Does quality of Rod/Reel matter?

[Reprsntdc]

If you had better equipment, does that mean you catch more bass in general compared to someone who has lesser quality equipment (rod.reed)?  With skill/lure/line/body of water being the same?  $150 rod/reel set up vs $40 rod/reel set up.

Very very curious if it matters at all.  And if it does, how much?  5%? 10% more fish?

Thank you!!!  AND DONT FORGET TO VOTE!!

Edited May 29, 2019 by Reprsntdc

[J Francho]

You have to be on fish that are biting, have the right bait, depth, and speed to trigger a strike.  If all that is satisfied, then short of the gear failing, or incapable of getting the fish in, I'm gonna say no, it isn't really a hindrance.  That said, a more sensitive stick, matched with good line, and better reel will up your odds of detecting the strike, delivering the hook set, and landing the fish.  It will also be more enjoyable.  I'm not talking about really high end gear.  More like that $120 rod and $150 reel price point.  That's where you get the most bang for your buck.

[Scott F]

As long as the reel functions, the price of the reel has no effect on how many fish you'll catch. A very cheap rod can keep you from feeling bites on some lures. There is a point of diminishing returns where more money spent has a smaller and smaller effect. 

[CrankFate]

Yes. It matters. Even though I like to knock high end gear, better, lighter gear will catch more fish. As long as it’s right for the application and the guy holding it. Excellent gear can be had for good prices. Once you hit $200-300, you gain little or nothing by going up in price beyond that.

[Harold Scoggins]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

a more sensitive stick, matched with good line, and better reel will up your odds of detecting the strike, delivering the hook set, and landing the fish.  It will also be more enjoyable. 

Agree.

[WRB]

What is considered high end ultra sensitive light weight a decade ago and everyone was toting as essential to have to catch bass is now considered obsolete or entry level tackle. The bass haven't changed.

In the hands of a highly skilled angler state of the art tackle can make a difference. Like a formula 1 car if you can only drive around the track at Highway speeds you only need a VW, the formula 1 car requires skills most drivers will never have.

Tom

[diversity210]

I dont think having a cheaper setup will yeild you less fish that someone with a 1000 dollar rig.  More money for a rod and reel is not going to make you a better angler.  Spending more on gear usually means a lighter equipment, more well balanced rods, more sensitive rods, and longevity.  While that 150 dollar combo might last you 5 years, the guy with the 800 dollar combo will still have his in 10 years.  You dont need expensive gear to be as effective an angler as the next guy.  Ive found that once you pass a certain dollar amount then you aren't getting that much more for your money.  Hone your skills with what you have.  Thats the best way to become a good angler.s  I fish with my uncle a lot.  Now I am one of those guilty of overkill and have 15-20 rigs on my boat .  All costing between 250 and 400 bucks rod and reel.  My uncle always brings the same to old 2 cheap rods with reels that sound like someone grinding their teeth when he reels them and some days he out fishes me.  He gets a kick out of it too.  Me and all my expensive gear and his 2 cheap setups and he out fishes me sometimes.    

[the reel ess]

Sooner or later, a very cheap reel will fail you. If you don't have a spare on hand, you'll be finished catching fish that day. There will be strikes you don't detect with a very cheap rod. I'll add to this, having the right ratio, line and rod will affect how well you can get to, set the hook on and land bass. Case in point: fishing a hollow body frog in lilies. It helps to get long casts, hard hooksets and get the bass to the top as soon as possible. If allowed to dig down in the slop, they'll get off regularly.

 

That said, I don't own a rod over $129 value (I paid $50 for it used). I don't own a reel that sells for more than $130. Everyone has their pain threshold.

[slonezp]

The benefit of better gear is if you don't have a clue as to what you're doing, you'll at least look good doing it.

[haggard]

A skilled or lucky angler can catch fish on a low quality setup; a higher quality setup will probably land you more fish; but beyond the point of diminishing returns, doesn't matter.

 

As for enjoyment, it's subjective and personal, and nobody else can tell you if or how much it matters.

 

[Tennessee Boy]

$40 for a rod and reel is seriously cheap.  I do think there is a big difference between $40 combo and a $150 combo.   The difference between a $150 combo and a $1000 combo is not much and most of it is vanity.  Many pros do well using combos in the $200 - $500 range.  I don’t think they would dare use a $40 combo.

[the reel ess]

38 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

$40 for a rod and reel is seriously cheap.  I do think there is a big difference between $40 combo and a $150 combo.   The difference between a $150 combo and a $1000 combo is not much and most of it is vanity.  Many pros do well using combos in the $200 - $500 range.  I don’t think they would dare use a $40 combo.

