Don't feel bad....

[billmac]

....about your cheap setup.  I'm a fairly cheap fisherman.  I use rods and reels that run about $50 each.  I'm somewhat skeptical of super expensive tackle  and probably wouldn't buy it even if I had a lot more funds than I do.  I don't begrudge people spending $$$ on tackle, but I've been watching some old-time fishing videos and it dawned on me that my $100 baitcasting combo is probably light years better than what these pros were using 20 years ago.  It's all a matter of perspective.

[Deleted account]

Your Ferrari won't get you to work any faster in morning rush hour traffic than your Kia, but it's nice to own one if you can afford it, or dream about one if you can't.

[scaleface]

My favorite combo cost 115 dollars . With discounts I got the reel for 45 bucks .I dont know how long it will hold up but I have two of them now and like them better than my  more expensive reels . My rods are 70 dollars apiece . They are not even classified as bass rods they are classified as inshore rods . I love them and now have four . Plan on getting more .

[MN Fisher]

I get everything on sale or used at steep discounts. My most expensive rig (Patriarch/Fury 704) cost me $160...about 1/2 retail.

[BrianMDTX]

There's inexpensive and there’s cheap. My two Daiwa Revros spinning reels are inexpensive. But not “cheap”. My Aird-X’s are inexpensive, but also not cheap. 

 

Do I prefer my Falcon Lowrider and Dobyns Fury rods? Yes. But it’s not so huge a difference that I feel handicapped. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, BrianMDTX said:

My Aird-X’s are inexpensive, but also not cheap. 

I'm still waffling over upgrading my two remaining Aird-X rods - they perform well and my Furys don't seem that much better to justify the $65 difference.

[Russ E]

It is all personal preference.

I have cheaper setups and expensive combos.

They all catch fish.

In general I use the cheaper combos for horizontal baits. The expensive combos for bottom contact.

I will say that my higher end equipment is much more comfortable to use on a long day of fishing. Much better balance and sensitivity.

[Happybeerbuzz]

1 hour ago, billmac said:

....about your cheap setup.  I'm a fairly cheap fisherman.  I use rods and reels that run about $50 each.  I'm somewhat skeptical of super expensive tackle  and probably wouldn't buy it even if I had a lot more funds than I do.  I don't begrudge people spending $$$ on tackle, but I've been watching some old-time fishing videos and it dawned on me that my $100 baitcasting combo is probably light years better than what these pros were using 20 years ago.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Also, the bass have not evolved much since those videos.  

[813basstard]

More expensive stuff tends to last longer…I know, I know the reel your grandpa gave you has never been oiled spent a decade on the bottom of the lake and still casts like a dream. 
However, if you fish a lot, on average, the better brands last longer.

 

[Jaderose]

No matter what you paid for it, if you enjoy using your gear and it functions properly for the application your are using it for, you are good to go.  At 53 years old, I gave up giving a hoot what another person thinks of my gear a LONG time ago.

 

When people who do not fish a lot ask me questions about fishing, they inevitably "apologize" for their gear.  Usually Zebco's or old Johnson Century's (which I LOVE).  I always ask if they enjoy using their gear.  Almost always, they say yes.  Well..then great!  If I fished 2 or 3 times a year, I would be happy with them too!

[waymont]

Who feels bad about their gear?

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Jaderose said:

At 53 years old, I gave up giving a hoot what another person thinks of my gear a LONG time ago.

I believe this notion about what people think about other's gear is a navel gazing internet phenomenon that spawns the comments that ensue in threads like the current Megabass topic. In the actual world, I don't believe anyone gives a crap about what someone else fishes with. They care about catching their own fish and could care less about how anyone else does it.

3 minutes ago, waymont said:

Who feels bad about their gear?

I feel bad about your gear?

[NHBull]

 

I have a couple of these.

You also can't tell the cost of something until the accounting  period is over.

I figure I will use them as long as I am able.

They will go to my son and grandsons.

Could easily be used for 50 years and provide nice memories along the way.

Factoring how long they could be used, I believe the final cost to be a bargain.

 

Just one FOG's thoughts

[Derek1]

21 minutes ago, NHBull said:

 

I have a couple of these.

