I must be CHEAP !!!

IT's cold and I am looking at new fishing gear in the wish books. I am seeing rods and reels for close to $ 600
dollars. Makes my gear look cheap. I have Pfluger Presidents and Pfluger Trions and have used the cheap Shimano's. I use Berkly Cherrywood rods and some Shakespere. Is a $600 rod or reel that much better or is it prestege Could I tell the difference in a $60 dollar rod and one that is $600 dollars Is it 10 times better?. I use Visious 2# test line. When it becomes hard to cast, I replace the whole line. I have friends that tell me what line,reel. and rod they use, especially if it is costly. They don't catch any more fish or do any better than I do with my cheaper gear . It proves it is the fisherman and not the gear he uses. It was 10 degrees hear this morning......springtime seems far away...everybody stay warm.... and hang in there. warmer weather is ON THE WAY......crappie1133

Enjoy what you have! :fish

I bought a $200 bottle of Johnny Walker Blue one time. I took it to a party and mixed it with Coke.

I now use $2 walmart Chinese mono, because it works and I'm oddly cheap.

People will find ways to spend all their money and then some.

I make a portion of my living from guiding. I use line-counter reels a BUNCH. My clients ask how expensive the Okuma Magda 15s or the Shakesapeare ATS reels are. How high are the Southern Crappie Rods? When I tell them less than $50, most say "NO Way!" They think of them as being expensive because they are acclimated to seeing reels/rods similar for much more $$. I consider those reels as being disposable. If I get 2-3 seasons out of them, I feel they more than paid for themselves and they go into the parts box. Many of my Southerns are several years old for the most part unless a big foot has found them.

The B.A.S.S guys are making their living casting a bait all day and they must have a reel that will hold up to that abuse. I'm letting line out to a determined distance and pulling the bait around all day. BIG DIFFERENCE!!

I liken my gear situation to buying tools from say Snap-On or Harbor Freight. Will the Snap-On do the job and last for the rest of my life? Probably. Will the same tool from Harbor Freight? Your guess is as good as mine. If I need a tool that I'm using EVERY DAY to make my living, I'm going with Snap-On (Craftsman, DeWalt,etc). If I need a tool a couple of times a year for a minor project, I'll go with the Harbor Freight and hope it lasts. That's why the tourney guys lean toward the high end stuff.

When the Okumas or Shakespeares fail to get the job done for me, I'll move up to the higher priced reels but I don't ever see myself needing a $600 reel to get the job done.

The fish have no idea what the rod/reel cost.

That being said I don't cheap out completely but no way I'd spend 600.00 on any rod/reel unless it came with a week long guided trip. :cool:

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Originally Posted by EWS

I bought a $200 bottle of Johnny Walker Blue one time. I took it to a party and mixed it with Coke.

I now use $2 walmart Chinese mono, because it works and I'm oddly cheap.

People will find ways to spend all their money and then some.

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What brand mono?

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Originally Posted by kycreek

The fish have no idea what the rod/reel cost.

That being said I don't cheap out completely but no way I'd spend 600.00 on any rod/reel unless it came with a week long guided trip. :cool:

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I can see it now.
Daddy fish... Hold on son. Don't hit that. Its a shimano rod.
Kiddy fish... Oh gee dad! But that's Arkie Gill candy.
:Rofl

"I bought a $200 bottle of Johnny Walker Blue one time. I took it to a party and mixed it with Coke"

That EWS is the funniest thing I've heard in long time ...:)

I am a recovering golf addict. When it was time for a club purchase, I usually bought what was touted as the latest and greatest........last year! The new latest and greatest was out, and last year’s was half price, or less!

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Originally Posted by lemmylemon

What brand mono?

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Zebco Omniflex

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Originally Posted by kycreek

The fish have no idea what the rod/reel cost.

That being said I don't cheap out completely but no way I'd spend 600.00 on any rod/reel unless it came with a week long guided trip. :cool:

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This is why I don’t get into these discussions. I never thought I would spend that much money on fishing gear either.......but then I started fishing with JDM gear. My most expensive rod is 450 bucks......with a 325 dollar reel on it. I own several dozen of similar setups. I am a tackle enthusiast. I am not a snob......I am not wealthy....but if one ever fished with JDM rods they wouldn’t go back. I will not take the time to explain it but the JDM UL rods are made to feel what they refer to as the “Off bite”. We all spend our money on what we want to....and I’d be willing to bet money that 99.9 percent who say they would not spend their money on rods that cost that much have a hobby....a sport.....a collection of something.....that others would look at and say “I wouldn’t spend that much on that “. My boat cost me 15 grand.......I’ve seen crappie boats that are 50 grand....not for me....but for the person who bought it he either figured it fit his needs or he just wanted it.

Regards


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I pride myself in being practical. My youngest son says I over analyze most of my purchases. He needs his Yeti cooler, he will outgrow his thinking, wisdom will grow.
That said, it's impossible for me to justify a $600 rod / reel.
I did just order (2) B-100 seats from GJ. I can justify.
i worked 35 years in the corporate world, my first mentor told me "a good engineer can justify most anything "

I'm just fine with my 20 dollar Shakespeare micro graphite rods for crappie fishing. I catch plenty of fish, even caught a 5.5lb largemouth with one a few years ago. They are super tough and sensitive. I do "splurge" and buy some of the better budget reels, which is an area where I feel that money is better spent.

