Where Do You Put The Money - Rod or Reel?

"I have a $150 for a combo, what should I buy? I have $200, I have $100,
etc."
Man if that is not the most common question asked on every fishing forum,
and that I am asked in person.

I personally have a hard time with that question. Do you recommend they buy
a good rod and a cheap reel? Do you recommend they buy a good reel and a
cheap rod? For I will not recommend they buy just an Ok reel & rod combo.

The cheaper the reel, the more problems they are going to have casting and
dealing with backlashes. The cheaper the rod, the faster it is likely to
break, or lack sensitivity, or simply cause them problems with guide inserts
popping out, reel seat not locking properly, etc.

Part of the problem is that I don't want the person thinking of me every
time they have a problem because I recommended the product. But on the
other hand, they look at you like your an ass, because you won't make a
recommendation, and where do they put the money.

I'm beginning to believe it is more important that they have a good reel
first, then upgrade to a better rod later on. At least this way they have
less problems casting and can learn to cast accurately. But there are
different levels for each person's pocketbook.

So wouldn't y'all agree that the BEST lower cost baitcaster reels are the
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur line? (for someone looking to spend around a $100 for
a combo)

The Shimano Curado for someone looking to spend about $175-$200 on a combo?

The problem area is the person looking for a combo in the $125-$150 range.

--
Craig Baugher

Tell 'em to save another $100.00 and then come back. :-)

If I was going to buy a midpriced combo, it would be a Shimano Curado with a
Shimano Clarus rod (make sure it is the newer model). $180.00

Brad
Brad Coovert
2003 Angler of the Year, Greenfield Bassmasters
Please visit our sponsors:
http://www.greenfieldbassmasters.com...orPageRev1.htm

I think like a lot of people , when I started I bought a cheaper reel and
even cheaper rod .I quickly found out that the cheap reel wasn't the way to
go so up the price ladder I went.I finally settled on Shimano Curado and
Chronarchs as my favorite.[with a couple TDX 103 's].The same process for my
rods and after every thing is said and done I believe [IMO]that I can catch
more fish with a cheaper reel and good rod than a really good reel and a
cheaper rod. Go for the best you can afford
Ken
"BassAngler" wrote in message
...
"I have a $150 for a combo, what should I buy? I have $200, I have $100,
etc."
Man if that is not the most common question asked on every fishing forum,
and that I am asked in person.

I personally have a hard time with that question. Do you recommend they
buy
a good rod and a cheap reel? Do you recommend they buy a good reel and a
cheap rod? For I will not recommend they buy just an Ok reel & rod combo.

The cheaper the reel, the more problems they are going to have casting and
dealing with backlashes. The cheaper the rod, the faster it is likely to
break, or lack sensitivity, or simply cause them problems with guide
inserts
popping out, reel seat not locking properly, etc.

Part of the problem is that I don't want the person thinking of me every
time they have a problem because I recommended the product. But on the
other hand, they look at you like your an ass, because you won't make a
recommendation, and where do they put the money.

I'm beginning to believe it is more important that they have a good reel
first, then upgrade to a better rod later on. At least this way they have
less problems casting and can learn to cast accurately. But there are
different levels for each person's pocketbook.

So wouldn't y'all agree that the BEST lower cost baitcaster reels are the
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur line? (for someone looking to spend around a $100 f
or
a combo)

The Shimano Curado for someone looking to spend about $175-$200 on a
combo?

The problem area is the person looking for a combo in the $125-$150 range.

--
Craig Baugher

That's the bottom line Kenneth. The best you can afford without taking out
a second mortgage.

I've always advocated using a quality reel, the advantages are obvious once
you get one in your hands. Team Daiwa X's fit the bill for me, they run
around $200 each. I have ones that I've used in 40 tournaments a year for 8
years now. They look like crud, but still work great.