You also can't tell the cost of something until the accounting  period is over.

I figure I will use them as long as I am able.

They will go to my son and grandsons.

Could easily be used for 50 years and provide nice memories along the way.

Factoring how long they could be used, I believe the final cost to be a bargain.

 

Just one FOG's thoughts

We’ll said 

[TOXIC]

I can tell you I have some BPS Pro Qualifier and Browning Midas and Citori reels that have been put through the grinder both from the guide service and me using them for 20 years.  They still perform perfectly.  Advancements in weight are the only changes that make me like the newer gear.  

[MN Fisher]

38 minutes ago, NHBull said:

They will go to my son and grandsons.

Yes - then it's an investment in the future.

 

However - there are those of us who don't have anyone to pass things like this on to...in that instance, it's more about our own budget and what can I get that'll last me until I hang-up-my-hooks for good.

[GRiver]

I have a bass pro combo…. Carbonlite baitcaster that was a new purchase a couple years ago….. Christmas present. 
most of my stuff comes from yard sales. 

[scaleface]

On 7/3/2021 at 10:33 AM, Jaderose said:

old Johnson Century's (which I LOVE).

I used those things a bunch , upside down on a spinning rod with the spool reversed and the "switch" reversed . I gave them to an older gentleman , that was all he used. 

[David 7]

I have a 7’ MH Ugly Stick combo and have no desire to replace it. Unless it’s with a newer Ugly Stick combo. I know that if I hook into a big bass, my rig isn’t going to fail me. I trust the tip for the hookset and trust the rod strength. 
 

We’re a Dave Ramsey family and are very intentional with our money. I do however make sure to spend top dollar on the best baits, GYCB etc..

[Darth-Baiter]

When I meet a fisherman on the water, I never ask about their gear. I don’t really care. 

[new2BC4bass]

I don't.  (Feel bad about my cheap setup.)  Berkley Lightning 6' MH and Daiwa Procaster 100HN.  Whopping $48.02 total (with tax) both purchased new.  My dedicated short range spinnerbait rod.

 

However, I'm not going to apologize because my more expensive gear gives me more pleasure to use even though it may not catch more fish.

[Kenny Yi]

the only thing I will spend pricey on is BC reels, I caught a 6-pounder this year that nearly twisted my graphite reel frame, used the Lunker Prize to immediately buy myself an aluminum framed reel, but my price point rarely goes out of $100-$200 (Curado DC has so far been a one time incident...)

 

I recently got my first Dobyns Fury 734C... it probably won't be my last... other than that, all my rods are $50-$60

[JustJames]

Don’t be sad and don’t be so insecure. Be proud of what you have go catch fish and show off your catches with cheap setup. There are different type of fishermen here, one that just plain love catching fish and doesn’t care about equipment.
Ones that love anything fishing related, catching fish, buying new gears and lure. And one that I call gear junkies, buying 4-500 dollars rod/reel plus another 4-500 dress up part just to put it in the shelf.

I will gladly look at picture of your big fish with cheap gear than those expensive setup on counter top.
I’m not ashamed to show off my hard earn setup, as long as I have fun using it to catch fish. 
There are many cheap vs expensive post going around lately, why? 
Just because you use Ugly stick doesn’t mean you love fishing more than me. Just because I have CQ50 and Yellow pixy doesn’t mean I’m better fisherman than you. It is about what I love to have and it is in my power to buy without pawning all my wife purses.

Confident in yourself and your ability to catch fish ppl and please stop comparing. 

[evo2s197]

Never be ashamed of the gear you have or envious of others with what could be perceived as better gear.

 

Buy the best you can afford and go fish.

[Crankin4Bass]

16 hours ago, scaleface said:

My favorite combo cost 115 dollars . With discounts I got the reel for 45 bucks .I dont know how long it will hold up but I have two of them now and like them better than my  more expensive reels . My rods are 70 dollars apiece . They are not even classified as bass rods they are classified as inshore rods . I love them and now have four . Plan on getting more .

I think you're right about inshore rods. Do you prefer them because they have a more moderate taper? I'm starting to not like xf bass rods. What models do you have?