Your Favorite Gear Stinks

[Daniel My Brother]

I read, with great enjoyment, the recent bashing of Carrot Stix.  I really don't know if they're good or bad, but it's good schadenfreude just the same.

That said there is plenty of gear that I love which others only love to bash.

If I believed everything I read on these boards I would think all Pinnacle reels are junk, even though my Extant has performed flawlessly for years.

I've read that Bass Pro Shop's rods are mop handles, while my Lightning Rod has been compared to a baseball bat.  These are among my favorites.

Recently I learned that my Rattlin' Rogues are inferior, and my favorite line is a slinky.

Surprisingly, the stuff that I've been the least impressed with seems to be the most popular on these boards. My Citica D has been a disappointment, as has the KVD Line Conditioner.

This criticism is not personal.  You're not calling my wife ugly or my dog smelly. At worst, you're driving down the price of the gear I like to use, and for that I should be thankful.

How about you? What crappy gear do you somehow manage to catch fish with?

[bigtimfish]

Rogues they are cheap, but they will always catch fish. Bandit cranks,stanley spinnerbaits,pop r's

[ChiCityBasser]

Hummm lets see I would have to say that all my Quantum Reels are heavy pieces of junk with plenty of problems and that there customer service is the worst, but I haven't had a problem with either.

Humm only one I can think of since my Cabelas rods seem to get pretty good reviews.

[flechero]

Yup, I'm amazed that I ever caught a fish using Trilene XT.  In fact, I must be a freak of nature since I can feel a bite on a worm without braid.   ;D

[AndyPlaysDrums]

Great post! I just ordered a new reel. I was going to ask on here what people thought about it, but then refrained. Enough of them have been sold, and continued to be sold, to make me think that it must be pretty ok for my level of fishing. It was a good deal at half off, so instead of being talked out of it, I'm going to go on my own assumption and will probably enjoy it all the same.

[roadwarrior]

"One man's trash is another man's treasure."

So, to have a more credible review, I'll need to

get a vegetable stick; saddle it up with the STX

I already own and carry a spare Flooger and

Quantum; spool on some Vanish or Viscious

fluorocarbon; and swap out Eagle Claws for the

hooks on my 5 year old/ brand new Rogues that

never get fished?

Not.

8-)

[.RM.]

15 yr. old reels, 13 yr. old rods, the same ol mono brand (never used braid) I've been using for 30 yrs. Hooks from a supply I bought in the 90's. Chugbugs, Zulu', homemade spinner/buzz baits, plastics that I stocked up the old shop on in the 90's....

                                           

Tight Lines All!!  

[Uncle Leo]

Berkley Big Game, waste not, never fails but allows me to change line test without going OH @#%^&*. ;D ;D ;D

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Even though I own at least one reel from most of the major companies, I'll gladly take my Pflueger and Quantum turds on my rods, that are said to be as sensitive as a piece of rebar,  out everytime I go and fish my faux swimbaits, my cranks that need to be tuned, and my actionless plastics.

[bilgerat]

I do quite well with my Pfluegers, Tru Turn Hooks, 7" ribbontail worms and Trilene XL.

Oh, and don't forget the ultra light rig. BLASPHEMY!!!

I fish in a leaky jon boat. The only thing electronic on it is the motor.

My most expensive piece of gear is my Avid rod.....

[Muddy]

Thank you much DMB!!!!!!!!!!

Yea I am in the inferior mook crew also

pfluger reels

cabelas rods

thilene xl

and no stinking, over rated line treatments or Japanese expensive lures or plastics

If I wanted to collect things it would not be fishing tackle! I fish all my stuff, I fish it hard, I can't see the use of letting my fishing equipment collect dust, I also should fish Salmon, because I go upstream and against the current a lot. I don't need to be part of the accepted group who use all the hyped stuff around here.

If you use stuff to collect it, you have very little to say about reccomending it to people who are using the equipment to fish with, because you really can't judge an item until you use it, at least for some time

[roadwarrior]

If you use stuff to collect it, you have very little to say about reccomending it to people who are using the equipment to fish with, because you really can't judge an item until you use it, at least for some time

Let's see...Say you have 20 Lucky Craft Pointers, but only fish 4 colors.

Do you think a fellow might have a handle on the Pointers "in general"?

Suppose you had some friends that were mangers at BPS and they

told you that certain reel brands represented the majority of their

replacements and repairs, would that count for anything?

Although I have been told that many mushroom species are poisonous,

I haven't actually eaten any, so that might not be true either. This

"gotta use it yourself" theory seems a little far fetched to me. When

people I know or trust offer their experienced advice, most of the

time I pay attention. I have never been in your kitchen, but if the

heating element on YOUR stove is red, trust me, it's hot!

:

[Muddy]

Hey RW, you use the Senko and Fat Ika, you turned me on to both, I trusted your experience. and value you experience over opinion. Growing up I saw guys really hurt listening to peoples opinions rather than life and real time experience.

So if I know you have 20 Loomis rods but only use 4 of the models, that is all I will listen too, and that's just because i do trust your experience.

Too many fellas here recommend stuff based on what they have heard or read, or if they happen to sponsor the site. Not everything they say has proven valid to me, and for me EXPERIENCE and not INFORMED OPINIONS is what I value, the rest is all dressed up  

[bass wrangler569]

You guys will have a field day with this. Quantum on a carrot  

oh, and a certain someone should take notice, there's an X-rap on there  :

[roadwarrior]

Gottcha!

