Buying Rods & Reels

[Quarry Man]

When you are shopping for new rods and reels, do you typically purchase the same rods, just different models and the same reels with different ratios, or do you mix it up? I understand that things like brand loyalty and previous experiences come into play, but I would like to see what you guys think.

 

I personally am on a tight budget being that I am so young. I tend to only purchase rods and reels when they are on sale for at last 50% off. I have a few brands that I like, and have 2-3 of each. I really like the Daiwa casting reels, but have other brands too.

[Dens228]

I bring 5 rods on my kayak.  As I've learned which rods/reels I like I've found myself sticking to what I like. I have other rods/reels but the 5 I always bring are......

 

5 St Croix rods, 3 Mojo Bass in two configurations and 2 AvidX in two configurations. 

 

I have 2 Quantum Smoke S3's in the same gear ratio, 3 Lew's Tournament Pro G's in 2 different ratios. I've tried other combinations but now tend to stick what I know I like.  It it ain't broke don't fix it. LOL

[GReb]

These days there are many companies making quality gear. I wouldn’t stay too brand loyal if you’re on a budget. 

 

Try as many as possible. You may be surprised to find your preferences

[BankBasser]

I tend to stick with same brands for some reason. ATM, all my casting rods (that I'm using) are Dobyns. All my spinning rods are St Croix. Reels are Daiwa. That said. All the Dobyns were bought off their Refurbished page. All the St Croix were from their sale page (I don't find it on their new website) or deep discounted from retailers selling off old models and the Daiwa reels were all either from ebay or TW sales. No need to buy full retail. There's always a good deal to be had.

[looking45]

I have all the same rods and reels. The rods are different actions and/or lengths. All my spinning reels are the same, as well as my bait casting reels. The reason is it makes it easier for me. Whenever I pick up a different rod, I know the reel is going to be the same, the drag is in the same place, adjustments are in the same place. I don't have to think about which reel is on the rod I'm using at the moment

[OnthePotomac]

My reels are various Shimano over the years and with the exception of three rods, the rest are Med and MH Carbonlites 6'6" and 7', all on sale price.  They all feel the same to me now,

[BigAngus752]

I am slowly making my way through many different brands and gradually deciding what I like best. 

Reels:

I've already got the reels figured out.  All of my bc's are Daiwa (personal preference) except for two heavy rods that I use for frogs/jigs/punching/etc.  Those two rods both have a Revo SX (one Gen3 and one Gen4).  For spinning reels I don't want anything other than a Daiwa Fuego.  I have one Fuego and I will gradually replace all of my other spinning reels with Fuegos.  I love them and just don't need anything else.  

 

Rods:

This isn't as easy.  I find that the rod specs vary greatly between manufactures and to make things more difficult it seems like I prefer a different brand of rod in each different spec/type.  So far I know I really like Powell rods and Lews rods...but I need much, much more experience before I can say I've got the best rods for me.  

[Deleted account]

Rods, no brand preference, I'm all over the place.  Reels, same one with different gear ratios. 

[LionHeart]

I have 3 Lews Tournament MB reels in different speeds.  My next reel may  another MB.  I own other brands, but to me they seem the best bang for the $ ($100 on Ebay). 

 

The Tatula reels are also excellent.  (Better braking then the MB for sure), but don't palm as well in my hands.

 

Rods? I toil much more over rod selection than reels.  None of my rods are from one manufacterurer.

 

It is impossible to try ever model of rod and reel but if I find something that works well for a good price, I tend to stick with it.  

[new2BC4bass]

I have reels from at least 9 brands.  Rods around 18 different brands.

[LCG]

I have rods and reels from different manufacturers. I have a strong preference towards st Croix rods and Daiwa casting reels and Pflueger spinning reels. But I have rods from fenwick and shimano that I like as well.

 

My thoughts are spend more on the rod and find bang for buck reels, hence Daiwa Fuego CT and Pflueger President xt. 

[jeffo21]

I have Lew's Tournament MB's in different gear ratio's and also Lew's LFS reels. my rods are BPS rods. just my preferences. I like Lew's reels they seem to fit my hand better than most and they are a good reel.

[Log Catcher]

I too am using the Lews tournament MB reels. Also have a BB1 for crankbaits. Spinning reels are Daiwa Fuego reels. Rods are all BPS. Either crankin stick, bionic blade, or old pro qualifier.

[TBAG]

9 hours ago, BankBasser said:

I tend to stick with same brands for some reason. ATM, all my casting rods (that I'm using) are Dobyns. All my spinning rods are St Croix. Reels are Daiwa. That said. All the Dobyns were bought off their Refurbished page. All the St Croix were from their sale page (I don't find it on their new website) or deep discounted from retailers selling off old models and the Daiwa reels were all either from ebay or TW sales. No need to buy full retail. There's always a good deal to be had.

 

I'm similar, all my rods are Dobyns or St. Croix but reels are Shimano. Oh, and the real reason for the quote is I'm glad I'm not the only one upset about the disappearance of the St. Croix sale page. I have a few rods that I got a great deal on from there! Bummer

9 hours ago, Dens228 said:

I bring 5 rods on my kayak.  As I've learned which rods/reels I like I've found myself sticking to what I like. I have other rods/reels but the 5 I always bring are......

 

5 St Croix rods, 3 Mojo Bass in two configurations and 2 AvidX in two configurations. 

 

I have 2 Quantum Smoke S3's in the same gear ratio, 3 Lew's Tournament Pro G's in 2 different ratios. I've tried other combinations but now tend to stick what I know I like.  It it ain't broke don't fix it. LOL

 

Don't want to hijack the thread but curious on what rods and techniques you use? I'm strictly yak fishing now and trying to limit what I take. Right now I've got a Dobyns spinning rod and the rest St. Croix casting. I'd like to narrow it down to 4 setups to take, but 5 would work. I just find it sometimes cumbersome with 5 setups. 

[Dens228]

I use:

MH/Moderate with a Quantum 7:3 for weightless plastics

MH/Fast for weighted plastics

MH/Fast for jigs/spinners/buzz

MH/Moderate for lures with trebles

H/Fast for frogs and heavy swimbaits...sometimes for my 110 ploppers although I've had no trouble with them on my MH/Fast

[Brew City Bass]

All my reels are Daiwa, but my rods are a mixed bag. I've yet to find a company that makes every rod I want. Usually they only have one or two rods I like. 

[22RangerZ520R]

All Shimano/G.Loomis here and have been brand loyal for almost 20 years now.... 

 

I used to clean and repair reels for almost 10 years when I was younger.  I got to see the guts and workings of every brand reel.  I choose Shimano.........

 

(10) Shimano Metanium's

(4) Shimano Stella FJ 3000's

(4) Shimano Calcutta 400D's

 

(14) Shimano/G.Loomis Conquests

(4) G.Loomis IMX Pro's (3 swimbait/1 crankbait)