Rods/reels - what do you consider expensive?

[Geezle]

I didn't want to jack the other thread about crazy expensive rods, so I figured I'd fire up a new one.

The title really says it all...as far as rods and reels go, what do you consider expensive? What about entry or mid level...or the craaaaaaaazy expensive stuff?

If you're going to spend more on one than the other, is it the rod or the reel?



I'll add my thoughts in a bit

[SCHOOCH]

What i consider expensive is usually around $400 for spincasting/baitcasting gear, for my fly setups they usually run me $1200+ for rod/Reels. I would concentrate more on the rod over the reel just like Walleye guy said on the other thread.

[MtnGiant]

I dont think it would have been a problem if you joined in on the other thread.

They are basically the same thing and will get a lot of crossover comments.

Personally.....I would have this moved over.

Just a thought... so we are not bouncing back and forth.

[rmatei]

Anything more than a $100 for a rod or a reel is nothing more than a fisherman with too much money to spend.

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by rmatei

Anything more than a $100 for a rod or a reel is nothing more than a fisherman with too much money to spend.

That's very wrong....but as all will say....to each his own.
"You get what you pay for"... is a very accurate common saying.

[Bigdad013]

I usually spend, 300 rod and 300 reel. Got enough now, lets see if they last 20 or more years. Mine are all for downrigging. The problem is, taking people fishing and they dont know the cost of them and treat them poorly. Now before heading out, they get a speil on prices and such, and to treat them with a little respect.

[new LT]

Buy the best youcan afford at the time anything more is to expencive anything less is to cheap.
I like to match rod to reel why have a caddy with a VW engine. Unless you can see buying a better rod or reel to match down the road.

[toddjler]

here`s my 2 bits
- me and a buddy sitting on the dock at hasse lake killin time, one ugly stick meduim/light, one fenwick walleye class medium/light both the same length, both with 14 pound fireline,same brand pickeral rig, same 3/4 ounce casting wieght.
-fenwick catching one and two inch perch one after the other,ugly stick nothing.
-switched rods to see if it was the human facter, not so thought i felt something on the ugly stick, gave it a slight jig to see if there was a response nothing, watched fenwick catch three more, figured lets check the bait reeled up and suprise suprise there was a four inch perch hooked the whole time.


price difference ugly stick on sale a canadian tire 29.99,fenwick 89.99 at wholesale sports.

not the most money for either but huge difference in sensitivity.


now its to fenwicks fishing side by side

[Junglefisher]

Entry level <$100 for the combo.
Mid level $100-$300 for the combo.
Expensive $300-800 for the combo.
Crazy expensive >$800 for the combo.
I'll tend to spend more on the reels, mostly because they tend to outlast the rods and a smooth drag, even line lay etc is more likley to save you a fish or two rather than a light rod with expensive guides.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by new LT

Buy the best youcan afford at the time anything more is to expencive anything less is to cheap.
I like to match rod to reel why have a caddy with a VW engine. Unless you can see buying a better rod or reel to match down the road.

Excellent advise, not just for rods and reels, but life in general!

As I age I find "expensive" is measured more on how much I want something, rather than the price tag that's on it. Expensive things I don't need, but some of the things I "need" just cost a lot of money.

[AppleJax]

Originally Posted by Junglefisher

Entry level <$100 for the combo.
Mid level $100-$300 for the combo.
Expensive $300-800 for the combo.
Crazy expensive >$800 for the combo.
I'll tend to spend more on the reels, mostly because they tend to outlast the rods and a smooth drag, even line lay etc is more likley to save you a fish or two rather than a light rod with expensive guides.

Pretty much what I would say, saves me from typing

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by Junglefisher

Entry level <$100 for the combo.
Mid level $100-$300 for the combo.
Expensive $300-800 for the combo.
Crazy expensive >$800 for the combo.

X3.

[BeeGuy]

I find everything in fishing too expensive. I don't want to buy gear, I want to catch fish.

That said, a lot of my gear is second hand.

Today I picked up an Abu 5600 C3 in unused condition for $20.

I spend most of my cash on good line, good hooks and other terminal tackle.

70% of my lures are the ones you guys lost and I scavenged.

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by Junglefisher

Entry level <$100 for the combo.
Mid level $100-$300 for the combo.
Expensive $300-800 for the combo.
Crazy expensive >$800 for the combo.
I'll tend to spend more on the reels, mostly because they tend to outlast the rods and a smooth drag, even line lay etc is more likley to save you a fish or two rather than a light rod with expensive guides.

Sounds pretty close to what I would say

[Okotokian]

Expensive to ME is more than $250 for a spinning outfit and $600 for a fly rod/reel, not including line, flies, etc.

[THERICARDO]

Originally Posted by Junglefisher

Entry level <$100 for the combo.
Mid level $100-$300 for the combo.
Expensive $300-800 for the combo.
Crazy expensive >$800 for the combo.
I'll tend to spend more on the reels, mostly because they tend to outlast the rods and a smooth drag, even line lay etc is more likley to save you a fish or two rather than a light rod with expensive guides.

Agreed! My last 4 setups have all been in the $300-800 range, AS much as I love my old setups and caught a ton of fish with them I just believe my new gear is superior and gives me more confidence in general..


