rod and reel study

[kygorski]

This may hurt some folks, but consider the way you handle your stuff.When mu son graduated college, one of the things I got him was a very pricey good rod and reel.A couple of years later, I noticed he was using the rel, where is the rod? He slammed a car door on it. When I moved here from ind, I had a one piece 9 ft loomis steelhead rod, it cost an arm and a leg to get that blank.Yep was a casualty in the moving truck, son in law stepped on the case, and rolled a furniture dolly over it next. Slipped and fell wading, guess what I landed on? Over 80 bucks.But i'm not that big a klutz, got a one piece 8 ft st croix glass rod, that I have had for 25 years, just needed to refinish it, and change a few eyes. Got another rod almost as old, and still use it foer trolling, its glass, and handles stikes with braided lines much better than graphite.A spinning reel if you bait fish, is just a place to keep your line, if your bait casting, then opt for a good reel, your after ageressive fish most of the time.Besides, consider your economic status, will your kid dowith out dental care because yopu need fishing tackle? A lot of things to consider.

[offdtop]

I don't know what expensive is anymore! 10 yrs ago paying $50 on a rod was absurd now it seem ok that we spend $100-$250 on a rod. I was buying reels that were $50 and was tickled because they had "instant" anti reverse.

Personally myself and other have been trained to spend equal amounts on both, this theory seems fine to me - and yet I bought a carrot stix for $149 and only spent $100 for a Symetre reel. I don't know if i will actually "catch" more using the carrot stix but the warranty is what sold me the rod. I have been a big fan for many years of the lightning rods due to durability and overall good rods for the money. Allstar is another, but guys when we recommend to someone where to put their money the question has to be asked ... how much do you fish? I don't care how good the rod is, if the mechanical components aren't up to the task you could be sitting with a pretty, shiny, high modules, glass/graphite....... cane pole. Nothing worse than to have bearings seizing, drag slipping, reel seat breaking, no antireverse having, handles not spinning backlash machine attached to a rod worth 5X more than what the reel costs.

Keep it close to even. JMHO

[philipj]

I have been very lucky, and careful with my rods & reels. in 55+ years of active fishing I have gone through very few rods and reels. I have no doubt that I would spend the most money on the reel. It has the most moving parts, and that reel handle tells just how the reel is working for us. 'Sides being careful, I value every dollar. I doubt I have ever spent over $40.00 on a reel, or over $25.00 on a rod. Last night I listened to an instructor talking about a new Kevin VanDam rod for $200.00 and I am sure it is a great rod. When it is available for under $40.00, and if I just broke a rod, I would be interested. I fish to feed the family and do not need to 'look' that good as being seen with a $200.00 rod.

[basshuntin]

For me,Id rather spend a little more money on a good reel, but what i call a good reel to other people might be cheap. I like the older Shimano Curados. A good rod to me cost about $100 and I tend to be a little hard on em. Constantly having eyes replaced. I really try to take care of all my eqpt., but it never fails, somebody always seems to step on a rod in the boat and its always mine. Maybe I should only have the one Im using out of the rod locker.

[kygorski]

What are you going to do? fish or impress your friends? Have several friends who fish dale. They dont even have a full tackle box, and they catch the heck out of em, of course they have access to live natural bait, and frankly two of my favorite rigs are worth more than all of ones tackle, but man when he's on fish, he nails em.