And BTW, for anyone new: Muddy and I are best friends. So,

take note, we can have a passionate debate without personal

animosity or attack. I have the highest regard for Muddy and

his opinions, even when we are not in complete agreement.

Thank you Dominick!

-Kent

[Muddy]

Absolutely and indubilitbly!!!!!! Especially when it comes to music, or in your case noise ;D

[rubba bubba]

There's bad advice from people who have actually used the gear, and there's good advice from people who haven't.  Opinions expressed here are just additional data points to be filtered accordingly.  I would rather have them, and be responsible for my own decisions, than not.

[daviscw]

Not many people walk around making fun of peoples clothes, or call their cars crap but for some reason that's okay here.

I realize some people ask for guidance, but people here search for threads where they can make negative comments. If I am happy with my Carrot Stix why not let me be? There is no point posting "Should have got a Crucial", or "THEY SUCK" in an "I Love My Carrot Stix" thread.

I agree with Muddy and RW. Tin turned me on to Carrot Stix and I love them. However, I listened to RW and Yo-Zuri was like a glass slinky, and KVD Line and Lure did nothing but pre-wet my line.

I've learned to listen, but also make a decision on my personal preference, which is not right or wrong, nor anybody's place to tell me if it is right or wrong.

[Muddy]

Good advice and no experience should not be allowed in the same sentence. I know RW uses Shemanos and I use Floogers, I also know him from fishing in Texas with him, so I know even though we disagree he knows and uses that product

One of my favorite pics here of all times was a shot of a big Shemano Touting Member, in his boat with 4 combos all Diawa reels!!!!!!!!!!!1

 You can't possibly have a clear idea on how something works without using it .Impossible however your experience using the product may lead you to a different conclusion that it would me.

[flechero]

One of my favorite pics here of all times was a shot of a big Shemano Touting Member, in his boat with 4 combos all Diawa reels!!!!!!!!!!!1

Darn, I never saw that one.  Not that it matters but it would be like the fur lined hoodie!   ;D

[old bassman]

Let's see, other than my g Loomis rods ( which I have used for about 2 years) I have another 10+ rods that I paid about $ 35.00 each for at Walmart,Kmart,Sports Authority. All great rods and all have caught fish and continue to catch fish. I do have 2 Shimano Reels ( that will make some of you very happy) , I also have about 6 Mitchell reels, bait-casters and spinning + 3 Quantum's that I and my son use, 2 Lew's bb 25ss reels and a combo from Bass Pro that I have had for over 6 years. Oh yea I also have 2 Daiwa spinning reels and one Penn spinning reel. I guess most of you would consider that crap!!! Giving productive,useful criticism is different than bashing every body's gear because you don't use it or believe in it. The worst offenders are the Quantum haters! I love mine. Again, No offense intended to anyone posting on this site just my observation based on reading other threads on this great informative site.

[ChiCityBasser]

You guys will have a field day with this. Quantum on a carrot

LOL thats my plan for a possible new combo later in the year

[ChiCityBasser]

Not many people walk around making fun of peoples clothes, or call their cars crap but for some reason that's okay here.

I realize some people ask for guidance, but people here search for threads where they can make negative comments. If I am happy with my Carrot Stix why not let me be? There is no point posting "Should have got a Crucial", or "THEY SUCK" in an "I Love My Carrot Stix" thread.

I agree with Muddy and RW. Tin turned me on to Carrot Stix and I love them. However, I listened to RW and Yo-Zuri was like a glass slinky, and KVD Line and Lure did nothing but pre-wet my line.

I've learned to listen, but also make a decision on my personal preference, which is not right or wrong, nor anybody's place to tell me if it is right or wrong.

I respect RW,Muddy,Reel Mechanic and some of the other members and value there opinions as well. RW put me onto the Ultra Soft and even steered me to the correct line 6# vs 8# for my spinning outfit. This site is the reason I purchased a Shimano also along with the reviews from the BPS and Cabelas sites as well. I still love my Quantums no matter how much bashing they take. Sometimes your equipment just has to take its lumps (Quantum KVD spinning reel) for example. I bought it and didn't like it and returned if for a Kinetic which I love.

For me I like the reviews and the opinions but its my choice and sometimes my mistake but take none of it personal

[rubba bubba]

Good advice and no experience should not be allowed in the same sentence. I know RW uses Shemanos and I use Floogers, I also know him from fishing in Texas with him, so I know even though we disagree he knows and uses that product

You can't possibly have a clear idea on how something works without using it .Impossible however your experience using the product may lead you to a different conclusion that it would me.

Like all opinions that's a subjective call and you are certainly entitled to it. If you had a friend who asked about X and you hadn't used it but you passed on RW's wisdom on it, and if that person tried it and it worked for them - that would be good advice without your own experience. And that's just one possible permutation.  But that's just my own subjective opinion.

[Muddy]

One of my favorite pics here of all times was a shot of a big Shemano Touting Member, in his boat with 4 combos all Diawa reels!!!!!!!!!!!1

Darn, I never saw that one. Not that it matters but it would be like the fur lined hoodie! ;D

 Doesn't Ryan know where you live?? :