When I was actively guiding and on the water a lot, my gear got rotated annually or biannually depending on how hard it was used.  It was replaced with my sponsors allotment.  Reels were the same way.  I wanted my clients to have the “latest and greatest” for their trips.  I spread my rods/reels out over all price points to match my clientele and what we were fishing and their level of expertise.  That being said, I just retired a Browning reel that was over 25 years old mated to a CastAway Skeleton rod that was my dedicated dropshot setup.  I’d wager I caught thousands of fish on that combo.  The reel literally disintegrated.  Felt like I lost an old friend.  The biggest difference I see from my older gear to the newer models is weight.  That’s where the most advancement has been made.  

My worm rods are high end but didn't cost $600 because I put them together myself. 

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I will continue to consider the rough-road-rash argument to be rationalizing neglect-abuse.  

Buy an on-rod reel cover or three.  But you don't do this, my rosy red.   
 

Salt exposure for people who live at the coast is another neglect-abuse.  It's too easy to stack the rod in the corner of the garage and put off simple rinsing as - I'll think about it after next weekend.  This probably makes excursion fishing an advantage.  Every reel that's making the trip gets maintained when staging gear.  First thing home, every combo gets rinsed on a rod rack for the same day the boat gets washed inside and out, drained and aired out.  Then each reel gets individual maintenance over the following week.   

 

This might well be the most condescending post I’ve ever read on this forum.

36 minutes ago, OldManLure said:

This might well be the most condescending post I’ve ever read on this forum.

If you switched out 'most condescending' to 'most accurate,' I'd agree with you.

A-Jay

4 hours ago, F14A-B said:

@Tackleholic what is it about this particular mono that you find superior above all others? TIA…

Less stretch and memory;  softer, smoother casting, more distance.

11 minutes ago, Tackleholic said:

Less stretch and memory;  softer, smoother casting, more distance.

 

This all appeals to me. 

@Tackleholic I’m of the same opinion as you in my liking of Suffix Advance Monofilament enough so that I bought the 1200 yard spool. 

@Bigbox99 & @redmeansdistortion Back when I had a pick up truck I only ran Yokohama Geolanders and I still feel they are an absolute value for the money in terms of wear and low to no road noise along with the exceptional traction. I currently run Falken tires on my 2009 Ford Focus and again I feel they are a good value for the money.

1 hour ago, Tackleholic said:

Less stretch and memory;  softer, smoother casting, more distance.

I just picked up a spool of the Advance. What size are you using?

 

 

edit: and for what presentation?

1 hour ago, Tackleholic said:

Less stretch and memory;  softer, smoother casting, more distance.

Not to press you too much but are you using it in light line or bigger diameter? How would you rate it as far as abrasion resistance? 

I’m not going to answer for tackleholic but I’m currently using it on 4 bait casters and 1 2000 size spinning reel in 10 pound test and have zero complaints about it. I’m also using 10 pound test big game monofilament too on a few bait casters and I feel the big game is a bit stiffer if that makes sense. I can’t really answer abrasion resistance as the ponds I fish are soft bottom with a lot of weeds. For what it’s worth I mainly use square bills and different style jigs along with bladed jigs and spinner baits and have zero issues on the hook sets at any distance out from the shoreline.

Edited September 27, 2025Sep 27 by Eric 26
Grammar

10 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

have zero issues on the hook sets at any distance out from the shoreline

 

 

That's big.

9 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

 

That's big.

I agree and although it’s true I’m not going to try and fool anyone into thinking they’re big fish and I know that makes a difference in the toughness of their mouth’s. 

1 minute ago, Eric 26 said:

I agree and although it’s true I’m not going to try and fool anyone into thinking they’re big fish and I know that makes a difference in the toughness of their mouth’s. 

 

Humility is so cool. That makes you so cool.  

4 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

Humility is so cool. That makes you so cool.  

Boga Grip

4 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Not to press you too much but are you using it in light line or bigger diameter? How would you rate it as far as abrasion resistance? 

10#;  zero problems yet with abrasion.  My lake is hard (rock) bottom and overrun with buckbrush.  .012 diameter vs. Tatsu fluoro. at .10.

Any kind of fishing or hunting in cold weather calls for decent gear.  If you're cold or wet you cant enjoy what you're doing.  Prety hard to fish or duck hunt (with the exception of field hunting ducks) without being around water and water in the winter is cold.  Things like lifejackets and other safety equipotent are essential IMO.  

Surf fishing in the northeast or colder climates requires good gear.  

Everything gets wet, so tackle bags have to have grommeted drains and terminal tackle needs to be kept in watertight bags or containers within your plug bag.

Bubble weed covered rocks and jetties are worse than black ice.  Whether they're wading boots or overshoes, it's dangerous to fish without them. 

Good waders, a quality surf top with latex or neoprene cuff/collars and a good belt are needed to keep you dry.

Late December trips require a heavy top underneath the neoprene outer layer and wading pants under the polyester or neoprene waders.

The nature of fishing in the waves is very hard on reels.  Nothing is more frustrating than a reel failure during a blitz while your vehicle could be a half mile down the beach.  You can get by with water resistant reels, but the lifespan can be short.  If you surf fish often its worth investing in a VS or ZB as you will spend that much in a few seasons fixing or replacing lesser reels.

 

 

On 9/27/2025 at 2:06 PM, Eric 26 said:

 I’m of the same opinion as you in my liking of Suffix Advance Monofilament enough so that I bought the 1200 yard spool. 

Do you know how this might compare to Sufix Siege? I've been using Siege for a long time now and love it. But I haven't tried the Advance

Very informative post. Thanks guys!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Hulkster said:

Do you know how this might compare to Sufix Siege? I've been using Siege for a long time now and love it. But I haven't tried the Advance

I unfortunately have never used Suffix Siege. When I first got into better bait   casting reels around 10 or more years ago I bought Suffix Super 21 Low Strech monofilament if you remember or used that and I also have and use Trilene Big Game monofilament and to me the Advance Monofilament feels more limp than both of the aforementioned monofilaments. Hope this helps a little bit. 

Edited September 30, 2025Sep 30 by Eric 26
Added photo

I like my Steez SV/Steez AGS combo, but it's probably not actually worth it in the long run.

Aldebaran MGL

 

It's light and not hot, and that means I always wear it. Oh, and Tatsu.

On 9/25/2025 at 3:55 PM, Micro Module Police said:

I'd say that if you're someone who sees fishing gear as "tools", and you don't baby them, nothing high end is worth it. A $100 rod and a $200 reel is enough.

Every person i know, or spoke to, if they don't take care of their stuff, they're the kind that wouldn't be able to tell a difference between a steez and a Tatula. Not everyone notices and cares about the smoothness and how silent high reels are. Same with rods.

100% agree and then some.  I use my gear hard, and I fish in pretty pressured waters so I'm going to put my gear in the sketchy places.  I would rather sacrifice some high end sensitivity for durability and warranty.  There is a threshold in every line where you're out of the bargain garbage, but not paying for the prestige, that's where I live.  Luckily that's where the money is for most companies, and they keep making that slot better and better each year.  If you keep on top of maintenance and use your head, that gear will serve you for a long time.

The only high end products I care to invest in are rods made by Gary Loomis. 
 

As for reels, I am satisfied with midline.