Diminishing returns.

[PhishLI]

MacJig, I can't directly answer your question because in reality only you can answer it by buying, trying, then deciding for yourself. For myself, I'm quite aware of the differences between my $150 combo and my $550 combo if I'm simply making a direct comparison between the two as an intellectual exercise. I appreciate the differences. However, while I'm fishing and grabbing different combos that I've optimized regarding line choice and bait weight I'm not focused on the gear in the least. I'm locked in to my bait on the end of the line and what I feel from the line. The gear fades away into the backround of that. This doesn't mean I won't dabble with costlier stuff when I get the itch, and I will, but not because I honestly feel like doing so will really change the game much for how and where I fish. If I move to a place with gin clear water and hard bottoms my priorities might shift somewhat, maybe.

 

Either way I'm not too concerned about the fish I might've missed due to my gear. Ultimately I'm the most sensitive part of the complete rod/reel/line system regardless of cost, and I feel confident enough that I'm able to decode most of what's happening regardless of the other components.

[padon]

9 hours ago, txchaser said:

My observations:

1) there's a major inflection point around $100. I think it is an important retail price point and there's a race to see how much a manufacturer can push to that price point. And often (but not always) below that price point it seems more cost engineering than value engineering.

2) For me, while I notice a difference in the 500+ price point in rods and reels, it isn't enough to warrant buying more. I gave it a shot, but wasn't for me. They are definitely better, but it isn't something I notice on the water. I treat them just like the other ones, no preference etc.

3) On a rod, getting the action just the way I want it is probably the most important thing. The rod I use for heavy open hook/medium swimjig/big but not enormous cranks is a MH fast mod rod that is below my typical price point. But I really like the way it fishes.

4) After a bunch of trial and error, I settled at about 350 retail on rods and reels, in my case the daiwa zillion reels and either kistler helium or poison adrena rods. Open to other rods but haven't had an application that would require it yet. As a bonus there's almost always a 20-25% sale price floating around if I'm patient, and that is much more rare in the $500+ zone.

 

However, I don't think we talk nearly enough about line quality in the context of rod/reel price points. Premium line really is different. Super-round no-fade braid casts a littler further and lasts way way longer than standard braid. Good flouro really is different than Vanish, and different products from teh same manufacturer have really different feel and properties. Mono seems to have less of a difference, but Armilo Defier is certainly different than my spool of big game. 

If you said I could choose between a $200 combo and any line I wanted, or a $1k combo with off-brand mono, I would take the former every time.

for me thats a large part of it. i want the action right for the lure or technique that im employing . I want the rod to be relatativley light because to me that help with the sensitivity i want the right line and a reel that functions properly. if those criteria are met i dont care what the rod costs. if it is $100 but feels right ill buy it.if its $600 i wont because i know i can find what i need for less than that.

[MacJig]

I appreciate all the comments. I currently have about 39 rods in my collection and it's a very diverse group. My most expensive is a Fenwick world class rod that at the time retailed for about $300 (I paid far less for it ?). At the other end I have a Shakespeare that retails for about $30 that I paid around $9 for! ?. I'm not prejudice! I'll use them all. But let's face it, as we watch those YouTube channels and see the gear that's used, you have to wonder how much of it all is genuine zing and how much is just bling. 

[throttleplate]

newest favorite rod cost me $19.00 new. It does everything i expected for how i use it and makes me happy that i can get what i needed out of such a inexpensive rod.

I also have no choice but to abuse it as i fish while standing on riprap or boulders.

When i set the rod down it gets scratched up but even if it was a $300.00 rod which i woud never purchase i would still abuse it because thats the environment i fish in.

My reels are $100.00 and are taking a beating on the rocks also but appearance doesnt bother me, if it did i woud get my face lifted.

 

 

[throttleplate]

woud you do this to your $$$$ high end reels or rods

 

 

[ironbjorn]

28 minutes ago, throttleplate said:

woud you do this to your $$$$ high end reels or rods

 

 

I wouldn't even do that to low end gear.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, ironbjorn said:

I wouldn't even do that to low end gear.

Ya, I even treat my Trion and my Avocet RZTs better than that.

[Bankbeater]

I try and replace my reels after 10 years or so, before they break down and I'm forced to get new ones.  I've replaced my older rods because the newer ones are made with more modern materials, but the old rods are still quite usable. 

[WRB]

The past year I am cutting way back on my tackle for both fresh and salt water.

Sold 10 salt water combos for tuna and marlin, wahoo and yellow. The Penn International would be the higher end, Penn Squiders and Senators and Daiwa 2 speed lever drags the mid range. If the combo didn’t hold up and perform flawlessly I wouldn’t own it at any price point.

Sold at least 25 fresh water bass rods and reels, price points vary but basically bought the higher at the time of purchase with a few exceptions. 

I kept 1 of my custom ALX rods and Daiwa reel combo for jigs.

1 Lower cost point Major Craft Iovino Splas-It rod w/ Shimano SLX MGL 70 reel a newer comb for general use.

SC Victory spinning combo w/ Vanford reel, another newer combo.

My sons Phenix split shot rod w/ Stradic reel.

down to 4 combos. 

If doesn't Perform for you don’t buy it at any price.

Tom

 

 

[Jaderose]

I guess my thinking towards my gear is a little different.  I don't care about aesthetics AT ALL.  I consider my rods and reels to be tools.  How well do they do the job I need them to do? It doesn't mean I don't take care of them, it just means that I don't care what they look like.  If a fifty dollar rod (my finesse spinning rod) does the job well, why spend more on something I don't need?  On the flip side, my frog rod is by far the most expensive combo I have.  Why?  Because it needs to be the best combo I have.  It gets a ton of use and abuse.  Use gear you can afford and feels like an extension of your central nervous system.  However much it costs.

[N Florida Mike]

I don’t have much money, so I don’t have all those choices. I have done fine with 20 to 100 $ rods…

[WRB]

I would like to add that the diminishing returns are less if you initially buy good quality rods and reels within your budget. Reels that perform for decades instead of a few years with normal maintenance and rods that that cast your lures and feel balanced in your hand is all anyone needs.

I would avoid buying anything because someone else likes it, always buy products with good customer service that feels 

right to you. 

Tom