More important, Rod or Reel?

[buckdawg]

I'm a noob to serious fishing.  Like most, money is limited and I need to acquire gear over a period of time.  Based on what I've read to this point it seems like it's worthwhile to spend a little extra money on the rod and go more economical on the reel.  I totally agree that you get what you pay for however I still have two Shimano reels that have to be approaching 15 years and they still do what I need them to, no complaints at all.  I think they were probably less than $20 each when I bought them.

The motivation for my question is based on sensitivity.  I've been out a couple times jigging and I don't think I'm getting the 'feel' that I want out there.  I can't really feel the bottom at all (unless I get snagged) and I'm wondering if a rod upgrade would help.  The price range I feel is affordable for me is probably $30 - $40 per rod.  Are good, sensitive rods available in this price range?

Also when I'm shopping what the heck do I want to look for when I pick a rod up?

Thanks for reading.  I realize this question is mostly personal preference but as I have no background to draw on.  I was hoping you guys could give me a starting point.

[Raul]

The rod is more important, I 'd rather have a killer rod paired to a so-so reel than a killer reel paired to a so-so rod.

On the other hand, I 'd rather have 1 excellent rod than several "affordable" ones, for 30-40 dollars you are not going to get what you are looking for you need to go higher on the price to get a more fiber dense material ( sensitivity depends greatly on the fiber density ).

[Hawgin]

I also feel that the rod is more important than the reels.  I started with some cheap combos, and then I focused on upgrading my rods.  Now I'm in the process of upgrading my reels.

The best, most sensitive rod I can recommend in your price range is the Fenwick Eagle GT.  They run right at $50, and they are the most sensitive low end rod I have ever used.  They are also very light, and well made.  It's money that you won't be disappointed you spent.

[The_Natural]

Rod...by far.  Right after college, and when I was just starting to fish again and joined the BPS forums, I purchased a Loomis IMX, and put a BPS Prolite finesse on it ($260 rod...$79 reel).  Worked well until I could afford an Mg50 to put on it.  

[jajafofo]

Check out the Team Daiwa V rods (IM7, fuji guides and reel seat).  I picked one up yesterday at Wal Mart for 40 bucks and fished it a few hours last night.  Really nice rod for the money.

[TrickyVT1887]

I work at Gander mtn and see this all the time and I try to tell customers this, they will come in and buy a $200 like a Shimano Curado, then go and look for a rod and get a $30 ugly stick to put it on, try to get them to go wth a cheaper reel and a better rod but wont because all they use are Ugly Sticks, long story short better rod so-so reel like raul said. I would look at the Shimano Crucial rods they're a great rod for around $130 or the Compre at about $90, really sensitive rods for the price.

[OkobojiEagle]

At the price point you are considering I would invest in braided line with the rods you currently use to increase your feel!

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1177521190/0#0

[buckdawg]

At the price point you are considering I would invest in braided line with the rods you currently use to increase your feel!

Interesting.  I had considered buying braid but was scared off by it's abrasiveness.  My rods are old cheapies and i'm sure the guides wouldn't be able to withstand the abuse.  However, if I were to buy a decent rod (same price range) with Fuji or other ceramic guides and couple it with braid would this be a decent alternative?

I really appreciate everyone's input on this.  I know I sound like a cheapskate but like I said I'm just getting into this and can't spend $100+ on a rod right now.  The Fenwick option seems pretty decent.

[skillet]

 IMHO If you get way out of wack in either direction, you are probably hurting yourself. In your situation I think upgrading your rod (without breaking the bank) is the best option. I realize folks mean well when they say "upgrade another $20 or $30" and are trying to get you the most for your money, but sometimes you're between a rock and a hard place. Been there, done that

                                                As Ever,

                                                 Skillet

[Raul]

Using braided line is not going to make much difference in the sensitivity, the supposedly enhanced feel is highly questionable, the line rests on what ? the guides, guides that transmit the vibration to what ? the rod, vibrations that travel from the rod to the handle, it 's like a telephone, there isn 't much advantage to have a fiber optic if the phone speaker is bad.

Nobody said to purchase a $100 plus rod, or at least I didn 't, the same way I didn 't say that you needed a bunch of money in order to get a good rod, I simply said that in that price range you are not going to find anything worth taken in consideration, I only said you needed to add more.

Fortunately there are many options and it 's just a matter of shopping around and doing a little research before jumping into it blindfolded. From your 40 dollar "affordable" rod to a 60 dollar rod on sale with a MSRP of $80 there 's a quantum leap in every single aspect, BPS has the Bionic Blade rod on sale at 60 dollars and that rod is better than anything you can find for the same 60 dollars.

[=Matt 5.0=]

See my signature....

[buckdawg]

Using braided line is not going to make much difference in the sensitivity, the supposedly enhanced feel is highly questionable, the line rests on what ? the guides, guides that transmit the vibration to what ? the rod, vibrations that travel from the rod to the handle, it 's like a telephone, there isn 't much advantage to have a fiber optic if the phone speaker is bad.

Nobody said to purchase a $100 plus rod, or at least I didn 't, the same way I didn 't say that you needed a bunch of money in order to get a good rod, I simply said that in that price range you are not going to find anything worth taken in consideration, I only said you needed to add more.

Fortunately there are many options and it 's just a matter of shopping around and doing a little research before jumping into it blindfolded. From your 40 dollar "affordable" rod to a 60 dollar rod on sale with a MSRP of $80 there 's a quantum leap in every single aspect, BPS has the Bionic Blade rod on sale at 60 dollars and that rod is better than anything you can find for the same 60 dollars.

Fair point.  The $100 figure I used was based on a lunchtime visit to a sporting goods store.  The low-end St. Croix's were about that price.  Your response does get to the point in that how does one know what a good rod is?  Surely price alone is not the best indicator.  If it's a matter of doing my homework and researching this site and others I'm perfectly willing to do so.  I appreciate yours and everyone else's help with this.  It's quite a formidable mountain to climb for me to climb.

[KYbass1276]

My advice is save your 40 and keep adding to it and buy a loomis GL2 rod,  They start at $120

[linesider7]

Rod, hands down.  There's been many a time when I've landed fish with a reel with a busted drag/whathaveyou, and many times I've broken a cheap 20 dollar rod on a big fish, using a decent reel.

[Redlinerobert]

Also don't discount Ebay.  I often find DEALS on rods and reels.