I used to routinely see pros with BPS Pro Qualifier reels on the deck. They probably upgraded them with the innards from the Johnny Morris line of reels. I would put the min acceptable baitcast reel at about $70 regular price. For me it has to have a solid frame. No graphite or "composite" frames for me. I've owned two and they were both turds. The cheapest solid metal framed reel I know of is the Academy house brand. So, starting at $70 for a reel, I'd put my cheapest acceptable rod at a regular price of $30. I have a couple Lightning Rods that I bought for that price. They feel incredibly insensitive compared to my other rods. I wouldn't go any cheaper than that for a new combo. I understand if others want to. That's fine. They might get lucky. 

 

I would say though that I will go cheap for reaction baits like cranks or spinnerbaits. Not feeling the strike can be a good thing in that case. The fish inhales the bait before you feel the fish. But it must be durable.

[soflabasser]

6 hours ago, Reprsntdc said:

If you had better equipment, does that mean you catch more bass in general compared to someone who has lesser quality equipment (rod.reed)?  With skill/lure/line/body of water being the same?  $150 rod/reel set up vs $40 rod/reel set up.

Very very curious if it matters at all.  And if it does, how much? 

The level of bass fishing skill you have and where you fish is far more important than what fishing equipment you own. I know many guys that have top notch gear yet catch average quality fish and those with regular level gear and they catch fish that the average bass fisherman dreams of catching.

[Mobasser]

I think for a serious fisherman, having a good rod for worm/jig fishing can make a difference. Moving baits or topwater- not as much. Like others have said, you still need to locate fish, and cast the correct bait at the right speed and depth. This is much harder than going to a tackle shop, and spending big money on rods/reels! Lots of guys have the best gear, but still catch very few bass. The #1 reason for not catching bass? Fishing in the wrong places. It's rarely the tackle

[Catt]

I believe in keeping my tools simple, functional, durable & dependable

 

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, Sears or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ECT and these tools will work but they are not designed for commercial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

 

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under every conceivable conditions with limited failure.

 

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

 

Definitions

Tools: lures, line, hooks, rods, reels, depth finders, trolling motors; get where I'm going here?

 

Quality has nothing to do with price!  ?

[AlTheFisherman313]

My opinion is location, presentation and line effect your catch more than rod/reel quality. Now the reason most of us buy higher end equipment as far as rods go the more expensive ones give superior feel and their action tends to be more true. If I showed you how much my medium ugly stick bent vs my medium seeker you would be in disbelief.

 

as far as reels go, higher price usually indicates better durability as well as a smoother retrieve.

 

i personally go somewhere in the middle for financial reasons, but I’d be lying if I said a Walmart zebco combo felt as good to use.

at the end of the day I have seen an old guy with a bamboo rod that I had never seen before with no reel catch more pan fish that the two other anglers next to him combined and some. 

 

Basically to sum it up you are paying for reliability(in most cases) and increased pole sensitivity. I have used some pretty bad rods and really all you can tell is something hit it. On my better gear you can feel a fish vs a snag or debris.

[JustJames]

Someone once told me, if I buy good tools  I buy once, cheap tool twice. Now I have two miter saws, two routers and two circular saw.

this might not apply to fishing gears though since now I have more than 15 rods/reels.

[Kidflex]

Yes it matters. Take the same person using a $40 setup and let him use a $400 setup. He will detect more bites and catch more fish. Can you catch a lot of fish using cheap gear? Most certainly. Wil you catch more with higher end gear? Absolutely. 

Of course someone who is a great angler with cheap gear can outfish a novice with the most expensive setup but that is comparing skill level vs equipment. 

[TOXIC]

Yes............to a point.  At some point you will exceed your skill level and the extra $$ for higher end gear becomes redundant.  Usually this is most evident with fishermen just starting out.  In that example they get no real benefit from higher end gear until their skill level advances to the point they can take advantage of it.  Better reels offer longer and more accurate casts, better drag systems, more functions, etc.  Better rods offer actions designed for specific techniques, better sensitivity and upgraded performance.  But those advantages are lost if you don't know how to use them.  It is much easier for an experienced angler to catch fish on cheaper gear than an inexperienced angler to catch fish on more expensive gear.  

[ResoKP]

19 hours ago, CrankFate said:

Yes. It matters. Even though I like to knock high end gear, better, lighter gear will catch more fish. As long as it’s right for the application and the guy holding it. Excellent gear can be had for good prices. Once you hit $200-300, you gain little or nothing by going up in price beyond that.

This is very untrue. You're saying there's not much difference between an E6x vs NRX or a Levante vs Destroyer. There's still a world of a difference even if you go beyond $300. You obviously have not tried actual high end gear. Please don't talk about things you have no experience in and spreading misinformation.

 

Anyways, to OP, I fish on both $200 combos to $1000+ combos side by side. They both catch fish but of course I enjoy using my high end gear more. I actually own both a Toyota and a Lexus. They both get me from point A to point B... and I think you know where I'm going with this. Regardless, besides just "feelings", high end gear also uses better materials, components, and usually also come with a better warranty. Which comes down to the individual if it's worth it to them or not to have lighter blanks with higher quality graphite, better guides with premium insert materials, etc. Some people like leather interior, some people are fine with cloth.