For years I used cheap, $35 rods with these TD-X's, and faired pretty well
with them. Then the eyes start breaking off, the ceramic in them started
cracking & chipping, and I'd break a rod or two per year. So I moved up to
the cheaper St Croix's which run in the $100 range. These rods were great &
I highly recommend them to the weekend fishermen here, they're reasonable to
buy & are tough as nails.

Once you get into several serious techniques you find that specific rod
qualities are beneficial to your success, you take another step. I'm
currently switching over to my sponsor's rods, which you can view at
http://www.furnacebayrods.com .

I'll never spend more than $200 on a reel because I know that the quality I
get with my TD-X's is sufficient for my purposes. Same goes with rods, you
can have your $200+ GLoomis' & customs, I'm not going there regardless of
how much money I have to spend. I see no point to it, my rods do me just
fine.

I work too hard for my money.

Warren
-
http://www.warrenwolk.com

put the money in the rod. you can learn to throw a cheap reel, but you
can't teach feeling to a cheap rod. if you have to, you can stroll or drift
carolina rigs, and any cheapo will throw a big jig and craw or a heavy
spinnerbait. but no matter what you do if you have a rod that is dead as an
old tree limb, you are going to miss fish and snag more.

crownliner

"BassAngler" wrote in message
...
"I have a $150 for a combo, what should I buy? I have $200, I have $100,
etc."
Man if that is not the most common question asked on every fishing forum,
and that I am asked in person.

I personally have a hard time with that question. Do you recommend they
buy
a good rod and a cheap reel? Do you recommend they buy a good reel and a
cheap rod? For I will not recommend they buy just an Ok reel & rod combo.

The cheaper the reel, the more problems they are going to have casting and
dealing with backlashes. The cheaper the rod, the faster it is likely to
break, or lack sensitivity, or simply cause them problems with guide
inserts
popping out, reel seat not locking properly, etc.

Part of the problem is that I don't want the person thinking of me every
time they have a problem because I recommended the product. But on the
other hand, they look at you like your an ass, because you won't make a
recommendation, and where do they put the money.

I'm beginning to believe it is more important that they have a good reel
first, then upgrade to a better rod later on. At least this way they have
less problems casting and can learn to cast accurately. But there are
different levels for each person's pocketbook.

So wouldn't y'all agree that the BEST lower cost baitcaster reels are the
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur line? (for someone looking to spend around a $100
for
a combo)

The Shimano Curado for someone looking to spend about $175-$200 on a
combo?

The problem area is the person looking for a combo in the $125-$150 range.

--
Craig Baugher

From my experience, I always tell people this....
"Buy the best that you can afford. Not neccessarily the most expensive, but
the best you can. Only you can say how much money that is but buy the best."

OK, so that is wisdom that no one can argue with yet offers little help for
any other than the bargin bin shopper.
Fact of the matter is, sometimes experienced anglers are not the best advice
givers for tackle to use. Why? Several reasons:
1. We have a ton of on the water experience with the equipment we know and
use. That is what we are familiar with. We have our favorite stuff and that
is what we know, sometimes for good or bad. That is usually what we
recommend.
2. We know what stuff is supposed to feel like, (in our mind) and we know
how our equipment transmits that feel.
3. We frequently buy and use stuff that is pricier than it needs to be, for
image reasons, marketing, ego, whatever.

What does this all boil down to? Our equipment, sense of feel, experience,
and requirements are not those of less experienced or knowledgable anglers.
Telling a guy that G Loomis rods are the ones to buy do a dis-service to a
guy who wouldn't know the difference in feel between a rock tap and pulling
through grass. Think Stradivarius in the hands of a beginner and you'll
understand what I mean.

There are plenty of decent rods and reels out there that new anglers can use
and learn with without breaking the bank. The real issue for us is to
identify decent equipment in several price ranges and then help the beginner
get the right fit regardless of the price range. Likewise, identify the
garbage and keep them away from it.

