Has anyone found they are happy with non high end rods and reels

[Cgolf]

I started a process a couple of years ago of upgrading all of my rods and reels. Well oddly I found that I am coming to a premature end because there are some lower end rods and reels I really don’t want to take out of my rotation. I carry a medium ugly spinning rod that has the perfect action for small jerkbaits and spy baits. My medium ugly bait caster works very well with spinnerbaits. Other rods like my prodigy and the blue clunn pair very well to my fishing style and the techniques I use them for. I prefer moderate action rods, so that may be why I am struggling with the new trend toward faster actions.

 

As far as reels go, I am happy with my reels down to the Daiwa Laguna baitcaster to the new Quantum Icons I got this year that are amazing reels. Spinning reels I have always had good luck with low end to mid range spinning reels. I have had some cheap reels last a long time even with heavy use.

I attached my go to combos that I take on vacation which is a majority of my combos.

 

I will say I was bummed with the St. Croix Victory series. My favorite rod is my MH moderate Premier casting rod, and I had hoped they would have a Victory M moderate, but from what I see that isn’t happening.

[gunsinger]

All i can afford are lower end rods/reels so, yes, I'm happy with them ?

[Mobasser]

I have some newer nicer rods now, but over the years I've used several Berkley rods, a Diawa Laguna spinning reel, Phlueger, and lower end Shimano spin reels. They've all actually worked good.

[desmobob]

Most all of the budget options work well and you don't know what you're missing until you try a higher-end product.  Then, it can sometimes be hard to go back...

[TOXIC]

I would never comment on someone’s choice of rods.  If they are happy with the characteristics and performance, more power to them.  I know many a fisherman who have great success with lower end rods.  I used to fish a benefit tournament put on by Woo Daves.  All of his sponsors and NASCAR Hendricks Racing team would compete.  One year he assigned the wife of the owner of Georgia Boot to fish with me because I was an experienced guide and had taken out a lot of newbies.  I wasn’t expecting that and he said he would give her one of his rod/reels…..what was it?  A Bass Pro rod and a Zebco 303 reel.  He used it for his famous “slop” fishing and skipping docks.  I rigged her up with a lightly weighted Senko and she took second place out of all the sponsors.   

[Happybeerbuzz]

This two years or so ago, I acquired a Curado 71 and a SLX DC.  Prior to that, my best reels were Fuego CTs and a Lews Tournament MB.  Last year, I started replacing various rods.  I added a G Loomis E6X off the auction site and a ALX Zolo rod which took the place of a couple of Daiwa Aird X rods.  In retrospect, I feel I should have done the rods first.  They just seem to add more to the fishing experience. 

[MN Fisher]

I'm very happy so far with my rigs

 

Haven't even hit $100 on any item - and that includes the Patriarch that I got used for $70 - rest I got on sale or closeout.

[DitchPanda]

Most expensive rod I've paid full price for is $150 and I've never even spent that on a reel. There are tons of great quality rods and reels in and around $100. If you wanna go even more budget Daiwa revros spinning and Abu black max casting are both serviceable reels. Plus the Daiwa aird rods are fantastic for $55. With those options I could build a total 7 rod\reel arsenal...5 casting 2 spinning...or a little over 800 bucks.

[Deleted account]

Yes. I fish with some 20 year old reels and some mid range and house brand sticks because I prefer them for certain things. I try the latest and greatest just to make sure I'm not missing out, I'm not.

 

ps; You guys with the spreadsheets are scaring me. "proposed vacation combos" is particularly troubling...

[Finessegenics]

Everyone has a different idea of what lower end means though. Most of my gear would probably qualify as mid range and I’m happy with it that way. I feel like I have found the sweet spot between affordability and quality. I have even “downgraded” before when getting a new setup for a specific technique. I do have some equipment which are pushing the high end range. But after fishing them, I feel like I’m not missing out that much. Thankfully, there are a lot of good, affordable options out there. You can get great setups below $150. 

[MAN]

I have pretty much given away all my high end rods. Thinking about consolidating my whole assortment to just 4 Cherrywood rods to do everything.  M (spinning, casting),  MH and H (casting).  While that may not seem crazy, I am going from 40+ Combo's...to 4, so its downright insane.     

[Bankc]

I'm far from the skill level needed to say that the gear I have is holding me back.  So yeah, I'm content with what I have.

