True Cost of Fishing Tackle

[TNBankFishing]

When comparing two pieces of fishing equipment I often find myself using MSRP when it doesn’t match the expected cost of the gear. I’m always looking for a deal and feel connected to the overall ebb and flow of gear pricing. This connection makes me want to go out on a limb here and say, we’re doing it wrong. 

 

We all agree there is a store price and a street price for anything hobby related. Fishing, hunting, boats, cars, and the list goes on. What I don’t agree with is as a tackle junkie is continuing to compare rods and reels to MSRP when I’m talking about them. Very rarely do I ever pay full price on anything, and I would imagine most of you are the same.

 

Over the last three years I’ve watched a pattern emerge with certain brands and the way they use sale pricing to move old product or to get new buyers. Those of us who were bit with the tackle bug years ago might be laughing into their coffee (or whiskey) having already known this for a decade. The biggest discounter has been St. Croix, Lews, Dobyns which are followed closely by Daiwa. Multiple times a year several retailers run 40% off promotions for St. Croix and 30-40% for Daiwa/Lews/Dobyns. This last calendar year we’ve seen the influx of buy a rod or reel and get some % back as a gift card which is a fancy way to dress up the exact same discount. I vastly prefer just getting a flat percentage off, as most of the time a single shop will not have multiple models I’m looking for.

 

My issue is since these discounts have become the norm and are happening like clockwork, when will we begin to just compare gear based on its “true” MSRP? This does not mean things which are being discontinued. The Tatula Elite rod sale recently and the Dobyns covid sale are examples of things which are put on sale once at a steep discount. These aren’t generally something you can plan for.

 

Shimano and Megabass have stubbornly resisted sales easily pricing themselves out compared to their competitors. While you can find shops willing to sell you a Shimano/MB product on discount I’ve had more trouble than its worth getting them to do so. You need to call them and hope they are in the mood to wheel and deal, or drive to their shop and do the same. There were a few shops in the past who could get you 10% on the regular, but they are now gone.

 

MASSIVE DISCLAIMER – If you like me shop JDM websites none of this matters. The MSRP on a new Bantam is ~$230 and a MB Destroyer ~$280. And as always if your rod carries a lifetime or decades long warranty you have already paid for it when you bought the stick. I love the Loomis expeditor program and St. Croixs absolutely fantastic customer service, but I paid for them up front.

 

I often see threads pop up here with someone asking about the“best rod for X technique under $200”. Do you mean the best MSRP rod or the best I could find you if you had a bit of time? They are enormously different recommendations. So I’ve collected a couple brands and lined them up to take a look.

 

Rod                                MSRP         True MSRP

NRX+                              $625          $500

Expride                           $279          $223

Steex AGS                      $550          $385

Megabass Destroyer    $500          $400

Dobyns Xtasy                 $550         $330

St. Croix Xtreme            $670          $402

St. Croix Legend X        $465          $279

 

Is an NRX+ worth twice what a Legend X is? When you use the same math to compare an Expride and Champion Extreme HP are you getting the best bang for your buck? What do you all think? Will this help any of you make a more informed purchase the next time you’re looking for gear?

 

 

[Mobasser]

All MSRPs are higher than what most of us pay. That's with everything. Fishing gear is a competitive thing. Shop around and get a price that makes you happy.

[TNBankFishing]

I don’t disagree but the extent of a deal isn’t always relative. If you picked up a Dobyns at 20% it’s “a deal” but in reality you paid 20% too much. I feel like newer anglers aren’t aware of the level of discounts across different brands. You see an NRX+ at 50% off? Pull out the card now. An Abu Veritas with the same % doesn’t really pull you in. 

[MAN]

I think most folks do not use manufacturer's MSRP when talking about tackle prices. I think they jump on the google machine...look at what 3-4 retailers and ballpark it.  But I may not have grasped exactly what you were asking. 

[TNBankFishing]

It’s more the fact the price of any St. Croix is actually 40% less than advertised. A ton of newer anglers won’t know that $200 Victory will really be $120 if you time it right. The rest of us as experienced tackle heads know what a deal is. Maybe it’s simply people buy what they want at the moment they buy it and aren’t concerned with prices. 
 

I also noticed myself and others using MSRP when comparing rods and reels when that isn’t always fair. Comparing MSRP Shimano to Lews when they’ve miles apart when you know what to look for. 
 

This pricing thing has been knocking around in my head and might’ve come out as gibberish. 

