The end all thread

[Primus]

I agree with the idea that you can be a good fisherman with simple tackle and a limited number of rods and reels. That said, if you want to maximize the full potential of certain bait styles it does help to have specialized equipment.

I'll use fishing crankbaits as an example. There is no doubt that someone catch a lot of fish with 6'6" or 7' Medium action Ugly Stick and fish a wide variety of crankbaits with it.

I've fished with guys who struggle to catch fish with Deep Cranks because they simply are not getting a long enough cast to allow the lure to reach it's maximum depth and they fatique quickly and get discouraged because their rods are underpowered for these high resistance baits. I fish these baits on a 7'6" MH Crankin stick with 12 lb. Floro and I know for a fact that my success with this bait style has went way up since adding this to my arsenal.

I do not like using the previously mentioned combo for fishing small shallow running cranks like a Baby 1 Minus. I prefer a shorter 7' or 6'6" Medium action rod because I'm often target fishing and a shorter rod makes it easier to make the neccesary accurate cast around boat docks etc. Also, a MH Crankin' rod in my opinion deadens the feel of this type of bait and it doesn't wiggle as well as the Medium action rod.

I also use a 6'9" medium action spinning rod for tiny & light cranks like the Lucky Craft RC 0.5 or Rapala Shad Raps, I also using this combo for twitching Floating Rapala's and fishing jerkbaits.

So that's 3 different combo's for fishing cranks and I also use a 4th which is a 7' MH rod for fishing small 1-2 oz swimbaits and larger wake cranks and this rod has 17 lb. mono, this combo doesn't get used as frequently.

I could probably fish most of these baits on one combo but not as effectively as I can with these 4 different set-ups, keep in mind that I'm a diehard crankbait fisherman and I realize that for many this is not a go to bait for them or they may not have the room in their budgets or their boats to dedicate that many set-ups to one bait style. If that's the case pick your best jack of all trades master of none crank rod and you'll still catch alot of fish.

I also feel that a high quality rod reel combo is going to help you catch more fish when fishing jigs & soft plastics because you are going to have better feel especially in deep water. I do think there is a point of diminishing returns, if I'm fishing soft plastics there are a lot of $ 100-$ 200 dollar rods that are going to give you a better feel and catch a lot more fish than if you took the same angler with an Ugly Stick and ask him to feel a fish pick up his football jig in 20' of water at the end of a long cast. However, there is only a slight performance edge if he upgrades to a $300-$ 400 rod.

The point I'm trying to make is fish confidently with whatever equipment you have and if you make good cast and decisions on the water you can catch a lot of fish. However if your budget allows and you want to take your fishing up another level or 2 it does help investing in rod/reel combo's that will maximize the presentations that you are trying to make with various bait styles.

[RussBert]

#1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Words to live by. That would make an excellent sig line!   

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I agree with Nate about not needing a bunch of rods and reels.  I could very easily fish and be happy with a pair of rods.  That being said, I enjoy having more setups handy.  No it doesn't take all that long to retie, but having the proper tool for the job is quite nice.  I use all of my rods equally over the year.  Last time I went out, I didn't bring my cranking rod.  Mind you, there are trips where I've gone out and only used the crank rod all day long.

Buy whatever you want to buy.  Don't think that having thirty rods or 400 dollar rods is going to make you a better fisherman though.

[SirSnookalot]

Catt is right on this one.  Every thing is secondary to finding the 10% of the water where the fish are, find the fish and whatever technique employed will catch fish if the bite is on.

I use 1 rod whether I'm freshwater or saltwater fishing and have no more than 3 or 4 baits with me at any given time, learned that's all I need.

If I were in the business of catching fish for a living or being a guide or captain I would buy top of the line equipment, but as recreational fisherman I think it's thrown out money.  I guarantee I have as much fun as anyone using mid price gear.

[GRiver]

Also you don't need to have 10 different rods to be successful either. I use 2 about 99% of the time. I have a baitcaster I use most of the time, then an ultra light for when it gets real tough. Both of these rods plus the reels were under 60 per setup.

same here ....the old lady who lives across the river from me uses a cane pole....she has just as much fun as I do..that's what it all about....having fun

[grimlin]

I have a little more fun with mid price gears($200 combos) than i do with my old shakespear combo i had starting out(lasted less than a year).Plus i really don't have to worry about my set ups breaking during a fishing trip,I can't say that back then when i was fishing with nothing but cheap stuff.

Buy what you want,can afford and have fun with it.

I don't agree with this thread entirely. You can't buy one set up and use it under all conditions....it just won't happen. My buddy has the cheap,cheap stuff and every time we fish he loses those fish in the grass and rocks,yet i don't.because i had the right rod for the job.

[roadwarrior]

Higher end gear will NOT turn a bad fisherman into a

good fisherman, but it can make a good fisherman better. All

the guys I know that fish with the high-end gear are "collectors".

It has very little to do with "catching", but it makes "fishing"

more fun!

8-)

[SJB1226]

Higher end gear will NOT turn a bad fisherman into a

good fisherman, but it can make a good fisherman better. All

the guys I know that fish with the high-end gear are "collectors".

