Is it better to have a better reel or rod?

[WRB]

I change rods more often the reels.

Tom

[Mike L]

Everything revolves around the rod, it’s the deciding factor for all else…
 Line, technique, bait, bite detection,

even casting distance but to a lesser degree. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

I would buy a quality reel first. A quality reel could last a lifetime leaving your entire budget for rods.

 

[Reel]

Do you feel the fish bite with the reel or the rod ?  

[dodgeguy]

A nice 200$ rod with a 300$ reel on it is my best way to go. Feels light and balanced. Dobyns rod has lifetime replacement . Lews custom light helps make it balanced and light so it all goes together well.  It's like an extension of my arm.

 

[Tennessee Boy]

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most important

Having the right rod: 10

Having a high end rod: 2

Having the right reel: 5

Having a high end reel: 5

 

 

[flyfisher]

For fly fishing, rod and line are more important for the vast majority of freshwater species.  I have only had to use my reel a handful of times to bring in fish and that was more because of a river runs through it type moment where a fish ran and I had to chase it bascially.

 

Conventional, it depends on the technique but I would say rod first reel second but balance and weight matters to me but within reason.  

[Mobasser]

I would say buy a good reel first, then match it up with a nice rod. With routine maintenance, a good reel can last many years. Rods come and go.If my old Shimano Clarus ever breaks I'll be pretty bummed about it.

[Bankc]

Fishing rods were invented thousands of years before fishing reels.  When I was a kid, one of my favorite things was to cut down a stalk of bamboo and tie on some line and go catch some fish.  I'm not saying reels aren't important, but if you can only afford one good component and one cheap component, I'd splurge on the rod.  

[garroyo130]

You stated "high end" and tbh i think its personal preference at that point. If you're spending +$350 on rod or reel alone, then odds are the other isn't terribly far behind and you'll be okay. 

 

[Boomstick]

Generally, rod. If you have a really bad baitcaster that's almost impossible to cast, then maybe you need a better reel but once the reel behaves, the rod is more important.

[J Francho]

You might be able to feel a bass fart on a super high end stick but if it bites, you won't be able to reel it in with crap. A decent reel costs more than a very sensitive rod. 

[Catt]

35 minutes ago, J Francho said:

A decent reel costs more than a very sensitive rod.

 

The cost of a decent reel is one & done. 

 

You could buy a decent rod this morning & break it this afternoon.

 

Ain't happening with a decent reel.

[J Francho]

Thank you @Catt that's all I'm sayin'.  Reels have been expensive for at least 40 years.  Rods, that's a more recent phenomenon.

[bulldog1935]

Right reel and Right rod.  

Only reel set-up that will fish my salt ML niche properly - I have two rods that fish it with aplomb, one 13Fishing $130, the other JDM Abu $250.  (and another Zillion Silver Wolf set up the same)

[Darth-Baiter]

hahahahah..i love how Bulldog will post a pic with d**n near any response.  LOVE IT.

 

truly, i dont know the correct answer for myself.  my gut says rod,  

 

to be safe, i swing for the fences within my budget on both fronts.  i am not taking any chances.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

4 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

hahahahah..i love how Bulldog will post a pic with d**n near any response.  LOVE IT.

 

truly, i dont know the correct answer for myself.  my gut says rod,  

 

to be safe, i swing for the fences within my budget on both fronts.  i am not taking any chances.

To me pictures are a huge part of tech forums.   I always appreciate pictures in posts.  

[Darth-Baiter]

i do as well.  i love em.  Bulldogs are the best pics. 

[Catt]

Lew's Tournament Lite $250

Powell Inferno $100

 

[bulldog1935]

Thanks guys - Right lure color can make a difference, too - my second (redfish) photo above, I could tell from subtle wakes and jumping bait there were 200 redfish on my grassy shoal, and the flat is heavily fished by guides (there was a guide boat between my kayak and the pass - the direction the fish were heading for the tide swing). 

I went through four lure colors before finding the one that was the subtle blend color they would eat (bottom), then caught 7 on 12 casts.  

the two halves of the photo show reflected light and transmitted light.  

Above also wasn't a slot fish, but the combo was in the photo.  

[scbassin]

I have just recently purchase a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 746FH, & a Shimano Metanium 101 XG. This is a real sweet set up. When I was growing up I was taught the rod catches the fish & the reel stores the line & reels the fish in. I still go for the rod for the sensitivity. You also need a good reel for it's casting, drag, smoothness, balance etc. The times do change.

[tracker01]

Rod.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Buy once , cry once either way buying junk isn’t economical in the long run. If you’re on a budget and need both I’d skew the budget toward the rod. Budget allows, a quality reel will last two lifetimes and likely multiple rods 

[Will Ketchum]

If you are thinking better means it costs more, you might be making a bad choice.

[Choporoz]

I love using higher end reels and I expect them to last generations.

  My higher end rods do not have the same life expectancy, and maybe not quite the 'pleasant experience' factor.

  However, the better rods make much more difference to putting fish in the boat, than my best reels do.