Just my point of view

[Catt]

In recent months there has been posts asking to compare high dollar tackle to economically priced tackle; so this is my opinion on that subject.

The most common response for why high dollar tackle is superior is because You get what you pay for and this is a true statement.

Let me give y'all some insight on about this theory of You get what you pay for!

Being member of the ole school crowd I've witnessed many innovations come along that revolutionized this sport. As part of the ole school crowd I learned early on "People in life who are the happiest don't have the best of everything; they make the best of everything they have". In the mid to late 70s the sport of tournament bass fishing exploded across the entire nation with every weekend warrior believing they could compete. I've witnessed many friends lose wife, kids, jobs, house just to keep a truck, boat and tackle; all the while having just enough ability to run mid-pack.

I've caught bass up to 10 pounds and won a half a dozen tournaments with Lighting Rods.

What I try to instill in my students is to build confidence in your abilities first then you can determine what techniques are your strong suit and then buy accordingly. You will definitely get what you pay for and it really hurts when you buy a rod for a specific technique only to realize you don't like it.

Buy tackle that will get you on the water; Berkley, CastAway, American Rodsmith, All Star, Falcon Abu Garcia, Pflueger, or Quantum all have economically priced products capable of detecting, hooking, fighting, and landing bass.

When asked to make suggestions to students on tackle investments I have but one answer; invest in 2 mid-range depth finders 1 having GPS.

You can't catch em if you can't find em

[mi_basser]

I totally agree with your view on this topic,  I think that if you have the ability to find fish then the tackle to catch them is way over-rated.  Don't get me wrong, quality is important, just buy quality that you can afford, don't go overboard charging a 500 dollar rod and reel set to a credit card, you can catch the same fish on a lot cheaper set up.   A perfect example is my favorite rod and reel, a 7 foot BPS Graphite Series rod matched up with a Shimano Cariolis, all together a 100 dollar set-up.

[Crestliner2008]

Great post! I totally agree. And you know, sometimes the lower priced items are actually better suited - in some cases.

I really liked your "tackle investment" strategy. I've been saying that to folks around here for years. But I go one step further and tell them to "learn" their sonar above all else. Spend time with it and know what it is you are looking at. A truly invaluable tool.

Thanks again!

[D4u2s0t]

in any industry, hobby, etc. I agree you get what you pay for. But I also feel like it's more about the person using the equipment than the actual equipment itself. Granted someone will do better with better equipment, but they will not do better simply because of the equipment if that makes sense. As an example, I do video for a living. I have a very expensive video camera and top notch equipment for my industry. But, I can take my parents $200 video camera and still make a great video out of it. If I gave my $15,000 setup to someone, it doesn't mean they'll make a nice video.

that being said, like anything, get the best you can afford. but you don't have to take out a 2nd mortgage to go fishing. I still use my broken $18 fishing pole,(it's not my main pole of course lol) and catch alot of fish on it.  Learn the fundementals and practice the skills involved with what you're doing, and that's more important than what equipment you're using imo.  You can have the best setup in the world, the nicest bass boat, the best fish finders, if you don't use them properly you won't be any better off than the person who is fishing off the dock with their crappy lil setup.  

what it comes down to, is it's all about fun!

[Fishing Rhino]

In the end, when all is said and done, the main factor in the equation boils down to the fisherman, himself, or herself.

I suspect that Catt has more expensive, and better gear than I do. I have no doubt that were we to switch gear, he'd still outfish me.

As he said, "People in life who are the happiest don't have the best of everything; they make the best of everything they have".

A "great" fisherman with mediocre equipment would still be a great fisherman.

The thing you can improve most, at no cost to you, is ............. you.

edit:  I have no doubt that were we to switch gear, he'd still outfish me.  Except when it comes to catching lobsters.

[Dwight Hottle]

Fishing Rhino well said.

[Catt]

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

I'm not saying that buying quality tackle would not help but buy according to your abilities. On a scale of 1 to10 I'm an absolute a 10 with plastics having mastered Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs, Drop Shot Rigs, Wacky Rigs ECT. With crank baits I'm absolutely a 5 so it would not help my productivity to invest tackle specifically designed for crank baits; basic crank bait tackle is all I need. I understand the value of being versatile but I also understand I will never compete with David Fritts when it comes to crank baits.

