You really don't need mega $ to catch bass.

[MyKeyBe]

Honestly!

The bass don't care what you spent.  They just want to eat.

Fisherman Jim spends $750.00 on a rod, a reel, and some lures. He catches a few fish.

Fisherman John spends $75.00 on a rod, a reel, and some lures. He catches a few fish.

Fisherman Joe spends $17.50 on a rod, a reel, and some lures. He catches a few fish.

They all have fun fishing and enjoying nature.

Get it?

You don't need Lucky Craft, GYBC, Loomis, Shimano to get out there and catch a bass or two and have fun doing it. Sure it's nice to have but you DO NOT NEED IT. That Zebco 33 combo and those Riverside grubs you bought will get you bit. They might even get you to "want" that Loomis-Shimano combo, but you don't need it.

Get out there and enjoy all that Mother Earth has given you. Use your Sponge Bob reel to catch a few if you have to. Use what you have and have fun using what you have.

Fun and enjoying nature, that's what it is all about.

Get out there and enjoy the time you have to be out there and have fun with the equipment you have.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Hence my screenname  

[Top]

yes and you can get from here to there in this

BUT its a WHOLE lot more fun to get from here to there in THIS

its all in how you want to get there...  

AL

[Catt]

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears

[Bud]

MyKeyBe

You are 1000% correct.  The only thing I have every said about high $$ fishing tackle it make it more fun for ME.   Their is more bass caught in the spring time here by crappie fishman  with a pole and a minnow than than by bass fisherman

for the few that like smillie here is a bunch ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[grimlin]

yes and you can get from here to there in this

BUT its a WHOLE lot more fun to get from here to there in THIS

its all in how you want to get there...  

AL

well said.... ;D

[roadwarrior]

I suppose there are a lot of things we don't "need" in life, but some of those "things" are what make life more enjoyable.

"Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey"

[flechero]

I've said it before and will say it again... I started catching more and bigger fish on soft plastics when I made the jump to IMX. As precious as my fishing time is these days, and the fact that I can afford IMX and higher rods, I will not go back to cheap stuff. I understand the position of the original post and I used to fish with berkley rods and Abu 4600 reels... caught lots of fish on the "Low Budget" method.

Consider this other side of the argument. I am now in a stage of life, and a $250 or higher rod or reel is not considered expensive. Go back as few as 10 years ago, my best reel was bought for $45. No one can argue that the old style 4600's are as nice or as light as a 50MG and no one will ever convince me that the difference between an IMX and a lightning rod is in my head.

I caught lots of fish on the cheap stuff but my level of enjoyment, % of larger fish and annual income have risen dramatically since I was using that stuff and I like it this way much better.

Each person will have a different perspective on this...

[grid]

The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears

And all this time I was Q-tipping it out! ;D ;D ;D

I agree. When my Granfather was alive he would outfish everybody. His tackle was old and poles were of no name. It was his ability and patience that made him catch fish.

[Avalonjohn44]

I used to take a certain pride in out-fishing my friends using only a zebco fiberglass rod, a $20 shimano 2000 reel, and a few rebel cranks, creme worms, and in-line spinners.  They used to laugh that I would use in line spinners and 'cheap-o' worms, until I would double their catch.  

Then I got a pretty decent job, and the bait monkey tore into me like I was the new guy in prison...

Now I happily horde Megabass, Bagley, and LC lures.  I still haven't pulled the trigger on a high dollar rod, but if I can afford it at the time, who's business but my own is it, really?

[weebrio]

I have recently started fishing again after many years of a break. I used to reside in Scotland so my perspective is a little diffrent.

Rod and reels in the USA are cheap, and by that I mean that you can go to a place like Academy spend $40 and you are ready to fish.

Just last week I bought a Shakespeare combo for $25 and some soft shad swimbaits for $2.97, next day I caught four Bass, one of then was what you would consider a keeper the rest were too small.

I can see what flechero is getting at but where would someone like me start, I fish and my son also fishes, buying two of every thing starts to amount to quite a bit of money if I take the exspensive route.

Haveing the top shelf stuff is in my book the best way top go if you can manage to afford it, unfortunatly I can not afford rods and reels that cost hundreds of dollars.