I wouldn't spend more than 100 dollars on a rod. That's not to say that those who do are foolish, it's just not justifiable to me.

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Originally Posted by Lane47

I pride myself in being practical. My youngest son says I over analyze most of my purchases. He needs his Yeti cooler, he will outgrow his thinking, wisdom will grow.
That said, it's impossible for me to justify a $600 rod / reel.
I did just order (2) B-100 seats from GJ. I can justify.
i worked 35 years in the corporate world, my first mentor told me "a good engineer can justify most anything "

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I will tell you did make the best chose by buying the Millennium boat seats. You will be comfortable setting in them so you can spend more time fishing. I have them and have been able to set all day fishing.

Now for a $600 reel/rod I just don't know as I have never owned one.

If your family is provided for first. You thank and pray to God regularly praise his grace your good. Everyone has a vice to spend extra cash!!!! Fishing is a fulfilling activity!! If your not running women and shorting your family and God i say go ahead!!! I have seen a bunch of men buy boats and trucks they can't afford. Their family is doing without for the greed. As long as you can afford the high end gear congratulations and enjoy!!!! I got a brand new Abu Garcia Mcx i bought in black Friday 2016. I have not used it because I have never thought I deserved such a lavish reel. I just bought a matching rod this black friday. I plan on using both this spring. Good luck in your fishing!!

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

My most expensive rod is 450 bucks......with a 325 dollar reel on it. I own several dozen of similar setups. I am a tackle enthusiast. I am not a snob......I am not wealthy....but if one ever fished with JDM rods they wouldn’t go back. I will not take the time to explain it but the JDM UL rods are made to feel what they refer to as the “Off bite”. We all spend our money on what we want to....

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Agreed, especially on that last part. A not-wealthy friend of mine loves fly fishing, so he bought an $800 bamboo rod. You know what you call an $800 bamboo rod? A cheap one!! Bamboo fly rods can easily run you several thousand dollars. But they fish great, and they're works of art. For people who are into bamboo, they are worth the price.

Personally, I'm not interested in boats, motors, trailers, the latest electronic gadget or high-maintenance women. I am interested in nice rods and reels and happily pay premium prices for them.

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Originally Posted by EWS

Zebco Omniflex

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I didn't know anyone used that line.

I had a friend call me on time to help him push a race car onto a trailer. I got there the same time his buddy that was supposed
to help him did. As I helped them push the car up on the trailer, they were talking to each other about spending $165.00 for this
gear and $300.00 another part and on and on. I asked them what they got for winning a race. They said they got a trophy. I
told them that that was the stupidest thing I ever heard of. His buddy asked what my favorite thing to do was. I told him probably
turkey hunting. Ok, you go to the woods, it's cold, you have three layers of clothes on. When you come out it's seventy five degrees and you are caring two layers of the clothes, the mosquitos are eating you up and you're out there hiding from the turkey
like he's somebody. He said now to me that's stupid. It made me think on it a while, was hard to argue the point.

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Originally Posted by stormcloud

I had a friend call me on time to help him push a race car onto a trailer. I got there the same time his buddy that was supposed
to help him did. As I helped them push the car up on the trailer, they were talking to each other about spending $165.00 for this
gear and $300.00 another part and on and on. I asked them what they got for winning a race. They said they got a trophy. I
told them that that was the stupidest thing I ever heard of. His buddy asked what my favorite thing to do was. I told him probably
turkey hunting. Ok, you go to the woods, it's cold, you have three layers of clothes on. When you come out it's seventy five degrees and you are caring two layers of the clothes, the mosquitos are eating you up and you're out there hiding from the turkey
like he's somebody. He said now to me that's stupid. It made me think on it a while, was hard to argue the point.

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With the meat you get from hunting you provide you and yours with food.
You can't eat trophies.

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Originally Posted by lemmylemon

With the meat you get from hunting you provide you and yours with food.

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You can buy turkey in the store for $1.50 a pound. The hunting kind costs $75 a pound...

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Originally Posted by lemmylemon

With the meat you get from hunting you provide you and yours with food.
You can't eat trophies.

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Yeah, what they didn't know was they didn't have to race cars but I had to go hunting. It's the same with fishing. But
understanding it from his viewpoint, I could have bought a lot of twenty dollar Butterballs for what it cost me to kill a
couple each year.

I believe you get what you pay for. Buy cheap gear, you will catch fish, but you won't catch the lite bites. Step up the quality of the gear and you start picking up those lite bites. Is there a point of dimenishing return? Probable.
I went from zebco 33 to IM6 rods from Berkeley to st. Croix rods. Each step up I noticed an improvement in feel, I could feel and see lighter bites. Will I ever step up to $300 rods, doubt it. I'm happy with the $130 range at the moment.


