Over the weekend I drug out the first casting outfit I ever had. Mine was a red ABU 5000 reel, mounted on a Zebco fiberglass rod, med/hvy action. The reel was a hand me down from my older brother.                                            Holding this combo, then, holding any newer combo I have, the first thing you notice is the weight difference. My old one feels like it's made out of lead in comparison.                                            A lightweight outfit may not make you a better fisherman, but, they sure do make repeated casting much easier, and far less tiring.                        I hope some of the beginners at bass fishing realize that they're lucky. Thanks to modern materials, you guys took up this sport at the right time. You can easily cast for half a day or longer, without wearing your arms and shoulders out. The new lightweight gear is the way to go. And, they keep getting lighter all the time.

I’d say they are…and they aren’t. I learned on a pistol grip rod with a D.A.M. Quick baitcaster and nylon line. Spent hours in the yard practicing, getting frustrated, throwing the outfit down and giving up for a while before coming back out and trying again - lol. Like many from that time period, I eventually became a pretty good caster, learning the nuances of centrifugal and manual braking, then magnetic controls, and the subtleties of thumbing of the spool.
 

Now days, the sophistication of reels has taken that learning away from people to a large degree, and it shows by the number of people who complain about using fluorocarbon on baitcasters, blaming the lines qualities (being “unmanageable”), when in reality, it’s simply a lack of well developed casting skills because technology has made people lazy (poorer casters) in some regards - at least that’s my take on it ?

Our generation is very thankful for the innovations, the only thing that has stood the test of time that I use almost every trip is monofilament and a trusty hat... plus maybe a net.

I have my grandfathers metal rods with reels spooled up with cloth line.  My first real combo was a Zebco 202 on a fiberglass rod.  

My Dad's favorite trap combo is a Shimano Bantam BassOneMag (carbon/plastic frame and components) on a 5'6" Silstar BX-Lite (which touted a 98% graphite blank), both of which were advertised as being very light weight for the time. Still 1-2 ounces heavier than my 7-7'6" combos with all aluminum frames.

9 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I have my grandfathers metal rods with reels spooled up with cloth line.  My first real combo was a Zebco 202 on a fiberglass rod.  

It came as a combo and was my favorite Christmas present!

24 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

I’d say they are…and they aren’t. I learned on a pistol grip rod with a D.A.M. Quick baitcaster and nylon line. Spent hours in the yard practicing, getting frustrated, throwing the outfit down and giving up for a while before coming back out and trying again - lol. Like many from that time period, I eventually became a pretty good caster, learning the nuances of centrifugal and manual braking, then magnetic controls, and the subtleties of thumbing of the spool.
 

Now days, the sophistication of reels has taken that learning away from people to a large degree, and it shows by the number of people who complain about using fluorocarbon on baitcasters, blaming the lines qualities (being “unmanageable”), when in reality, it’s simply a lack of well developed casting skills because technology has made people lazy (poorer casters) in some regards - at least that’s my take on it ?

This is probably true. When my brother gave me the ABU 5000, I thought I was a real serious bass guy. But, I spent most of my first summer picking out backlashes. Thought I'd never get the hang of bait casting, but I did get it eventually.  Now, I'm glad I stuck with it.

And, we had to cast uphill....both ways

In the winter, no less, without gloves and shoes 

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 (red)

Heddon Mark Special Purpose #6271 5 1/2' MH Fiberglass with a cast aluminum reel seat & handle.

Total weight about 2# plus!

This what I started tournament fishing with, the next year I added another one.

 

1978 I added a Shimano Bantam 100 (siver with rose wood handle knobs) on a Fenwick Lunker Stik.

 

1981 I added 2 Shimano Bantam 10XSG on Kunnan rod.

 

I still use abu 5000 and fiberglass rods…… hahaha

I learned (and caught a lot of fish on) a Zebco 202. So will my son when he's old enough.

reading this topic as i fish on the bank of a creek with a stick, some twine, and bubblegum as bait

There's less fish now ... at least that's one of the many excuses I like to use

I fish old right along side of new gear and there is indeed a vast difference. Even with the newer casting reels I'll mount it on the rod and do what I call dry casting which is similar to dry firing a firearm. For anywhere between 11.26 - 13.78 hours I'll cast to targets with no line on the combo. During this time you always hit your target and never backlash. It's all about muscle memory and confidence. ?

7 hours ago, Catt said:

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000 (red)

Heddon Mark Special Purpose #6271 5 1/2' MH Fiberglass with a cast aluminum reel seat & handle.

Total weight about 2# plus!

This what I started tournament fishing with, the next year I added another one.

 

1978 I added a Shimano Bantam 100 (siver with rose wood handle knobs) on a Fenwick Lunker Stik.

 

1981 I added 2 Shimano Bantam 10XSG on Kunnan rod.

 

Almost identical to my progression. Kunnan rods. That brings back memories.  But then came the LEWS BB1 and BB1N.  

Previous to getting back into fishing in 2009 (when I decided to try a baitcast reel) my rods and reels were all spinning and all over 30 years old.  I was amazed at how light the new stuff was.  Of course these days an 8 oz. reel is considered a lead weight, but I still consider them plenty light enough for me! 

I have designed a DIGITAL APP.  You can stay in the bar & win a tournament.    

13 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Previous to getting back into fishing in 2009 (when I decided to try a baitcast reel) my rods and reels were all spinning and all over 30 years old.  I was amazed at how light the new stuff was.  Of course these days an 8 oz. reel is considered a lead weight, but I still consider them plenty light enough for me! 

I remember those days too, when a rod-reel combo would come in at 1.5lb or more.

 

Now, the heaviest rig I own is just under 15oz - and that's my flipping rig.

And even though I have a reel in my lineup that weighs 8.7oz - the total rig is under 12oz because it's on a light rod.