Do you put a lot of trust in brand names?

[snapper G]

I don't as much as used to, because the first casting reel I got was a Quantum, and was not a good reel!! >

[J Francho]

I put some weight on it, but I put the most weight on my own experience.  I put a less weight on reports from forums, but they can be considered as well.  Problem is that you only hear from the guys that got a bad reel.  The other guys you hear most are the brand worshipers.  I'm guilty of that myself.  I try to weed through the subjective bits, user error, and what are basically complaints about the whole system rather than that particular product.  Stuff like, "those rods are too heavy," "my reel locked up after fishing in saltwater once," "brand X baitcasters suck because I can't cast a baitcaster," "never caught anything on that lure," 'that 4# fluorocarbon line broke in my hands," or other such things that really do not make sense when you scratch below the surface.  Now, ten guys come on and post an issue with a reel in just a few days - something might be wrong.

As I get older, I've discovered common sense is truly uncommon.  

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

A lot of guys on here have been fishing a number of brand names for decades, Raul comes to mind. Others have fished all the brands and have settled on one. Some of us have gained a little insight from other's experience and decided to fish brands with a reputation earned over a period of years or decades.

I fish Shimano and encourage others to do the same. Every Shimano I have ever owned, going back to 1997, is still in use and is as good or better than it was new out of the box.

I feel the same about several rod manufactures as well as lure and line companies.

So yes, the reputation that is built by a "Brand Name" means everything to me.

8-)

[adclem]

Yes for me brand names makes a difference.  Will I buy a non brand name item depends on what it is.  But mostly I will just stick to the brand names that have an outstanding reputation.

Later,

[Big Tom]

I think Roadwarrior is right.  There's a reason certain names are brand names.  These companies have made a reputation for themselves by offering quality products, craftsmanship and excellent customer service.  

[MichBassMan]

Some brand names I have utmost confidence in. Some brand names I have learn'd to avoid like the plague.

[TournyFish001]

I have kept an open mind and fished most all brands- that being said I now have my favorites- you will know when you sit in your boat and grab one rig over the other.  That being said I really like shimano reels and G loomis rods, I fought it on this site just out of ignorance and the aspiration to be different and tried almost everything else, when it is go time, I want my trusty loomis and shimano in hand- Daiwa reels are pretty dang good too though my fuego is my favorite spinning reel... hope this helps.  It is your budget stay with in it.

[Stasher1]

I put a lot of trust in certain brand names. For example, I've yet to be disappointed by any Shimano or Daiwa product that I've owned. I'd have no problem buying any of their mid-level or better gear, sight unseen. I'd trust it to work correctly, right out of the box.

[Grey Wolf]

I don't as much as used to, because the first casting reel I got was a Quantum, and was not a good reel!! >

How much did you pay for it ?

[The Rooster]

Brand name means something to me in that I won't buy a product that is not a brand name I know and trust.  But even with the name on it, it still has to be a good product.  If it's wearing the name I trust but it is obvious that it's not made very good then the name alone won't sell it to me.

Also, even though I have my picks when it comes to brands, I'm open to checking out anything from a new brand I've not seen or heard of before.  Still though, I'd have to see it close up and hands on before just buying it.  That lets out any kind of internet ordering on something I have no experience with.  

[Jeff H]

Definitely.  I think most guys do.  

[Muddy]

From Shimano on , they all make some Blister pack hang em on the wall at WalMart reels that are cheap reels/ Shimano has about 5 reels in that class, so does Flooger.

 I love  Pflueger products

Spinning Trions and my Fav President

with BC: From the Trion up is where they earned their rep with me

As with all purchases blind faith in a name can kill ya! :-/

[Sam]

Yes.

And purchase the most expensive reels and rods you can afford.

Even if it means skipping a few meals.

Shimano for reels.

Any name brand for rods.  

[Micro]

If you pick one of the major brands, then you can bet that whatever your model it is,  it will at least perform competently.  

