Rod/Reel Brand Loyalty...Why???

[ghost]

Just curious why you pick or stick w/ 1 brand of rod or reel. Are you sponsored by them or just have a liking to a particular brand? If you are that loyal to a particular brand, would you or have tried other brands & if so, did you like that other brand or just didn't like it for some reason?

I am not loyal to any brand rod/reel, I'm all over the board when it comes to what I like. It might be cuz it's new or something about it I just have to have. Or I found a very good price on that particular item. I haven't found a brand of rod/reel that makes me truly loyal to that brand.

I know that all brands have good & bad or okay features that we like, or some we like but will deal w/ some things that we don't like.

Why I ask this is for the mooks that are loyal to Shimano, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Quantum, Pflueger, Browning, Okuma, BPS, Cabelas, etc...but not in that order. Don't get miffed if I didn't list your brand first or second, it's just how I put them; if I missed not giving props to your brand it's cuz I forgot.

So are you loyal to one brand or have a bunch of different brands? If you do have different brands do you like one more than the other? To me life is too short to be loyal to one brand...unless I'm sponsored to use that brand, then it's a whole different ballgame.

I understand that others will use only one kind of reel or rod to keep the qualities & feel they want & not change out & have a totally different quality or feel. I don't tournament fish & so I don't know if having all my rods & reels being the same will improve the quality or feel of my fishing.

I'm not trying to start a war here, just been curious since everyone has an opinion of what they like something & blast something they don't like for whatever reason. It could be cuz it broke, or the feel or quality wasn't what you felt it would be. Or someone talked you into that particular brand to like or talked you out of that brand for a reason.

Something I've noticed when I watch tournament fishing shows, it seems the pro's aren't sponsored by Gloomis. If they are they don't seem to really get the exposure as other companies do. I don't recall a pro who is sponsored by Gloomis. But it's nice to see some fishing shows & see the rod or reel they are using isn't all the real expensive stuff. I saw Ike using a Daiwa Light N Tough rod on one of his shows & use a Daiwa Zillion rod. I saw Jason Quinn on a BPS fishing show using an All Star ASR rod. Another thing that intrigues me is all those guys on tv fishing shows seem to use right handed baitcast reels. Once in a great while I'll see someone using a left hand b/c reel, but it's not the pro but a guest. But it's nice to see the BPS guys actually using BPS equipment...I know they are getting paid or sponsored by BPS, but still nice to see that they are not using some other brands...on accident. :

Step up to the plate & tell me why you're loyal to a certain brand of rod &/or reel.

[firefightn15]

I'm brand loyal for rods (St Croix) because for me, they are made locally.  This does not mean I won't try or buy others.

As for reels, other than my first baitcaster, which was a red Daiwa millionaire back in mid to late seventies, it's Abu Garcia for me.  I've had the Big A's on up to the current lowpros, and they have always preformed well.  Again, I am not affraid to try others.  I'm actually waiting on a Patriarch as we speak.

[SirSnookalot]

In my view brand loyalty is going thru life with blinders on, it's being narrow minded.  You just never know what may turn you on next.

If one is willing to try a different brand lure, and most do, why not rods and reels?

[LakeAnnaBasser]

i am not brand loyal at all. I like to try all the reels. i dont have a pfleuger yet but the patriach looks very tempting to me.

[Certified Public Angler]

For a lot of people buying a rod/reel is a big purchase, it is easier to go with what you know.  That way there are less surprises.

I only have shimano reels bc the first baitcaster i bought was shimano and the value was great.  But if the right deal came up I am certainly not opposed to trying something else.  However the right deal recently just happened to be a chronarch  

For rods I have a mix, shimano, st. croix, BPS...But once again now that I have used these rods if I needed another I would most likely look to what I know first.

[Big Tom]

i dont have a pfleuger yet but the patriach looks very tempting to me.

The Patriarch is money.

Just be sure to look around before you buy. You can get them for as much as 70 bucks off of what Bass Pro sells them for.

