Pricing Points: Low Range to High End

[roadwarrior]

I tried to find some published information on this topic, but could not. So, maybe someone else has actual stats, otherwise another "educated guess." Here's how I would think it might be broken down:

Average price for a rod & reel combination: $50 - $75

Industry target for combos considered "better equipment": $150

Starting point for "high end" reels: $120

Starting point for "high end" rods: $160

"High" priced rod: $250+

"High" priced reel: $200+

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Brunettes

Blondes

Redheads

Oh I misunderstood the the question

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I would say that's about right ................... BOTH of you.

[Banor]

I would say 50 - 75 is on the low end for average combo.  Switch the prices on High price rod and High priced reel.

For example, since you are the Sheriff...

Curado 100's and 200's are around 199.00 and I consider those the high end of the mid range price point.  Chronarchs would be my opinion of where high end starts at 269.00.

I guess an individual's opinion of this would be skewed based on their budget.  

Very subjective post!!  Promotes debate and varied input!  Good job RW!

B

[Banor]

I might add that hair color would not be a price point factor for me.  

B

[Siebert Outdoors]

That sounds about right I would think

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I might add that hair color would not be a price point factor for me.

B

I wouldnt know a real blonde from a fake (bob dylan)

[BassChaser57]

I enjoy nice equipment but I wonder if catch rates change between medium and high end tackle? My guess is that it is the angler more than the equipment. 8-)

[5bass]

I enjoy nice equipment but I wonder if catch rates change between meniun and high end tackle? My guess is that it is the angler more than the equipment. 8-)

Thats exactly right...a fish doesnt check to see whether you have expensive gear or not.It is nice to fish with though and the price guide looks good RW.

[Matt Jungblut]

your list is pretty accurate

my brother and i fish everyweekend together and i would have to say he beats me 75% of the time

but since i have upgraded to high end stuff i have been kickin his butt i think out of the last 20 trips i won 15

so yes i think high end catches u more fish

i dont know if its better equiment or knowing u paid alot more it seems to be working for me

[HomersTomaco]

I think you're a bit off on your "average" numbers.  I would say lower.  you have to remember, most people (not people on here) are buying there fishing stuff at places like walmart.  There arent many combos there over $40.  Plus even at big fishing stores like bass pro or cabelas their number one selling combo is an ugly stick combo for $25-$30... in fact thats the number one selling combo in the country.  I'm talking spinning outfits here, the average for a baitcaster is definately higher.

[Captain Cali]

This is a quality comparison. Not what sells the most.

That being said, I think the list is pretty accurate.

[Alpster]

Switch the prices on High price rod and High priced reel.

I agree with bshaner, my most expensive reels cost more that my most expensive rods. Even if I average them across the board the reels come out to be more. JMHE.

Ronnie

[Guest Texas_Bass_Pro]

That looks pretty close RW.  I mainly stay in the STARVING range!!!

[The_Natural]

I usually consider rods in three markets: low end, middle market, and high end.  I consider low end to be under $100, the middle rod market to be $100-$200, and the high end rods to be over $200.  Low end would be Bionic blades, Extreme's, Shimano Compres, Falcon Lowriders and Croix' Premiers.  The middle rod market are your Croix Avids, Falcon Cara's, Daiwa light and tough's,  Shimano Crucials, and Loomis GL2's and 3's.  High end are your IMX's, GLX's, Croix Legend Tournaments and LE's, Kistler Helium and Helium LTX II's, Megabass, etc.  I categorize reels the same way.  This is just the way I have always thought of it, nothing more to base it on other than my opinion.

[Grey Wolf]

Didn't this start out as just a comparsion based on price only ? (low end , medium range , high end. )

Let's not make any thing else out of it.

RW I think you hit it pretty close.

[Guest avid]

just because something doesnt cost as much as a loomis doesnt mean its any "lower end" there are plenty of rods on your list there that are just as good and cost a lot less... but it doesnt say loomis on it.

