Weekend angler here. Not a tournament fisherman. Never fished a tournament, and have no desire to fish a tournament. Nothing at all against them, I just don't want to fish that hard for that long anymore. Ain't got the stamina.

With that being said, here's the question. How much of the desire for high end equipment comes from the fact that you will catch more fish because of rod sensitivity, or some factor like that? Or, is it that the equipment is more durable? And, how much of it comes from advertising and endorsement of pro anglers? And, I'm not saying that it does or doesn't. Just curious.

I have pretty good gear. Not top of the line, but sufficient for a leisure fisherman. Castaway, All Star, Falcon rods, and some good reels. It's tough for me to make myself spend over $100 for a reel. But, maybe it would help me be a better angler. That's why I'm asking.

I play guitar, and find the same thing with musical equipment. I've spent a bunch of money on top end gear, and then hear a guy smoke me on guitar with a cheap guitar and amp. But, I think good gear helps me be a better player. It's sounds better to me, and I think that encourages my playing.

If you have sensitive hands then good rods can help you catch more fish because you can feel more. Reels don't play a part in that. The good reel will give you a smoother retrieve and a longer and smoother cast but the rod is where I spend my money.

+1 on the rods but equal reliance upon the line for sensitivity. The right rod and line combo can make all the difference.

I'm just the opposite, good reels have far less vibrations and other annoying things that keep you from concentrating on your lure and presentation.

I'd rather skimp on the rod; any rod of Lightning Rod or better quality/sensitivity is fine with me.

I throw a lot of moving lures and soft plastics with a visual strike indicator, so that skews my views on equipment. You absolutely can't throw moving lures on a reel that's a sausage grinder.

I have certainly noticed a lot less fatigue in my hands at 53 since I started using low profile reels.

And then there is the poor tackle junkie who is forced by his addiction into a life of servitude to his "Bait Monkey". That is another level of quality tackle that you probably have no interest in at all but like you, I am neither a tournament fisherman, inpired by whatever equipment the "pros" are using nor do I aspire to become one. I do however have some really nice fishing poles.

I rely equally upon spinning and bait casting reels. Lines and rods make the greatest difference in over all sensitivity for my personal style(s). For me this creates less fatigue when I switch between spinning and casting regardless to the name brands of the reels but, I am not a tournament angler either, I fish for the fun of it and I'm 60.

At 52 years of age and fishing for 48 of them, I can tell you that there is a difference in higher end gear. I did not say HIGHEST END gear. I've gone from fiberglass rods on a zebco 202 up to a zebco 33 to a zebco 1 with an ugly stick. Then later to some $80 baitcasters and such.

One day about 10 years ago, a guy pulls into my driveway after seeing my boat. He's a retired pro that just happened to live around the corner. Boy did he open my eyes as we became friends and fished together. I started upgrading and getting into graphs. Without breaking the bank, I'll spend 150 on a rod and have spent as much as 250 on a reel. I too use spinning gear but mostly now baitcasters.

The point is that YES there is a difference but like everything else, there is no end to what you can spend no matter instruments, golf or fishin'. But there is a happy medium. Just my .02

I've been fishing for over 25 years and my personal assessment is that the good stuff last longer, it's made with better materials, is lighter weight, etc.. Just like any other technology.

Teh biggest thing that I've realized is fishing with "specialty rods" makes a big difference in the type of presentation that I'm doing. I tend to stick to brands that have Great warranty's because things happen and rods do break. Those company's like GLommis, Kistler, E21, Diawa, shimano, Abu, etc.. have great warranty's on their stuff and limited hassle if you know the claim process of getting them replaced.

High quality gear is a pleasure to use. You can eat at MickyD's and you'll get food that tastes ok, but you can choose to eat at say a Texas Roadhouse and you'll get better tasting food. You could also choose to eat at a local eatery that has excellent food. What's the difference? All of these restaurants serve eatable food right? Well of course the MickyD's food is the least tasty of the three, and the local eatery is likely to server the most tasty food of the three.

In a like vein, better quality gear is 'tastier' to use than lower quality gear. For some folks MickyD's is just fine, thank you very much, but for others if they're going to enjoy dinning out then only a restaurant with exceptional food will do.

All in all it's a matter of taste.

I find that higher quality rod, and reel combos feel better when casting, and working a lure. They're lighter, more sensitive, and smoother. They're just more fun (tastier) to use. YMMV.

Remember, that the quality of gear is a continuum. There are many, many reels between a Zebco 202 and a or a Team Daiwa Steez, not to mention a Shimano Calais DC. In the same vein one could just get an Ugly Stick at Wally World, or one could go whole hog and get a Megabass, or Evergreen rod.

Myself, personally, I tend to by reels in that retail from about $120, to $300, and rods that are in about the same price range. Though, I do have one 7'5" GLX Senko rod that would go for about $400 tax included, but that was a gift.

FWIW,
TFP

I went fishing with a friend in his boat the other day. Most of my rods are either falcon or castaways with a couple American rodsmiths thrown in and i have either revos or curados( new and old). Anyways im going along and decided to change baits. He said ,"here" I allready have one tied on. So i picked up his rod and reel and started to use it. Im not knocking his gear in the least. Im just saying his setup fealt like a log in my hands. It was way bulkier and heavier than mine.
He didnt realize it because he is used to his gear. There is a difference and it might not be so subtle fishing for an hour or two but over the course of a tourney it would wear you down more.

And all things being relative, I can only imagine the look on your face if you were to fish with my Evergreen Steed/Tuned Daiwa Pixy (Pixilla) combo. About nine ounces of absolute tackle perfection.

Mhood sounds like you've already found your perfect combonation! Congrats on the light weight rig!!!!!!

Thanks but I'm a total tackle junky. I have several combos that still make me giggle like a school girl every time I cast them. It's funny though...I'll pick balance over weight every time.

Even before I ever started fishing tournaments. I looked for the most sensitive rods I could find. Loving to worm fishing and jig fishing, I have always searched for the most sensitive rods available.