Re: More important, Rod or Reel?

[roadwarrior]

Well, I'll throw a little gasoline on the fire...

You all may be technically correct regarding the importance of the rod for "catching" fish, although even conceding that I would have to specify technique. Fishing "moving" lures doesn't really require a great deal of rod sensitivity.

(I know, I could agrue the other side of that statement, too.)

Back on point:

Most of the time we spend "fishing" doesn't involve "catching." A better reel impacts the "fun factor." Fishing is much more fun with a hassel free, precision reel. I am WAY more interested in a better reel than a higher quality rod.

So, I would suggest using your current rods, upgrading your reels and saving your money for however long it takes to buy ONE mid-range rod. With a little patience you might pick up a St. Croix Avid, Fenwick Techna AV or even a G.Loomis for something just north of $100. (They show up in our Flea Market occasionally).

[New Bass Man]

I can't help to wonder if this isn't one of those "less filling, taste great" discussions.  For sure, you need both rod and reel.  If I was looking at this from a "fishing infrastructure" point of view, I would say a rod would be more important.  If I was looking at this from a "catching" point of view, I would say a reel is more important.  

[RoLo]

Although they're both indispensible, I'm essentially a finesse angler so the "ROD" is my right hand

Prior to each cast, I'm looking at a specific spot on the water, maybe 8" across.

My rod has the greatest influence on whether I hit or miss that spot.

In most cases, my rod activates the lure while the reel merely winds in the slack line that's produced.

When we stick a pig, the surge of each run is telegraphed by the rod. The reel? Well...it's just there.

Finally, the pig is winched to the boat with each pump of the rod, while the reel winds-up the slack each time the rod is lowered.

Roger

[.ghoti.]

This is absolutely one of the "great taste, less filling" discussions. Good point New_Bass_Man.

I'm totally on board with the idea that rod is more important. It's what we use to place our casts precisely where we wnat them. It's what we "feel" with. It's what we fight the fish with. It's what we work the baits with. The rod has to be the most important, right?

Me, I'll take a great reel over a great rod any day. A smooth casting, smooth cranking, problem free reel is what floats my boat. I think I have two setups in which the rod was more money than the reel. I got those reels on clearance, so that skews the curve.

I'm a light line, finesse type guy most of the time, and to me that says get a good reel first. I may be ***-backwards about this, but that's where the fun is.

Cheers,

GK

[Alpster]

The simple answer is, put a super sweet Shimano DC reel on a Ultra sensitve G-Loomis GLX rod and have the best of both worlds. Life is good!

Ronnie

[fireandice]

I'd say it has a lot to do with your situation/presentation.  I flip a jig most of the time if I can, and in that case, the rod is 98% and the reel 2%.  I have to be able to feel the difference between rocks, gravel, submerged timber, and a bite.  The more sensitive the rod, the better.  

Now if I'm throwing spinnerbaits and crankbaits all day, the rod is still more important to me, but not near as much.  If I'm throwing them in the wind all day making long casts to spooky fish, then I need a smooth, good casting reel.

I just know that I have one rod that I hate for everything.  It's a Bass Pro Shops Tourney Special 7'MH casting rod.  It makes no difference what reel I put on it.  It has that powerhump that makes my hand ache, and it's twice as heavy as any other rod that I own.  If you throw a spinnerbait with that rod all day, you'd better be prepared to spend some time at the chiropractor. :-/

[GAMEOVER]

Well, I'll throw a little gasoline on the fire...

You all may be technically correct regarding the importance of the rod for "catching" fish, although even conceding that I would have to specify technique. Fishing "moving" lures doesn't really require a great deal of rod sensitivity.

(I know, I could agrue the other side of that statement, too.)

Back on point:

Most of the time we spend "fishing" doesn't involve "catching." A better reel impacts the "fun factor." Fishing is much more fun with a hassel free, precision reel. I am WAY more interested in a better reel than a higher quality rod.

So, I would suggest using your current rods, upgrading your reels and saving your money for however long it takes to buy ONE mid-range rod. With a little patience you might pick up a St. Croix Avid, Fenwick Techna AV or even a G.Loomis for something just north of $100. (They show up in our Flea Market occasionally).

I disagree. I love high-quality reels but am more of a rod than reel guy. One reel can be used for all applications just about while one rod couldnt. For this reason im more of a rod guy but like I said I love reels to.

I stick with ultra high-end JDM sticks but stick with mainstream marketed reels. Although I will be getting a TD Ito as its the only non-mainstream reel I must have (for now). When Daiwa introduced Type R+ tuning and an improved drag system in a mainstream reel and made it one of the lightest (if not thee lightest) baitcaster on the market it turned a lot of heads and made me very happy. Never before has the USD market seen a reel quite like this one. This allows me to focus more on my extreme high-end JDM stick needs and know a Steez will be baught almost surely for it all while not having to worry if I wont be able to find it.

While a good reel can certainlly increase your "fun factor" so can an ultra high-end performing stick. One thing I enjoy with reels though is you can really make them last you the rest of your life with proper maintence and you can tweak them with performance and/or aesthetic upgrades (kinda like tuning up a race car for show and/or go). Now if I were say a Loomis guy and wont take chances with expensive JDM sticks that may only provide minimal performance gains the id probably be more of a reel guy. So I can see how some like one thing while others like other things. Just for me.. this is the way I do it.

I rather have three extremely high-end setups right now then 7 mid to high-end setups. Im all about quality.

[eulerentinc]

I think its a confidence thing.  Personally.  I care much more about my reel than my rod.  If im out fishing an not catching alot, i will instantly pick up my shiny Tour Edition PT.  Not because its the nicest reel i own, because it gives me confidence.  Because i "feel" like i cant catch anything i want with it.  I think the same is for the guys who love their rods better.  (not that rod!)  If you stop and think about it for a second you will probably find it gives you more confidence.  Like Bassin said, he can always catch fish with his 30 dollar spinnerbait rod.  Maybe its because he has so much confidence in it!!

[LAO162]

It has been pointed out to me that reels are more complex mechanical devices, whereas rod are relatively simple in design i.e. simple machine (lever).

[Bud]

                          The simple answer is, put a super sweet Shimano DC reel on a Ultra sensitve G-Loomis GLX rod and have the best of both worlds. Life is good!

Ronnie                              

Telling it like it is Ronnie

[roadwarrior]

*** Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! ***

The simple answer is, put a super sweet Shimano DC reel on a Ultra sensitve G-Loomis GLX rod and have the best of both worlds. Life is good!

Ronnie

I think we got a winner!

[Catt]

I think it's a balance of both, while a good rod casts the bait with pin point accuracy, fights the surging bass. A reels smooth drag systems contributes to landing the bass as well other wise all that would be needed is a Zebco 33.

[Siebert Outdoors]

This is a very tough decision. But I did come up with a solution that you can get a good rod and reel.

IMX, and citica. ;D

[sal669]

Most of my reels cost at least double the price of my rods, and I like how the combo's work.

Everybody would like to fish with top money custom gear, most of us can't afford it. So I set a "limit" for myself at about $200-250 a combo. If I would be a "bass only" fisherman, I'd raise that limit a bit, but I have tackle for other species, too. I buy my fishing gear in clearance,sale, use coupons/promotions and Cabelas poits, so it costs me less than $200 for combos that retail for more than $250.

I feel there is enough quality in them, and doubleing the money spent would not give me a lot more in quality and fishing pleasure.

But that's just me....