What’s the last rod/reel you purchased that you ended up regretting?

[suzuki2903]

2 dobyns fury 705cb rods - way to noodle like for my taste and not much lure feedback... plus I crank around grass often. 
 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Yesterday I received a "Blem"  Tatula Elite.  Figured I could put up with cosmetic blem(s) on a new reel that saved me $80.  Couldn't find any blems.  Well...the star looks crappy, but not a mark on the reel.  Wanted to see how the spool spun since it is a known long casting reel.  Wouldn't spin.  Tightened up the drag enough to turn the spool.  Turns hard.  Bearings feel like they came from a well used '55 Willy's.  Bummer!

 

Reel is totally unusable as it currently is.  I can return the reel for a refund or an exchange.  The thing is I got the last 'Blem' so I can't get another Elite without paying full price.  I bought an Elite because I want an Elite.  So I'm thinking of sending it out for repair and a good cleaning.  Probably wind up costing as much as the full price, but at least it will be properly cleaned and lubed.  Something that a new reel should have done anyway.

[Meowmicks]

Grabbed a couple *** Cypress rods last summer during one of their BOGO sales.

Wish i'd never heard of em, its like fishing with broomsticks, heavy ones at that.

Bought 2 MH fast rods and they feel like heavy fast/extra fast, arent built on the spine, and had epoxy on a couple guide rings.

 

 

[walleyecrazy]

Rod - My Dobyns Sierra 702 spinning rod. This one was my fault for not thinking about how I hold my spinning reels. The rod is sensitive enough and balances well, but the way I hold my spinning reels means that this rod just isn’t comfortable for me to hold. I’m actually currently trying to sell this one to fund some more gear. 
 

Reels - I regretted both the 13 Fishing *** spinning reel, and the Lew’s Mach Crush baitcaster for the same reasons. They both just feel unrefined and clunky, and I knew as soon as I started fishing with them that I would not be using them for long.

[ThatZX14Fella]

This was long ago, because I typically don't have the money for not gear. I usually get reels that people don't know how to work on and fix them themselves. However, I bought an Abu Cardinal about nine years ago and hated it. I couldn't get it to cast more than 15ft. Granted, that was long before I got into learning more about fishing, so I was probably using too heavy of a line. I have avoided Abu spinning reels ever since. Rods, I'd have to say the Shimano Curado I bought for my 200K. For the money I spend, it felt like it had less sensitivity than my AirD-X that I can buy for $100 less. I have come to find that the AirD-X is my sweet spot for rods. Super cheap, yet sensitive for the price.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Kistler helium 3 lmh was a very regrettable rod choice. Quantum Tour S3, Daiwa SV105 and tatula sv regrettable reel choices.

[Smallmouthbetterthanlargemouth]

I have never hated or regretted buying any of my tackle.

[Bluebasser86]

The last Pfluegar President spinning reel I bought. Started feeling rough after about a month, all the paint started to blister really quickly. Basically unusable after a month. That was about when I found out they'd sold out, so at least I knew not to buy any more. 

[Allen Der]

On 2/8/2021 at 2:54 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

The last Pfluegar President spinning reel I bought. Started feeling rough after about a month, all the paint started to blister really quickly. Basically unusable after a month. That was about when I found out they'd sold out, so at least I knew not to buy any more. 

how long ago was that?  what do you mean sold out?  they're still owned by pure fishing right?  I haven't had any issues with president XT's purchased the last few years.  I haven't purchased a regular president in at least 5 years.  I do have one older supreme that the paint started bubbling on, but I think that was from moisture in my rod locker.  

[MiceNReets]

This lews reel.   For some reason I could never get the darn thing dialed in.  Tried mono, fluorocarbon and braid.   Always the same results.   ??‍♂️ 

[MontclairDave]

$150 spinning rod that I didn’t know had micro guides. I HATE micro guides; very unfriendly to leader knots. Although... fishing it with straight braid in stained water made me realize that I actually am getting as many bites as I did with the leader. So maybe it’s all working out!?

[Smallmouthbetterthanlargemouth]

On 2/9/2021 at 6:03 PM, MiceNReets said:

This lews reel.   For some reason I could never get the darn thing dialed in.  Tried mono, fluorocarbon and braid.   Always the same results.   ??‍♂️ 

Yikes that looked like it took a while to be picked out

[MiceNReets]

1 hour ago, Smallmouthbetterthanlargemouth said:

Yikes that looked like it took a while to be picked out

A lighter, boomerang tool and a fresh spool of line was quicker.  LoL

[Bluebasser86]

On 2/9/2021 at 2:22 PM, Allen Der said:

how long ago was that?  what do you mean sold out?  they're still owned by pure fishing right?  I haven't had any issues with president XT's purchased the last few years.  I haven't purchased a regular president in at least 5 years.  I do have one older supreme that the paint started bubbling on, but I think that was from moisture in my rod locker.  

