What is your cut off point/price on rods and reels?

[Dens228]

Mine are all around $500 for rod/reel combined. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I've got a spinning set up Shimano Sedona and Daiwa AirdX that comes in at just about $100.  And it's fun to fish with!

 

Most of my rods and reels are between $100 and $200 a piece, and most of them have been purchased for less than retail.  

 

I try and spend realistically.  I fish local club tournaments, not the Elite Series. My average combo is probably $300.  Good, durable equipment that will last with regular maintenance, but not over the top compared to what I could spend.

 

I would make a price jump based on technique, where sensitivity is critical.  For example I would be willing to spend more on a jig rod than a frog rod.

 

As far as brand loyalty, I am a fan of Shimano reels.  But, that's my preference.  There are many quality brands available.  Rods... Well that's another story and a work in progress.  I would like to someday have one line of rods, but for now it's a mix and match.  Currently Dobyns and Falcon are seeing a lot of use.

 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I've got a spinning set up Shimano Sedona and Daiwa AirdX that comes in at just about $100.  And it's fun to fish with!

 

Most of my rods and reels are between $100 and $200 a piece, and most of them have been purchased for less than retail.  

 

I try and spend realistically.  I fish local club tournaments, not the Elite Series. My average combo is probably $300.  Good, durable equipment that will last with regular maintenance, but not over the top compared to what I could spend.

 

I would make a price jump based on technique, where sensitivity is critical.  For example I would be willing to spend more on a jig rod than a frog rod.

 

As far as brand loyalty, I am a fan of Shimano reels.  But, that's my preference.  There are many quality brands available.  Rods... Well that's another story and a work in progress.  I would like to someday have one line of rods, but for now it's a mix and match.  Currently Dobyns and Falcon are seeing a lot of use.

[evo2s197]

No cut off point for me

 

If funds were a problem I would rather have a single and versatile true quality high end combo than a whole bunch of cheap combos and learn to fish baits with that combo effectively.

[Munkin]

While realistically I could spend $1k on a setup I never would. 

 

Having bass fished for over 30 years I know what I like by now. All the new rods with the crazy colors and handles just don't appeal to me. This has forced me into making custom rods that depending on different variables will cost between $100 and 200 in parts so far.

 

As for reels I like the old 600 series Quantum baitcasters from about 15 years ago. I bought 11 BNIP years ago on close out for like $85 each. Those along with others I have and the fact that I tare them down every year for cleaning means I am good for awhile. 

 

Allen 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I've got a spinning set up Shimano Sedona and Daiwa AirdX that comes in at just about $100.  And it's fun to fish with!

 

Most of my rods and reels are between $100 and $200 a piece, and most of them have been purchased for less than retail.  

 

I try and spend realistically.  I fish local club tournaments, not the Elite Series. My average combo is probably $300.  Good, durable equipment that will last with regular maintenance, but not over the top compared to what I could spend.

 

I would make a price jump based on technique, where sensitivity is critical.  For example I would be willing to spend more on a jig rod than a frog rod.

 

As far as brand loyalty, I am a fan of Shimano reels.  But, that's my preference.  There are many quality brands available.  Rods... Well that's another story and a work in progress.  I would like to someday have one line of rods, but for now it's a mix and match.  Currently Dobyns and Falcon are seeing a lot of use.

[rtwvumtneer6]

Any admins want to erase my repeated post, please?

 

Darn internet connection issues...Sorry!?

[Nelson Delaney]

My most expensive is a G Loomis NRX 902S ($600) with a shimano Stella 3000 ($699).  Right next to that set up in the boat is an 7’6” ugly stik with a cheap Lew’s casting reel for smaller crankbaits.  
 

it really depends on how much disposable income I have at the moment, how many beers I’ve had & how much nagging I’m ready to endure.  

[Columbia Craw]

I guess i'm getting old.  I read the questions and had to reflect.  What the answers would have been 40 years ago when I was new to bass fishing would have been much more conservative than now.  As the years went by, I found my interest and passion, for lack of a better word, changed how I chose what to buy and how much to invest.  Now i'm at a junction where I won't truly need to buy another rod or reel going forward.  If I lost it all in a fire, I would lean toward middle of the road which is about 250 to 300 bucks max for a combo.  The stuff today is so good, there is little reason to pay more although I have spent much more than that several times over.  

