Replacing/upgrading gear is about behavior, not deals

[flechero]

I have seen a lot of people in the past year posting that they want to replace all their rods/reels or both, and usually money is a big factor... especially when you need to buy several at a time.

Why do people replace a whole slew of rods/reels at one time? Why not buy what you want or like best, one at a time as you save the money? Very few of us got to IMX or GLX more than one at a time. I don't even think $$Redlinerobert$$, $$roadwarrior$$ or $$Raul$$ buy multiple high end rods/reels at one time. (at least not regularly) Sorry guys, you are just the 3 best known examples that jumped to mind.

Sure, that first IMX rod will make the others feel crappy, but that is great motivation to save faster for the next rod. I think most people will have trouble upgrading the stable if they go at it all at once.

There is no shame in having an envelope, mason jar, savings account or whatever you use to stash a few $ away in. You'd be surprised at how quickly lunch money can turn into Loomis rods... trust me, that's where my first 3 came from. Now that I'm ahead of the game, I still set aside a few $ each and every payday for new rods/reels, etc. or whatever I might want. So when that new reel is out, I can just go buy it. Or when I see a good deal on something, I can take advantage of the opportunity.  It makes things a whole lot easier.

* my disclaimer- this is in NO WAY intended to promote high end gear- I love value as much as anyone. I just hate seeing people compromise on equipment purchases because what they want is a little out of reach, regardless of the starting price.

[Uncle Leo]

I agree but the Bait Monkey  will be hunting you down.

[Dan:]

I was literally just thinking about this today. I was thinking about all the money I waste every week on stupid stuff that I don't need and how I could put that money into a jar and I would be able to buy a new rod/reel about every month or two.

[Raul]

I, like many others, didn 't have much to spend other than the money I saved from my allowance, I saved by the pennies and after months all I could afford were mid/low level gear, it served me until it broke or malfunctioned so after a while I got bored and sick of spending twice, plus having my liver petrified in anger cuz the gear broke or malfunctioned

After I graduated I got my first job, my first check went into purchasing in what in those days was a great rod, the first Lightning Rods which weren 't exactly the 30 bones a pop rod they are today ( it cost me 85 dollars + tax back then ). My second paycheck went into buying an Abu XLT Plus reel, all my friends told me I was crazy for paying such absurd ammount of money in a reel ( 95 dollars + tax ).

Who you think was more right ?

None of my friends have the reels they have back then, all of them have replaced and replaced their gear all over throughout the years,  I still have my first Abu/Lightning rod combo.  

95+85 = 180+ 4.25% tax = $187.65, in the mid 80 's that was a lot of money !

$187.65 / let 's say 25 years = $7.5 dollars per year .... I spend more than that in cigarettes alone in a day.

Better spend well once and for all so you never have to spend over again and again. You only spend whenyou want more of the same or slightly better.

Deals ? I 'm all in for deals, most of my most recent reels were bought on clearances: Metanium XTs for $200, Scorpions for $150, TDZ 's for $200, Pixys for $240, etc.

A 70 dollars reel for 50 is no deal at all.

I like everybody gets the itch of purchasing the newest ( BaitMonkey is powerful ) but I know that if I can wait long enough sooner or later I will get a deal. Good things come for those who are patient enough to wait.

[flechero]

I agree but the Bait Monkey will be hunting you down.

He should be thanking me... by doing it this way, I actually can afford to buy more and more often.

Raul,  We all love a deal, and I was only suggesting that by saving a little while before shopping, you could buy what you want even if a deal wasn't waiting for you.  I think you got my point but just making sure.

[Raul]

Raul, We all love a deal, and I was only suggesting that by saving a little while before shopping, you could buy what you want even if a deal wasn't waiting for you. I think you got my point but just making sure.

Exactly what I meant, be patient and wait, don 't jump on it, there 's always something else behind the horizon.  

Latest deal: Chronarch 100B ( not that I need it but ..... aw, man, you know how it is with the furry critter :

Price in Mexico $315 + 15 % sals tax  

Got it for $213, including tax in 6 monthly payments of $35.50 ea.  

[ChiCityBasser]

My upgrade in equipment is based on deals and me getting the best of what I might want or need after doing my research on a particular item. I've gotten deals on what I consider to be better equipment from ebay and catching deals at both Cabelas and BPS.  I didn't start out with XML's but I now have 3 and a XMLTi which are Cabelas top of the line. I have used Cabelas layaway plan and caught deals on rods and reels both on ebay and thru there bargain cave or closeout deals.

[MitchIsFishin]

flechero, truly a great post, and one that points out the (sometimes) lunacy of buying new gear. I love buying new rods/reels. Currently, I am broke, but managed to save for a new rod. Pennies/Nichols/Dimes/Quarters all helped towards my goal. I'm happy with my new rod, albeit not a Loomis or St Croix. I got back into fishing because no one took me fishing much as a kid. After working for many years, I thought fishing has got to be cheaper that the other hobbies I adopted. I was (still am) right, as it works for me. People don't need the so-called 'best' right away. Learn to work with what you have. If I've vented, sorry.

[ChiCityBasser]

After working for many years, I thought fishing has got to be cheaper that the other hobbies I adopted. I was (still am) right, as it works for me.