What I have done is this, I have read and reread lots of posts on fishing and what a gold mine of info that is although confusing at times.

Yes my rod and reels are cheap, but I did get the best line and lures I could afford, I cosider that a start. I have the method to get the hooks in the water, I have the desire to fish, and it works.

The exspensive rods and reels will eventually appear in my arsenall of fishing equipment but for now my $25 rod and reel with the spider wire braid and Rapala lure will have to sufice till I can afford something else.

I am fishing and catching which is a lot better than not doing it at all.

[Pa Angler]

I suppose there are a lot of things we don't "need" in life, but some of those "things" are what make life more enjoyable.

"Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey"

SHAZAM!!!! Right on RW

[Guest Bountiful_Waters]

I agree with the origional post concerning catching numbers of fish. The first time my wife and I went to El Salto, I had no idea what to expect, other than making sure I had heavy line. Well, day one, that "cheap" heavy line broke numerous times. I broke one rod completely in two setting the hook, and my wife had the reel jump off a pole because the reel seat cracked. Day one over, no big fish in the boat. I had the lodge respool my reels that night with 20lb triple fish. Day two, line didn't break, another pole did. Day two over, no big fish. Borrowed 2 G-Loomis 7 ft rods from the lodge before day three. Day three, no line breaks, no rod breaks, a 10.8 and 10 in the boat. I will never go to Mexico again without quality rods, reels, and line. Guys, it does make a difference between a good trip and a bad one sometimes. I know people have caught huge fish on $20 combos, this  fella isn't going to chance it anymore.

[The Unabasser]

These threads lately are kinda like the old discussion about ridin a Harley or a Jap bike...what I always said was

"It doesn't matter what you ride, it matters what I ride, just as long as you ride"

or

"15 miles and 15 grand don't make you a biker"

Just get out there and fish no matter what equipment you have!!!

[Ozarkie]

One of my friends and I won a bass tourney some years back. 7.5hp merc yes 7 POINT 5 hp and a small aluminum boat. We never left sight of the laucnh ramp. We had two limits of largemouth and they were big. We were LOL that we had won the boat!! The money!!! BUt low and behold we were DQed because our motor was not over 25HP.

Now what to hell does motor size have to do with ones ability to fish? None but what we did was embarassssssss the whole tourney crowd and some big name TV guys!!!!!

As I was reading a tourney rules yesterday I lmao, they require yo  to use this rod, these baits etc. lots of B.S. one thing they did for me was make sure I will never buy those products again!!!

I will take my Rebel Lures and catch just as many fish at those $15.00 lures and should I loose one not any big deal.

My Grandad "Toad" caught a lot of big fish and guided on Table Rock and only had a Richline and a 20Hp Johnson.

Do I need a Triton of Ranger? Nope I have a Lowe Aluminum with a 90HP I have been catching a lot of fish this year I doubt I would do any better with a fancier high $$$ boat.

Do I need a 225 or 250Hp motor Nope I can put a lot more fuel in my 90HP for what you put in that big boat.

Just last week one of those OPTimax was sitting at the dock with the throttle position senor gone out!!!

What did it cost him, maybe the tourney, and getting towed about 12 miles plus all day waiting for his tow.

My Lowe will do 50mph on a good day, I can't fish at 50mph!!! I also dont jump from point to point when fishing in most cases but thats me.

My favorite rod is one my Grandma made for me 35 years ago when she worked for Ark-Rod, I still have yet to spend $50.00 on any rod or reel.

But thats me and the way I fish, if there is a fish in the cove or around the point that may bite I will fish it.

Do I always catch fish? NO but thats fishin!

Ozarkie

P.S. I do always have fun!!

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Eveything ( Rod and Reel wise) Is only bought when on discount or from our flea market. By keeping my eyes open i have some stuff that costs a lot less than new or full priced. I aint goin nowhere and i am not in a rush to  part with money I don't have to

[Fish Chris]

I fish out of a 10K boat, that just happens to be my dream boat. It is certainly more comfortable, and marginally more effective, than my old 12ft aluminum beater...... but interestingly, it is (for my purposes) a LOT more effective than a 50K high performance bass boat.

