Is there any need for expensive tackle?

Darren Wainwright · Apr 11, 2003

Hi everybody,

First of all just wanna say, i'm not a tight arse - just struggling on the poor incapacity benfit :-( But...

Is there much need to spend ?80+ on a rod, and much the same for reel etc etc?

I ask because having recently caught the fishing bug i have only been in the position to buy non-branded "cheap" rods/reels and other tackle. Yet so far, with my trusty ?15 Fladen Chieftain match rod, my best fish (carp) @ 4lb 9oz left me feeling like the rod had sooooo much more left in it before i felt i would be in danger of breaking it - if thats possible.

I know you "get what you pay for" but for the pleasure angler is it needed?

Thanks for listening - Let the debate begin

Gerry Castles · Apr 11, 2003

Everyone starts with that stuff Darren and a lot stay with it. Watercraft is much more important than the price tag on your fishing tackle. It's a question of priorities as to how much you spend.
I don't have a big family to support,
I don't smoke, run a 12 year old car, like a drink but don't hit the pub too often.......and I spend a fortune on boats and tackle. I enmjoy having decent kit,enjoy using it. It's sometimes a matter of choice where your budget goes.

Wag · Apr 11, 2003

Darren, provided your tackle is strong enough to cope with the fish you are likely to catch, the only bit that really matters is the last foot or so, the bit with the bait on. Provided you can put the bait where the fish are, in a way which looks natural and tempts them to eat it, you will catch fish. There is an old saying that tackle catches more anglers than fish, and tackle shops make a living from this fact. I wonder how many members on here have the same problem as me - every pint of maggots I buy costs me ?20, 'cos I can never leave the bl**dy shop with just a pint of maggots!
I wouldn't worry about the name on your rods and reels, as long as they are up to the job, concentrate on learning your "watercraft", learn how to spot "fishy" swims and learn the best techniques for each situation.
If I bought Tiger Woods' golf clubs I wouldn't be able to play like him, but if I bought a cheap set and practiced like him I might get somewhere nearer.

Martin Scullion · Apr 11, 2003

Completely agree with Carl, the fish have no idea what they are being fished for, they are not gonna leap on your bait just cos you have the latest gear, so concentrate on finding them, putting the bait near them etc etc.

Rodney Wrestt · Apr 11, 2003

Daren,
The fish don't know what you are using, as long as it does the job you need it to do then that's all you need. If you feel you want to get some tackle from a 'name' manufacturer then buy the end of season stock as there are some good deals to be had on tackle at half price sometimes less.

Rodney Wrestt · Apr 11, 2003

sorry missed an r in your name Darren.

Darren Wainwright · Apr 11, 2003

Cheers guys,

I feel better now

. Sometimes feel like "the kid in the playground wearing the asda trainers" when setting up at the lakeside, and everybody around you has the latest stuff.
I know they couldn't care less, but sometimes makes you feel a little low... Still off fishing tomorrow

. Put my cheap stuff to the test again.

By the way, completely off topic with this question.. but for this time of year and float fishing at a well stocked commercial fishery what baits would you recommend? I see lots of bait threads but nothing mentions when is a good time.

Anyway, thanks again guys, and Rodney - no worries mate - i miss that 'R' off from time to time myself

<----- loves this site - everybody so damn friendly

Ron Clay · Apr 11, 2003

Here are a number of tips to help you purchase good tackle:

Buy all your clothes from Oxfam or similar, or beg or borrow from mates.

Whilst driving down-hill, take it out of gear and free-wheel.

Netto sell some excellent groats and ground dog biscuits as well as baked beans on special at 7p a can.

An excellent nourishing gruel can be made from the former by mixing with warm water.

Spend time looking at the contents of wheely bins. Someone might take pity on you and pass you a fiver.

Old newspapers make excellent bed clothes and will keep you warm in winter.

With all the savings you can make using these tips, you should be able to afford good tackle.

Follow the example of the Monk, he spends his life in Oxfam shops...;0)

Birds Nest · Apr 11, 2003

Its like buying a car. You can get to work in a 20 year old Lada. Or you can drive a brand new BMW.