For me, I am an Abu Garcia patron.  Abu Garcia is the only brand I've ever used that has never disappointed me.  It was the first reel I ever bought myself - when I was just a kid.  I've owned Shimanos, Diawas and BPS brands (and a few others), and ended up selling all of them (save one Shimano Curado I still have).   Abu produces a fantastic product at a very fair price.  You get a lot more for you money with Abu Garcia.  

I've sold other brands here and this site.   I've listed some excess Abus I have, but ended up pulling them down.  The Abus I've owned are such that I'd rather pass them to a relative or a friend so they can enjoy them, than sell them to a stranger.  

[Catt]

Like Muddy alluded to one has to consider the model not just the name brand and no it does not have to be the most expensive model to be the most reliable.

Examples that prove you don't need the most expensive

When Shimano introduced the Curado it was their cheap model and we all know about the Curado's reliability.

Who here is not aware of Abu Garcia's 5500s reliability? Still the best buy for under $100

Berkley Lighting Rods have probably accounted for more bass than any rod out there

Name a plastic lure company that has built a world wide following based on quality and cheap prices? That would be Zoom.

Y'all getting the idea

[snapper G]

I don't as much as used to, because the first casting reel I got was a Quantum, and was not a good reel!! >

How much did you pay for it ?

About $150

[Joe Boss]

I have fished with a lot of brand names since I like to try new stuff from time to time. A few brands have earned my trust from my experience with their products over a few decades.

Daiwa and Shimano come to mind and even Mitchell and Berkley. I have had few if any problems with products from those companies. Right now St. Croix and Pflueger are close to being on my list but I have only discovered them over the past year or two.

[Marty]

Brand names mean a lot to me when it comes to reels. I'll buy almost any brand rod if it has the properties that I want like length, power, action and handle length.

Unlike some previous posters, I don't buy the best that I can afford, but I do buy equipment that performs well. Most of my rods and reels have been in the $50 range and nothing has screamed out at me "you need more expensive stuff!!" For example, my Daiwa Regal series spinning reels don't give me problems, they retrieve smoothly and have a smooth drag and that's all I ask of them.

[Vin]

As someone new to fishing, as of now I have mixed feelings about the topic.

I was recently in the market for a nice spinning reel. Anyone I know who has experience fishing (not many people) always tells me that a Penn reel is as good as it gets. Coming from cheapass walmart combos, I figured they must be correct.

So, I looked into Penn's current line of spinning reels. After a little research, I found out that a few of the reels they market are not manufactured by them. Rather, they are marketing other manufacturers' reels as their own. Not only that, but these reels were significantly cheaper if purchased under the original manufacturers' brand.

Now, I know this is something to expect in many different product industries. However, I was told from a whole bunch of people that Penn was as good as it gets. The Ferrari (or Corvete) of reels. That made me a skeptic.

In the end, I did a whole lotta research and asked a whole lotta questions. I bought a Quantum tour edition 30 and have had nothing but good times. I can't see how I might have made a better choice for what I was looking for. From what i've read, Quantum appears to be universally hated and loved.

-Vin

[Jake P]

Brand name equipment has its name not because every one buys it. Everyone buys it because it has always produced what the consumer wants out of it. Like Shimano for example, it is the most popular fishing reel because it is one of the most reliable and best performing reels. So saying brand names don't matter is false. I think some people refuse to buy brand name equipment because they feel you dont have to pay top dollar for good equipment, and you dont have too, but i will say i agree 100% with the saying YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

[0119]

I used to think I was biased towards particular brands but I think Im more prejudiced about where my stuff comes from.  I'll only buy Shimano or Daiwa reels but only if they're made in Japan.  I'll only buy rods made in the USA, most likely St. Croix but I wouldnt think about buying their models from China.  Hardbaits too I prefer made in Japan with the exception of the Heddon super spook jr., God only knows where its made.