble opinion.  I'm sure someone will feel differently about that!!!!!!!!! 

[Angry John]

I enjoy the comfort aND relaxed format here.  In social media you get a lot of teenage hormones and those are what they are.  Your opions are what they are and I'm ok with that.  Telling others there doing it wrong opens you up for response good or bad.  I don't expect people to be civil these days so I go in knowing what to expect.  "Mom always said treat others like you want to be treated."  "Dad always said that there is always some one bigger and meaner or a better fighter so be careful who you start crap with."  So is life

[Pro Logcatcher]

Buy what you want to. My budget is maybe a hundred or so for a rod and reel combo. I know some people will buy rods worth several hundred dollars, and I don't understand it.  The bottom line is, get what you need. If one of those guys NEEDS a seven thousand dollar Japanese reel,  let him buy it. His money.

[Russ E]

unfortunately we now live in a society where people are often very sensitive, and take offense to nearly everything..

especially on social media where you don't have to face someone during a confrontation.

if you were here last night that was a good example of someone being ultra sensitive and arguing about nothing for nearly 8 hours. I bet it would have never happened if it was a face to face confrontation.

 

On social media, I generally try to keep my comments to myself, just so I don't have to deal with the nonsense.

 

on the line of economy rods and reels. I own a few combos under $100.00. I also own several that are much more expensive. generally you get what you pay. more expensive rods are usually more sensitive and responsive.

[DomQ]

57 minutes ago, npl_texas said:

Now I know what my problem is...my 300 tranx is too small for the strippers!

Haha first thing that I could think of as an analogy... Also proofreading was never a thing for me

[Sword of the Lord]

Right there with you man. They talk about sensitivity being better in more expensive rods, but just like I can't tell the difference between a $50 bottle of wine and a $5 bottle of wine, I've never noticed. Pretty much all of my rods are Lightning rods (not Shock!) and my reels are AG Silver and Black Max. Just good, middle of the road stuff. Nobody can change my very personal opinion that rods and reels for hundreds of dollars is a waste of money. It's also my very personal opinion that people go top shelf just because they can, basically a pi$$ing contest. Just how I view it. I'm not going to straight up tell people that, but I think it, and that's fine. Whatever floats your boat.

[Cak920]

Fished almost my hole life with 20-30 dollar combos. Just recently in the last 2 years I upgraded to a 50 dollar rod then a couple 100 dollar rods. Are they better? Idk to be honest. I want to say yes because I like them but not sure I catch any more fish with them than I did with my cheap rods. People attacking you over your opinion is insane. And a lot of people can't afford $100+ rods

[3crows]

5 hours ago, Tweek1106 said:

Had something weird happen recently on FB. 

 

Flippantly in the comments I posted "buy cheap. If you're spending triple digits and NOT getting 3 combos you're doing it wrong. I have a $15 combo that I use for any and all spinning applications and it has never failed me or failed to do what my buddy's rod (over $200 investment compared to my $15) could do."

 

 

 

You admit you were flippant. That is probably why you were flippantly answered. 

 

I think people should use whatever they like, if cheap junk is their thing, why not! Being flippant of course.

 

 

[Glenn]

I don't visit Facebook much anymore.  It's just a bunch of gossiping housewives making up stories and rumors just to get somebody to say "OMG!!!"  Just garbage.  People desperately looking for attention will say anything.

 

And the lack of basic knowledge...wow! Earlier this week, I read somebody's post saying America sends help to "third world countries like Puerto Rico when nobody sends help to the U.S. for hurricanes."

 

Ummmm......

 

And then there's the endless fighting and drama.  You post something, and it's open season for personal attacks.  The lack of respect is appalling.

 

So....I gotta think people in other countries love FB for it's entertainment value.  "Just look at the dumb Americans bickering amongst each other!"

 

Well, not here.  Fishing is an escape and a form of relaxation for most people.  And so too is this site.

[rippin-lips]

It's called get in where you fit in, or buy what you can afford. However you want to look at it. Personally, I'm passed the average fisherman stage and have went to the dark side of being an enthusiast. I prefer high end gear these days over low end stuff. Do I need it to catch fish... No, but I like it and it makes me happy. If I'm spending my money on it then I don't care about someone else's opinion. If I wanna spend $750 on a combo then that's my choice though. I won't down others that use cheaper equipment. Two of my good friends and fishing buddies use budget gear. The last time out the one out fished me using a combo that cost 1/3rd of mine. I still had a good time fishing with my friend though. We all fish for enjoyment. That's the bottom line of it all. 

[Tweek1106]

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Apparently, it seems like you are.

A-Jay

 

That was some creative editing. 

 

Tight lines.

2 hours ago, Sword of the Lord said:

Right there with you man. They talk about sensitivity being better in more expensive rods, but just like I can't tell the difference between a $50 bottle of wine and a $5 bottle of wine, I've never noticed. Pretty much all of my rods are Lightning rods (not Shock!) and my reels are AG Silver and Black Max. Just good, middle of the road stuff. Nobody can change my very personal opinion that rods and reels for hundreds of dollars is a waste of money. It's also my very personal opinion that people go top shelf just because they can, basically a pi$$ing contest. Just how I view it. I'm not going to straight up tell people that, but I think it, and that's fine. Whatever floats your boat.

 

You said it man with the "ticking contest". 

 

Now I fully acknowledge there are certain situations where you need specialized or upgraded gear. Flipping 2oz weights and trying to haul out 10lbs of fish and 20lbs of salad.... yeah, a blackmax probably won't cut it.

