02-05-2008, 04:22 PM
I think you know since you do the tournament thing. But, for the average weekend fisherman I don't think high end equipment does anything to improve their fishing success. High end equipment just drain their pockets. Success comes from other areas. If you buy a $200 hammer it aint going to make you hit a nail any better than a $20 hammer.
For the fisherman who really gets into the sport and knows why they are getting different rods (trolling, flippin, pitchin, drop shot, crankin, live bait, jiggin, spinnerbait, fly) then there may be some real benefits to the more expensive rods. Being able to have different actions and materials can make a big difference in different types of fishing methods. However, I'm not sure that a $300 Loomis or Sage is THAT much better or more sensitive than a $60 - $80 Bass Pro Shops rod. I've sure seen a lot of marginal anglers using very expensive equipment. And I've seen few super anglers who don't own at least midrange equipement.
I go for a well built rod with good components made for the presentation I'm using. I balance it out with a good reel and premium line. I believe that rod balance is where much of the sensitivity is gained or lost and that learning different methods and simply paying attention to details will take one the rest of the way to becomming a better fisherman.
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For the fisherman who really gets into the sport and knows why they are getting different rods (trolling, flippin, pitchin, drop shot, crankin, live bait, jiggin, spinnerbait, fly) then there may be some real benefits to the more expensive rods. Being able to have different actions and materials can make a big difference in different types of fishing methods. However, I'm not sure that a $300 Loomis or Sage is THAT much better or more sensitive than a $60 - $80 Bass Pro Shops rod. I've sure seen a lot of marginal anglers using very expensive equipment. And I've seen few super anglers who don't own at least midrange equipement.
I go for a well built rod with good components made for the presentation I'm using. I balance it out with a good reel and premium line. I believe that rod balance is where much of the sensitivity is gained or lost and that learning different methods and simply paying attention to details will take one the rest of the way to becomming a better fisherman.
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