Super User JustJames Posted June 17, 2021 Super User Posted June 17, 2021 It is not just about catching fish, yes any rod or reel can catch fish, fish doesn’t care. It is about beautiful piece of equipment that will last you a lifetime. You are happy just to look at it. And when the time to give to your kids, they still would be proud of what they got. Don’t get me wrong, I have cheap exceler LT and SLX and still using it daily, but I would call myself crazy if I said I prefer those over these. As I mentioned you are happy of what you can afford not prefer. 7
Super User Deleted account Posted June 17, 2021 Super User Posted June 17, 2021 2 hours ago, QED said: That said, high end cycling and fishing gear are undoubtedly exquisite when you can afford them. exquisite or not, I will never ride a road bike with disc brakes on the road. 1
redmeansdistortion Posted June 17, 2021 Posted June 17, 2021 14 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said: It is about beautiful piece of equipment that will last you a lifetime. You are happy just to look at it. Yep. I personally feel that many of the higher end round reels are of heirloom quality. 1
Super User JustJames Posted June 17, 2021 Super User Posted June 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said: Yep. I personally feel that many of the higher end round reels are of heirloom quality. Tell me about it. I just sent picture of conquest BFS to my wife. Hopefully she approve. I don’t know what I’m gonna do with the reel but it just look good side by side with CQ50 lol. Same as Yellow Pixy that I have to have it because it look good with my airy red pixy.
Super User Log Catcher Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 The most I have ever paid for a rod was around $75.00. It is a BPS Pro Qualifier rod I bought when they were on clearance sale. My most expensive reel is a Lews BB1 at $159.00. Most of my rods and reels are older models. My newest rods are seven years old. All of my rods are either BPS or Cabelas brand and they work very well for me.
CrankFate Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 I generally fish combos that cost between $400 and $900. I cannot say that a properly matched $400 combo is worse than a properly matched $900 combo. It’s not. Except for extremely specialized technique specific fishing, the $400-500 combo will equal anything twice the price. And will almost always be more durable. I have spent whole seasons fishing $20-$40 combos, with no issues, except durability. Things like plastic guides falling off, wooden spools expanding and cracking, etc. Bottom line, you don’t need expensive gear. 2
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted June 18, 2021 Global Moderator Posted June 18, 2021 I've got some combos that are under $100 for the whole setup, and some in the 600-700 range. I like them all and they all serve their purpose. I've been really happy with my Daiwa Arid X rods, H2O rods, Daiwa CC80 reels, Daiwa Revros and Eliminators. 5
Super User Catt Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 11 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said: And when the time to give to your kids, they still would be proud of what they got Hate to burst your bubble but unless they are as obsessed with fishing as we are they won't care. 2 of my 4 sons & 3 grandsons are avid anglers, they look at my Calcuttas as nice but antiquated. I have two Shimanos and a Ambassador that are part of bass fishing history but wouldn't be surprised if they end up in an estate sale. 4
DaubsNU1 Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 All my rods are Cabela's branded, save one Berkeley MH bait-caster. Shimano spinning and bait-casting reels, one Cabela's branded spinning reel. All but one were were purchased between 1991 and 2000. Have replaced a few tips and guides through the years. They perform wonderfully...I have no desire to fish anything else.
Super User NYWayfarer Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 I can get by happy in life with my St Croix Triumph medium action rod paired with a Lew’s Speed Spin SS20HS total price $160 Same with my St Croix Bass X medium action casting rod paired with a Lew’s LFS baitcaster total price $209
Super User Cgolf Posted June 18, 2021 Author Super User Posted June 18, 2021 I am glad to hear that many are like me. My most expensive retail combo, got both on sale, would be the Viento Champ XP topping out over 450 bucks, but that isn't my favorite combo. It is a bit to soft for what I had it in mind for, but will ultimately make a great jerkbait rod. In the next year I am going to be shopping for another medium moderate casting rod that has a similar action to the MH moderate St. Croix Premier that I have. I am hoping once St. Croix is caught up they will add more back to the premier line and it will show up there. If not I will have to do some searching and ask you all for advice.