IMO. If an angler is going to fish light line techniques, the reel is the
most important due to the requirement of a high quality drag or in the case
of baitcasters, to have the ability to cast lighter lures. If the angler is
going to fish "feel" baits or techniques, the rod becomes of high priority,
due to the sensitivity requirment. It is never a cut and dried issue and
there are a ton of variables. I think we all know guys with deep pockets who
have the best of everything and still can't catch a fish. Often because they
still can't feel the bite.

Bottom line, we all grow and hopefully improve. I have some crank bait rods
that I used and loved for years, but as my experience grew, those rods
became less and less useable. I out grew them and my requirements changed. I
now use completely different stuff but that doesn't mean I bought the wrong
stuff to begin with. There is equipment out there that will work well for
most anglers that they will be happy with for years. Put that same stuff in
our hands and we may cringe and feel that we couldn't catch a cold with it.
But we aren't the ones buying it and using it.

My 2 cents worth. Something to think about.


--
Dan W.

host, Bazz Clazz Videos

www.bazzclazz.com

To reply remove spamnot from the address




"BassAngler" wrote in message
...
"I have a $150 for a combo, what should I buy? I have $200, I have $100,
etc."
Man if that is not the most common question asked on every fishing forum,
and that I am asked in person.

I personally have a hard time with that question. Do you recommend they
buy
a good rod and a cheap reel? Do you recommend they buy a good reel and a
cheap rod? For I will not recommend they buy just an Ok reel & rod combo.

The cheaper the reel, the more problems they are going to have casting and
dealing with backlashes. The cheaper the rod, the faster it is likely to
break, or lack sensitivity, or simply cause them problems with guide
inserts
popping out, reel seat not locking properly, etc.

Part of the problem is that I don't want the person thinking of me every
time they have a problem because I recommended the product. But on the
other hand, they look at you like your an ass, because you won't make a
recommendation, and where do they put the money.

I'm beginning to believe it is more important that they have a good reel
first, then upgrade to a better rod later on. At least this way they have
less problems casting and can learn to cast accurately. But there are
different levels for each person's pocketbook.

So wouldn't y'all agree that the BEST lower cost baitcaster reels are the
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur line? (for someone looking to spend around a $100
for
a combo)

The Shimano Curado for someone looking to spend about $175-$200 on a
combo?

The problem area is the person looking for a combo in the $125-$150 range.

--
Craig Baugher

Dam Dan, that was, without a doubt, the most profound answer on this subject
I have ever read. (I stand) Clap, Clap, Clap!!!

I disagree with only one point. Put a Les Paul in the hands of a beginner
and they will excell at learning the instrument. Put a G.Loomis GLX in the
hands of a beginning angler and they will learn very quickly the difference
in feel of a rock vs a log vs a weed vs a strike. It is learning the
differences in feel that seperates a newbie from the experience angler. I
believe once you learn all these feels, you can put a Mickey Mouse combo in
a person's hands and they will be able to catch fish.

Again, GREAT post!!!

--
Craig Baugher

I too concur with Dan and Craig. The difference in my success when I
stepped up to a Loomis rod and Power Pro was astounding because I suddenly
learned to feel everything the bait was going through. Since then I now use
mono mostly but I have a sense for the bait that I never had. Want to
improve finesse fishing, go with a good rod and no stretch line for a while.
An excellent low cost rod IMO is the Rapala Long Cast HM-35 series. They
run about $40 a piece and I find them to be very light and comfortable with
a nice taper and lots of sensitivity and backbone at the same time. For me
the rod is more important than the reel so far, but I can tell that some of
my reels, although they performed well out of the box, are starting to
degrade in just a few years. I hope I will get better mileage out of higher
quality reels as I upgrade my tackle.
Nice posts, this was a good thread.

Rich P

"BassAngler" wrote in message
...
"I have a $150 for a combo, what should I buy? I have $200, I have $100,
SNIP

Shimano Curado and a Bass Pro XPS Woo Daves signature rod. $139.00. Ends
today.

K

lol. . . . cute!

--
Craig Baugher