More Important to rig? Rod or Reel?

[roadwarrior]

AAA,

Welcome aboard!

[Rose_Jackets67]

I say the rod is by far the most important. Assuming the reel has a good drag system and casts decently well, that's all you truly need.

I have 9 quality setups that I fish with on a regular basis, and on only one was the reel higher priced than the rod (stradic on BPS extreme).

adam

[New Bass Man]

Great question!  I asked this question a long time ago myself.  

After spending tons of money on equipment, I can tell you I would invest first in quality rods.  All my rods are G Loomis.   I invested heavily in improving my equipment this year.  Rods first then reels.

[Vyron]

For me

No.1 is the rod

No.2 is the reel

[RoLo]

In my view, the rod is far more important than the reel.

Naturally, if either component is inadequate, then it suddenly becomes the most important component by default.

===============================================================================

Manufacturers are in business to make money, and as long as anglers are willing to pay the price,

manufacturers will continue to produce products that they know are the epitome of overkill.

I've owned rods running the gamut from 12-million modulus (epoxy fiberglass) to 85-million modulus (graphite jacket).

In retrospect, I now believe that tensile modulus greater than 42-million tends to amplify the disadvantages of graphite

and exceeds the point of vanishing returns. In fact, when used in conjunction with non-stretch braided line,

I've come to appreciate the versatility, durability and unmatched latitude of 40-million modulus graphite (IM-6).

Roger

[bitman]

Do like I do and get good used stuf here on the classys, then you can have the best of both worlds! Good equipment at a good price and its just a little broke in I bought a Diawa Tough and Lite flippin stick for $75 shipped and its nearly brand new never used, not a mark on it, it would cost you 150 shipped from BPS Now Im searching out a reel to go with it and Ive had several $200 reels offered to me for $100. Hope this helps

Danny

[AAA]

AAA,

Welcome aboard!

Thank you Roadwarrior... and Happy New Year!!!!

[KYbass1276]

IMO I have to say both are equal importance to me.   I like to have a good reel paired with a good rod and I try to not put myself in a position were I have to compromise one or the other.  I would rather wait until I have the extra money to get both rather than choose qaulity on one and skimp on the other.   Thats just me.  

[The_Natural]

Now I fish with a rod that is 60 million modulus graphite. There is a WORLD of difference between the feeling of those rods. I was leaning towards the rods on the list first for a lot of the reasons that have been mentioned here. If the rod I'm using now is 60 mil mod graphite BPS Bionic Blade...and the rod I am targeting right now is a St. Croix Legend Elite ES70MF...then I can't imagine what kind of difference there will be in the sensitivity between those two rods.  8-)

If you're fishing with a 60 million modulus rod you're fishing an Extreme.  The Bionic Blades are IM8, 45 MM rods.  I really can't say you'll see any appreciable difference in the Elite St Croix rods and an Extreme rod.  As someone who sells rods and reels and test drives some of them I haven't noticed a great deal of difference in sensitivity once you get above say the 54 and 60 million modulus rods.  Once you start buying rods higher than that you're paying for name recognition and a warranty you'll probably use because those thin walled, uber sensitive rods break.  They also don't tolerate any kind of abuse and I mean even slight abuse.  

As for reels, as reel mech says, one you get above 5 or 6 bearings you're not gaining anything but price.  There are quite a few reels out there for the $80-100 mark that will serve you well for years.  Get into the $150 range and you're at the top of the scale in functionality and reliability, above that mark and you're spending way more money than you need to.  I'd much rather spend that extra money fishing rather than having ultra expensive equipment.  

I respectfully disagree with your opinion on rods.  I went from fishing Shimano Compres to Loomis IMX's, and the difference was indescribable.  That first day with my new IMX saw me setting the hook on nearly every cast; my hands were receiving feedback from tiny limbs, pebbles, and even bottom medium that they were not accustomed to.  The Compres are IM8, yet weren't even close to the IMX.  I also purchased a Shimano Crucial (IM9) at the OKC tackle show after I had a few IMX's, thinking they would be similar in sensitivity, and I could save some cash.  I sold it after a week.  While it was a great rod, and sensitive, it still wasn't comparable to the IMX.  The modulous count of a blank isn't the only thing to consider; the strain and bonding resin used are just as important as modulous, and contribute to the overall sensitivity, behavior, and durability of a blank.  High strain, high modulous graphite doesn't have to be fragile; the IMX proves that.  I do agree that the sensitivity a $100 rod with braid is right there with the $300 rods, but I don't like braid.  What is crazy to think about is the fact that Loomis's IMX and GLX blanks are over a decade old in design, and still considered the benchmark for rods released here in 2007.  The crossing point between what you need and what is just a luxury probably lies in the middle rod market, and anything above that you are paying for a little less weight, and a little more sensitivity, but you probably aren't missing bites.  Oh, and about the thread title...the rod is far and away the most important link between you and the fish.

[Bassn Blvd]

I have several G-Loomis rods and love them and a few St.Croix.  The last 3 rods I have purchased within last 6 mths are the G-Loomis Greenwater, 7' , med/hvy fast action. I have a Team Diawa Zillion on it. You can feel the fish breathe with this rod. The 2nd is a St. Criox 7' med/hvy fast action, not sure of the model but it is blue. It's paired with a Phleuger Supreme, love the rod but unsure yet about the reel. The 3rd is a rod I was coaxed into buying from Sports Authority by that silly little MONKEY.  It's a 7' med action Hurricane Redbone and have a Shimano Curado 200DHSV on it.  The first two rods alone were $200 plus. The 3rd was $80. The Redbone is not as light as the Loomis or St.Croix but fishes very well and has plenty of setting power, especially for the price.  I guess if money isn't a problem then get the Loomis, otherwise the Redbone is an excellent choice.  Thats only my opinion though. Heck, I've seen plenty of fish caught on cane poles...lol.......