Super User A-Jay Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 Has anyone found they are happy with non high end rods and reels ? Interesting thread & read . . . It's more about product quality vs price point for me. I am a big fan of gear that does just a bit more than what I need it to. That said, the following characteristics are always considered in advance of making any purchase; -Performance -Reliability & Reputation -Durability -Serviceability -Aesthetics (plays a lesser role but a role none the less) -Perceived quality (only matters to me). I am very willing to pay whatever is required to land right here. Always felt like quality is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten. Once I know what I need, I can discover true happiness in that. I do not need to buy expensive things to prove to the world that I am happy. Fish Hard A-Jay 4
Super User bowhunter63 Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 Sure have , I have a few lighting rods and ugly stik lite pro rods . Have some ABU black max reels and some ABU spinning reels. It doesn’t matter what you use as long as your enjoying yourself. 4
Super User Cgolf Posted June 18, 2021 Author Super User Posted June 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Has anyone found they are happy with non high end rods and reels ? Interesting thread & read . . . It's more about product quality vs price point for me. I am a big fan of gear that does just a bit more than what I need it to. That said, the following characteristics are always considered in advance of making any purchase; -Performance -Reliability & Reputation -Durability -Serviceability -Aesthetics (plays a lesser role but a role none the less) -Perceived quality (only matters to me). I am very willing to pay whatever is required to land right here. Always felt like quality is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten. Once I know what I need, I can discover true happiness in that. I do not need to buy expensive things to prove to the world that I am happy. Fish Hard A-Jay Well said and my wife has taught me to be a bargain shopper and all of my gear that trends towards the higher end was bought on deals. Getting the previous years models on baitcasters can save a ton of money and 4 - 10 years down the road the fact you got last years model is irrelevant. Same with rods, between the dobyns discount and other sales, I have built up a comfortable lineup. Once the supply chain issues are gone post covid, I think we will see these kinds of deals again. 1 1
Super User Spankey Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 20 hours ago, cgolf said: 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. That’s pretty darn impressive. 1
Super User NHBull Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 For me it is about Fit, Quality and performance. I will pay more for a light, ergonomic rod and reel that allows me to Stay on the water longer and with less pain. On a similar note, if they will last longer than me and be able to be passed to my grandkids, all the better. I have a couple calcutta conquest that serve this purpose. I have also found that if you plan on owning few rods, better rods are in order. I have a friend that owners 2 GLX 's, 1 is a JWR and the other a MBR. These cover everything he throws. Others have 20 rods, technic specific......who spent more ?
Super User JustJames Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 3 hours ago, cgolf said: I am glad to hear that many are like me. My most expensive retail combo, got both on sale, would be the Viento Champ XP topping out over 450 bucks, but that isn't my favorite combo. It is a bit to soft for what I had it in mind for, but will ultimately make a great jerkbait rod. In the next year I am going to be shopping for another medium moderate casting rod that has a similar action to the MH moderate St. Croix Premier that I have. I am hoping once St. Croix is caught up they will add more back to the premier line and it will show up there. If not I will have to do some searching and ask you all for advice. From this example it is not about “price”, but more like action and power that you prefer from your old, cheaper rod. I’m the same if you can see my rods are in 100-200 price range. I don’t care much about high end rod with the best sensitivity. Once OLD wise guy said” sensitivity is in your brain not your hand” (yes it was you @Catt???). Once I found the rod I like, weight, balance, comfortable reel seat and tip action, doesn’t matter cheap or expensive, I would buy more. One of my favorite rod for jerkbait is 20 yeas old Castaway rod, and I still use Quantum response (50 bucks) rod from time to time. 4
The Maestro Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 I put about 10 years on my mid range gear (Curado/Crucial level stuff) before upgrading and I have no regrets. The difference is I bought this stuff slower and sold off a lot of my older gear so it didn't sting so bad compared to buying a bunch of combos in such a short time when you're building your first real arsenal. I also feel like it would've been a mistake to jump right into high end gear as it takes some time to figure out what you really like and what works best for you.
