If you had to choose... which is more important?

[canoeman]

If you had to choose between: a great reel attached to a crap rod, or, a great rod with a crap reel attached, which would you choose, and why?

This is the kind of question that a newbie fisherman faces all the time. Assuming that the poor guy is eventually going to upgrade to a great setup overall, how would you advise them to get started?

Myself, I think I'd have to side with getting the great rod first, since fish can be caught on a crappy reel, but you're going to miss a lot of fish if your rod isn't right.

[Bob La Londe]

That's not a bad insight if you have a pretty good idea what you want to begin with. The problem is you can have a $300 G-Loomis heavy action spinner bait rod, and it will be garbage for you if you want to throw tiny spinnerbaits, much less other baits.

The other thing to think about is do you mean upgrade from elcheapo to decent or to excellent? For instance its not going to make much difference if you are talking about the difference between a Black Label II and another slightly better low end reel, but if somebody is learning to cast a baitcaster a better reel like Curado 200E or an MG50 is going to make a huge difference.

Also, what's best for you, your abilities, and sense of feel is not going to be exactly the same as what is best for me.

Its not an easy question to answer, but you have obviously applied some good logic to it. Keep us posted on your learning curve as you advance.

[canoeman]

I've researched my equipment pretty carefully and I believe that most of my learning curve will come with acquiring new techniques. That's why the Pro/Am tourney is important to me. I really enjoyed going out there and trying new stuff. Didn't catch much, but i learned quite a bit... and I've been fishing my whole life!

[Harley]

well in a armatures mind. you will start with what you know from your home town/ what you learned with. but i would say a cheaper rod in the weight class needed for the fish you are catching or trying to catch would do just fine.

With spinning reals the cast is most of the time good with any price real. but reeling in would be a little bit more of the factor in what you buy. with bait casters i have heard that spending more money with in reason, makes a better cast and retrieval. but to cast a bait caster there is a learning curve you must over come. you can always go old school with a normal push button real but then you are not expanding your knowledge.

With me i like a spinning set up with an 6 foot medium/heavy ugly stick with a 4+ baring spinning real around the $50 range. but i have just started trying the bait casters with the same type of rod. i have learned some stuff with a lot of frustration (backlash!) but i do see the potential for better/more casting styles once you start getting over the learning curve. so in my opinion would say the fishing real would mean more. but im just a new fisher in the actual sport of fishing so there is not much time/experience behind what im talking about. i do like the direction of learning more and trying out newer and better gear though.

[fishermanuribe]

I would go for the reel, one reason is that almost all rods are ok to fish with even if they are cheap (almost all).

[BassAddict]

I've been through 4 Bass Pro Shop's reels in the past 4 months. All have been $80 or more. I was told once, told twice, and many times after I sent the reels back for exchange. Buy Shimano, Quantum at a medium to high level if you want to have them for any amount of time. I didn't listen, I bought several setups instead of buying one GOOD reel. Bad choice. You can throw a GOOD reel on an average pole and cast into the wind w/o backlash. You buy an average reel, with agreat pole and you'll lash constantly with no wind. We live in Yuma, there is more wind than there isn't wind.

BassAddict

[Greg G]

Hey BassAddict, congrats on the new reel and sorry I hadn't got back to you yet.

My 2 cents is to start with a quality reel because not fighting with line twist and backlashes is more important than some lost sensitivity in the pole.

[elsospechas]

I've been through 4 Bass Pro Shop's reels in the past 4 months. All have been $80 or more. I was told once, told twice, and many times after I sent the reels back for exchange. Buy Shimano, Quantum at a medium to high level if you want to have them for any amount of time. I didn't listen, I bought several setups instead of buying one GOOD reel. Bad choice. You can throw a GOOD reel on an average pole and cast into the wind w/o backlash. You buy an average reel, with agreat pole and you'll lash constantly with no wind. We live in Yuma, there is more wind than there isn't wind.

BassAddict

Hey BassAddict! Man if you can get the Shimano Curado go for it, I got it from Sportmans last week and I love it, very small easy to use and cast you can't go wrong with the curado, it cost $179.99 + tax but is worth every shingle penny. For the question, I will go for a good Reel over a Rod I think is better beause you can get a good rod for a good price but not a very good reel.

[standing on the bank]

Reel first, rod second..

I use spinning type reels mostly. due to the fact that I have used them since I was 7 or so. I have an old Mitchel 301 that I love, but to be honest this reel is meant for trout and steelies ( I grew up fishing the Coastal waters). I have a decent Ambassador bait caster that I like to use for cats.

However, I have been thinking seriously about getting a new reel, maybe a mid range caster as the folks here talk about, but if it is possible to backlash I WILL FIND A WAY! lol

I watched a guy last weekend make 30+ casts with no prob and then his next 30 resulted in 2 hours of BL repair..

I am certain that U DO NOT NEED to spend 600.00 for a ROD, but if you think about it....... Time spent fishing+ time spent dealing with crap reels ,poles and line, it MAY BE A DECENT IDEA TO BUY A G LOOMIS OR A hand MADE fENWICK ROD AND LOAD IT WITH POWER PRO LINE, add a decent reel and you are good, actually more than good cuz I can guarantee you that there is a person "siting on the bank" in the Main that is catching 30+ Flats and they have 25$ Walmart combos........ Who has more fun????

[BassAddict]

Thanks Greg. For those who don't know Greg G and I have fished together quite a bit and I actually bought his old boat recently. He was the one telling me to buy a Shimano anything, but a Curado if I could. I have had one for 3 weeks now and LOVE it! I have lost 2 more reels since I made my initial post on this thread, one was another BPS Extreme(worm gear) and another was an older Quantum I had given to me that I had on a flippin stick. I got 7.0 Curado and am currently working out how and where it falls into my bag of tricks. I think I need a trip to my buddies pool to throw some different baits and see how they react to the burn as well as the slow roll.


BassAddict

[fishinggod22]

A swimming pool is the perfect place to practice. I always use a pool to see how a specific new bait i pick up swims and reacts to jerks and such.

[Bob La Londe]

Well, yesterday I was in Phx picking up the Black Cat (subtitle "Don't Cross My Path") and I decided I was going to hit the river before going home with her. Since the boat had been in the shop there were no fishing rods in the lcoker. I stopped at Cabelas and bought a combo on the way home so I would have atleast one. I bought a Curado, and an inexpensive rod to put it on. I guess that answers the question for me. LOL.

My boat, she has been renamed. This bitch will no longer be referred to by a cute name like "The Antique Kitten." Hence forth she shall be referred to only as:

The Black Cat,
Don't cross my path.

The motor shall hence forth be called: Lucky 13

[BassAddict]

HaHa!!! That's awesome! Rock On


BassAddict