roadwarrior

The "best value for the money" is an excellent motto to live by, but we often violate this principal for the things we are passionate about. In economics it is referred to as the "law of diminishing returns." For each aditional dollar spent, the value of the gain is proportionately less. When applied to fishing equipment, it's hard to quantify the dollar value of the "fun factor."

Excellent post HPBB. There is no "best" line, just "favorite" line.

Exotic...Yeah, I like that suggestion. Another category to to differenciate the peak from the top of the mountain. Got it.

"If you don't like the weather today, just wait until tomorrow!" Weather is never "normal". Over the past 4 billion years, average temperatures have been both incredibly cold and incredibly warm. At one time the planent was practically on fire. During another peroiod lasting 600 million years or so, almost the entire surface of planet was frozen. Temperatures have ALWAYS varied over millions of years, often dramatically. If you are really interested, spend some time on the internet and look at the data gathered from ocean core samples extending back millions of years and ice core samples dating back tens of thousands of years. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to look at a graphical display and recognize the volatility of the earth's climate. Is the earth warming? Well, the answer is probably yes. But this occurs all of the time- the climate changes constantly over long periods of time even though it might appear quite constant for extended intervals. The earth is still warming from the peak of the CURRENT ice age. Yes, we are still living in the "last" ice age as demonstrated by the existance of ancient glaciers and polar ice sheets. Generally, warmer weather is conducive to life and that is certainly the case over the long run. The dinosaur era lasted for a period of several hundred million years and expanded the diversity of the species to fill virtually ever niche in nature. Dinos thrived because of a consistantly hot environment for an extended period of time. More recent "climate change" has resulted in one of the greatest expansions in specific (higher) species populations in the history of the world: mankind. More people are living on this planet today than the CUMULATIVE total of all people that have ever livied on earth! The next ice age is "just around the corner," and will almost certainly arrive within the next 100,000 years.

If one of the BASS pros admits to winning a tournament with the Fat Ika, I think this bait has the potential to be the next Senko. It already is for me.

25 cents...I'd like to see that deal. Good catch!

I think you are all on track with the 4 & 5" Senko, those baits catch a lot of bass. But I don't fish them at all, I think they attract too many little fish. Although I fished the 7' version for a couple of years, I didn't catch bigger bass than I did fishing the 6" Senko. Also, the equipment I like to use for soft plastics (7' MF spinning tackle) is not really suitable for the 7" bait (it's too heavy). Anyhow, I fish the 6" Senko exclusively, year-around.

Catt, I'm not saying "This is the way it is," these are just my thoughts and I want to hear your thoughts and the way others feel. You have a good post and another perspective. Isn't that what discussion is all about? My observation is that it's not just competition that drives pricing, but also "perceived value." When Fenwick first came out with their Techna AV series they were priced at $210 and up, depending on the size. I got a "deal" on a AVS70MM at $160 which a few months later became their retail offering price. That level seems to be a "sticky" pricing point for many brands. It's also about the level some of the major retailers target for their upscale combinations. Coincidence? I don't think so.

mktrout, This thread is not about which rod is a better value. We have had a few hundred threads "discussing" this issue, we will have hundreds in the future and you are welcome to start one now. This isn't about the relative value of Loommis, Kistler, Lamiglas, Fenwick, Airrus, Essox, All Star, St. Croix, Ugly Stick, Rhino, Shimano, BPS, MegaBass, Berkley or Cabela's. The title of this thread is "Pricing Points." Let's stay on topic.

Man, that looks like a river that might support brown fish. : Is that the same river where you caught the smallmouth posted earlier? That looks like a great place to fish.

It always +/- 70 degrees, dark, loud and glitzy. No clocks and no closing time. Yes, they take checks, plastic, watches and souls. Free drinks! for about $100 an hour, but you can still play as big as you want. To save some money and still have a BIG time, see some shows, tour the casinos and buy your own drinks! There is really a lot to see. Clothes? Okay, on a serious note: slacks, Polo shirts and a sports coat gets you in everywhere. You'll look great and be comfortable. Importantly, at least for me, wearing a jacket gives you somewhere to keep things.

Welcome aboard! If you are talking about heavy weeds you might want to try a 20/6 braid.

This is a BASS forum. This section is for saltwater fishing, trout, walley, crappie, striper, sauger, sturgen, muskie, pike and any other fish you want to talk about. This is the "OTHER" section.

I had some luck with a black with blue flakes recently. For the most part I fish 194, watermelon with black flakes. I also like 208, watermelon with black and red flakes.

Nope...never. Fishing a Senko slow = big bass. Wassup with that?

Excellent!

SPEEDBEAD, Yep, the Little Red is close. I fish the White River which might produce the next World Record. All the guides claim they have seen it and one I know claims to have had her hooked up. We'll see. I'm after her, too.

I tried to find some published information on this topic, but could not. So, maybe someone else has actual stats, otherwise another "educated guess." Here's how I would think it might be broken down: Average price for a rod & reel combination: $50 - $75 Industry target for combos considered "better equipment": $150 Starting point for "high end" reels: $120 Starting point for "high end" rods: $160 "High" priced rod: $250+ "High" priced reel: $200+

I suspect countryboy is talking inches, but trout get HUGE, too. IGFA Certified World Record brown trout: 40.25 lbs IGFA Certified World Record Rainbow: 40.68 lbs

Welcome aboard!

Hmm... I guess enough people must fish them or GYCB wouldn't keep making them, but are you sure the baits you're looking at are Fat Ika, not just tubes? Here in the Midsouth, I have never run into anyone fishing them. Now, I know that can't be technically true because our local BPS carries the Kanami Palm Tree, but still, I never see people fishing this bait.

If you run across a 30 lb bull, I don't think you're going to have enough rig to get him in! I sure like catching the red fish, but those trout are wussy. I'm glad you like your new rig. Congratulations!

EXCELLENT! Thank you.

Year around in the South, although the fishing can still be a little slow in the winter. As you move further north, the fishing sesason shortens.

The Fat Ika still hasn't been "discovered." Away from BR members and GYCB fanatics, no one talks about it or uses it effectively. It can be your secret weapon. The Fat Ika has been my #1 producer for two years.