[softwateronly]

Keeping track of used rod prices over a couple months is my best guesstimate for true value. 
 

scott

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

When comparing two pieces of fishing equipment I often find myself using MSRP when it doesn’t match the expected cost of the gear. I’m always looking for a deal and feel connected to the overall ebb and flow of gear pricing. This connection makes me want to go out on a limb here and say, we’re doing it wrong. 

 

We all agree there is a store price and a street price for anything hobby related. Fishing, hunting, boats, cars, and the list goes on. What I don’t agree with is as a tackle junkie is continuing to compare rods and reels to MSRP when I’m talking about them. Very rarely do I ever pay full price on anything, and I would imagine most of you are the same.

 

Over the last three years I’ve watched a pattern emerge with certain brands and the way they use sale pricing to move old product or to get new buyers. Those of us who were bit with the tackle bug years ago might be laughing into their coffee (or whiskey) having already known this for a decade. The biggest discounter has been St. Croix, Lews, Dobyns which are followed closely by Daiwa. Multiple times a year several retailers run 40% off promotions for St. Croix and 30-40% for Daiwa/Lews/Dobyns. This last calendar year we’ve seen the influx of buy a rod or reel and get some % back as a gift card which is a fancy way to dress up the exact same discount. I vastly prefer just getting a flat percentage off, as most of the time a single shop will not have multiple models I’m looking for.

 

My issue is since these discounts have become the norm and are happening like clockwork, when will we begin to just compare gear based on its “true” MSRP? This does not mean things which are being discontinued. The Tatula Elite rod sale recently and the Dobyns covid sale are examples of things which are put on sale once at a steep discount. These aren’t generally something you can plan for.

 

Shimano and Megabass have stubbornly resisted sales easily pricing themselves out compared to their competitors. While you can find shops willing to sell you a Shimano/MB product on discount I’ve had more trouble than its worth getting them to do so. You need to call them and hope they are in the mood to wheel and deal, or drive to their shop and do the same. There were a few shops in the past who could get you 10% on the regular, but they are now gone.

 

MASSIVE DISCLAIMER – If you like me shop JDM websites none of this matters. The MSRP on a new Bantam is ~$230 and a MB Destroyer ~$280. And as always if your rod carries a lifetime or decades long warranty you have already paid for it when you bought the stick. I love the Loomis expeditor program and St. Croixs absolutely fantastic customer service, but I paid for them up front.

 

I often see threads pop up here with someone asking about the“best rod for X technique under $200”. Do you mean the best MSRP rod or the best I could find you if you had a bit of time? They are enormously different recommendations. So I’ve collected a couple brands and lined them up to take a look.

 

Rod                                MSRP         True MSRP

NRX+                              $625          $500

Expride                           $279          $223

Steex AGS                      $550          $385

Megabass Destroyer    $500          $400

Dobyns Xtasy                 $550         $330

St. Croix Xtreme            $670          $402

St. Croix Legend X        $465          $279

 

Is an NRX+ worth twice what a Legend X is? When you use the same math to compare an Expride and Champion Extreme HP are you getting the best bang for your buck? What do you all think? Will this help any of you make a more informed purchase the next time you’re looking for gear?

 

 

 

I can't share the research, but the male American sporting goods consumer just needs to "think" they've gotten a deal, how you get there with sales, promotions, and marketing is all over the place.

[Jar11591]

36 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Maybe it’s simply people buy what they want at the moment they buy it and aren’t concerned with prices.

Of course I love a sale, but your statement describes me for the most part. When it’s time for a new rod or reel, its time regardless of whether or not there is a sale going on. There are also times when I grab something I didn’t know I wanted until it was on sale, but if I need something I usually don’t wait on sales. My budget is certainly not unlimited so I still have to stay within it. My money may go further waiting on sales, but for example if I need a new frog rod for July, I’m not gonna wait for Labor Day. 

 

@TNBankFishing, I’m curious where you got the MSRP vs True MSRP numbers? Manufacturer website or vendor website? Thanks. 

[A-Jay]

As I get further and further down the road, the value of my time on the water increases more and more.

So while getting a discount on the tackle I use is nice when it happens,

the reality is that savings, pales in comparison.

And if you squinted a little after reading that, you'll see.

A-Jay

[TNBankFishing]

4 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

Of course I love a sale, but your statement describes me for the most part. When it’s time for a new rod or reel, its time regardless of whether or not there is a sale going on. There are also times when I grab something I didn’t know I wanted until it was on sale, but if I need something I usually don’t wait on sales. My budget is certainly not unlimited so I still have to stay within it. My money may go further waiting on sales, but for example if I need a new frog rod for July, I’m not gonna wait for Labor Day. 

