I'm another guy who likes to look for deals. This winter I bought two St. Croixs - a 6'6" MH/M Premier Crankbait and a 7' MH/F Avid which qualified me for the free Rage Rod. Before they sent out my Rage, I called and did the Trade-Up on the Rage and for $20 extra they sent me a 7' M/F Avid instead. So I ended up with 2 Avids and a Premier for $340 which I thought was a great deal.

There is a local guy that sells higher-end used stuff so I will probably look to him and/or ebay for the reels to pair up with the rods.

I just don't like paying full retail when there are plenty of deals to be had out there, especially now since it's winter here in Chicago and there's no rush to get rigs ready to go.

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.

 

For reference, I said rods, but Kickerfish brings up a good point. When you get to your cranking sticks and rods intended for moving bait purposes you can do just fine with many cheaper rods. You do not need all that extra feel and sensitivity, but you do want excellent castability and cranking consistency. So this technique is really geared more towards the reel than the rod. Good reason to spend more for the reel than the rod in this scenario.

 

On the otherhand,when you are talking bottom contact techniques, I say spend as much as you can absolutely afford.  I quickly progressed from berkley lightning shocks all the way up to G. Loomis NRX's when I realized at each jump I made offered me more performance and sensitivity. Is it necessary to go that far, no, but the idea here is that you are fishing a technique where sensitivity is key to feeling the surface you are on, detecting structure, finding anomalies, and not to mention detecting strikes. Therefore, since the technique is geared more towards the rod, I will spend more on my rod in this scenario.

 

I will say that when you start climbing the ladder with rods it is hard to go back down that ladder. 

 

 

My five most expensive pieces of equipment are

NRX 893

Shimano Cumulus 7'1 MH

Revo MGX

DX 744

DX745

Looks like rods win.

 

I see we have some similar interests    

Reel performance is what makes "fishing" fun.

 

Rods may be a little more important in the "catching" department.

 

For "value" I look to our Flea Market. Many of my rods and most of 

my reels were purchased from members, both NIB and gently used".

 

 

 

I like the Vendetta rods, most people don't care for them I personally love them, I prefer Lews reels, I like to keep my combos to the 200-250 max range.

 

I would rather spend my money on my Kayak

 

If I had a job, and wasnt in school full time spending loan money (dont tell the wife) on fishing gear I would probably have all St. C rods Wisconsin pride !