The Tackle Debate

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Thank you Catt. I know you see my point with this thread. Aidens combo will catch a lot of bass! Many youngsters are influenced by pro fisherman, media, and reviews. They base everything on this.Oh yea, I like his name. I have a grandson named Aiden too.

 

Aiden couldn't name a single Pro except maybe KVD, he doesn't watch YouTube videos, he's not on social media.

 

I taught him basic techniques, how to read water, & turned him loose.

 

It aint the tackle!  ?

 

 

[Mobasser]

43 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Aiden couldn't name a single Pro except maybe KVD, he doesn't watch YouTube videos, he's not on social media.

 

I taught him basic techniques, how to read water, & turned him loose.

 

It aint the tackle!  ?

 

 

Awesome Catt! I agree 100%. It ain't the tackle

[new2BC4bass]

4 hours ago, Eric86 said:

I wouldn't say he is necessarily spoiled because I would put money on it that this kid read a lot of reviews on it before he made a statement.  I have a hard time with this myself.  I like to research almost everything before I buy it and as far as equipment goes, you normally get what you pay for.  A lot of times people dont really know what they will be happy with when starting something new.  I know nothing about hunting bows but I know I wouldn't want a bottom price point one or a top shelf one either.

He probably did do a lot of research.  Heck, even at my age I have come to the point where I seldom buy anything without first researching.....whether it is fishing gear, knife sharpener, portable heater or a dishwasher, etc.

[Eric86]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

He probably did do a lot of research.  Heck, even at my age I have come to the point where I seldom buy anything without first researching.....whether it is fishing gear, knife sharpener, portable heater or a dishwasher, etc.

I do love it when you read all these reviews on how awesome something is only to see that its absolute garbage.  I would be naive to think that some of not most of these reviews have some self interest in the product.  The live target sunfish comes to mind.  The best use I have found from one of those is cutting the weight off to replace a frog hook that I lost a barb on.

[Harold Scoggins]

On ‎10‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 8:27 AM, new2BC4bass said:

I started at 5 with a cane pole.

I still have mine. 9 ft long, circa mid 1950s, it's dry and brittle and would probably snap on a bluegill. It hangs on the wall in my man cave to remind me where I started.

[crypt]

the fish don't care what type, make or how much the equipment cost.just go fish.................

 

[J.Vincent]

The Fenwick HMG is an incredible rod with very nice components ; it fishes well above its price point. The fact is learning begins somewhere, and it's not typically done with $200 rods and $200 reels. Even now when I can afford any brand I want , I still fish $100 rods and $100 reels. I only find marginal improvements with each additional $50 I spend , so I really agree the focus should be on techniques, situational intelligence, weather, water and seasonal patterns !

[Sifuedition]

I actually have that reel. I bought it to test out left-handed retrieve. I have since bought a Curado K and a Chronarch in left-handed retrieve and only use my lefties now. Having said that, I have really enjoyed the black max. It is surprisingly smooth and good for throwing even light lures. The drawback is that after a year of decent use, it definitely shows a lot more signs of wear than my higher end reels. It still works well, but it is starting to sound rough. This is likely my own fault as I really don't clean and lube my reels.

 

The kid should learn good reel maintenance. Learn how to lube and clean it and it will be a good reel.

[Harold Scoggins]

On ‎10‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 6:46 AM, Mobasser said:

Lots of beginners are way to worried about brand name in tackle, or how much it cost.

Without knowing anything about the boy's family situation, I think you did the right thing in showing him the positive in his rod/reel outfit. I know I'm guilty in pushing some of the tackle I've talked about around some of the beginners on this forum, but in retrospect, I want to ensure everyone I started with nothing and had to pay my own way. I attribute this from being raised by parents who lived through the Great Depression. One thing I am sure of, kids have it harder today IMO. With all the media behind the pros, Googans and Googan want to be(s) out there, there is a lot of pressure on these kids today. Yes, you did the right thing @Mobasser. Maybe we should spend more time reading Walden and why it is we really fish.

4 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Aiden couldn't name a single Pro except maybe KVD, he doesn't watch YouTube videos, he's not on social media.

 

I taught him basic techniques, how to read water, & turned him loose.

 

It aint the tackle!  ?

 

 

The smile on his face...Priceless!

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, Harold Scoggins said:

I still have mine. 9 ft long, circa mid 1950s, it's dry and brittle and would probably snap on a bluegill. It hangs on the wall in my man cave to remind me where I started.

 

I'm amazed you still have it.  Mine probably got thrown away as soon as I got the spinning reel.