Keep your tackle simple, functional, durable & dependable

[WRB]

Fishing tackle is a lot like everyhing else; you pay for current state of the art. The question should be; do you need this years state of the art to catch bass? The answer is obvious; no! Will the state of the art tackle give me an edge over my competition? the answer to that lies more with your fishing skills, not your tackle. If you have equal skills, state of the art tackle may help a little, but keep in mind it's only state of the art top $$$ tackle for one year, until the next generation comes out.

The newest rod I own for example is 3 years old and I bought it this year as a close out item, new with full lifetime warranty, for 1/4th the original price, which was over $300. My reels are the same vintage and bought 5 of those 1/2 price when they were 1 year old.

I don't use the rod/reels that I caught nearly all my giant bass on anymore, they have been replaced with newer out dated state of the art tackle.

My advice; check out your local tackle shop for bargains on outdated state of the art tackle. With the economy being depressed there are a lots of excellent deals available at nearly the price you pay for mid range new tackle.

WRB

[bhos]

"People in life who are the happiest don't have the best of everything; they make the best of everything they have".

This... and I only buy fishing gear/tackle if it's used or on sale. But, fishing is a hobby for me, not a profession.  If you're fishing for money and already have skill, the monetary return on investment in the best/newest equipment and tackle is probably worth it, and so it is justified.  Or if you're one of those who has the money and would not be happy with anything but the best regardless of functionality or cost/benefit, the expense might be worth it to you and that is all that matters (your happiness.)  No one gets hurt if you pay more for nicer stuff.

[Raul]

The newest hottest most modern most expensive state of the art tackle won 't make you a better angler if you are not, it ain 't magical.

You are an average angler ? you get the newest hottest most modern most expensive state of the art tackle then you 'll be an average angler with the newest hottest most modern most expensive state of the art tackle and that 's about how good it will get.

[George Welcome]

I don't agree: buy the absolute best - Hummer to tow with: best Ranger, most expensive rods and reels, etc.

Once purchased I can absolutely guarantee that the best thing that you could do with all this new stuff is to send it to me to test out.  ;D

[Raul]

buy the absolute best - Hummer to tow with: best Ranger, most expensive rods and reels, etc.

That would be Redlinerorbert 's gear. ( s*t you not )

[Fishing Rhino]

I don't agree: buy the absolute best - Hummer to tow with: best Ranger, most expensive rods and reels, etc.

Once purchased I can absolutely guarantee that the best thing that you could do with all this new stuff is to send it to me to test out. ;D

LOL.  Another philanthropic mendicant.  

I'm sure you'd "welcome" the opportunity to do just that.

[Fishing Rhino]

It's funny how things pop into your mind when you're not thinking about them.

The topic of this thread, and the relative importance of better equipment prompted the following for your consideration.

This may be off topic slightly, but one area where technology has made the fishermen, particularly the less skilled, better, is the technology of lures, and their action in the water.

Back in the day, it took a lot of practice to impart the desired action to lures and plugs.

Today, with very little effort and practice, just about anyone can successfully fish baits like the Rage Tails.  You can name countless others as well.

The "frog of choice" fifty years ago was an Uncle Josh pork rind, with a chunk of the pork left on for the body, and the tail filleted, leaving only the skin.

There was an art to rigging them and an even more difficult art of working them properly.

Today, you have Spro, Scum and a long list of froggy baits that make the process easier for all, with a lot less effort and study.

Uncle Josh had probably been around prior to the advent of the spinning reel, and baitcasters back then had to be cave man material compared to today's computerized stuff.

While the cream still rises to the top, the rest of us have been elevated in our "ability" to catch fish simply because of the technological advances.

I for one, am thankful for it.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

i love my revos and they cost more then my c3,s but i can what i do best with my 70 doller c-3,s 25 yrs ago a c-3 was 40 bucks brand new now they have changed um. I dont catch anymore or less with my revos or c-3s its all about "MINDSET"

[DINK WHISPERER]

I have a buddy who trys to fish with his wallet! He has a $40,000 boat and $35,000 truck, $1000 rod/reel set-ups etc, but can't catch a bass if his life depended on it! I have tried to help but of course, he knows everything about bass fishing already, LOL! I think serious anglers should strive to buy the best tackle they can afford and no more. But first take the time to learn to fish. GREAT POST

[Blue Streak]

Expensive tackle will not make you a great fisherman. It takes time on the water and hard work. You can't buy experience.

[cart7t]

If going out and spending $950 on a brand new rod and reel makes you feel like you'll catch more fish than I say have at it.

The reality is, you'll catch no more fish with it than an outfit costing a quarter that amount if you don't have the skills nor the ability to adapt and catch fish.

