I like buying used, sometimes it the hunt, other times it’s the spoils.

I get a lot of gear from estate sale and yard sales. I bought shimano chonarch, for $10 once had a rod that went with it too.

Plus like @ABU is overpriced I like to tinker with too.  

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I also bought a New In Box Tatula Type R from a local shop about a year or two ago. 

 

This one was a shiny new 6.3:1 in left hand. They originally wanted full price for it and it sat in their display case for quite some time. I looked at it every time I went in there but no way was I paying full price for a reel that had been discontinued for quite a while. 

 

I went in one day and they had it marked down to like 50% off so I grabbed it. Nice reel... Very smooth!

 

I got the same deal although the company I bought it from is in Florida. My reel is also a 6.3 left handed reel.

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

I got the same deal although the company I bought it from is in Florida. My reel is also a 6.3 left handed reel.

Oh,... Your's is an original Tatula Type R. Mine is a Tatula CT Type R. The pic I'm attaching is one I snipped from online

@FrnkNsteen Those are some cool looking reels👍🏻Although I don’t have a photo and I’ll have to also use an internet photo I also bought the Cabelas Arachnid online back when they were closing them out for I believe $129.99.

Lately I’ve been buying new from Digitaka, however if I can get a better deal on a used one I’ll grab it.  Really in the end no preference.  If it wasn’t for Digitaka though, I’d probably would lean to buying used as the US/Canada versions are more expensive. 

I’ve had good luck buying used. The flea market of this forum has been wonderful. There’s no way I could have afforded a few of the rods I bought if they were new. Thank all you guys. 

7 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I’ve had good luck buying used. The flea market of this forum has been wonderful. There’s no way I could have afforded a few of the rods I bought if they were new. Thank all you guys. 

Same here.  All but one of my most expensive rods were bought used at about 50% of the original price.  The new one was purchased on closeout at about 25% of the original price.

 

2 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Same here.  All but one of my most expensive rods were bought used at about 50% of the original price.  The new one was purchased on closeout at about 25% of the original price.

 

I’m a big believer in waiting until there is a good sale, I’ve purchased or have received as gifts a few rods and reels over the years thanks to my wife and former MIL a few for Christmas when Tackle Warehouse had the Black Friday/Christmas sales. I also take advantage of the BPS spring sale that is going on now and trade in at least one item if not more but I’m pretty much done after this year with what I’ve wanted to and have upgraded over the years.

12 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Oh,... Your's is an original Tatula Type R. Mine is a Tatula CT Type R. The pic I'm attaching is one I snipped from online

Such an underrated reel.   Love mine.   

I like the 1st get Tatula Type Rs which is still around today as the pre 2025 Tatula 150.  I've had this one in service since 2016 when I bought it on clearance.  I have added a Ray's Studio SV type spool to it and have spent the past 9 years sending weightless plastic baits under docks and bomb casting with 12# fluoro on a 1st gen Zodias 72M as well as jerkbait and crankbait duties in between.  

6 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

I like the 1st get Tatula Type Rs which is still around today as the pre 2025 Tatula 150.  I've had this one in service since 2016 when I bought it on clearance.  I have added a Ray's Studio SV type spool to it and have spent the past 9 years sending weightless plastic baits under docks and bomb casting with 12# fluoro on a 1st gen Zodias 72M as well as jerkbait and crankbait duties in between.  

Also changed out the handle shaft to a recessed one from a Zillion TW to use the bolt type nut instead of the normal type as pictured above.  It's a subtle thing but part of the treatment high end Daiwas of this era got so I chose to apply it here when the parts fell into my lap.  Notice how the handle nut appears to be almost flush with the handle?  That is because it is actually a bolt that threads into the handle shaft instead of the usual nut 

I never pay full price for rods and reels. If I’m getting brand new, I gotta have a discount code or catch a sale. I’ll buy used for the right deal and if in excellent-near mint condition 

I buy used rods all the time from ALF.

Reels though, assuming its Shimano or Daiwa you can get brand new from Digitaka or JLS for usually the same price as they are being sold used. 

On 3/6/2025 at 11:51 PM, newapti5 said:

Once I discovered Japan online used tackle market, I just couldn't go back anymore. Maybe in the future when yen gets much stronger.

I didnt know they had a used market. What's the site?

3 hours ago, NoFroFishing said:

I buy used rods all the time from ALF.

Reels though, assuming its Shimano or Daiwa you can get brand new from Digitaka or JLS for usually the same price as they are being sold used. 

I didnt know they had a used market. What's the site?

 

Many, but you will need a proxy - a Japan agent who makes the purchase and handles the shipping on your behalf, in exchange for a small service fee. There're many proxies as well, and the one I use is buyee.jp. It constantly gives out coupons for Mercari, the largest Japan online flea market.

I use only Abu and I buy all mine new unless its a killer deal I find at the flea market. 

Never bought a used rod or reel

Anymore I buy used but not afraid to buy new if something i have to have

 i got 54 reels. probably Curado is lowest grade. 
 

I only buy quality models in my mind. 
 

i consider  strength of frame

and gearing support and bearings

 

and if not scratched I figured not abused. 
 

usually return policy on ebay so i go for it. 
 

i research reels, often on tackle tour

they not let me down on reviews. 
 

im impressed my old Curado 200 E’s

almost bring what I paid new

thats when they made in japan 

Another example 

i bet my BB1 Lews reels out live me

 

even better New Bantam by shimano

are bullit proof. Slight heavier than my other reels. But its a 5:5:1 for big cranking plugs doubt I wear it out

Bought it used In box Japan model not a scratch. 

On 3/10/2025 at 5:48 AM, FrnkNsteen said:

Oh,... Your's is an original Tatula Type R. Mine is a Tatula CT Type R. The pic I'm attaching is one I snipped from online

Got Two of these in right hand, Truly

probably two my favorite reels. Like em so much afraid to scratch em so often

they dont get their marching orders.

 

is it me?  The line lays so nice on these

i can let em sit 3 months and no curley que when cast. One if few reels i dont have to re spool every trip 

5 hours ago, Dan N said:

Never bought a used rod or reel

Why?

Not sure, no body in my area sells them that I know of, and guess I just always bought new.

Overall used.  I have at least a couple dozen shimano e series reels between citicas, curados, and chronarchs.  They are easy to service, perform well, and deals can be had.  

 

I have purchased some newer reels, but mostly spinning reels.