The terms "low end" "mid-range" and "high end" are common terms seen in magazines, interviews, and forum discussions. While it's true, that an outstanding angler with a crappy rod will outfish a crappy angler with a high end rod, if you think your Walmart special is as good as a Loomis GLX "except for the name" than what you are really saying is that you know absolutely nothing about fishing rods.

Stick around. This is an outstanding forum. We kid around for sure, and opinions do differ, but rarely does anyone approach a question with harsh intentions.

You have made it clear that you have alot to learn. The only problem with that around here is if you can't admit it.

Good luck, and have fun

avid

[The_Natural]

Didn't this start out as just a comparsion based on price only ? (low end , medium range , high end. )  

Let's not make any thing else out of it.

RW I think you hit it pretty close.

Correct.  Low, medium, and high in my post are referring to their market price point, nothing more.  Percieved value is up to the consumer.

[Catt]

Having spent all morning yesterday stocking my rod racks and the reel bar at Academy you are dead on.

Reads the same as our Wednesdays sales ad, you just rounded the prices up

[roadwarrior]

mktrout,

This thread is not about which rod is a better value. We have had a few hundred threads "discussing" this issue, we will have hundreds in the future and you are welcome to start one now. This isn't about the relative value of Loommis, Kistler, Lamiglas, Fenwick, Airrus, Essox, All Star, St. Croix, Ugly Stick, Rhino, Shimano, BPS, MegaBass, Berkley or Cabela's.

The title of this thread is "Pricing Points." Let's stay on topic.

[Catt]

RW, you dead on target with the exception of the "high end" rods which would be a little closer to $100 to $120 starting price.

I could put a product names with each category  

[roadwarrior]

Catt,

I'm not saying "This is the way it is,"  these are just my thoughts and I want to hear your thoughts and the way others feel. You have a good post and another perspective. Isn't that what discussion is all about?

My observation is that it's not just competition that drives pricing, but also "perceived value." When Fenwick first came out with their Techna AV series they were priced at $210 and up, depending on the size. I got a "deal" on a AVS70MM at $160 which a few months later became their retail offering price. That level seems to be a "sticky" pricing point for many brands. It's also about the level some of the major retailers target for their upscale combinations. Coincidence? I don't think so.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I think the St Croix Triumph is a good example here of what RW is talking about. When that rod first came out a lot of ST Croix fans were genuinely upset. It is the same SCII blank as the Prenier, but the wrappings,guides and the handles were not the same quailty(being machine wrapped in China) as the hand made Premiers were. The company was obviously trying to broaden it's market base so they came up with a 30 cheaper version of their entry rod. I had one, it really wasnt bad,( excpet for that stupid bright yellow Triumph label) and it was a good quality rod into the mid range level

 But St.Croix alininated some of its current fans by moving too far away from how these guys Identified St.Croix products. Sone of the fella on the forum even wrote St Croix to express their displeasure.

[NBR]

You are right on for the serious fisher folks. I believe the Wal-Mart combos are purchased by the casual fisher folks, those who want a combo for getting started, guests, youths and those whose budgets just won't allow or just won't spend the money on the high end gear.

Re catching more fish with high end gear, better fisher folks will always out fish the rest regardless of tackle. Look at the big boys on the tour they all fish a wide variety of gear. Admittedly, sponserships dictate their tackle choices but I bet they would change in a heart beat if they thought a tackle change would put more pounds in the boat.

My fishing buddy bought a new Curado and a St. Croix avid last year and like always I still kick his butt with my midrange tackle.

I have way too many rods and reels, Shimano's, including a Curado, Daiwa's, Pflueger's, Quantum's and a few BPS specials. Frankly, I can't see much difference in the performance of any of them. In fact my favorite reel is a BPS special that I bought well over 20 years ago as a spare when I was going on a boat in trip to Canada and didn't want to risk a four hour trip to get a new reel.

[senile1]

I think your pretty close on your observation about pricing points, RW.  I tend to see Citicas and Curados as mid-range reels, though their prices are around $120 and $200 respectively, but I also can see these prices as the lower spectrum of the high-end range.