So which one is the worse addiction for you? Which are you willing to drop more money on? I know I can get the job done with wally world combos have been for years, but what fun is that?

Reels by far.  I've got 10 more reels than rods, and am considering adding another couple reels.  This addiction is as bad as my sugar addiction. 

My addiction can't be limited to just one choice. Usually when I order one the other isn't more then a few days behind it. I generally spend about $150 on a reel and about the same on a rod. My most recent addiction though is tungsten weights.

Reels for sure. I'll drop way more money on a nice shiny reel than a new rod

Neither, I am a deal and bargin shopper. I have assembled an arsenal of St Croix rods and Shimano reels mostly by buying used, or when stuff is on sale..

$200 for a reel, $100 for a rod. That seems to be the magic numbers for me.

Agrees with WW2, (different brands tho).

I'd spend way more on a reel than a rod.

Probably reels although it depends on the outfit and intended application. I have alot of rods between $150-$330. My reels range from $100 to $500 for some pretty tricked out JDM Daiwa reels.

Agrees with WW2, (different brands tho).

x2

Neither. Baits.

I'm doing fine chucking a $100 bait on a $100 reel clamped on a $100 rod...

All of my rods are of the $100 caliber but I'd someday like to splurge on a $200-$300 one. I was reading something somewhere that most people drop more money on the reel when it actually should be the other way around. The idea being you get more advantages with a high quality rod than a high quality reel.

Do any of you feel that is the case? And do you know that and buy the reel anyway?

My addiction does not discriminate....

While I am generally in the bargain shopper category I figured it would be interesting to see which one people preffered. Lately I have been looking into the custom rod stuff seems it would be of much more value in the long run and hold a little more sentimental/personal value as well.

Neither. Baits.

I'm doing fine chucking a $100 bait on a $100 reel clamped on a $100 rod...

$100 bait!?!? 

While I am generally in the bargain shopper category I figured it would be interesting to see which one people preffered. Lately I have been looking into the custom rod stuff seems it would be of much more value in the long run and hold a little more sentimental/personal value as well.

Custom rods are a good way to build you a VERY SPECIFIC rod to the exact specs you are looking for. I have priced custom rods but after getting some estimates of $350-525 I decided to pass. With the rod market full of many good choices for far less I decided to pass. Hopefully you can find what you want and at a reasonable price.

$100 bait!?!? 

 

Yeah, swimbaiting is kinda expensive...

All of my rods are of the $100 caliber but I'd someday like to splurge on a $200-$300 one. I was reading something somewhere that most people drop more money on the reel when it actually should be the other way around. The idea being you get more advantages with a high quality rod than a high quality reel.

Do any of you feel that is the case? And do you know that and buy the reel anyway?

Really it is going to depend. Here are a few examples...

1. A crankbait combo- take a BPS crankbait rod for say $80 and a good crankbait reel like a curado E5 or revo winch which both are going to be over $130+. This is an example of where a higher priced rod does not to be purchased and higher priced reel may be the better choice.

2. Jig outfit- While a good reel will be something most anglers look for you can do plenty with $100-$200 reel. However since this technique requires optimal sensitivity a better build and more sensitive rod would be a better buy to help maximize the success of this technique. As an example I use a curado 50e which I paid $160 for new on a dobyns dx 703 rod for jigs under 3/8oz.

I think it's great! It's all in fun, I have seen people give others a hard time for spending too much or too little for gear. That kind of attitude is ridiculous. 

Not impressed? How about a two-fifty bait then? Baits catch fish, as long as the rod can cast and fish the bait, and the reel can fight.and reel the bass in...

 

For me, it's reels.  I'll dump $200 on a reel, but wouldn't consider looking at, let alone spending that much on a rod.  Don't get me wrong, I have more rods (21) than reels (14), but the least expensive reel that I actually use cost me more than the majority of rods I use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For me it all depends on the technique that I am building the setup for.  Moving techniques can be fished with  a less sensitive rod than bottom contact techniques.  My spending is based on what I enjoy and nothing else, I could care less what someone else uses or what they think about what I use.     I have rods that cost 400-500 dollars and I have rods that cost a lot less, I have reels that cost 300 -400 dollars and I have reels that cost a lot less.   This is a sport that anyone can enjoy and there are levels for everyone, get in where you fit in.     

Throw me in with the bargain hunters as well. I am, however, more inclined to drop a larger portion of my money on a rod though.

rods for sure and line.line is my spending addiction its the one thing I really like to play around with.

im kind of a reel guy too.. usually i go with a 200-250 reel and a 100-130 rod. I don't know why, maybe because I don't have that super specialized delicate feeling ability but I have a harder time noticing the difference in quality between a $125 rod and a $250 rod compared to noticing the difference in quality between a $125 reel and a $250 reel.  Just my .02 though.

I like to think of my tackle addiction as a culling process. I am constantly trying to upgrade rods/reels/lines and lures to what I feel is the best for me. At this stage I feel I have found my spinnerbait combo but feel my main jig rod might benefit from an upgrade. I am only starting out on the jerkbait and square bill journeys ( accompanied by our trusted friend the bait monkey) and look forward to learning what will suit my needs and expectation the best. To the OP, at this stage I have more invested in reels but the rods are starting to catch up.