fishplate42
Well-known member
Reading the Drennan twist lock thread there was some mention of brand loyalty. When I took up fishing a few years ago, I was not really aware of the craze to have everything matching and presented in current livery. I bought branded and non branded stuff, but it was not until I had built up my match fishing gear, I realised that most of the gear appeared to be Preston and there was some banter about me being a tackle-tart.
In reality it was probably because I had bought a second-hand Preston seat box and had been gifted a Preston 'V' roller. I had bought a Preston landing net and Preston accessories for my box. I also had Preston rod rests and a Preston rod bag. This meant the visible stuff just happened to be Preston but I bought it because it was either what was on offer at the time or I happened to like the practicality.
The rest of my tackle is a real mixture. None of my rods or reels are following any particular theme, I do have a few Garbolino rods but that was because I started off with one cheap one and it turned out to be cheaper to buy a complete rod than to buy a new set of quiver-tips! That, coupled with my brother breaking a rod, and me deciding it would be good to have a spare set up, identical to the one I was using, to save time if I lost the end-tackle or got tangled. This meant I ended up with several rods made by the same manufacturer. Now I also have several rods by various manufacturers.
In short, I tend to buy what I like from various makers, I don't really mind if it is blue, green black or whatever colour so long at it does what I want and is (and this is the point of conjecture) good to look at. I always clean all my gear after use and usually end up washing most of the second hand tackle I buy.
The other thing that makes me smile is the idea that dirty gear is a badge of honour. I can't stand using or storing dirty gear. I was amused when walking into a new fishery and the guys assumed I was completely new to fishing remarking on my all new clothing. I was wearing the same B&B I had been wearing for the previous couple of years. When I said "No, I just wash them" they guys said "WHAT?!" and then fell about laughing
I seem to have amassed a huge amount of gear over the past couple of years, most, if not all of it, I use. I do find I look for a product by one manufacturer first for certain things but I am a believer that no manufacturer or product is good at everything, even if the makers will tell you the converse. For example, I like Guru rig boxes and Preston line. I am not saying they are the best, just my preference.
Am I alone or do most of you feel loyal to one particular brand for all your gear? If you answer yes, do you consider yourself to be a tackle tart, a term that sounds to me somewhat derogatory.
Ralph
In reality it was probably because I had bought a second-hand Preston seat box and had been gifted a Preston 'V' roller. I had bought a Preston landing net and Preston accessories for my box. I also had Preston rod rests and a Preston rod bag. This meant the visible stuff just happened to be Preston but I bought it because it was either what was on offer at the time or I happened to like the practicality.
The rest of my tackle is a real mixture. None of my rods or reels are following any particular theme, I do have a few Garbolino rods but that was because I started off with one cheap one and it turned out to be cheaper to buy a complete rod than to buy a new set of quiver-tips! That, coupled with my brother breaking a rod, and me deciding it would be good to have a spare set up, identical to the one I was using, to save time if I lost the end-tackle or got tangled. This meant I ended up with several rods made by the same manufacturer. Now I also have several rods by various manufacturers.
In short, I tend to buy what I like from various makers, I don't really mind if it is blue, green black or whatever colour so long at it does what I want and is (and this is the point of conjecture) good to look at. I always clean all my gear after use and usually end up washing most of the second hand tackle I buy.
The other thing that makes me smile is the idea that dirty gear is a badge of honour. I can't stand using or storing dirty gear. I was amused when walking into a new fishery and the guys assumed I was completely new to fishing remarking on my all new clothing. I was wearing the same B&B I had been wearing for the previous couple of years. When I said "No, I just wash them" they guys said "WHAT?!" and then fell about laughing
I seem to have amassed a huge amount of gear over the past couple of years, most, if not all of it, I use. I do find I look for a product by one manufacturer first for certain things but I am a believer that no manufacturer or product is good at everything, even if the makers will tell you the converse. For example, I like Guru rig boxes and Preston line. I am not saying they are the best, just my preference.
Am I alone or do most of you feel loyal to one particular brand for all your gear? If you answer yes, do you consider yourself to be a tackle tart, a term that sounds to me somewhat derogatory.
Ralph