As the title says, do you care? Or do you have more of a "you don't need a $500 reel to catch bass" view on fishing gear?

I used to care and this season I just don’t anymore. Got rid of a lot of my higher end gear and just use low to mid range gear.

I’m pretty sure most on here know where I stand😜

I've said it before...still fishing Cabela's branded rods purchased in the early 1990's. And absolutely love these two reels...they are on all my casting rods.

I have been getting some newer Fenwick rods, but they are the lower to mid range. I purchased a St. Croix heavy casting rod for my trip to Canada this August to chase large pike. Feels good. Will tell you how it performs.

I don't want cheap junk. However, I don’t fish professionally meaning fishing tournaments or guiding. At a certain point. I can’t justify buying super high end equipment to fish 1-2 a week for bass. I’m not at the point to where I can say yeah buying that $1000 combo is going to help elevate my skill.

I’d rather make my own rods and lures. Buy middle of the road reels which, I know how to take care of and rebuild.

I do care about sensitivity when it comes to rods and it helps immensily with bottom contact baits.

BUT you don't have to pay $500 for that, anywhere near.

Pay more for the rod and less for the reel. Imo

"High end" means different things to different people. Some of my high end stuff I'm sure would be lower tier to other folks. There's obviously differences in quality in various products, but I also think there's a lot of marketing and paid shills (professional fishermen, reviewers, etc.) that get free equipment and checks for telling how good the Remchester steel pole with a Dimwit reel and new Romanian braided spider silk line is for fishing the newest and hottest baits.

p.s. anyone interested in the Romanian braided spider silk line, use my link for 5% off your next order and free shipping :)

I’m all about finding great value & quality for lower prices. I’m really excited when I can find quality stuff on sale, sometimes up to 50% off. Otherwise, I try to find stuff that’s reasonably priced but performs better than its price point.

But super high end & expensive gear, nah. I’m not interested.

I can’t catch any fish so at least my reel is smooth and makes delightful noises.

Also sometimes it’s nice to count the pebbles with my rod.

But yeah, if I could catch fish , I could feel it on an ugly stick. But since I can’t I’ll just collect a garage full of grand ish combos.

I like my megabass p5 tequila Baccarac with a Calcutta DC but that’s just me.

1 hour ago, Mbirdsley said:

I don't want cheap junk. However, I don’t fish professionally meaning fishing tournaments or guiding. At a certain point. I can’t justify buying super high end equipment to fish 1-2 a week for bass. I’m not at the point to where I can say yeah buying that $1000 combo is going to help elevate my skill.

I’d rather make my own rods and lures. Buy middle of the road reels which, I know how to take care of and rebuild.

I'd argue that tournament folks use way less higher end stuff than your average joe. Tatual, SLX and the Curado is all you see if they're using a shimano or a daiwa.