[DogBone_384]

$400 - $500, plus or minus.

[Captain Phil]

I refuse to pay more than $100 for a rod.  I use Shimano Bantam Chronarch 100 and Calcutta Reels.  I think they are the best bass reels ever made.  I buy them used on EBay.

[BrianMDTX]

I think it depends on whether bass fishing is an infrequent but enjoyable escape from everyday life, a hobby one pursues frequently, a way of life that you indulge in weekly, or are a professional. Unless you have money to burn, it makes little sense for an angler who tosses lures 2-3x a year to spend $800.00 on a rig that their skill level can’t even begin to utilize the benefits of over lesser-priced gear. There’s some quality rods and reels to be had for $150.00-$200.00 total. 
 

Now, if you are fishing multiple days a week all year and putting W&T on your rigs, it’s better to buy true quality that lasts. But something tells me that many who pay big $$$ for rods and reels and debate the minutiae of their merits ad nauseum likely do so more for chest thumping than anything else. 

[Cgolf]

Most I will spend on a rod is 150, spinning reel 75, and baitcaster 150. Those are the maxes, most of my combos come out around the 200 mark for the price bought on sale. If you go by full retail my Dobyns champion XP and Daiwa Viento combo would be up there pretty good. Wish I would have bought multiple Vientos when they were on sale for 80$, really nice reel.

[onenutinthewater]

$150-$800

Regardless of price I want the right tool for the job and not just one that will "work"

 

Once I hit 50 years old I figured I deserve it.

[Teal]

My most expensive combo is probably 700 together at retail value at the time...I didnt pay that.  Dx 744 with a Core 50 reel.  

 

I pretty much have just looked for GOOD VALUE, and try to stat under a couple hundred for each.   I've been blessed to find great 200$ reels for 140 and stay in the 179 range on rods for 115-150.   I'm at a point now with amount of gear I have, the next updates I can do, one at a time and step up in quality.  I'd love to own GLX, steeze or mega bass, with zillion reels, or highend shimanos, but I'll wait now.  Next will be one unit at a time and if I have to pair it with one of my existing reels or rods for a bit, that is ok.

[NavyVet1204]

I’m really liking the replies I’m getting guys I greatly appreciate you all for taking the time for your input.

[NYWayfarer]

15 hours ago, Tywithay said:

Depends how badly I want something. I never really pay full retail for anything though. 

This comment is spot on how I feel.

 

That being said I do have a cut off on rods though. I can't see myself paying more than $150 on a rod.

 

As far as brand loyalty goes, I have rods and reels from many brands. My favorites (the ones that see the most use) are usually from one brand.

[dodgeguy]

12 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

Any admins want to erase my repeated post, please?

 

Darn internet connection issues...Sorry!?

You can delete them.

[Manifestgtr]

$300ish for reels, $400ish for rods...

 

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have “more expensive” stuff. I have nrx, conquest, aldebarans, metaniums, etc....I just wait until I find one at a really good price. Do I need a $700 rod? No! Will I buy one if it shows up for $350...yup...

[Randy Price]

I have several $ 700.00 combos that I have purchased over the years.  Usually $ 400-500.00 for the rod plus a $ 250.00 reel.

[Smalls]

$175-ish is my personal "point of diminishing returns" on each. I've got more expensive gear, and it's obviously nicer than my cheaper stuff; smoother, lighter, etc. But often not noticeable enough to me to justify the extra cash. 

 

I do occasionally like to treat myself, though. I've got a couple $250-300 rods. 

[Bankbeater]

I'll spend around $150 for each unless I get a good deal.  My last Curado only cost me about $20 because of gift cards and rewards points.

[Matt_3479]

Coming from long range precision shooting which happens to be an extremely expensive hobby I found rods and reels to be a breeze to buy. Not that they aren’t expensive but I’ve always believed in buy once cry once motto from my shooting so I applied the same in my fishing. My most expensive set up is 1500 but average is probably closer to 800-1100 range. This is canadian though so our prices and dollar is much different. The 1500 is nrx with met 2020. Average being 1000 range lands me glx with ci4, 

[contium]

$125 for reels and $175 for rods street prices.

[keagbassr]

Max for me is about 150 for both based on what ive bought recently although most of my stuff was between 50-100.