Why does purchasing a new rod excite me more than a new reel?

[BrianMDTX]

Not that I slap any ol’ reel on and call it a day. But I seem much more amped when looking for a new rod than I do for reels. Both are important. Both are required (unless you’re canepole fishing). Yet I can look at rod specs all day and not get bored, but reels? 
 

Which do you put more effort (and enjoyment and anticipation) into? Rods? Reels? Or both equally? 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Haha, exact opposite yet it's my opinion that the rod is the most important aspect to landing quality fish.

 

Daiwa reels make me super giddy...goes back to being a kid

[Jar11591]

I think its about equal for me. I do believe the rod is more important, but reels get me just as excited. Hitting the water for the first time with new gear, be it rods or reels is very exciting. 

[Log Catcher]

It is about equal for me. The rod is more important. I am not into the super high speed reels so I really look at gear ratio and IPT when checking out reels. 

[PondProwler9000]

I think it's because you usually know what your gonna get from that new reel.

With rods, you have an idea but never truly know what you got till you spend a little time with it.

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

Why does purchasing a new rod excite me more than a new reel?

 

No idea, I hate shopping for anything.

[Eric 26]

I love shopping for both equally but for some reason I never tire of looking at new fishing rods even when I have no need for a new one. This tends to be problematic as I also can’t stand having rods without reels ?

[BrianMDTX]

9 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I love shopping for both equally but for some reason I never tire of looking at new fishing rods even when I have no need for a new one. This tends to be problematic as I also can’t stand having rods without reels ?

That’s exactly how I am. I can pore over specs on rods and never tire of it. It’s just something about rods. 

[Columbia Craw]

I’m right with you. Rods hands down. It’s always been that. I used to build rods, steelhead, surf, fly, trout and bass rods. The rods out there for us is truly amazing.  Rods all day.

[DitchPanda]

I also look forward to new rods more than new reels..especially spinning gear. Likely because the rod gives you the feel and balance in your hand...so that's where I notice the most difference. For me I can pair any new spinning rod with a Daiwa reel anywhere in the $50-$100 range and call it a day. That kind of confidence really takes alot of the wonder out of it...because I feel like I know what I'm getting in advance.

[Eric 26]

I think for me it comes down to although I love checking out new reels and I have many different brands the variety and differences in rods not only from manufacturers but within the same manufacturer the differences are quite varied. Being a budget minded fisherman I realize there’s only a handful of cheaper reel brands/models that will hold up yet there are numerous budget rods/brands that fish and hold up quite nicely imho. For instance I have looked long and hard at a field & stream spinning reel but never did purchase it and although I’ve never purchased one I’ve really looked at and more than once thought the field & stream rods are coming home with me.

[ironbjorn]

Getting more excited over the more important things seems natural to me. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, PondProwler9000 said:

I think it's because you usually know what your gonna get from that new reel.

With rods, you have an idea but never truly know what you got till you spend a little time it.

Makes a lot of sense, and I think this is why reels are fun, and rods are anxiety riddled purchases for me....warranty, and how's it gonna actually fish after I've sunk several hundred into it are always in my mind when buying a rod.   When I buy a Daiwa or occasional Shimano, I never worry a bit about either.  

[BrianMDTX]

7 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Makes a lot of sense, and I think this is why reels are fun, and rods are anxiety riddled purchases for me....warranty, and how's it gonna actually fish after I've sunk several hundred into it are always in my mind when buying a rod.   When I buy a Daiwa or occasional Shimano, I never worry a bit about either.  

That’s a good point. I think reels are more of a known factor. 

[Susky River Rat]

Sure a smooth reel feels nice but, you’ll forget about that. You’ll never forget how the rod feels. That’s you’re direct connection to the bait and fish.

[papajoe222]

For no particular reason, reels for me.  There's something about handling a buttery smooth reel, or searching websites for one. I build my own rods to the characteristics I want, but finding a reel for it takes me on an enjoyable search . Plus, I can change components on a reel to achieve a desired effect. Not much I can do with a rod, but buy another one.

[Catt]

It's gotta be both, how they feel together is very important to me. 

 

I started with this awkward combo!

[Susky River Rat]

5 hours ago, Catt said:

I started with this awkward combo!

Looks like they were trying to make a palming reel seat

[Tom Orr]

Well, the sad (or happy) thing is, if I get a new rod in the fall, by this time of the year I'm questioning my decision and think I need another one. Currently eyeing something now, and the last one I purchased is opened, but still unfished. Every year I do this - I'll never learn!

[bulldog1935]

Quote

Why does purchasing a new rod excite me more than a new reel?

 

The rod is your link to the hook at the other end - your eyes underwater. 

 

There's not much tinkering you can do to a rod (unless you need to work on the handle like I did above). 

A new reel opens up a world of tinkering.  @Catt how about this combo? 

 

[redmeansdistortion]

While I do own a number of rods occupying a range of price points, reels still excite me much more.  It's that tinker factor that @bulldog1935 mentions.  I can massage most any reel to do what I need it to do, but with a rod, what you see is what you get.  

[Catt]

58 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@Catt how about this combo? 

 

 

When I hear guys complaining about how heavy today's combos are, I just grin & shake my head.

 

They ain't got a clue!

[redmeansdistortion]

1 minute ago, Catt said:

When I hear guys complaining about how heavy today's combos are, I just grin & shake my head.

 

They ain't got a clue!

Even better when they go on about how fatiguing such a setup is.  I spent decades fishing what most would consider a heavy combo, no torn rotator cuff or arthritis yet!

[FrnkNsteen]

I agree with others above in that I think the rod is more important, but the mechanical side of me gets into the reels more than the rods.

 

Im like Eric said above though, because I buy a new reel,... or a clean old reel, and I've got to tinker with it, then have another rod to put it on.

 

???

[geo g]

There is nothing like the feel of a balanced new rod in your hand.  You can't achieve this feel until it is balanced with the reel.  Whether it is heavy or extra light it doesn't matter much, as long as the two are a good match, and  balanced properly.  It's like finding the right woman, when it's right you just know it, and life from that point on is just better.