Darren Wainwright · Apr 11, 2003

ROFLMAO Ron Clay,

That has indeed made my day, gonna be smiling for the rest of it now....while secretly thinking.... Hmmmmmmm wonder how much i CAN save

daren heslop · Apr 13, 2003

Ive confessed on this forum before ,i am a tackle tart.IT is true u dont need flashy gear to catch fish.On the other hand some people think if u use good gear it means u cant catch fish.Id say catching fish is more to do with whats going on in your head.If u want to upgrade on a budget Darren do what i did,buy second hand.Just be carefull where u buy it from.A lot of the gear in second hand shops,Especialy places like cash converters and car boot sales carry a lot of stolen gear.If u join a club and put it about your looking for gear youl get fitted out on the cheap.I dont hang on to gear im not going to use again.

Alan Bowles · Apr 19, 2003

There is nothing wrong with buying good gear and enjoying it. It's true all the old adages like Eric clapton on an old guitar is still eric clapton. It's true it's the man that counts not the gear. But Eric clapton don't play on a shite instrument does he!! Ever watched " Go fishing". Johnny boy wilson has always got that avon quiver rod of his in his hand and he catches plenty. Fish to your budget and enjoy. Be your own angler with your own mind and remember " Never skimp on the business end".

stuart palfrey · Apr 19, 2003

NEVER buy anything you can't afford,the words of the much missed mrs.Thatcher.It is true get the best you can afford,you get what you pay for,expensive gear feels and looks better,but you will not catch more fish.

Alex Toze · Apr 13, 2004

I used a bot rig ledger for the very first time the other day (have only been fishing a few months).

I came out of the angling shop with a new rod, reel, line and enough to make up a decent rig all for ?40

the next day I caught my personal best
An 11 1/2 LB Common Carp on my ?30 road and reel.

Just proves you dont need to spend loads to have a good days fishing.

2 4's a 7 and an 11 and a half. I was blood y happy I can tell you

Alan Tyler · Apr 17, 2004

Mrs T. was only much-missed 'cos public sector employees couldn't afford telescopic sights for rotten eggs!
Otherwise, concur with the rest: the nearer the fish, the more it matters.

jason fisher · Apr 17, 2004

up to ?100 rods tend to improve, past that you're just in tackle tart teritory.
can anyone honestly say that a ?500 sage flyrod is that much better than a ?100 rod by another manufacturer.
reels are another prospect entirely you can get good reels cheeply but you can also get some very bad reels cheeply.

The Monk · Apr 17, 2004

of course there is a need for expensive tackle

how do you expect tackle manufacturers to get rich and in some cases support their own fishing?

seriously though, we have created this market ourselves, the growth in the specialst markets is evident, in carp angling for instance you could get very little specialist items in the sixties and even early seventies, I remember making my own buzz bars simply because they were not available commercially (shame I didnt market them, I could have charged ridiculous prices and made a killing)

the Monks International mega pod designed specifically to drain your bank account?

Tony Burgess · Apr 18, 2004

After starting up again last season after 15 years away from fishing,and having 6 kids,I have a strict budget.
1st buy was a telescopic whip.line,hooks,float,landing net and disgorger.That had to do me for the 1st month.
Only had ?20 to spend on a float rod so Ron Thompson it was(had a 15lb pike on it tho!)
2 Carp rod and reels ?90,had my 1st double last week(that's his head in my pic)
Now i have just splashed out ?200 on a shimano pole and I think its the mutts nuts.If you can afford it then spend it,but if it gets your bait out and the fish on the bank,then you have the right gear.Best of luck.

Frothey · Apr 18, 2004

i dunno jason, have a feel of my ashby 13ft 3's when you've got a fish under the tip........decent tackle will last longer (notice i didnt say "expensive"...)

oh, and i'm a tart!

jason fisher · Apr 18, 2004

it's not worth me spending loads of money on expensive rods any way i'd still break the sodin tip off it an have to buy another.

Is there any need for expensive tackle?

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