From another perspective.... I throw a $35 swimbait, which is night and day more effective than any $5 to $15 swimbait that I know of..... but what's funny is, I believe it to be a lot more effective than some of the $100 to $300 swimbaits I know of also.

Finally, NO, you don't need a lot of expensive equipment to catch bass, but living in California is rediculously expensive, so over here you need a lot of money just to live, and after you have earned your living, you still need time to go fishing.

Just a few thoughts to ponder,

Fish

[Guest avid]

I've been visiting this forum for years and I don't believe I recall one instance where someone said that "you need expensive equipment to catch bass"  I have seen this argument made on other sites but never here.

The entire discussion has generally centered around enjoyment.  Yes, rod sensativity and reel casting distance are factors, but they can be compensated for.  For example if you need more sensativity switch to braid.  

Those of us who spend the money for high end tackle' contrary to popular belief are not all rich.

It's a matter of priorities, and smart shopping.  Want a GLoomis IMX rod but can't afford the $250.00 or so?  Check the trading post, ebay (but be careful) and even bang out a quick pm to someone who just posted that they bought a couple of Steez rods because they are so fabulous.

I won't say their names because it's not my place, but one member of this forum recently purchased a

used $250.00 rod from another member of the forum for $100.  The rod was in excellent conditon except for a broken guide.  the purchasing member made arrangements with the seller to have the rod sent to a friend (another forum member) who made a perfect repair on the rod for no charge.

So this member by getting off his azz and using his head has a perfect $250 for $100 bucks.

I guess the moral of the story is

You can choose to whine or do without,

or you can choose to make the effort, so you can experience the difference that real quality makes.

It's up to you.

PS. You absolutely do not need expensive equipment to catch bass.

Avid has spoken.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

All I have to say is this: I am not part of the rat race.

But I could use a little more cheese.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

WHEW!!!!!!!!!! Boy am I glad I HAVE A VERY SENSITIVE ROD!!!!!!!!

[Raul]

I suppose there are a lot of things we don't "need" in life, but some of those "things" are what make life more enjoyable.

"Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey"

You left out Cuban cigars.  :-/

[Infidel.]

WHEW!!!!!!!!!! Boy am I glad I HAVE A VERY SENSITIVE ROD!!!!!!!!

Yeah me to!  But sometimes its a little too sensitve and I set the hook to early if you know what I mean  

[Alpster]

OK! I have been wanting to get this off my chest for quite a while and this is the perfect thread. Why do so many guys go out and spend 20+ dollars on a fancy Walmart rod and a high tech Zebco reel when all you need to catch a fish is a broom handle, 10' of nylon string, a paper clip for a hook and a worm you can dig up in the garden? All these $0.98 spinning baits and $0.50 a piece rubber worms are just rich people status symbols. Heck for that matter if your not too lazy and have good reflexes you can wade into the water and catch em with your bare hands and that don't cost nothing! I can't believe these guys who spend all there hard erned money on fancy fishing gear, what a waste!!!

I am only joking, but I love these equipment bashing threads!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

God bless

Ronnie

[FatBoy]

yes and you can get from here to there in this

BUT its a WHOLE lot more fun to get from here to there in THIS

OR, you can get from here to there on THIS:

have even more fun and look DARN good doing it!!!

(Sorry, but I couldn't resist.  )

[MyKeyBe]

Bump.

Hmm. Nope. No one ever said you need $$$ to catch bass but it sure is implied.

I hear a heck of a lot more about G-Loomis than I do Ugly Stick. A lot more about GYBC than all the "knock offs". I hear a lot more about Shimano than Pinnacle. Lucky Craft will have fish jumping in your lap. So maybe I never heard a lot about about "$$$ = fish" but it is implied.

So for all you kids on a $10.00 a week allowance and all the hard working people on a $30,000 a year budget, forget it.

You might as well take up bluegill fishing. Those gills will bite on a leaf and you can catch them with your low dollar cane pole.

And YES! I can get there from here using both but can I afford to drive 40 miles one way to work 5 days a week in a slomaro that get 15 MPG? Gas is $3.00 a gallon. $30.000 for a Camaro that gets 15 MPG and I look cool? $15.000 for the cavalier that gets 30 MPG and I'm not so cool?

Hmmm?