[BenoBreath]

Catt: Great article !

Too bad I didn't read it, 20yrs. ago. ;D

BB

[Mottfia]

haha I have yet to be able to afford the good equipment but I agree with everyone else.

I'll be honest with you. I use the good ole Ambasseduer 5500 with a lightning rod that had its tip broken off a year back as my spinnerbait rod.

Why do I use it? I tell most people that I can't afford another one while in college but the truth is that I have been catching bass on that rod and reel for years and I'm just as accurate and soft as anyone I know with the blade. Its honestly all about time and practice with the equipment that makes the difference.

I believe you're right Catt. A depthfinder will take you much father than a $400 rod and reel combo

Mottfia

[skunked_again]

i agree with Catt 100% i went through a faze of wanting top end reels but now im to the point id rather have good reels and the best rods i can buy.

in the end i think its more importain to be out there fishing than adding more crap to our bags of tricks.

[Marshfisher]

I will agree that the "best" equipment isn't what catches the fish. On the other hand, if you're not careful, buying a lower end setup can be a discouraging experience. There is a point where tackle becomes pretty much junk and it's that area where it can make fishing more of a chore than fun. When people ask me, I just tell them get the best for what you can afford to spend and also look at how much you will us it. Mo use throwing down $100=$200 for a setup you'll only use once or twice a year. I have rigs that were relatively cheap and some that were (to me) pretty expensive.

Learn the basics first with less cost and once you learn that is when the bells and whistles make for a little of an advantage.

[Fish Chris]

Well Catt, I agree on the part about rods and reels. Of course most of mine were from my sponsor at the time (Okuma) but even so, I don't need the most expensive stuff they make. Middle, or upper middle range is fine for me.

So, I'm talking about $70 to $100 rods, and $75 to $125 reels. Whether or not a guy thinks that is cheap or expensive, would be up to him. But that's what I use.

About fish finders though.....

I have 1 cheap ($125) portable Fish Eagle. Works fine for what it is. I pretty much always use it for Sturgeon fishing, because I like to watch them swim under my boat, while I'm anchored.

But for bass, I can find them just fine with my own two eyes. Sometimes I just come up on a spot, and they are already there. Other times they will follow a lure (especially swimbaits and wake baits) up to the boat.

And of course I almost never just blind fish down a bank trying to cover water. I jump from spot, to spot, on a map in my brain, which I develop over many trips, and sometimes, over many years of fishing that lake.

As for the cost of a fishing boat; Most of you have probably heard me say, my 14 ft aluminum is my "dream boat" for nearly all of my freshwater fishing. And "I'm not saying > it's good enough..... What I'm saying is, "It's absolutely "the best" boat at any cost, for my style of fishing, and it allows me to fish a LOT.... compared to a high-per bass boat which I could not afford to fish 1/4 as much + which is too big and bulky for me. With a boat like that, I'd feel like I was constantly getting into my own way ;-)

Peace,

Fish

[Hammer 4]

I do the best I can with what I have, my stuff isn't the best, nor the cheapest, but it's mine and I'm happy to be able to still fish.

I agree, what counts is between your ears, not the size of your wallet.

[chief71]

It's funny how things pop into your mind when you're not thinking about them.

The topic of this thread, and the relative importance of better equipment prompted the following for your consideration.

This may be off topic slightly, but one area where technology has made the fishermen, particularly the less skilled, better, is the technology of lures, and their action in the water.

Back in the day, it took a lot of practice to impart the desired action to lures and plugs.

Today, with very little effort and practice, just about anyone can successfully fish baits like the Rage Tails. You can name countless others as well.

The "frog of choice" fifty years ago was an Uncle Josh pork rind, with a chunk of the pork left on for the body, and the tail filleted, leaving only the skin.

There was an art to rigging them and an even more difficult art of working them properly.

Today, you have Spro, Scum and a long list of froggy baits that make the process easier for all, with a lot less effort and study.

Uncle Josh had probably been around prior to the advent of the spinning reel, and baitcasters back then had to be cave man material compared to today's computerized stuff.

While the cream still rises to the top, the rest of us have been elevated in our "ability" to catch fish simply because of the technological advances.

I for one, am thankful for it.

I totaly agree with this...I used to put a worm on a hook and throw it out, hoping to catch something. Then on a whim I purchase some newer soft plastics to play with (always wanted to learn how to fish plastics and swimbaits). I think because to level of the technology was increased it game me a little more confidence to practice and better my skills. JMO