Bling or no bling

[WC53]

Nope. No lotiony hands either

[BrianMDTX]

Bling would be extremely important to me if it helped me catch bass. But it don’t. So it isn’t. 
 

I want it to look good from an aesthetic perspective. Graceful, not clunky. A perfect fit and finish. I do not require or need flashy colors or graphics. 
 

By the way, I’m 61. You younger fellas may feel differently! 

[WRB]

Very conservative and OCD can’t look at bright colors on my rods all day. Matt grey or black with navy blue guide wrap works for me.

Tom

[J Francho]

I like nice things, but unless the bling serves some kind of purpose, I'm indifferent to it. 

[Catt]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

I'll refer back to my days in the aerospace industry.

 

Form, Fit, and Function is the identification and description of characteristics of a part or assembly. Each defines a specific aspect of the part to help engineers match parts to needs. 

 

Bling does not apply! ?

 

[bulldog1935]

Form follows function. 

If bling comes out of improved function, more power to 'em. 

 

I actually used to hate the look of Japan spinning reels with Livre parts when they turned up on ebay. 

Then I fished with some and changed my mind. 

I'll never get used to colored rods, though. 

[Choporoz]

I probably have a million potential combinations of rod and reel models and colors.    I have never given one second of thought to how a particular rod, reel or combo looked....together or separate.   I imagine if you look closely at any of my pics, you could probably pick out a hot pink and yellow Disney rod in my hands.

[MacJig]

3 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

To me, rod/reel looks aren't nearly as important as other aspects when it comes to purchasing a rod/reel. With that said, it does matter to me.

 

Personally, I like blacks/grays/silvers the most. I just like the looks, and if I have a reel with some color to it, it's easy to match up with a black rod. That doesn't mean I don't like the looks of some rods like the Megabass Levante. Or the St. Croix Legend Glass. But to me, the best looking rods I own are my Expride's. As for reels, black/silver/white for me. But I do like the red on the Scorpion and the new Lew's KVD reels. 

 

What I really can't do are crazy colors like these. Even those new BassX rods...even tho they have black blanks, the label on them are BUTT ugly IMO. No idea what St. Croix was thinking with those.

 

i have heard others say the same thing about the new BassX colors. Really very ?

 

[NorthernBasser]

While I don't consider it "bling", I fully appreciate the looks of nice rods/reels. The same way people fawn over nice cars, etc. 

 

Off-topic- I can never put a Shimano reel on a Daiwa rod, etc. I just can't. ?

[Finessegenics]

Couldn't care less, I've never considered it once. Maybe subconsciously it comes into play but I mishmash whatever reel onto whatever rod.

[T-Billy]

4 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Yes I would.

I like my vehicles ugly, my women ugly, my dogs even uglier, and don't give a flying hockey puck what my gear and especially what your gear looks like.

? This should be designated as the solution!!! LOL!!!

[BassNJake]

I'm not the type to care.

I just put a shimano reel on a daiwa rod

[NorthernBasser]

6 minutes ago, BassNJake said:

 

I just put a shimano reel on a daiwa rod

[GreenPig]

My money goes to the performance side of gear. Besides I like black & gray as it keeps my mind sharp remembering the line type and test of 60+ combos. 

[Bankbeater]

I don’t worry about aesthetics. When I buy a new rod or reel I worry about how they work and feel. 

[Hammer 4]

I got over the Bling thing years ago...

[Big Hands]

16 hours ago, Catt said:

I'll refer back to my days in the aerospace industry.

 

Form, Fit, and Function is the identification and description of characteristics of a part or assembly. Each defines a specific aspect of the part to help engineers match parts to needs. 

Form, Fit, and Function IS bling to me.

[islandbass]

One of my mottos:

Function over form — Bottom line

 

I am not saying aesthetics is useless.  If a rod combo just happens to look sharp and slick, that’s a bonus. Bling is okay, and can make the fishing experience more enjoyable but, mehhh. 
 

I won’t stop anyone from buying pretty and eye catching tackle. I’m that way, we’re somewhat like the fish. They bite what appears attractive or enticing — much like anglers purchasing the bling gear or supposedly “magic” lure(s) … I bought into that magic lure nonsense when I was a newbie. I thought my flying lures were going to catch a linker  on every cast. 
 

As for dating ugly girls, sometimes intangible qualities give an appeal beyond looks. I guess what I’m trying to say is sometimes their attraction will come from somewhere other than looks. I mean even the converse is true. I don’t think any of us guys here see an attractive woman and get taken aback when you see her with an super-ugly crooked toothed with pimples boyfriend and wonder, “what I’m the heck does she see in him, lol?”

[zpelletier]

12 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Off-topic- I can never put a Shimano reel on a Daiwa rod, etc. I just can't. ?

I don’t care how it looks it just feels wrong

2 hours ago, islandbass said:

see an attractive woman and get taken aback when you see her with an super-ugly crooked toothed with pimples boyfriend and wonder, “what I’m the heck does she see in him, lol?”

Most probably just assume he’s rich lol

[Lead Head]

I -HATE- flashy rods/reels. I build my own rods, so they all look how I want. Black or natural graphite with black or gray wraps, maybe some silver trim around the handle. I avoid color on reels as much as possible, but it's only a deal breaker when excessive. I really wish I could say looks don't matter to me, but I can't. Its a lack of bling that I require. 

 

The good thing is, there is plenty of quality gear out there. We can all usually find stuff that is as flashy or dull as we want.

[Spankey]

For the most part I fish St. Croix Avids and Premieres. About as dull as you can get. Pretty much the same when it comes to reels. Shimano are pretty basic looking. 
 

But I can see a guy wanting a cool looking or custom setup. 
 

 

[Koz]

I honestly don't care. How it feels and its performance are the most important factors.

 

In fact, the only blingy gear I have is a KVD baitcaster reel and the matching rod (both red). They may look snazzy, but because of feel and performance they are the least favorite of all of my gear.

[padlin]

For me it's in the functionality, looking great doesn't make it work any better.

 

[LrgmouthShad]

Don’t care how they look as long as it’s not some gaudy color.  

[Tennessee Boy]

I have to admit I don't get bling.  Pretty rods just don't turn me on.  Maybe I'm just too old to understand. 

 

If I was you guys I would also be concerned that your attraction to particular rods might be costing you fish. 

 

"This place looks like a good place to throw a Texas rig but my spinnerbait rod is soo sexy.  I think I'll use it."

 

Don't let bling keep you from making good decisions on the water!