I started serious fishing in the mid 70's going to my buddy's cabin way up in NW Ontario. Up there I quickly figured out you weren't to be taken seriously as a fisherman without a Garcia Mitchell 300. For Christmas '76 I got my new pride and joy Mitchell 300 and Conolon rod (still have the reel). This outfit served me well and I became a Garcia guy for the next decade or so.

 

In the mid '80s I had a fishing buddy who was a big Jimmy Houston fan and had a couple of Shimano rigs. At the time I was still fishing my ABU Garcia stuff (754s and the like...) and borrowed his Magnumlite XL Fightin' Rod spinning combo while fishing with him. At the time, I didn't like most Japanese stuff, and wanted little to do with brands like Shimano. As much as I hated to admit it, his set up fished like a dream compared to my crap. It was truly an epiphany. 

 

I soon after went out and bought myself a couple of Shimano Magnumlite XL Fightin' Rod/Reel spinning and casting combos. I've never looked back. Been a Shimano guy ever since, at least for reels. I've used other brands over the years and still have some ABU and Daiwa gear in the mix, but, by far, Shimano has been my mainstay ever since trying my buddy's combo back in the mid-80s.

 

Every now an then I will break out the old Fightin' Rod combos for a day's fishing. Though I've got some pretty good newer gear, my old Shimano's still hold their own well.

1990 was the year I changed from Abu Ambassador 2500C, 4500C as my casting reels of choice. 

I remember joining my lunch group at the tackle shop when everyone was playing with a new Daiwa reel and timing how long the free spool would spin. We were all amazed how smooth the new TD HiA 103 & 105 free spool was.

Val, the tackle store owner was going to order the reels for anyone who wanted them, $134. I ordered 2 ea of the 105 and a 103. Going with Daiwa casting reels for my jig & worm rods was a big change for me and been happy now over 30 years. 

Caught 4 of the 5 giant bass on the Daiwa reels purchased in 1990 during the lunch stop.

Tom

Bought a Shimano Sidestab way back in the 90s. Great reel that lasted many years.

Thats the one that got me hooked on Shimano  I have a few Daiwas but I'm a Shimano guy for sure.

Had a Cabelas gift card years ago and bought a St Croix Premier. At the time it was my top end rod and it introduced me to the rod Bait Monkey.  Now I have a bunch of high end St Croix.

I will say that my dad who didn't fish would drive me to wherever I wanted to go and helped me out money wise for gear started me on my journey.

He's gone now but I'll never forget what he did for me.