As far as I am concerned, I am still trying out all different types of brands of both rods and reels. Like I mentioned above, I got my hands on a Pflueger Patriarch not long ago and I don't know if I have found another reel that I have liked as much. And I have fished extensively with everything from the Quantum Tour Edition PTs to the new Shimano Curado's. I owned a couple Abu Revo SX's as well.

If I cannot find another reel that I like as much as the Patriarchs, I may become brand loyal to the higher end Pfluegers as far as my next few reel purchases are concerned. Then again, I haven't tried a high end Diawa yet either...

For rods, I was mostly brand loyal the Bass Pro Shop name but that was due to tight financial parameters and mainly because I did not have access to information on places like this and Tackle Tour where rods are compared to one another constantly.

A couple of the Bass Pro sticks served me well but I feel like I am outgrowing them quickly.

Beyond the 6'6" medium power range is where I start to have the most problems with Bass Pro rods. If you move into the 7' Medium Heavy and above classes of rods, their weight significantly increases while their sensitivity drastically decreases. In this class of rods, there are significantly better choices out there, but they will almost always cost a little more coin.

As these are the only rods I have truly tested, I feel I am far from finding that one particular brand for me. Heck, I sometimes feel like I may never be happy with one certain brand and that is perfectly alright for me. There are plenty to choose from and getting new crap is a lot of fun!

I suppose spending a lot of time and money is really the only way to know what I will find the most appealing; albeit one particular brand or a combination of several.

[cart7t]

I have been a Garcia guy for a long time before switching over to Pflueger. My reasons for the change relate directly to this thread.

I bought a couple Johnny Morris reels made by BPS, I was finding it far easier to fish with the JM reels than the Revo SX and STX's I had during a day of fishing. I found the Pflueger line of reels had similar features to the JM reels but also had features I liked about the Revo's.  I still have JM reels, a couple REvo's along with the Pfluegers.  Almost all my rods are All Stars.

I like consistency with equipment basically. When I pickup a rod to throw a spinnerbait, I want the feel of the rod and reel to be similar to the crankbait setup I just put down on the deck. I don't want surprises nor do I want to have to finesse a rig just to say I own it.

Sort of like golf clubs.

I wouldn't want a bag of completely mismatched clubs. I want the same feel whether I'm picking up a 4 iron, a 3 wood or a wedge.

Just personal preference I guess.

[dodgeguy]

Beyond the 6'6" medium power range is where I start to have the most problems with Bass Pro rods.  If you move into the 7' Medium Heavy and above classes of rods, their weight significantly increases while their sensitivity drastically decreases.  In this class of rods, there are significantly better choices out there, but they will almost always cost a little more coin.

then u haven't fished a johnny morris rod yet.

[cart7t]

i am not brand loyal at all. I like to try all the reels. i dont have a pfleuger yet but the patriach looks very tempting to me.

Outstanding reel.

you can easily get one NIB on ebay for $120-130.  

[roadwarrior]

It's not complicated. I fished a lot of brands over the years,

starting with Zebco and Johnson spincasters and fiberglass

rods. My first big upgrade was to a two piece Lightning Rod

and low end Shimano spinning reel which at the time, I found

challenging.

In 1997 I moved to Tennessee and made some friends with

a couple of "real bass fishermen". We all went to Hooter's one

Friday for lunch and the local mom & pop tackle store was next

door, Buck & Bass. I basically gave my boys a blank check and

said, "Fix me up!"

All Star was their choice, one spinning rod, one baitcaster. Shimano

Symetre, Abu Garcia Baitcaster, Trilene XL and XT, a hard tacklebox,

$800 worth of lures, soft plastics and gear.

After that, I started paying attention.

Today I'm interested in function and reputation. I prefer G.Loomis,

but have more St. Croix rods. I fish Shimano, but was given a STX.

I have been around the world with line and have settled on Yo-Zuri.

The list goes on, but once I found my groove, I've stuck with it. I

won't be buying Abbadabbado, Kissmyassler or vegetable sticks

anytime soon. When that happens I'll start driving a Chevy, Ford

or Chrysler.

