Rod or Reel

[Guest]

If you could only afford to buy an expensive good rod or a good reel which would it be?

[DUCKJ]

sry wrong topic

[This message has been edited by DUCKJ (edited 03-01-2004).]

[Seabass77]

For 90% of the fishing most of us do, the rod is definately the most important piece. For a reel, just pick up a lower end shimano and you should be good.

Expensive reels don't do that that much more for you than a lower end reel in terms of out of the box performance. Generally speaking, expensive reels cost what they do because they will last a long time. (more ball bearings, steel/aluminum body)

A sensitive rod will put more fish on your stringer.

[Fisher Dave]

In the market today .. depending on what a person considers an *expensive* rod or reel..

There are so many good rods and reels out there at reasonable prices that it is not neccessary to *splurge* for a very high end piece of equipment.

For around $150 (sometimes less) a person can pick up a great rod and reel that will hold its weight with the *best* on the market. (referring to spinning gear)

The trick is to shop and find the rod that suits your preference.. it will not always have the largest price tag, or have the name G Loomis or St Croix.

There is huge selection of rods out there between $50-$90 that 98% of us would be more than happy with.. that leaves $60-$100 for a choice of a reel .. a very good grade spinning reel a person can expect to pay around $70+/-... and I dont care what anyone says although everyone is free to express their opinion.. but a Shimano Stradic at $120 is not going to seriously outperform, or land a fish better than a $70 Shimano Spirex.

I guess in the end, I would prefer to fish with a $90 Fenwick(example) that feels better to me than a $235 G Loomis... as for a reel, I prefer my mid range Shimanos over my Stradics because of a slower gear ratio .. I find myself fishing too fast with the Stradic which often results in LESS fish, and losing more fish due to the higher speed retrieve(accidently horsing).

Its all in preference, not the price tag. What feels best to you, will work the best for you and you will be most happy with it. Just be sure to buy the proper rod for the type of fishing you do... or to suit the purpose of that particular rod.

Good luck, I'm sure you will be happy with whatever choice you make.

[Chris Haley]

You have to gauge the amount of use the combo will get. When Quantum first came out with their energy spinning reel(5 ball bearing) I bought four thinking they would be a good reel for $59. WRONG They lasted two years and were done, falling apart, cranking rough, and locking up. Now I don't buy anything under $89 range. My rods are all St Croix Avids also. When you buy good rods, you aren't just buying a rod you're buying a warranty.

[upnorth]

I have never spent over $40 on a spinning reel. I would spend the $ on a rod, uless you are gonna be a lot of casting.

For trolling you mostly want a place to store the line that has a smooth drag.

If you are gonna be doing a lot of casting gotta spend more on the reel or it will fall apart in a short time, mostly I have had the bail fail.

[NotoriousBLM]

If you ever go through Spirit Lake, stop in at ***. You can pick up a new ****** for $20 and a reconditioned ******* for $14.00(the ****** might have an inch off the top). $150/$38=4 combos

[Edited by NotoriousBLM so as to not promote any product that doesn't advertise on FM.com]

[This message has been edited by NotoriousBLM (edited 06-22-2004).]

[Guest]

Well;

There are honestly many answers to this question: I have three

When it comes to walleyes:
1: Spinning techniques (jigs, rigs, light casting): THE ROD.
2: Trolling techniques: THE REEL. You don't need a 10lb hog, pulling hard on a stick bait, attached to a planer board, and have a drag fail, by locking up!

The 3rd answer comes to muskies (there are only two species of fish to fish for, right?)

Muskies is all reel. You can have a cheap, Ugly Stick and still effectively catch and handle fish all day.

But when that fish hits next to the boat, I need a top quality reel that is going to handle the abuse the fish is going to give out. Also, I need a reel that is going to hold up cast after cast of heavy lures. This says to me, give me the $70 Gander Mountain Musky series rod, and the $120 Garcia Winch 7000 reel!

------------------
Let 'em go so they can grow!!!

[walleyehawk]

Big G is right.

If you need finesse or touch, it is the rod. If you are going after bruts, then it is the rod and a great drag system that will be most tested.

The really great anglers don't need either a good rod or reel. Their skill and experience keep them from stressing their equipment.

That is why I buy the best rods/reels I can afford!

[Corey Bechtold]

Save your money on a rod and reel, fishing lines are where it's at. I have a G-loomis guy telling me that it's better than any other rod and that he'd out fish me 5 to 1 with whatever I used. I joined the league he was in and completely destroyed him with my Berkley lightling rods and whatever mid range reels I had. Sure these rods may be a little more sensitive but lines are what is going to relay the message to your hand. I like Berkley products because they are affordable and functional. They stand behind everything they sell. An awesome company run by people like us who love to fish.

[upnorth]

Just a note on reels and drags. Even the best drag on a top quality reel needs to be maintaned to work properly over time. If you don't clean and re-lube your reel's drag on a regular basis it will fail you at the most in-opportune time

I have landed 16# kings on 4# line and $25 dollar reel with a well maintaned drag. So it ain't all about $$ to land a big fish with a good drag.

[M.T. Bucket]

Because I do a lot of casting, I would go with the reel. Also, nothing can ruin a day faster than a reel that fails on you.