Is a reel/rod WORTH buying?

[Preytorien]

I see a lot of posts on here, and often from newer members, maybe just getting into this wonderful sport, about whether or not a rod, reel, line, lure, boat, accessory, etc are "WORTH" buying. I'm not an expert on brands and such, I find something I like and tend to stick with it, but I've learned something about the word "worth" that might be worth a thought

 

Worth is ultimately and ONLY established by the purchaser. Not by anyone else. It's the same reason that it's not worth it to me to buy a trolling motor since I don't have a powered boat. To me....it's not actually WORTH it since I can't use it. Worth is established in the mind of the user. 

 

Ask questions about the product's features, reputation, reviews, user experiences, etc. Those are much more pointed and helpful answers. If you ask worth, you'll get a million different opinions, because "worth" isn't intrinsically tied to a product's actual ability, it's only tied to whether the person answering would actually plunk down their cash for it. 

 

So when you ask if a reel or rod is "worth me buying it" - only do the asking to the face in the mirror. Only you can answer that. You're the one with the money. Hopefully you've done your research on it's reputation, and I imagine you've already determined its availability. The last, and most important question you have to answer is by going into your bathroom, looking at yourself in a mirror, and asking, is this product WORTH it to me?

 

Now, that said, don't be surprised if the face in the mirror answers back "YES!" 

 

Because.... you know....the baitmonkey and such....

 

 

[J Francho]

It's like any FB post that ends with, "and GO!"  I tend to avoid them.

[Scott F]

It’s kind of like the “What’s the best” rod, reel, line etc. posts. What works best for me and the type of fishing I like to do is probably not what’s best for the guy asking the question. There are so many ways to skin this cat that most guys have to just dive in and go fishing to figure out what they like best. 

[BankBasser]

A few years ago I decided to get into some nicer rods than I had been using for what seemed like forever. I liked what I saw in the St Croix line, especially the Legend Tournament series. But, the cost... so I went with a couple Premier rods. I noticed right away how much nicer they were than my old rods which got me to thinking, "I wonder how much nicer the Avid series rods are"? A couple years later I'm replacing the Premier rods with Avid rods. "WHOA!" I say to myself. Big difference! I wonder if those Legend Tournament rods are even nicer? So, here I am a couple years down the road, again, with a few Legend Tourney's and a Dobyns or two thrown in the mix (thanks in part to this site) waiting for the weather to finally warm up to see if my latest purchases have the same "WOW" factor the previous purchases did.

 

Is this rod/reel (or whatever) WORTH buying? In my case, YES! If I'd just gotten what I really wanted to begin with I'd be way ahead money wise. But, I enjoy this sport and the people I've met participating in it so it's all been worth it.

 

 

[J Francho]

I have Avids and LTBs - over two dozen in fact.  The jump from Avid to LTB is not as big as the jump from Premier to Avid. 

[BankBasser]

I got a great deal on one (dealer getting rid of a 2017 model), one from the SC sale page, one used, one using the SC  upgrade program (car windows and rod tips do not mix) and one new, so, it was almost a wash after selling my Avid's. It didn't sting too much. I've heard it's a smaller jump, but it satisfied that "monkey".

[BrackishBassin]

18 minutes ago, MountainMan83 said:

As far as the trolling motor thing...if you have something that floats, you can always make a mount for cheap and then it's worth it. I ran a trolling motor on my 15' canoe for years with a mount made from treated 2x2s and bolts with t nuts that was made in short time. Never had a problem with it. 

Unfortunately, that would mean you have to register it here. Which means you would have to title it. So, even a DIY trolling mount ends up costing you a bunch of money. Which is just ridiculous, in my opinion. 

[Armtx77]

BR has been a great resource for me the past year. I have been out of bass fishing since I moved to SE LA 13 years ago.

 

I had several rods that were close to 20 years old. BassPro IM6 with power hump handles. They were I could afford in my early 20's and they served me well, but it was time to upgrade, when I made the decision to come back to feshwater fishing.

The opinions here on BR led me to Fenwick HMG series rods. I have been lurking for the past year and should probably say thanks to all who have helped me along in my journey back to bass fishing.

[Riazuli]

I like your thought process here but just to play devil's advocate, there are some times where value (maybe more so than worth) could be considered - especially when you are looking at two reels within the same brand that are say 50 bucks apart with few significantly discernible differences,  but where the lower priced reel might actually cast further but the higher priced reel is smoother on the retrieve and cast.  Still involves a subjective approach, but I think in that case a lot of people could say it's not worth getting the more expensive reel.  Still involves personal preference of course, but perhaps a bit different than wondering if a st. Croix avid is worth getting over a mojo bass (if money weren't a factor).  I know that last part might seem like it doesn't make sense, like how can worth apply if money isn't a factor, but the reel example I gave I think fits that bill.  Another aspect of value (again maybe more than worth) is comparing a reel that costs 200 dollars and has say a 90% performance rating, where a $500 reel has a 95% performance rating (just hypothetical).  There might be a stronger argument on worth there, where many might say it's not worth getting the much more expensive reel for little gain, outside of cases where money isn't an object and someone who is a reel enthusiast, collector, etc. wants to try just about everything out. 

 

Not really trying to debate here, just adding my thoughts to a thought provoking subject. 

[jbmaine]

Worth to me is what I'm comfortable spending, Period. All my gear is lower to middle of the road, and works well for me. I'm sure higher end gear is nicer, lighter, smoother, better action, but I'm not comfortable spending the $$$$, so I don't even think about it. What I have catches fish and I have fun doing it. No need to go any further than that.

[roadwarrior]

I don't think better equipment necessarily impacts the "catching", but it might make 

the "fishing" more fun.  This is my hobby and I'm a collector, an enthusiast.  After a

few decades I don't really "need" anything, but I usually buy a rod and reel every year

and sell or give away some of the stuff that I no longer use.

 

For the last few years I have focused on replacing production rods with custom builds.

I have Rainshadow rods built by Mr. Batson (Batson Enterprises) and .ghoti as well as

a dedicated Senko rig from Mike at DVT. The cost is comparable to the G. Loomis GLX

series and cheaper than NRX.  

 

 

[Angry John]

Worth it to me is a calculated level between what I have to spend and how much I use it.  If you spend all your time fishing jigs it's worth bing a high quality jig rod and a good reel to go with it.  Multiplied by the fact that you fish 4 days a week means a 1000 dollar setup has value and i's worth it.  If you fish one day a week and never crank baits, that 30 dollar crank bait rod is worthless even if you make 600k a year.