There is a old song by Nirvana that plays in my head,

"We Won't Get Fooled Again"

8-)

[Catt]

One can go to Wal/Mart, Harbor Freight, or some other outlet store to buy mechanic, carpenter, electrician, machinist tools ect and these tools will work but they are not designed for industrial use. Yes these tools wills last the weekend guy a lifetime of light to medium use and serve him quite well.

Now look at it through my eyes I am a journeyman carpenter/mechanic my tools are what I make my livelihood with so I must depend on my tools to perform every single time I use them under extremely adverse conditions with limited failure.

Now relate this to bass fishing; when I hit the lake it will be from sunup to sunset, under extremely adverse conditions, and with full expectations of bass in excess of 6 pounds so any failure on the part of my tools is not accepted.

[Muddy]

Excellent question Ghost!

I have been fishing for a lot of years, and have tried a lot of rods and reels, none expensive as I can not afford that.

First Reels: I Was a 100% Mitchell Spinning fan. In NYC they were readily available and most other brands were primarily available through mail older catalog. I am talking from the 60 to the early 80's.

When they changed the 300 I was lost I never took to the newer reels and when I moved to PA, most around here were Pflueger Fans, from my first Trion and President I was hooked. When I made the transition to Bait Casting I just stayed with what I trusted.

There is another reason I love the Trion. My hands are somewhat shot, from years of drumming and  because of diabetese I have Neuropathy in my hands The Trion is a painless fit and I can fish with it all day. I also like the BPS Extremes a lot, but the way they fit in my hand is not as comfortable.

Rods: Now especially since my shoulder has come into play and all the pain from it I needed a light rod and the reel had to sit right.

In my Price range I found 2 rod brands that I love Fenwicks and Cabelas Fish Eagle II's. I was able to take advantage of the recent Cabelas swith out to their newer version of the Fish EagleII. They put the older ones out at 30 to 40 bucks, making them extremely affordable to me

I find what I am comfortable with and I stay with it. I do not need Lifetime warranties, as I have said before I fish with a rod not a warranty. I have never had to return either of these brand rods for anything.The Pflueger products are sound, give a lot of quality for the money and I have a private guy who cleans and lubes them and they service their reels at a reasonable cost with short turnover/

I like to use a few things I trust and My physical problems can coexist with these brands so I stay loyal to them and I am happy , happy 8-) KISS!!!!!!!!

I believe their are people here who get financial reward for pushing certain brands, there is also open sponsorship. What I love is when one guy is pounding the boards with a specific brand then he sends in a picture of a fish caught and his tackle is visible, in n his hand or on the boat and there is not one of those brands visible. It has happened more than once!

ps I have tried in my seach for what I like; Mitchell,ABU<Rapala<All Star<Zebco<Quantum and various BPS and Cabelas products/

and I CONFESS A STRADIC, Kent gave me

[Uncle Leo]

Not really brand loyal what makes a differnce to me is fit and function. I do prefer certain brands for techniques. For instance, my favorite small crankbait set up is a Shimano Curado 100D paired on St Croix Avid Cranking Rod Med Moderate. Whereas my favorite jig set up is a G Loomis Mossyback Rigging Rod paired with a Revo STX.

[bass wrangler569]

I'm relatively brand loyal but if I found another brand that I like better I would switch (I'm currently switching from Quantum to Shimano). I'm comfortable with the brands I fish with which is why I use them. My primary setups right now are all G Loomis rods and Quantum Tour reels (the old ones) but I'm working on upgrading the tours to curados. I prefer to have the same rods (in different actions of course) with the same model reels. Maybe I have mild OCD   but I like to think that it lessens the variables and keeps things relatively the same when you switch between rods.

[senile1]

I'm not a brand snob, by any stretch of the imagination, but like Cart7t stated, I like for my rods and reels to have a consistent feel that I am familiar with.

I'm curious about everyone's take on one of the items that ghost mentioned in his initial post:

Something I've noticed when I watch tournament fishing shows, it seems the pro's aren't sponsored by Gloomis.  If they are they don't seem to really get the exposure as other companies do.  I don't recall a pro who is sponsored by Gloomis.

