Being a weekend angler and sometime tourney fisherman, and also a retired musician, the best way to explain it, is what Eddie Van Halen once said, "I'm not a guitar player I'm a tone chaser, I chase tones".
After playing for close to 40yrs, I always thought the best sound I could get was from a 68 Les Paul and a 50 watt 1/2 stack marshall. Rich,full,bold sound,but not deafening. Now I had just about every guitar/amp made but the Paul was so easy to play, and the marshall was just the perfect sound for me.
Compare that to fishing, I have found the low-profile reel,(Revo SX) although small for my hand, they are light, and easy to throw with no-backlash, and the Falcon Low Rider rods are very sensitive and a good match.
Like you said fatigue, stamina play a big part so the the Revo and low riders fits me great.
Now the Revos can get expensive, but I off set that by getting all my rods at academy during their rod riot sale.
On a side note I played up until I saw Dream Theater live, after that I was retired, man those guys are in a class by themselves

I can see your comparison and your correct on your assumption. The better equipment makes it easier to play the game. On the other hand, like guitars, the monkey will have you buying better and better stuff for fishing if you can't control it.

I've gotten very comfortable with what I throw but it still doesn't keep me from buying new stuff.

I second Mhood. I don't fish tournaments nor do i plan on doing so in the future. I prefer to put the money that i would use for tournaments and purchase high end gear. I win every time and quite frankly, i almost enjoy buying good equipment as much as fishing. I also enjoy fishing with better equipment. However, I think i used to do better when i started fishing with borrowed low end equipment (1 rod) and only used a TX-rigged lizard as opposed to now with Japanese baits and 20 rods. My take!