[Jaderose]

None of my set-ups are high end.  My Frog Rod is one of the older Tatula rods and it's perfect in my hand.  My BC's are PQ's and JM Signatures.  My spinning reels are a President and a Shimano something or other that someone FOUND and gave me.  I could afford to upgrade my gear but don't have any reason to.  MY PQ's have actually gotten BETTER through the years.  The Sig on my Frog Rod is ok.  If anything were to be upgraded, that would be the one.  All the rest suits me just fine.  The "found" Shimano is probably my "best" reel and I like the President more.  Fish what ya like and can afford.  The bass don't care.

 

[Catt]

Daiwa Tatula TTU711MHXB 7' 1" Medium Heavy X-Fast

 

Probably the best all around rod at any price point. Many will say no single rod can do everything well, it will be good at some lures & not so good at others.

 

This rod will dispel that notion!

 

I've thrown Texas Rigs, Jig-n-Craws, Swimjigs, Shaky Heads, spinnerbaits. Rat-L-Traps, Carolina Rigs, Ribbets, Senkos, buzzbaits, & others.

 

I've used it for casting. Flipping, & pitching in laydowns, brush, standing timber, various vegetation, from bank shallow out to 30'

[moguy1973]

Most of my combos consist of a $60-100 reel and a $50-100 rod.  My most expensive set up is a Lews Tournament Pro Speed Spool I got on sale for $169 and a Carbonlite II rod I got on sale for $99. It's nice, but my lower end stuff is good too and helps me catch the fish just as well.

I've never understood the need for $300-400 reels and $300-500 rods.

[ironbjorn]

I'm most happy with rods and reels between $120~ and $150~. Enough quality, enough sensitivity, enough longevity, without getting too ridiculous on price.

[gim]

Not sure about others, but I can't afford to simply go out and buy 10 top of the line setups.

 

I upgrade over time or as-needed.  Eventually when I find something I really like, I just stick with it until it breaks down and needs replacing.

[JustJames]

I’m just happy to use what I can afford. Now I can afford 200 dollars reel and I wouldn’t use blackmax nor dream about those 5-700 dollars reels. I’m not trashing low end and not questioning the one who love using high end neither. 
 

[greentrout]

A few years ago I bought (50 dollars)  a KK Perigee II 3 piece 7'rod. The rod comes with 2 tips med. and med. heavy. I couldn't ask for a more enjoyable and functional rod. Strong and sensitive.  And is a multi species rod that can be used for light salt water which I do fish on occasion ...

 

Good fishing ...

 

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, gunsinger said:

All i can afford are lower end rods/reels so, yes, I'm happy with them ?

Bingo . I’ve never had high end gear And I’ve never felt like I needed it

[TriStateBassin106]

Absolutely. Almost every rod and reel I own is less than or right at the 120 dollar range, my most expensive rod being a dobyns fury for jerkbaits and cranks. All my reels are below 100 dollars with the most being in the 79 to 99 dollar range with my SLX being the most expensive. I actually have a enigma fishing reel that's listed at 115 dollars but I got it on sale for 90. They all work great and will last for a long time as long as they're maintained correctly and cleaned. 

[TheBasslayer]

My Fenwick Eagle/Black Max, St. Croix Bass X/ Regal LT, and my Daiwa Aird X/ Crossfire have served me well so far!

[Dirtyeggroll]

My favorite rod is an old super cheap Berkeley and I have several very high end rods (Daiwa Steez, Loomis NRX).

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, BassWhole! said:

Yes. I fish with some 20 year old reels and some mid range and house brand sticks because I prefer them for certain things. I try the latest and greatest just to make sure I'm not missing out, I'm not.

 

ps; You guys with the spreadsheets are scaring me. "proposed vacation combos" is particularly troubling...

 

I could really scare you and post my baits list too, heck I will;) I even have a sheet that documents what boxes go where in the boat that goes down to where the boat key is. I really look forward to this trip lol.

[Mobasser]

Two years ago, I bought two new rods from a company called All Pro in Arkansas. I paid 50.00 each for 1 6'6med hvy casting, and one 6' med spinning. They originally sold for 150.00 dollars each. They've been great rods so far. It pays to look around for sales. I bought two Shimano Sienna size 1000 spin reels for crappie fishing seven years ago. My wife uses one of them. They're both still working good. I just think that with ANY rods/reels keeping them clean and lubed up makes them last a long time. I use some older stuff also. ABU Zebco Cardinal 4- a tank. ABU 4600c , over 20 yrs old, and ABU5500c probably 25 yrs old. Another great value are clean Japanese made Shimano spinning reels from the 1980s. The Custom X models are especially good. If you can't afford all the latest or best- don't sweat it. You can still catch plenty of bass.