Line already on reels when you buy a combo

[KrabbyPatties]

Not a very important discussion topic.

I understand that some people want to buy a rod & reel and head out and use it right away, but it's kind of annoying that every time I buy a combo (ice or open water), I have to immediately strip the line off and respool it. It's ALWAYS garbage line, always a higher test than I would use, and it always has terrible memory coils. Is there any company out there that preloads their reels with quality line? Do any of you actually use the line your reel comes loaded with?

[Bigtom]

I bought a Zebco 22 real that came with Cajun red line on it and used it for a little while. But then I changed it because I didn't know the lb test. To me it's not worth the chance on using there line. Just my

[delmuts]

Most combos are put together for the "average"( those that want a rod and reel, with line to go fishing) fisherman.

After you been at for a few years and are around other guys that have customized thier equipement, we start to get more particular as to what we use. I.E. lighter,more sensitive rods; smoother reels, and line that works for the type of fishing we do. That's how we end up with so much "STUFF" !!!!

I did buy a combo this summer.( first one in a looooooong time) But it was so i could fish those few days we spent along Lake Erie. ( gave me something to do in the morning while everybody else slept!!) It's now for the grandkids to use.

[EBass]

Why are you buying reels with line already on them? Cheaper? Just remember that you get what you pay for. Those to me are entry level gear. Good for kids and people that just don't fish much.

I used to buy the cheapest spinning reels out there, and every spring I'd need to replace them as the drag wouldn't work or the bail wouldn't close - something broke. I got sick of it and one year bought a Shimano Stradic and that was the smoothest spinning reel I've ever held. Now all my gear is good but it took years to weed out the old cheap combo's. It's nice to have quality gear, but it's not needed. Depends on how into fishin' you are and your budget. I like a nice rod/reel/line, but I like to fish a lot, so that's my excuse to spend the extra $ on quality gear.

[KrabbyPatties]

Quote:

Why are you buying reels with line already on them? Cheaper?

I mostly fish panfish through the ice, which doesn't demand much from a reel. I'm sort of picky about which combos I buy, but I've never had any trouble with them, just the lousy line that's prespooled. And yes, I'd like to buy the best gear available for each of my outdoor pursuits, but it's just not realistic for me.

[upnorth]

If it is not brand labeled I would junk it and put some quality line on it. Never know when the fish of a lifetime will hit and it a few bucks for line will seem cheap.

[WTN4ICE]

Like anything else..buy the best you can afford at the time. I started with one pail,two homemade poles with nails in the end and an old six inch hand auger about 1975.Now thirty six years later I have a LOT of good quality stuff. It makes a difference and has been a process of upgrading when possible as the budget allows.Some things I paid full retail for others were "finds". I search ads all the time looking for the next deal.