I just got done digesting the latest issue of the other national fishing magazine I subscribe to and was suprised by one of the articles discussing having different combos for each specific technique. My problem with the article was that most of these combos were in the $400-$600 range! I hope the NAF editors remember that most of us have to buy our own tackle, and while it's nice to dream the reality is that a $250 combo is really stretching it for most of us. When you write about tackle keep us real world guys in mind! Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

Well put Tom. To be honest, I think my most expensive combo is under  $75.00 .  That doesn't seem to keep me from catching fish though. To me, having the cheaper combo and being able to afford gas to take the boat to the lake is alot more practicle than having an expensive combo.

 

 

Dave D. Oklahoma member since 2003

tom you and daved summed it upto a tee. i agree with both 100% well said

I should fess up, I do own a $300 combo that I saved for for quite a while. The good news is that it doesn't catch any more fish than my less expensive stuff. I can buy 3 $50 reels that work real well for the price of my Shimano Stradic. I must have 8 of the older Solstace reels, some of which I have had for 12 years or more that have served well. Having multiple rigs sure saves time re-rigging. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

I have one 400$ swimbait combo that, just like you stated Tom, it doesn't catch more fish than a cheaper combo. All of the professionals and many of the staff members get free gear to test from sponsors, or test things to write an article.

 

A prime reason I don't need more than one expensive combo is this story write here.

I'm mad write now because I broke a 50$ rod, took the reel off, and put it on a friends rod (he got a Castaway for 5$ at a garage sale), and now I can't find the reel or the rod. I thought I left at his house, but I can't find it anywhere. Maybe when I clean the garage I'll find it. Or not.

ok ok, you guys spend WAY to much on your combos!  gues what i use?  30$ rod and reel combo, shakespear/ugly stick from farm and fleet!!!  buy a few every couple years.  and i catch just as many fish if not more than guys i fish with with expensive combos.  my current reel has been in mississippi riv er sand, in a few lakes, and carried through thick underbrush, and woods.  and it still catches me hundreds of walleye a year!  dont "BUY" into the hype...

run with walleye-be with nature

If you follow the thread, what is being said is no-one gets the expensive stuff! I fished with $20 Wal-Mart combos for years, finally sprung for what I call 'lower middle' range stuff in the $60-80 range and have come to appreciatethe feel of the better tackle. I just don't understand the $400-$800 rigs. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

In my opinion a $400+ combo should be fully automatic. For that price they should do everything from cast to catch! What fun would that be? Some of the prices on tackle are rediculous.
Ben Bryant Life Member Since 1997