It has very little to do with "catching", but it makes "fishing"

more fun!

8-)

Perfectly spoken/wrote RW... bravo!

[Raul]

Higher end gear will NOT turn a bad fisherman into a

good fisherman, but it can make a good fisherman better. All

the guys I know that fish with the high-end gear are "collectors".

It has very little to do with "catching", but it makes "fishing"

more fun!

8-)

I 've always said it, it ain 't the wand it 's the magician, heck, I can fish with a Coke can spooled with 100 yards of line and whup some rear ends, not that I do it a lot but I 've done it.

[brushhoggin]

Higher end gear will NOT turn a bad fisherman into a

good fisherman, but it can make a good fisherman better. All

the guys I know that fish with the high-end gear are "collectors".

It has very little to do with "catching", but it makes "fishing"

more fun!

8-)

I 've always said it, it ain 't the wand it 's the magician, heck, I can fish with a Coke can spooled with 100 yards of line and whup some rear ends, not that I do it a lot but I 've done it.

those cans have some amazing sensitivity! ;D

[BASSclary]

Higher end gear will NOT turn a bad fisherman into a

good fisherman, but it can make a good fisherman better. All

the guys I know that fish with the high-end gear are "collectors".

It has very little to do with "catching", but it makes "fishing"

more fun!

8-)

I 've always said it, it ain 't the wand it 's the magician, heck, I can fish with a Coke can spooled with 100 yards of line and whup some rear ends, not that I do it a lot but I 've done it.

those cans have some amazing sensitivity! ;D

Really? I've been looking to upgrade from my Diets to Coke... :

[hitchhiker]

Higher end gear will NOT turn a bad fisherman into a

good fisherman, but it can make a good fisherman better. All

the guys I know that fish with the high-end gear are "collectors".

It has very little to do with "catching", but it makes "fishing"

more fun!

8-)

I 've always said it, it ain 't the wand it 's the magician, heck, I can fish with a Coke can spooled with 100 yards of line and whup some rear ends, not that I do it a lot but I 've done it.

Perhaps in your neck of the woods, but the guy with the 8 foot rod with a strong baitcaster and 65 spectra throwing frogs in the mats will woop yours.   :-X

Besides that, gear changes all the time just like ugly sticks used to be high end.     If you can't stand to see another "what's best?"  post, don't click on it.  May as well shut down the whole site if you think it's worthless reading.

[ksbasser]

I have to agree with the first post. There is no best. It's all opinions. I have used some cheap walmart rods that were very sensitive and I have tried some expensive rods that seemed a little lame in that area. I know of several inexpensive reels that if properly cared for will last a very long time. I have seen very expensive reels that had problems way before they should have. There is nothing wrong with wanting or owning nice equipment, but there is something wrong with making others feel like their equipment is inferior. We should be telling new anglers that the most important thing they can do is to get out and fish, learn to use whatever equipment they can afford to the best of their ability. The flip side to that is there is nothing wrong with owning and using multiple rigs or expensive rigs. If you can afford them, then there are some advantages to having rigs setup for several situations instead of just one or two multi purpose rigs. Just remember, it's not about who has the nicest stuff, it's about enjoying the sport and passing it on. Lets not ruin the experience for someone by suggesting that they need expensive equipment or dozens of rigs.

[Dave P]

I have to agree with the first post. There is no best. It's all opinions. I have used some cheap walmart rods that were very sensitive and I have tried some expensive rods that seemed a little lame in that area. I know of several inexpensive reels that if properly cared for will last a very long time. I have seen very expensive reels that had problems way before they should have. There is nothing wrong with wanting or owning nice equipment, but there is something wrong with making others feel like their equipment is inferior. We should be telling new anglers that the most important thing they can do is to get out and fish, learn to use whatever equipment they can afford to the best of their ability. The flip side to that is there is nothing wrong with owning and using multiple rigs or expensive rigs. If you can afford them, then there are some advantages to having rigs setup for several situations instead of just one or two multi purpose rigs. Just remember, it's not about who has the nicest stuff, it's about enjoying the sport and passing it on. Lets not ruin the experience for someone by suggesting that they need expensive equipment or dozens of rigs.

Yes 

[Hammer 4]

ther owned an Ugly Stick. If they tell you they haven't they are lying Shakespere has been making a quality product for a long time.

I've been fishing for close to 40 years and have just started upgrading in the past 3-4 years. The main reason for that is at this point in my life I can afford to. Wife is gone, kids are grown and I have a decent job. Been tourney fishing for 4 years and this is the first year I cashed some checks. Not because of the equiptment but because of time on the water and time researching my hobby.

And take your own advice. Learn how to catch fish. Learn how to catch them consistantly. Then buy the nice combo to reward yourself.

Do you think the fish knows you have a Revo on a St. Croix?

Been fishing since 1958, off and on...Never fished with, or owned an Ugly Stick..not everyone lies..

[paangler3117]

Best advice I've ever recieved, "take the money you have for gear and buy gas for your boat." 

Time on the water will make up for less than top notch stuff.

Jim

[Captain Obvious]

Does this post end that great thread about how the Vendetta was rated better than that $300 Shimano rod  ;D