 

I more often than not though watch guys use a 200-400 dollar setup casting 15yrs to a lay down to pull out pounders.

 

By all means, spend whatever on the gear you want. I was just trying to acknowledge the fact that you don't have to invest a mortgage payment into a rod/reel combo and got attacked.

1 hour ago, 3crows said:

You admit you were flippant. That is probably why you were flippantly answered. 

 

I think people should use whatever they like, if cheap junk is their thing, why not! Being flippant of course.

 

 

Now I know Facebook is a sanctuary for internet tough guys but I was surprised to see this from fellow anglers on a reputable fishing site.

 

Flippantly answering a general question posed by a website is different from personal attacks. Just a odd exchange.

[3crows]

42 minutes ago, Tweek1106 said:

That was some creative editing. 

 

Tight lines.

 

You said it man with the "ticking contest". 

 

Now I fully acknowledge there are certain situations where you need specialized or upgraded gear. Flipping 2oz weights and trying to haul out 10lbs of fish and 20lbs of salad.... yeah, a blackmax probably won't cut it.

 

I more often than not though watch guys use a 200-400 dollar setup casting 15yrs to a lay down to pull out pounders.

 

By all means, spend whatever on the gear you want. I was just trying to acknowledge the fact that you don't have to invest a mortgage payment into a rod/reel combo and got attacked.

Now I know Facebook is a sanctuary for internet tough guys but I was surprised to see this from fellow anglers on a reputable fishing site.

 

Flippantly answering a general question posed by a website is different from personal attacks. Just a odd exchange.

And you made my point by taking offense to exactly what you did on FB. So you have done exactly what you accused others of. 

 

Maybe get a little sense of humor going and be not so serious. Just as you did not like the comment about "cheap junk" though it was clearly teasing, others might not like being told they waste their money buying and using quality equipment. See it works both ways. 

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

I you're spending $4 and NOT getting 12 combos then you're doing it wrong.  

 

I like that one, would you trade with my BFS setup?

 

For OP, it is not all about fishing, it about thing you love.

For example home owner might own some cheap tool like Ryobi/Skill and get done, professional would buy better brand like dewalt, Milwaukee.

I buy rods and reels not just to fish but buy it because I love it, do I care if I catch more fish? NO. I don't own any high end stuff but if I have money I would buy one or two or all in a heartbeat.

[TOXIC]

I've had a client on my boat that couldn't cast a $500 Shimano baitcaster.  He said he was sending it back because it backlashed all the time.  I took it and set it up for the bait he was throwing and I heaved it as hard as I could and put both hands on the butt of the rod, I never put a finger on the reel.  No backlash.  What that says is that there is a "perception" that better equipment makes you a better fisherman.  My take is that it is a yes and no answer.  Yes, the higher end gear will have better drag systems, better braking, better bearings (notice I didn't say more bearings) and are more serviceable, extending their lifespan.  BUT.....to me there is a point where you reach the tipping point on price.  When guiding, I had all models of my rod/reel sponsor's lineup from cheapest to most expensive.  Clients could try them side by side and then feel the difference.  Some could tell, some couldn't.  For those that couldn't, a cheaper setup was just fine.  I will say that it is a mistake to buy a dirt cheap baitcaster if you are just learning to throw one.  A mid-level model will actually help overcome some newbie mistakes.    

[DINK WHISPERER]

I will never understand this whole argument! It really ticks me off to here either side honestly. It's been perfectly said above, buy what you can afford. Most of the time, from my experience at least, the ones downing expensive gear are the ones who can't afford it. And that's perfectly fine though. On the other side, those that do use expensive gear should not down cheaper gear either. Same thing with boats as well. I've been outfished by guys in tiny Jon boats and bass boats alike. Do you think i wouldn't love to have a huge brand new bass boat? Of course i would but i can't afford to buy it cash and i will never finance a boat. So, I enjoy my paid off ProCraft just the same. From what I see both on social media and on the water respect for each other is a dying thing. What ever happened to helping each other out and coming together for a common love (fishing). Glad this site is still somewhere you can come to and relax. Most others have turned into FB or worse. Sorry for the rant just tired of people either hating or thinking they're too good simply because they can! 

[TOXIC]

As for the Facebook thing, it is what you make of it.  I can stay in contact with my sponsors, see what the pro's are doing, how my local waters are fishing and get a lot of info.  I limit my posting to a few groups and some private groups I belong to, one of which is the group of guys I fish with every year on St Clair.  Since I only get to see them once a year it's a great way to stay in touch.  Don't get sucked into all the drama. 

[burrows]

I buy more expensive gear I like higher end shimanos and higher end rods. Iv come to a point where a lot of what I’m buying is more of a nostalgic product or novelty item for me. I love to buy what I can Barely afford. A lot of times I don’t even use some of it I just like looking at it on my shelve with the rest of my reels. Rods I don’t go to crazy 200 bucks is the most I’ll spend. 

       I like showing them off to my buddies when we go fishing and they also do the same.

       I often fish with a buddy of mine that never spends more than 100 on his combos we catch about the same amount of fish. 

      You don’t need expensive gear but it sure is a pleasure to fish with.

 

[J Francho]

So, you stated your opinion on social media, some disagreed with you, and you feel hurt?  Happens to me all the time here.  25,000+ posts, I'm sure all of them weren't in agreement with everyone.