AJH Wrote: " would rather fish as good as RichZ.then own $200 rods.."

I think that is what a high quality rod is all about. I'm telling you I
absolutely, without a question, SUCKED as an angler before I bought my first
G.Loomis. I was being trained by professional anglers, so I was learning a
ton about the sport, where to find fish, how to position the boat, what
lures to use, and how to use them, but the act of actually catching a fish
eluded me. These guys were catching fish one right after another and I was
pulling up weeds. I couldn't tell the difference between snagging a weed
and a fish strike. I was using (if I not mistaken) a Berkley Hank Parker or
a Fenwick Hank Parker rod and a cheap Quantum $29.99 or $39.99 reel, that I
was backlashing every other cast. Once I broke down and bought a GL3
Loomis, it was as if someone turned on the lights in my brain.

Now, I believe you could give me a Mickey Mouse rod and an plastic reel and
I could catch fish. For once you have the experience and knowledge, the
high end rod only gives you a little advantage, but when you are learning,
it is without a question the best thing a new angler could every buy. Save
your money on tapes, books, magazines, that one high quality rod & reel
combo is the secret to learning all the different feels of fishing (weeds,
gravel, rock, wood, sand, limbs, and all the various types of strikes).
Well, that and a lot of "On-the-water" practice.

I use G.Loomis now, just because I am use to the feel of the rod, and I like
that ever so SLIGHT advantage it MAY give me over my competitor. It is a
confidence thing now, plain and simple.

--
Craig Baugher