 

Truth is, I don't get to have too much time on the water. So when I do get the precious chance to be out on the water, I would rather be fishing with equipment that will maximize my enjoyment and to me higher end equipment helps with that.

[CrankFate]

1 hour ago, ResoKP said:

This is very untrue. You're saying there's not much difference between an E6x vs NRX or a Levante vs Destroyer. There's still a world of a difference even if you go beyond $300. You obviously have not tried actual high end gear. Please don't talk about things you have no experience in and spreading misinformation.

 

Anyways, to OP, I fish on both $200 combos to $1000+ combos side by side. They both catch fish but of course I enjoy using my high end gear more. I actually own both a Toyota and a Lexus. They both get me from point A to point B... and I think you know where I'm going with this. Regardless, besides just "feelings", high end gear also uses better materials, components, and usually also come with a better warranty. Which comes down to the individual if it's worth it to them or not to have lighter blanks with higher quality graphite, better guides with premium insert materials, etc. Some people like leather interior, some people are fine with cloth.

 

Truth is, I don't get to have too much time on the water. So when I do get the precious chance to be out on the water, I would rather be fishing with equipment that will maximize my enjoyment and to me higher end equipment helps with that.

The quality of gear is not directly related to the price. The difference is Toyota and Lexus. Almost entirely psychological.

 

The only thing worse than buying something because of the price, is buying it for a good warranty. I always get a good laugh when people justify a high price because of the great experience they had when they had to use the warranty.

 

Once you you can buy any fishing rod you want—the fact that high end is not better starts to become more real.

 

I would also think that the reason so many expensive rods wind up on an Internet BST is they were not really better, but people are just too ashamed to admit it (and probably want to keep the price high for the sale).

[Catt]

21 hours ago, CrankFate said:

Excellent gear can be had for good prices. Once you hit $200-300, you gain little or nothing by going up in price beyond that.

 

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Yes............to a point.  At some point you will exceed your skill level and the extra $$ for higher end gear becomes redundant.

 

Absolutely correct!

 

What's generated up the line then down the rod has to be felt by the hands & then interpreted by the brain. Everyone's sense of feel aint the same & everyone's interpretation of what's being felt is different.

 

Who's holding the rod?  ?

 

[redmeansdistortion]

14 hours ago, the reel ess said:

I would put the min acceptable baitcast reel at about $70 regular price. For me it has to have a solid frame. No graphite or "composite" frames for me. I've owned two and they were both turds.

I've had two graphite frames fail on me, but I was float fishing for kings which fight much harder than bass.  The foot snapped off of both of them.  One was a Pflueger President baitcaster and the other an Abu Revo X baitcaster.  Outside of myself using them to bite off more than they could chew, they were fine reels for other smaller less fighty fish.

[ResoKP]

21 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

The quality of gear is not directly related to the price. The difference is Toyota and Lexus. Almost entirely psychological.

 

The only thing worse than buying something because of the price, is buying it for a good warranty. I always get a good laugh when people justify a high price because of the great experience they had when they had to use the warranty.

 

Once you you can buy any fishing rod you want—the fact that high end is not better starts to become more real.

 

I would also think that the reason so many expensive rods wind up on an Internet BST is they were not really better, but people are just too ashamed to admit it (and probably want to keep the price high for the sale).

I'm not talking about diminishing returns here. Of course there's diminishing returns going up the price point and this obviously applies to every materialistic thing in life. It's redundant to even talk about it because it's implied in these types of conversations. My North Face jacket is $300 and my Mackage parka is $1,200. I didn't buy the expensive jacket because its 4x warmer. NOBODY buys it for that reason. But are there benefits? There's still lots of benefits.

 

What you said about no benefit to going above $300+ on rods is so far from truth it's not even funny. Again, think E6x vs NRX.

Also, difference between Toyota and Lexus is "almost entirely" psychological? Are you trolling?

[Josh Smith]

Price does not necessarily indicate quality. Often, it indicates complexity, which leads to failure.

 

Witness the Abu Garcia Eon, and the Ambassadeur AB models, for example.

 

I argue today that excellent reels could be made less expensive, but of same quality. For example, if Abu Garcia were to take their Revo, delete the thumb bar in favor of an older style button, and delete the bearings (except for the IAR bearing) in favor of bronze bushings like in the old Ambassadeurs, they could build an excellent reel that could complete in price with, say, the Made in China Lew's, etc, and at better quality.

 

In act, I'd love to have an all-bushing Ambassadeur for fishing heavy cover. I've never liked thumb paddles for casting.

 

As-is, I don't catch more fish on my lighter graphite rods than I did/do on my fiberglass rods. There have always been techniques to get around sensitivity, or lack thereof.

 

The biggest benefit I've noticed with graphite rods (combined with proper line) are increased ability to feel the bottom, and more fishing time with less fatigue.

 

Regards,

Josh