Pure Fishing bought the company in 2007 best I can find. The last President I bought was about 5 years ago and it was bad and got worse straight out of the package. I didn't save the receipt because I'd never had an issue with one until then so I was just stuck with it and it sat around for couple years until I sold it for a couple bucks in a garage sale. Did some looking around and found out they'd sold to Pure Fishing and people had noticed a significant drop off in quality since. I switched to Daiwa Revros for my budget spinning reel of choice and it worked out for the better.

[newapti5]

I only regret those unknown brands that I ventured and tried and failed, like the noodle stick from Deep South, a rod company that doesn't exist anymore I believe, and a couple of reels from Piscifun and Kastking long time ago. Other than that, not many rods or reels I regret, maybe only on the high prices I paid.

[Allen Der]

14 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Pure Fishing bought the company in 2007 best I can find. The last President I bought was about 5 years ago and it was bad and got worse straight out of the package. I didn't save the receipt because I'd never had an issue with one until then so I was just stuck with it and it sat around for couple years until I sold it for a couple bucks in a garage sale. Did some looking around and found out they'd sold to Pure Fishing and people had noticed a significant drop off in quality since. I switched to Daiwa Revros for my budget spinning reel of choice and it worked out for the better.

I'm pretty sure the original president spinning reel with the wood handle knob was released after pure fishing took over.  I did have one pflueger arbor reel that was rough and returned it right away.  never had another issue with the dozen or so I've had since.  So I think you just got a lemon and they did not sell out, since they're still the same company.  Incidentally the worse real I ever had was a daiwa spinning reel.  But my Dad did get a Revros last year and it's been a good reel.  The new LT lineup is a solid alternative to Pflueger in the sub $100 market

[dam0007]

On 1/19/2021 at 9:01 AM, optimator said:

Daiwa Tatula 150. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough.

Wow, I really like mine.

I don’t have any purchases that I regret but I do regret selling my 6 Chronarch E series and Scoprion 1001XTs which @Delaware Valley Tackle won’t sell back to me ?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

9 hours ago, dam0007 said:

Wow, I really like mine.

I don’t have any purchases that I regret but I do regret selling my 6 Chronarch E series and Scoprion 1001XTs which @Delaware Valley Tackle won’t sell back to me ?

I told you I’d leave them to you in my will. Since then I’ve found ice on my front steps and my brake line cut. What are the chances? 

[Hulkster]

I've been lucky. I usually do months of research and farting around at tackle shops before i pull the trigger on a new rod or reel so I haven't regretting anything. Everything I have i have loved as i hoped i would. 

 

the only thing I have done over the last few years is upgrade my rods to longer ones. I like 7'5 and 7'7 rods where possible. When i started back in the 90s the 6'6 rod was everyone's favorite. I fish from shore so i found i benefitted from the extra casting distance, and it definitely is noticeable. 

[MyKeyBe]

The first one. Talk about a never ending rabbit hole after that. ?

[Fishes in trees]

 I stick with Shimano bait casting reels and haven't been disappointed.  The last time I strayed I was at the tackle shop and Guido & Dion Hibdon were there and they were repping US Reels.  The interesting thing about the bait caster they were selling was that it didn't have a "level wind" per se.  Instead  it had a "wave bar" and allegedly tension on the line during the retrieve would force the line down on to the wave bar and lay the line properly on the spool without the need of a level wind that you had to thread the line through when you were spooling up.  the 800SX Supercaster worked great in the parting lot, I could easily throw half ounce practice plugs nearly all the way across the parking lot - I was impressed, and at $120 what do you have to lose?  Well it turns out you lose $120 bucks, out on the water, with the variable tension on the line caused by throwing variable weights, and with the wind not being consistently at your back, the 800 SX is pretty easy to back lash.  And it is heavy compared to Shimano reels of similar size.   Even with the plastic side plates.  Now this reel sits in its own plastic case, in my fishing shed, isolated from all my other reels.  I would just as soon that my other reels never know that I purchased this inferior quality reel.

I know the Hibdon's had a long and distinguished fishing career in Missouri and nationally, but when they were repping US bait casting reels, they were repping junk, IMO.