G.Loomis rods are well-known for their sensitivity.  To win an Elite Series tournament, it would seem that an angler would try to use the most sensitive rod for some applications.  What do you all think is the reason?  (i.e. money from sponsorship of a less sensitive product more than balances out the chance of winning with a different rod, G.Loomis may not be that more sensitive, they use them but not in front of the camera, etc.).  

[Matt 825]

I am all over the place with what brands of rods I own.  I have rods by St Croix, G Loomis, Shimano, Daiwa, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Lamiglass, Sage (Fly Rods), Rainshadow (blanks), CTS (Blanks).   I look for deals and when I see one I grab it.  I do have my preferences but $$ is not growing on a tree outside my house right now so I buy what I feel is a good value.  I wish I could have all G Loomis rods for bottom fishing and mix in a few St Croix Legend rods but for the vast majority of us that is a pipe dream.

As for reels I am slightly less all over the place.  I have reels by Shimano, Daiwa, Abu-Garcia, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Quantum.  I prefer Shimano and will only buy other branded reels on sale now.  Over the years my Shimano's are the only ones that have lasted and still perform as they are new.  

For me the botton line is value!!!

[J Francho]

Something I've noticed when I watch tournament fishing shows, it seems the pro's aren't sponsored by Gloomis.  If they are they don't seem to really get the exposure as other companies do.  I don't recall a pro who is sponsored by Gloomis

G. Loomis is a much higher profile in the trout/salmon/fly world.

[Muddy]

At least you get to fish for real Salmonoids, we have truck transported trout around here, just about aquarium sized :-/

[roadwarrior]

For me the botton line is value!!!

That's the best statement anyone has made and something to live by.

However, for "collectors" that is not always the case. As a specific

example, I don't think anyone "needs" more than a Stradic 2500FI

for a spinning reel, but the Stella is really nice!

Value? Not a chance.

8-)

[David P]

I'm definitely brand loyal. I like having all the rods and reels feeling the same, so when I put one down, I pick the next one up not having to get used to any different feeling. I also like it because I don't spend hours trying to figure out which reel to get next, I already for the most part know.  I fish with 4 STXs and 7 Daiwas. I have all Dobyns rods and fish with them because I truly think they're the best. I have fished with them long before I got put onto the pro staff, and wouldn't have wanted to be on it if I didn't think they were the best.

[roadwarrior]

Your picture album speaks for itself...Awesome!

8-)

[J Francho]

Your picture album speaks for itself...Awesome!

8-)

LOL, I'll say!  His album moves from stupid big to really big at the end.  His smallest fish in that album beats all my fish from last year, except three of four  

[J Francho]

At least you get to fish for real Salmonoids, we have truck transported trout around here, just about aquarium sized :-/

I personally think most of ours come from the fish truck too.  Just that they have access to the big lake to spend some time getting huge on pelagic baitfish.  Since the state decided to spend over $1M on a freaking fin clipping machine (as public launch sites sit in decrepit state) we'll soon be able to confirm what I've suspected all along.  That there might not be as much successful reproduction as we thought.

[MSPbass]

I'm a rod/reel snob too. But, as Brokeju said above, it has its advantages. When I first started upgrading my gear, I did a lot of research and settled on a Fenwick HMG with a Pflueger Trion. Actually, settled isn't the right word, I carefully selected. It's a great, solid, combo and it helped me fall in love with bass fishing again. From there, the Fenwick/Pflueger lines only get better and I now have a few Patriarchs, Techna AV and World Class Rods and I honestly cherish my gear. Quality, comfort and consistency are important things and I know I never have to worry about that when I'm looking at a new Fenwick/Pflueger combo. It's sort of the Rick Clunn theory, except I still have more options than RC.  

[Captain Chaos II]

Daiwa reels because they are great little fishing machines and I love all of the ones I have.  I do have different models though.

Rods, I have varying models and types because there just are so many great rods out there these days.