High End - Specialty Rods

[bASS_BLASTER]

Some of the guys on BBC are the same guys in here. Many guys on here have owned A-Z mfg rods. Just saying......

[itchmesir]

You think $400 is bad... Go check out bamboo fly rods for the purist... You're looking at $1200-2000

[RK]

So, if you have nicer stuff you are just showing off?

I don't think so. Well, some are I suppose, but really, it comes down to what makes you happy. this stuff - all of it - is supposed to be fun after all. If having the high end gear is part of what you enjoy about fishing, then cool. Go for it. I know guys that get more geeked out about tuning their reels than they do actually fishing with them, because that's what they enjoy.

One of the coolest things about fishing - to me anyhow - is that it's approachable at any level. A guy with a cane pole or a $19.99 combo from Wally World can get just as much enjoyment out of fishing as a guy with a Megabass Pagani and a Stella. There's no minimum entry fee.

I won't pay $500 for a rod. I just won't. I insist on high quality, but quality doesn't equal price all the time. You can also pay a lot for equipment that, performance-wise, is inferior to something that's a lot cheaper. I dropped $250 on a spinning rod a while back, and I can't stand it. I think it's half the rod my $170 Powells are, and that's an evaluation based purely on function - weight, balance, feel, form factor and performance.

Reels are another example. At ICAST a few years back I was talking to an engineer for a major manufacturer about two of their new models. Model A was a $150 reel with 6 bearings. Model B was a $250 reel with 10 bearings. The additional bearings were in the handle paddle, and other than that, the form factor was identical. So I asked him what, in terms of performance, the difference was between the two. He said "about a hundred bucks."

You can get a Bass Pro house brand reel for $139, or a reel from a major label for $199. The form factor is a little different, but the internal parts are interchangeable. So is the $199 reel superior to the house brand? If having the top of the line model from a brand you like is important to you, then "yes" is a perfectly fair answer. But for me, it doesn't make a bit of difference. If someone came up to me and said they were going to replace all my reels with top of the line models, I'd let them (well, not my Scorpions. Or my Lews. Or my CVZ-203s...). But I won't spend $400 on a reel either. I can't justify it based on what I value in terms of gear.

Bottom line - whatever makes you happy...

RK

[Sportland_Bait]

When comparing rods, yes there is a difference in a $100 rod and a $350.00 rod. But in my comparisons I haven't noticed enough of a difference between a $350 rod and a $500 rod. But I have to admit there are some pretty cool looking high end rods out there. I always believe to each their own.

For reels I think the last 5 years has been a space race. Each major manufacturer trying to build the lightest reel on the market. Most of the latest changes have been body materials. The guts have essentially stayed about the same with the exception of some braking features and magnets. I think the best buys on the market are baitcasters in the $150-$200 dollar range.

Jason Erlandson

[Doufish2]

RK, I agree with you 100%. It is what you are comfortable with and what you can afford. 40 yrs ago I was happy catching fish with a Zebco 202 with line that was 10 yrs old that I found in a box in the garage.

Today, I can afford better equiment. I prefer better rods, but never have purchased them at a sporting goods store. On-line is just fine for me. I like my G-Loomis and St Croix rods.

As to reels, I still prefer ABU-Garcia XLT Plus reel. Older than dirt, I buy them off HSOList. I like them, they work good for me.

[mainbutter]

It's no different than clothing.

I practically never try on clothes before I buy them! lol

[RK]

As to reels, I still prefer ABU-Garcia XLT Plus reel. Older than dirt, I buy them off HSOList. I like them, they work good for me.

Great reels. The definition of 'bulletproof.' I'd add the old Abu Garcia Black Max on there too. One piece aluminum frame, great drag. Way before its time.

Kind of fun to look back and see examples here and there of products that were ahead of their time. Berkley Series One rods had split grips 20 years ago. Same with Quantum XLs and micro guides...

Cheers,

RK

[RumRiverRat]

So, if you have nicer stuff you are just showing off?

Someone should start at thread to post pics of all their lures, rods and reels.

Right now I am looking at a 3'x3' card table covered in crank baits and jerk baits.

If you looked at the picture you would quickly determine that I am a Rapala and Strike King guy.