I see most of here like using the cheap combos that cost 9.99 to 20 bucks. And don't get me wrong, I use what I consider mid-range gear so this isn't no flex. My favorite combo is a $55 falcon bucco with a $50 daiwa revros. I just think that for $40 you can get a micro series with a Shimano FX and the quality difference between the $40 combo and those $9.99 combos is crazy the amount of extra you get for just 30 more dollars. Am I crazy for thinking this way? Am I a tackle snob for wanting a smooth as silk drag and a nice not whippy graphite rod? I seem to be the minority in this section. I love tackle talk. What's your favorite panfish combo? Here's my latest prized catch on the bucco/revros combo. This LMB weighed 5lb 4oz and I was using 4lb Mr crappie hi vis line and was throwing zman micro trd in coppertruese.

My favorite rigs for targeting the Bluegill-sunfish are the Ugly Stick Combos. Years back you could buy them at Walmart for $10.99 to $12.99. Academy had them for $14.99 to $19.99 . I still have two of them. The others the reels gave out but I still use the rod's rigged up with some cheaper "Walmart" type reels. All of my set ups work great with very few problems. I have caught plenty of BIG fish on them and love how they perform. I am very tough on my tackle and it has stood up very good over the years. I do have larger tackle for other fish that is a little more expensive that I use no more than four times a year. I simply target the sunfish. Oh yea I better include the Rios as well.


Side Note: I do love looking at the tackle section in all of the stores that have them. If I see a good deal on a item I use a lot, I usually buy it even though I already have it . It just happens that Walmart has everything to catch BIG sunfish, crappie, bass, etc for the best price. Just my

Nice bass. Over the years I have fished all different quality rods and reels. I agree with you and try to stay away from the cheapest equipment. I also stay away from the ridiculously expensive stuff, unless I pick it up cheap in garage sales. I use ugly stik rods most of the time. You can use the cheap stuff for sunfish, but if you hook something big you can be in trouble with the cheap stuff. That being said, my wife loves to fish with a Zebco 33 and she has landed fish over 50 pounds with it. I caught my first IGFA world record using a Zebco while fishing for bait. If you really want to feel the fish, try Plnor (Pole and line no reel) fishing. It works great for sunfish.

Caught on a Shakespeare Ugly Stick Combo bought at Walmart for $12.99. Six pound test line with a small shot and size 6 cricket hook.


The fish was 12.11 Lbs. 26" in length. It is the current LMB Guadalupe River weight and C&R Record!

Nice

No es la maquina, Es el mono!

Snob, huh?


Ever felt the Daiwa Exist? Or the Shimano Stella? Carbon fiber drag, Japanese bearings? My oldest rig is a Mitchell 408 on a 6' med heavy UglyStik they no longer make. I used the vintage stuff because I personally felt every new reel was junk. I fought against an upgrade. I mean, the fish never cared. The old school click sounds it makes. Me and this rig has seen the world. Caught it all.

Then it finally hit me. I need to upgrade. Nothing at Wal-Mart compared to my Mitchell. Nothing. Bearings? What? Weighing nothing? What's this witch craft going on here?

Considering I used the Mitchell for over 20 years. I wanted a suitable replacement. Reels I never talk about.


My $50 UglyStik Elite carries a Daiwa Exist. My other $50 UglyStik has the Shimano Stella. Both in 2500. Reels that took years for me to save up.


I'm not discounting the lower end stuff. It's just not what I wanted. I wanted the tippy top, no doubt, no BS, best in the world. And they are a treat.

I bet that was a fun fight.

Dug out my KastKing 500. I need a rod for it. Coins are for scale. This thing is tiny.

If you want to be slightly less bougie check out the new '24 model Vanford. I just got a shallow spool edition from Digitaka. The drag is amazing and the reel overall feels tighter than the old Vanford.

I want to see a picture of your biggest fish caught with a $850 dollar rod and reel .

Nice fish & congradualtions on the records.

The Ugly stik rods are great...I have 3 of them, but now I use them as loaners when I take kids fishing...not sure if you can actually break them. Now, I use St Croix almost exclusively. I have 4 of those for sunfish & 3 for bass. They are way more sensitive than the Ugly Sticks & not sure if you can break them on a fish either. This is a yellow cat I caught on a St Crois ultra lite with 4 lb test flourocast while fishing for sunfish...thank goodness Doc was with me that day, cause I would have never got it in the net by myself...

Ok. Here is a spinner shark I caught with an $850 setup. I bought it for $250 on EBay.



But here is a little stingray I caught witout a reel.

While Karen pulls in fish like this on her Zebco.

My post was not directed at you Barry. I KNOW you can catch trophies with just a stick and a string 😉
Nice catfish Karen