Yeah fishing is cheaper than that drag racing hobby I had

[SimonSays]

I want to be like The Natural and buy 5 zillions at once  

[ww2farmer]

In my case I couldn't afford not to upgrade my rods all at once. When the stores around here last year started clearing out St Croix Avids for $90-$100, and Legend Tournaments for $125-$150, I bought the farm. Replaced all my BPS, and lower end rods for a fraction of what it would of cost me in the long run by buying one at a time at full price. But I also had the $$ for it too, I didn't, and more importantly wouldn't have gone into debt to do it. I like to keep the plastic in my pocket. I still have 7 rods I want to up grade, these will be done one at a time over a period of time, and when I can afford it.

[rfrazier]

I want to be like The Natural and buy 5 zillions at once

I'm heading down that path... save yourself... resisstttt  

[SirSnookalot]

I tend to agree with the original post. Problem as I see it is falling prey to media hype and instant gratification. Unless you are making a living at this, then ya gotta ask yourself "How Much Do I Need and How Much Do I Have to Spend to Enjoy Myself?"

IMO the boat makers and the tackle companies are doing a masterful job of marketing, they are reeling many people in just like fish. They aren't fishing, they're catching.

[burleytog]

Quality over quantity as it were.

[cart7t]

I started buying and selling rods and reels on the forums and Ebay as a way to make money.  One of the advantages of doing that, besides the extra cash, was I got to try out a bunch of different rods and reels I normally wouldn't have been able to without going out and buying them.  It's an advantage most folks can't do.  I don't sell much anymore.  The business has kind of dried up along with the economy.  That said I've upgraded at very little cost to me.  

[LAO162]

Hi, My name is Leon and I'm a bargin shopper. :-/

That said, I'm trying to convince myself that I should not be purchasing new gear unless it is a significant upgrade from my current gear.  For that reason, I'm asking questions this year for next year's purchases.  I want to be prepared for next winter's holiday gift certificates and closeouts.  However,  if a see a very special bargain on gear I will try to negotiate with the family if it will result in an upgrade

Although I have a couple BPS Extreme level rods, I don't regret purchasing them, because at the time I didn't have enough hands on experience to know what actions and powers I preferred.  They were great for learning.

[flechero]

There is no shame in being a bargain shopper.

1 reason I started the thread was to encourage people to set a little money aside now for purchases to be made later. Or as you mentioned, if a good deal comes along, you'd have the money to jump on it.

Also, I hope you didn't misunderstand me about quality. Yes, I like some high end stuff but a few rods I still use are built on $15 blanks and I wouldn't trade them for new GLX rods. There are several low cost rods that fill needs as well as high cost rods. That's probably for another thread, though. ...lol

[Muddy]

Hey Flech, how about starting a thread about bargain rods that fill the same niche as their expensive alternatives

[bass wrangler569]

I have two separate stockpiles of cash that I save for fishing. The one is for stuff that I need to buy through the course of the year. I use it for replacing line, lost lures, new lures that look promising, lures that never or rarely go on sale, tournament fees, replacing equipment, etc. I have a separate stockpile of cash that I save up in case an awesome deal pops up that I need to act on quickly. For example: last year when the tour editions went on clearance at $130, I used my "deal" stockpile and I bought several of them at once. This may not be the best way of doing things but it works for me.

[ChiCityBasser]

Hey Flech, how about starting a thread about bargain rods that fill the same niche as their expensive alternatives

All of my rods have been bargains from both ebay and mainly Cabelas. I have a couple of the Fish Eagle II rounds, a Mag Touch, 3 XML's and 1 XMLTi of which I haven't paid full price for any. I catch the bargain cave and in store clearances.

The last deal I got was on the purchase of a Shimano Sahara at full price $79 and get an XML at half price which is normally $139. The rod I picked was a 6'6" already reduced to $100 and with the sale it was $50. I also got my XMLTi which is normally $180 for $80 on clearance.

These are my top of the line set-ups and I know there are more expensive or better rods out but these get the job done for me so I'm pretty much sticking with the Cabelas lineup.

[MitchIsFishin]

Muddy quoted:

Hey Flech, how about starting a thread about bargain rods that fill the same niche as their expensive alternatives

Excellent Idea!!!!

[flechero]

Hey Flech, how about starting a thread about bargain rods that fill the same niche as their expensive alternatives

I like the idea to directly compare some specific rods- $$$ vs $ for same applications.  

[The_Natural]

I want to be like The Natural and buy 5 zillions at once

What you don't know is that I had sold several rods right before that  .  As far as the thread topic; I don't know anyone that has replaced their entire arsenal with high-end equipment at the same time.  After I bought my first Loomis, I decided I was going to upgrade my entire arsenal and probably mentioned it online....but not at the same time of course.  It may be another subject entirely, but the great thing about going with high-end rods is their resale value.  You can decide to try something different after a while and get most of your money back from your current outfit.  

[Red]

i agree with this, i do it alot as well.  keith knows first hand as i have purchased some blanks from him, and i had to wait till i had the money to go get them (and i got a great deal  ;D)  also, i have been holding off on my trolling motor too.  i could have gone to academy and got the $100 minn kota they have, but i am holding out for a motorguide varimax.  is is a bit more money but i think it will serve me well in the long run with the variable speed deal and whatnot.  and another thing is my spinning rod i need to build, got the reel in the flea market a month or so ago,(another great deal), could have got any old rod to put it on, but i am waiting till i have to money to buy the components to build the rod i want.  delayed gratification....someone i knew used to say this to me often.

Cliff

[LAO162]

I think "bargains" are simply a justification     As I'm awaiting for the confirmation from TW for my just ordered Chronarch MG 51, I'm trying to figure out how I will use it this season.

At this point I think the timing, availability of disposable income (rare in this economy), and a bargain were enough to let the baitmonkey out of the cage  

I think I hit the right balance in this instance