Super User FishTank Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 If I'm catching fish, sure cheaper gear is fine. But when it becomes a hindrance or broken down, then it's just a waste. For me, I'd rather have 1 rod and reel that does everything right that I can depend on than 5 rigs that only do a few things right and are short lived, which generally means more costly gear. Also, I like to find the best bang for the buck and I reached a point in my life that it's also about fishing pleasure > Higher end gear does it for me, usually. Another thing, I am patient with my purchases. I don't need to rush out and buy the latest gear, unless I can get a good deal and not pay full retail. 3
Super User JustJames Posted June 18, 2021 Super User Posted June 18, 2021 5 hours ago, Catt said: Hate to burst your bubble but unless they are as obsessed with fishing as we are they won't care. 2 of my 4 sons & 3 grandsons are avid anglers, they look at my Calcuttas as nice but antiquated. I have two Shimanos and a Ambassador that are part of bass fishing history but wouldn't be surprised if they end up in an estate sale. I hear you. Unfortunately I don’t have kids and none of my family members here fish ???. I’m not too worry though since my best friend and best fishing buddy in Thailand already show interest of inheritance all my fishing gears.??? Hopefully my wife knows how much I love this stuffs and won’t put mine on garage sale. Unlike my brother who I left him a few rod and reels. He sold them once I moved here. 1
Eric 26 Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 2 hours ago, A-Jay said: Has anyone found they are happy with non high end rods and reels ? Interesting thread & read . . . It's more about product quality vs price point for me. I am a big fan of gear that does just a bit more than what I need it to. That said, the following characteristics are always considered in advance of making any purchase; -Performance -Reliability & Reputation -Durability -Serviceability -Aesthetics (plays a lesser role but a role none the less) -Perceived quality (only matters to me). I am very willing to pay whatever is required to land right here. Always felt like quality is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives. The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten. Once I know what I need, I can discover true happiness in that. I do not need to buy expensive things to prove to the world that I am happy. Fish Hard A-Jay As one who owns low to mid priced gear (my top of the line rod is a Okuma tcs with a Daiwa Tatula 100 reel) I think this sums it up pretty well. My father taught me from a young age buy the best you can afford and base the best on your expected usage. That advice served me well when I was a carpenter buying occidental leather tool pouches that would last many years compared to some other brands. My original Stilleto titanium hammer was a pricy purchase when they first came out $80.00 ? but it’s still with me after many years of work,stopped working as a carpenter after the 2008/2009 economic fallout. 1
Yuddzy Posted June 18, 2021 Posted June 18, 2021 On 6/17/2021 at 2:15 PM, GetFishorDieTryin said: I cant lie, I shuddered when I saw them lol. I'm a bit obsessive and even that's a bit much for me. "Proposed vacation combos" has to be the funniest fishing related thing I've ever read. 1
huZZah Posted June 19, 2021 Posted June 19, 2021 9 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said: One of my favorite rod for jerkbait is 20 yeas old Castaway rod Lol. I still have a castaway medium spinning rod that’s my wacky/weightless rod. More in the lighter feel. I got it in 2002 (college)when I worked at academy. Best I could get including my employee discount ?? Had an old Daiwa spinning reel my grandfather gave me to go on it back then.
Super User Cgolf Posted June 19, 2021 Author Super User Posted June 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Yuddzy said: I'm a bit obsessive and even that's a bit much for me. "Proposed vacation combos" has to be the funniest fishing related thing I've ever read. curious as to why? This is my packing list so I know which rods and reels to take. Prepared for sure but funny is a bit ridiculous. I do this during slow times to pass the time and think about fishing. Also fishing out of a small 16 foot boat it helps me to pack only the stuff I really need, because the boat doesn’t carry much. Pretty much pack like a co angler would in someone’s bass boat. 1
Yuddzy Posted June 19, 2021 Posted June 19, 2021 18 minutes ago, cgolf said: curious as to why? This is my packing list so I know which rods and reels to take. Prepared for sure but funny is a bit ridiculous. I do this during slow times to pass the time and think about fishing. Also fishing out of a small 16 foot boat it helps me to pack only the stuff I really need, because the boat doesn’t carry much. Pretty much pack like a co angler would in someone’s bass boat. I'm sorry if you took that as me being condescending. I just think the premise of that quote was a bit funny, but there's nothing wrong with being organized at all. You're into gear and preparation, that's understandable. Some days I think I like the equipment more than the fishing myself. 1
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