Great Thread by the way, this should get interesting

[javlin101]

For me about 250.00 for combo works. Got tired of the CT $30.00 to $60.00 combos. You know oops the handle fell off, whoops the bail won't close, the drag locks up when a fish hits the lure, darn where did that screw come from. I will say though I have a Berkley cherry wood rod that is 20+ years old and is one of the most sensitive rods I've owned and is still in great shape.

[WayneChristie]

only fish for one species in summer so all others are just incidental. my favourite rig for spinning is under 200 including the line, and for baitcasting the same. can detect a hit from a 4 inch chub or 8 inch walleye, and still strong enough for a 1000 pound fish. dont need or want anything else. but thats just me. I think a reel with a non fail smooth drag is more important than the rod, as long as the rod is unbreakable. I am upgrading my hooks, going to heavy duty Gammas, 2 straightened hooks is 2 too many. altho one was all dodgers fault

[Alberta Bigbore]

Entry - reel$1-$100 rod $1-$80
Decent - reel -$100-$150 rod $80 -$150
Quality -reel $150 - $300 rod $150 -300
Holy Molaaay - reel $300-700 rod $300 -500++

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

Entry - reel$1-$100 rod $1-$80
Decent - reel -$100-$150 rod $80 -$150
Quality -reel $150 - $300 rod $150 -300
Holy Molaaay - reel $300-700 rod $300 -500++

Hahahahahaha......the Holy Molaaay classification is how my lil woman reacts when I tell her the price of when I buy new gear. LOL
And my latest aquisition is a $2000 Willow and Cane bamboo fly rod.

[EZM]

I'd agree with most guys in terms of quality and the suggested price points.

I will, however, say that a reel is more important to spend a little more on than maybe the rod. I'm mostly a mid market rod guy - $75-$120 but my reels start at $150-$200 and go up from there.

Having said that my last few rods have been pricey - and they have pleasantly surprised me with their weight, feel and performance.

Line is critical and perhaps the single most important consideration. I like power pro braid and run a high quality fluorocarbon leader.

Good terminal tackle ( rated for break strength ) is also a serious consideration.

No steel leaders for me and no mono-filament available on my boat. The old crummy ugly sticks are in the garage and there they will stay forever unless my wife needs a stake for her tomato plants or one of the neighborhood kids need a good ol' fashion whippin'. lol.

Like my dad used to say "I can't afford to buy cheap stuff"

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by EZM

I'd agree with most guys in terms of quality and the suggested price points.

I will, however, say that a reel is more important to spend a little more on than maybe the rod. I'm mostly a mid market rod guy - $75-$120 but my reels start at $150-$200 and go up from there.

Having said that my last few rods have been pricey - and they have pleasantly surprised me with their weight, feel and performance.

Line is critical and perhaps the single most important consideration. I like power pro braid and run a high quality fluorocarbon leader.

Good terminal tackle ( rated for break strength ) is also a serious consideration.

No steel leaders for me and no mono-filament available on my boat. The old crummy ugly sticks are in the garage and there they will stay forever unless my wife needs a stake for her tomato plants or one of the neighborhood kids need a good ol' fashion whippin'. lol.

Like my dad used to say "I can't afford to buy cheap stuff"

That depends on the use. For walleye riggin n jigging, rod is more important.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

that depends on the use. For walleye riggin n jigging, rod is more important.

x2 lol

[EZM]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

That depends on the use. For walleye riggin n jigging, rod is more important.

I don't disagree with you on that exception - my thoughts were, in general.

Definitely want a super sensitive, fast action tip to nail those little bait stealin' buggers.

Snappin' up one of those little googly eyed buggers when they are playing games with you feels like a triumph some days - more excitement when you get even with them and drop them in the fry pan later .......

Clever fish taste better.

[CanadianBadass]

Originally Posted by AppleJax

Pretty much what I would say, saves me from typing

X3 .. I personally have spent 400 on my spincast combo, and for my larger gear ( sturgeon ) I have spent about 175$ for spincast combo

I am in flooring, I have managed a flooring store now for 7 years, and I will personally throw in and agree with the " you get what you pay for "

Theres nothing that ****es me off more then someone saying " I need something really cheep" , and then 2 years later they come back and say I sold them cheep stuff! lol lol it is true what they say !

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by CanadianBadass

X3 .. I personally have spent 400 on my spincast combo, and for my larger gear ( sturgeon ) I have spent about 175$ for spincast combo

I am in flooring, I have managed a flooring store now for 7 years, and I will personally throw in and agree with the " you get what you pay for "

Theres nothing that ****es me off more then someone saying " I need something really cheep" , and then 2 years later they come back and say I sold them cheep stuff! lol lol it is true what they say !

$400 on a ... spincast?

[CanadianBadass]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

$400 on a ... spincast?

combo. My reel and rod ! .. I went thrus 3 walmart specials in about 1 season..... I went and dropped some better coin on better gear and I spent abou 400$ for the reel and rod ,

[CanadianBadass]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

$400 on a ... spincast?

not just the spincast reel , lol my wife would flip out ! lol

[CanadianBadass]

Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore

$400 on a ... spincast?

and maybe closer to 350-375 ish

[Alberta Bigbore]

do you mean Baitcaster?