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Years ago I bought a $200 Boron rod. I put a $100 Shimano reel on it. It caught the same amount of fish as my others. I just looked classier doing it. Who cares. Just catch fish. Lol

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My opinion is simply to each there own. I would love to try one of the high dollar rods and one day I will. I’ve used $10.00 reels and my son has a $350.00 reel and it is sweet.


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Never had a Bass nor Crappie yell at me, "wow that is a nice rod you used to pull my arse out of the water." A matter of dollar verses sense. Some things you can probably go cheap, others not? I actually started ordering mini spinning reels from ebay, most all reels made in China, so I cut out the middle man, and happy with the products.

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Originally Posted by lemmylemon

I didn't know anyone used that line.

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My wife bought a spool for me, and I decided to try it. Not much difference to me compared to other basic monos, and I prefer it over Cajun Red.

I'm kinda in the "lower/middle of the road" crowd. Back in the late 80's I would go through two or three $39 reels a year just single pole jigging/casting as a hobby. I finally ordered a "better" reel from a tackle store. It was a Cardinal spinning reel that I believe cost me $149. You could feel the difference in quality and it lasted at least 8 years as my primary reel and a few more as a back-up. Simple math proves that the better reel was a better value given the length of service. Fortunately, I never threw or dropped it in the lake or nobody ever liked it enough to steal it. I don't think it made me a better fisherman, but it made fishing better if that makes sense. Nowadays I'm happy with something like a Pflueger President and a decent rod. I have never used fishing to earn my living or I'm sure my ideal set-up would be different. I'll turn 50 this year and some days can't remember where I parked my truck. I'm better suited with a combo that won't bring tears if I happen to misplace or redistribute it rotfl

we all spend money on our hobbies. as long as you can afford it and your other haft is good with it go for it. i fished both high and low dollar and did well with both. if you fish every day it pays to buy the best if you fish once a month save some money for something you use more and will get more enjoyment out of.

I do not own any $600 rods or $300 reels but I'm sure that there are people who think my ugly stick rods, B&M poles and quantum reels are excessive. I do not make a living fishing. If I did I would probably want he best equipment available. Bottom line...if want the expensive tackle and can afford it...go for it.

Honestly, depends what your doing, some of my walleye rods formlindy rigs and jigs were expensive. A sensitive rod with an xtra fast tip is a must to feel some bites. Ive had trophies bite like a panfish the size of a quarter. Never wouldve felt it if not for the rod. If you dont have a need, your golden. Never spent $600, but i do have some rods that were expensive to me.

To each his own,it doesn't bother me to see fellows flinging lures with million dollar rigs,but I've seen it aggravate the big spenders when a tournament is won by a couple country bumpkins using grandpas hand me down gear.:Rofl

I don't want to tell you guys what I got for Christmas this year....but I agree, more expensive gear doesn't make you a better fisherman, but makes fishing more enjoyable.

I have 2 shakesphere grahite rods I like them and they will cast a jig a mile.They are very light on the tip you can feel the bite well. I bought a st.croix rod its good but I cant say its better its just different there is a perception of quality that comes with price.

My late dad taught me how to crappie fish. He grew up poor and learn to fish to put food on the table. I use to say any man who thinks needs a 60k truck to pull a 50k boat to catch a bass with a 300 dollar rod and 300 reel is not doing it to put food on the table. I learned how to crappie fish cane pole. We used a metal clothes hanger and black tape to make the eyes and reel for our spring time set-ups. I had a Johnson Century and he had his beloved Ambassador 5000 for crappie fishing any other time of year. Daddy used 20lb test for everything and only fished with minnows. He would laugh at me if he saw me using jigs today. He was a heck of a fisherman and supplied the entire neighborhood with fish in the freezer. I fish for enjoyment nowdays but I always remember his words when I see a bass fisherman casting $20 lures with a $600 rod and reel.

None of us will ever see "The other side of things".

I know people that waste money on Corvettes. Notice how I said "waste money". It isn't my thing. What is the point? It won't go through the woods, pull a boat, or do anything that "I" do. But, it has a purpose or meaning to them.

The same holds true to the guy that buys a 80k diesel truck but doesn't have anything to pull behind it. Or the kid that lives in the city, has a fully lifted pickup truck that gets washed twice a week and has never seen off road use. In the end, it is their hard earned money. In their eyes, they are spending it, in our eyes, they are wasting it. Who are we to judge?

I've won tournaments in a $2500 dollar boat against people in 80k machines. If that is their thing, then that is their thing.

My point in this is that we will never be able to change others minds or interpritations of "why" we do the things we do. Why we purchase the things we purchase. Why do they sell $600 dollar rods? Because people buy them. Why does a boat that costed 70k last year now cost 90k? Because people will pay it.

If you really want to know the difference in a 30 dollar rod and a 600 dollar rod but don't want to pay the high costs, start building your own! Then you can "justify" in your own mind without paying the high cost from the store. Whats the old saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure"? Same goes true with everything else. One man's interpritation of junk is another man's interpritation of the best product on the market... For them