Thread: High quality ultralight spinning reels

Originally Posted by s_v

...I suspect many here are in a similar boat, and a perspective from an eager non-expert might be helpful.

Some good info in this thread!

I don't know if anything I write is worthwhile or not but I can say that I am eager and I am a non-expert! And at this time, here's my take.

Fatigue factor isn't very important in my analysis because 7 hours fishing is long for me these days. My main lake is 25 minutes away and other lakes are 30 to 50 minutes away and I just do not fish all day anymore. Seven hours is a long session.

So, what's important to me? Cast length of small jigs and enjoying the fight. I have a frugal streak due to some past hard times and I buy nothing without some research but I am willing to spend on good stuff. And if something does not merit a higher price tag according to what I perceive, I just won't buy it. OTOH, sometimes (or all times?), the only way you can know is you have to experience it.

This year, I am using bluegill as the test. Crappie have, so far, been elusive for the most part. But I have caught heck out of big coppernose bluegill. And they really pull. They are all big as far as bluegill go, probably averaging 3/4 pound. Every now and then, one which weighs 1 lb. and my best this year is one of 1.2 lbs. For a month now, say, 4 days/wk that I fish, I catch 'em good. Meaning, I catch 25 or so (a limit) and go back to bass fishing or cruising with sonar. All of this being done testing this and that rod or reel or jig or line. (Even if I catch n release, I often stop at catching 25 to give the fish a rest. I also do not catch but, say, 6-12 per bream bed and I move to another one.)

What is interesting to me is that I now have two "high end" rods, one on the way and a few low end rods. One higher end reel and a few mid-range to low end reels. Thus far, I am not convinced that the high end makes a substantial difference TO ME. Sure, the high end equipment is great, it's very nice. It probably will cast farther. And that matters. But I just have to fish more to come to a reliable conclusion. Thus far, a common jig pole with a spinning reel seat/handle is the most enjoyable of the bunch in playing the big bream. As for my reels, is the Abu Garcia Theta reel better? Yes. But does it matter? Not sure. More fishing and I'll report!

I tend to think I will come to appreciate the better equipment. A case in point is a bass rig I have, a St. Croix spinning rod and a Shimano Stradic reel. That's not high end but it's not cheap (close to $400 total) and it is dang good. OTOH, I have other bass rigs that are actually pretty cheap... Basspro reel on a cheap rod, for instance. And they work just fine. But the better stuff is def a little better!

Wanna see some guys spend some bucks go look into fly fishing!

Originally Posted by livemusic

Wanna see some guys spend some bucks go look into fly fishing!

... and the same questions come up on fly fishing boards:

"Is the $900 fly rod worth it? Is it really better than the $200 fly rod?"

Of course it's better, but the difference may not be worth it to you.