[Catt]

4 hours ago, Harold Scoggins said:

The smile on his face...Priceless!

 

The boy is kinda cocky!

 

Don't know where he get it ?

[Mobasser]

3 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

The boy is kinda cocky!

 

Don't know where he get it ?

My grandson is my fishing partner too Catt. Sometimes he's quite a hotshot! When I'm reaching in the cooler for a bottle of water, or pouring a cup of coffee it's " grandpa you just missed a fish". He likes to watch my line too! It's all good. It's been the best fishing experience ever. Watching him get better all the time

[LadiMopar]

On 10/19/2018 at 8:17 AM, Derek1 said:

I was checking out the ugly stick spin cast  combos for my grandson next year. I almost can’t get over how sloppy the real is. He has a Jurassic world dock demen type now. He’s six and I feel they outgrow their set up every year right now anyway so no point  in spending money on one yet. I think if they stay interested after a few seasons then get them something better. Just my two sence

 

Bought my grandson the Ugly stick spinning set up (open face) when he was 9 (he's 12 now). The 5' 6" rod is perfect for most kids in the 6 - 12 age bracket unless they are extremely vertically challenged in either direction. (Very small or very tall for their age). The only gripe I had about it was 2 hours into its first use the reel literally fell apart in his hands. Poor kid was heartbroken, thinking he had done something wrong. 

 

So, the lesson learned was...stay away from those blister pack combos and get something you can actually "try" before you buy. He's still using the Ugly stick, but I paired it with a better quality but still reasonably priced Pfleuger. 

 

End result- happy kid who isn't frustrated or heartbroken because of equipment failure. Long term outlook, another generation to carry on and grow the sport. Win, win! 

 

 

 

 

 

[TOXIC]

My only cautionary comment is that cheap is not good if you are trying to teach a newbie how to use a baitcaster.  I've taught a lot and contrary to what many would think is normal............Buying a Cheap Combo to start out............is totally wrong.  It takes more skill to successfully cast a cheap baitcaster than it does a mid range one.  Better drag/spool control/breaking systems all help a new learner develop the technique.  I've seen way too many discouraged new anglers who think they can't cast a baitcaster and gave up it.  More than likely they were using the cheapest baitcaster they could find.  Once I put a good mid-range baitcaster properly set up for someone who hasn't used one a lot, in their hands with a little instruction, they quickly change their mind.  

[Mobasser]

12 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

My only cautionary comment is that cheap is not good if you are trying to teach a newbie how to use a baitcaster.  I've taught a lot and contrary to what many would think is normal............Buying a Cheap Combo to start out............is totally wrong.  It takes more skill to successfully cast a cheap baitcaster than it does a mid range one.  Better drag/spool control/breaking systems all help a new learner develop the technique.  I've seen way too many discouraged new anglers who think they can't cast a baitcaster and gave up it.  More than likely they were using the cheapest baitcaster they could find.  Once I put a good mid-range baitcaster properly set up for someone who hasn't used one a lot, in their hands with a little instruction, they quickly change their mind.  

I agree. Cheap never works. For slightly more money, you can often step up a lot in quality. Makes a huge difference for a beginner

[Catt]

If you cannot cast a Abu Garcia Black Max ya might wanna consider taking up knitting!

 

[Further North]

Wait...there's a "Tackle Debate"?

 

I'm doing something wrong...I thought it was a "Tackle Accumulation". ?

[ItsHardwick]

I own some higher end gear. And it’s nice and serves its purpose. But I try not to get too caught up in the hype surrounding rods and reels. In fact one of my favorite reels is a lews something or other I bought at Walmart for $55, I have $200 and $300 reels but the cheapo lews is great at what I ask it to do. One of my favorite rods is a ml f/xf h2o express deal I got at academy for $20. It’s a whip and I use it for weightless/wacky rigged senkos and it’s amazing. Not to mention super fun when I hook into a 3-4 pounder, every fish feels huge on that rod. 

 

My oldest son just turned 11. He picked up a spinning reel very quickly last year, and this spring I bought him his first casting setup. 6’6” mh/f h20 express rod that was around $40 and an Abu Black Max. The reel is actually pretty nice for the price point. He’s still getting the hang of it but it’s perfect for him at his age and just starting out. 

[blckshirt98]

Higher end tackle at some point becomes more of a confidence thing.  I'm sure almost anyone here who's experienced could use a $40 Walmart combo and outfish a new angler with a $1k combo, and a pro could use that $40 Walmart combo and outfish any weekend warrior with a $1k combo.  The fish can't see and don't care about the rod and reel, it's all about the presentation of what's in the water.