How long do u wait to upgrade gear?

[Bankbeater]

Since Thanksgiving I've purchased 2 new spinning rods to replace rods that were at least 20 years old, and I've purchased 3 baitcast reels to replace reels that were all over 10 years old.  I need to buy a couple more casting rods, and then l'll have my old stuff swapped out.

I wanted to replace while things were still working so I could take my time, and not have to run out in a hurry when something broke.

[king fisher]

When I was young and single, I upgraded every time Cabelas came out with a new catalogue, or bait monkey bought me a six pack, both of which occurred on the same day more than once.

    Now that I am old and married, I upgrade when I win the lotto.

[NavyVet1204]

On 4/13/2021 at 4:10 PM, Bankc said:

The only time I upgrade is when my old rod or reel gets lost, stolen, or broken.  So far, lost is the main reason (as in dropped in the lake).  

This.

[bigfishnfreak]

new doesn't mean better to me, i like the older stuff better, the classic glx rods when loomis owned them, not shimano. the shimano cumara first generation, blue blank. the phenix mbx 7'6" spinning rod they first came out with i like better then the hypalon now. same with st.croix i have the older legend bass tourment, cork handles .  

i baby my stuff , if i break them there's nothing to replace them with.

[mcipinkie]

It all depends on when your sponsor gives you new tackle.

 

You all have sponsors, don't you ?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, mcipinkie said:

It all depends on when your sponsor gives you new tackle.

(looks at his un-adorned fishing shirts and sighs)

2 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

You all have sponsors, don't you ?

Can I borrow yours?

[Johnbt]

"You all have sponsors, don't you ?"

 

Does Social Security retirement count?   

 

Just kidding. What's left after federal withholding, Medicare premiums with IRMAA penalties, and setting money aside for state income taxes every month I don't think they qualify as a sponsor. Well, maybe a cheap sponsor.   (SSA won't withhold state taxes fwiw.)

 

At my age I can't afford to wait too long between upgrades or I might not be around to enjoy them considering the inventory and shipping delays.

 

[CrankFate]

On 4/13/2021 at 10:23 PM, GTN-NY said:

About 30 years. 
I just sold all my Curado 201’s from the 90’s when they first came out. 
I just bought 6 new reels and 4 rods since Black Fri

 

[new2BC4bass]

On 4/13/2021 at 10:53 PM, bulldog1935 said:

What is wait?  

I've fished tackle out to 30 years as long as it's going strong, and adding new along the way - not necessarily upgrading the old, until it's ready to be retired.  

I didn't begin adding in low-profile baitcasters (Super Duty G) until 5 years ago, and still fished my Lew's BB-25SW a few years more (compared to LFS, the larger spool on this reel still casts a long way, though the drive was finally getting sloppy). 

 

When I try new, if something gets my attention, will probably buy more than one.  And for that reason, none of my low profile baitcasters have twins.  The different models I added have their strong points and found their niches (except the Custom Inshore, which nothing makes sense about it, and I kind of hid it in favor of better Tournament Pro and Team SP).  When I'm ready to add another baitcaster (nothing in sight), it will likely be a Metanium.  

 

I have a 30 y-o Loomis GL2 I never expect to retire (retired the Penn 4400SS), but supplement it with newer rods.  

 

I have a 40 plus year old 6' ML Lightning with a Penn 430SS that will never go anywhere even though I seldom use spinning anymore.  A fun combo to fish.  Has caught more fish than all my new gear put together.  Including my PB 3# plus Smallmouth. 

 

Adding to my inventory is upgrading most of the time.  Not hard to do since most of my first rods when I got back into fishing retailed for $110 or less.

 

On 4/14/2021 at 6:48 AM, BassWhole! said:

I find what works and use it until it doesn't, so age of my tackle isn't a deciding factor. I have rods and reels that are 20-30 years old that are some of my favorite, and some newer stuff as well. My rod philosophy is less is better, so a lot of the longer, faster, stouter trends, has kept me from adding too many sticks, but I'm always looking to see if I'm missing out on something, and I'm not. 

You my friend have the wrong attitude.  Both the Bait Monkey and I are upset.  Let us help you out with a little intervention. 

[bulldog1935]

@new2BC4bass I finally killed my 4400SS lifting big mackerel below the boat.  But I still fished it intermittently another 10 years, mostly fishing baitcaster, before adding Libra SX3000 (read 5000).  

I was really happy when Shimano introduced the '19 Stradic, in 4000 size, perfect for my inshore niche.  

[Boomstick]

I personally go with the old saying if it's not broke, don't fix it. Sure there has been improvements in modern fishing gear, but that doesn't mean ten year old rods and reels are inherently bad either.

 

I wouldn't suggest looking to go out and replace all your gear because it's old. Instead I would say there's a few questions that you need to ask yourself.

#1) Are you missing anything your my setup? If not, then move on if you are, is it for something you throw regularly or just for something situational?

#2) Is there something in your setup that could be improved? For example, I had been throwing my T-Rigs on a rod that's a little bit underpowered if there's any cover or overpowered if I use a light weight, so I got myself a Tatula Elite M-MH/XF rod that throws them weightless and has adequate power to pull them out of typical cover for this year - and while I've been out a handful of times with it, it seems like it was a fantastic pickup.

#3) Do you find that I have a particular lure tied on whenever you go out? And is that lure something that a nice rod would benefit? Perhaps a jig, t-rig or drop shot? Then maybe upgrading the rod or rods you throw these lures on would be a good idea. Likewise if you throw a crankbait regularly and can get a reel that casts a crankbait further then that makes sense to upgrade.

[mcipinkie]

Guess the humor regarding "sponsors" was not received.

 

I'm 75 years old now, and the few sponsors I had in my prime are long gone, but the tackle I got in my prime isn't. 

 

I still have a couple 30 plus year old rods in my rod locker every time I go fishing and, a few reels that will push 20.  I buy something new if I need it, or think it will help me catch a few more fish.  I doubt a 2021 reel is significantly better that the 2020 of the same model.

 

No "Bling" here.