 

@TNBankFishing, I’m curious where you got the MSRP vs True MSRP numbers? Manufacturer website or vendor website? Thanks. 

Omnias website vs what I’ve personally paid. 

[Derek1]

35 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Omnias website vs what I’ve personally paid. 

Where does one find such a great deal. 

[12poundbass]

Something is only worth what one is willing to pay. If I find something I like and I’m fine with paying the price then I buy it. If I miss a sale by a week, two, or a month, I’m not going to cry over spilt milk. 

[Hulkster]

I'm always getting the deals in my inbox from St. Croix.

 

but never on the Loomis IMX Pro which is the next rod i want lol 

[Cbump]

5 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

This pricing thing has been knocking around in my head and might’ve come out as gibberish. 

yep

How do I get a jdm Destroyer for $280 and does the fmj compare to usdm version? 

[TNBankFishing]

29 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

Where does one find such a great deal. 

Several websites in the last couple months have run the “get a 40% coupon back with purchase”. The hookup, ALF, and one I can’t name. 

4 minutes ago, Cbump said:

yep

Ouch, but I figured. 

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

As I get further and further down the road, the value of my time on the water increases more and more.

So while getting a discount on the tackle I use is nice when it happens,

the reality is that savings, pales in comparison.

And if you squinted a little after reading that, you'll see.

A-Jay

At one point I had the new Steez frog rod, Legend Elite 7’4 heavy, Perfect Pitch, and Ish tat Elite rod. I buy and sell gear often and when I’m doubling up I want to maximize the value I get back. I’ll usually end up keeping one and selling the rest. 

[txchaser]

Where was the 30% off Steez and how did I miss that

 

[TNBankFishing]

22 minutes ago, Cbump said:

yep

How do I get a jdm Destroyer for $280 and does the fmj compare to usdm version? 

https://japanlureshop.com/megabass-brand-new-destroyer-p5-f2-1-2-611x.html
 

Gone up slightly since I got one but there you go. As far as USDM models I have no idea as I’m not buying any and haven’t bothered to look. 

7 minutes ago, txchaser said:

Where was the 30% off Steez and how did I miss that

 

Labor Day and Black Friday from Summerland Outdoors GA and at least one online retailer. 
 

 

[WRB]

Not everyone is a discount coupon buyer toward future buying. 

True cost is what you actually pay for the item delivered to your door. Not all models of a specific item are available at the time of a discounted purchase. 

I know the item I want now and  don’t want to wait for back orders on sale items.

Rods are so personal items and need to be touched and felt before buying. The only way to touch and feel is to go to a brick and mortar store or be able to exchange the rod without additional cost or shipping costs that wipe out any savings.

If I go to a local store that has the item I buy it to support that store.

Time is a factor and stock is often limited on newly introduced items. Always determine when the sale item will arrive at your door.

Tom

[Cbump]

No FMJ

[TNBankFishing]

1 minute ago, Cbump said:

No FMJ

Then call up a local shop and ask for the 20% as I mentioned in the original post. 

[Cbump]

10 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Then call up a local shop and ask for the 20% as I mentioned in the original post. 

Why would I do that? You said Destroyer for $280. Calling up the local shop and asking for 20% off would get me one for $400. Not really the same thing. 
I’d pay $280-$300. I’m not paying $400-$500. 
 

 

To address your original post, no one I know values any fishing equipment based off msrp. Or guns. Or golf clubs. Or cars. It’s the price you can actually get It for that matters. 
When someone comes on a forum and asks what’s the best Rod I can get for $200, I highly doubt they care about msrp.

[813basstard]

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

As I get further and further down the road, the value of my time on the water increases more and more.

So while getting a discount on the tackle I use is nice when it happens,

the reality is that savings, pales in comparison.

And if you squinted a little after reading that, you'll see.

A-Jay

Bingo..I’d rather fish 3x a week with less than fish once a month with nice sh…stuff

[Columbia Craw]

Someone just needs to post the predictable sales calendar.  FWIW,  the recent Daiwa Elite sale seemed to include signature models of pros who moved to another brand. Also, the Dobyns COVID sale was a reaction to the possibility orders for product would stop but in reality did not. It was more of an asset liquidation rather than a sale.  You won’t see that one again.  It’s all business.  I have noted a pattern in which a new product is hyped, introduced, sells below expectation and then can be found on sale frequently.  Can you say Chick Magnet?!

[Catt]

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price 

 

Companies are not in business to lose money so even at a huge discount they're still making money.

 

Sales prices show me what the product is actually worth.

[JediAmoeba]

There is a third price you are forgetting - 

 

WRP - Wife's Retail Price : The price your wife is told it cost.