Is it better to have a better reel or rod?

[waymont]

 

For me a $200 Tatula SV is a great reel that lasts for a long time. My Tats out lived my lower end rods by years, and are still cooking. My Dobyns Furys, and $100 Fenwicks were sold years ago, kept the reels. Just remember,  You can make a middle of the road rod very sensitive by fishing braided line.

That's my 2 cents

[Jar11591]

I’d rather have a really nice rod and a decent reel than a really nice reel and decent rod. But really nice reels are fun as well. I’m just a gearhead I guess. 

[Derek1]

If you’re just getting started. Buy a quality reel. You’ll end up changing out your rods as you develop your fishing style. You have no idea what kind of rod you’ll like the feel of. 

[txchaser]

Spend at least $100 on the reel (Daiwa Fuego or Tatula 100) and whatever you have left on the rod. I still use some of my 100's, and I have a stack of zillions and a steez. The zillions are definitely better than the 100's.  By a lot. Still not enough to warrant a rod downgrade. 

But the difference between $50-$99, and $199-$249 on a rod is really big. After about $250 the diminishing returns start to show up.

 

If you gave me $400 for a setup I'd try to find a used fuego or t100 in the forums here, and buy a kistler helium with the rest of it. With $125 for a setup it'd be a used fuego (don't go lower than this if you can help it) and a tatula XT rod on sale, or a daiwa aird-x, which have a lot of reports around here of being workable rods that fish way above the price point. 

 

There's a bit of a minimum spend to get a reel you'll use for years; after that dump it all into the rod.

 

[greentrout]

Another option: 

Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier Baitcast Combo

Sale

$139.98 $169.98

Save $30.00

 

Good Fishing

[ironbjorn]

Rod. I'd happily put a Black Max (now Max X) on a $300 rod (and have). I wouldn't feel disadvantaged at all. But I would be extremely unhappy with a $200+ reel on, say, an Ugly Stik.

[Lead Head]

It all depends on your definition of "higher-end". If a Tatula, SLX, or Speed Spool is your definition of high-end, then go with a reel in that class and get a budget rod.

If those reels are your definition of budget, then go with a reel in that class or better, and get a high-end rod.

 

I also agree with the sentiment that moving baits benefit more from a nice reel than they do rod, and bottom contact baits benefit more from a nice rod than they do reel.

[Boomstick]

Up to a certain point I could say the reel, but once you step up to a basically functional reel, the reel becomes more of a nice to have where the rod upgrades are beneficial.

[Bankc]

Rods were invented several thousand years before reels, if that tells you anything.

[WRB]

Imo expensive tackle in hands of a noice is waste of money if you are on a unlimited budget.

Excellent rods available in the $150 to $200 price range and reels in the $175 to $200 price range. Reels are slightly more expense and should outlast the rod technology.

Tom

[Catt]

With all the holiday sales one could put together a quality combo for $200+/-

[Columbia Craw]

13 minutes ago, Catt said:

With all the holiday sales one could put together a quality combo for $200+/-

Some time it’s how you buy as much as what you buy.  I still think the rod gets the nod.  

[crypt]

Rod.

[KP Duty]

Rod by a good margin imo.  

[FrnkNsteen]

All good points above!

 

I'll second the notion that if we are talking one "Do-All" rod, then rod over reel. But if I'm buying a setup for bottom contact or moving baits .... Rod is more important for bottom contact and a smooth reel is more important to me for moving baits.

 

I don't want to use a rough grindy reel if I am casting and reeling all day!

[Alex from GA]

Like a couple of guys have already said, "rod for bottom contact and reel for moving baits".

[928JLH]

When you die you don't want grandkids and great grandkids sorting through your gear  talking about how grandpa was  a Neanderthal pairing cheap rods/expensive reels or vice versa. Make them both nice 😁

[RB 77]

I would say Rod in most instances. However, as @Tennessee Boy eluded to, having the "right" rod vs. having a "nice" rod is key. I have $100ish rods and reels and I have $600+ rods and reels. The "nice" rods and reels are very specific to what they are used for so I feel they are also the "right" rods and reels as well. There is a point of diminishing returns. The key is finding that balance and return on investment for yourself personally.