I agree with a lot of what is said here, for some where conditions require, using Van Staals, Skinz, nice breathables, expensive lines and terminal tackle DO make a difference but its more the edge than the meat. You can do a lot on a budget with a Tica stick, a used 704, Big Game, and oilskins. Also keep in mind, a lot of people (me sometimes included) that have some of this fancier also have the basics or have migrated over time to get here. I bought a lot of my stuff pre-kid, so sure, I can have a couple Calcuttas, 4 6500s, a few decent pens and 12 rods, but I've purchased one new reel and one rod in the past year, one reel the year before and nothing the year before that. The two years beforfe my son was born I bought a LOT of stuff.

IMO, you need two basic outfits for 90% of your typical surf fishing, a light 7.5-8' stick and a smaller spinner for light jigs, swimmers, bombers, plastics and a 9' beefier stick with a decent capacity reel that throws comfortably between 1-3 and will pinch 4 ounces. You don't NEED braid, get a one pound spool of Big Game and reline every third trip.

But once you get what you need you can chip at the bigger stuff over time. I can't compete with a FishWeeWee or Sandman for gear - never gonna happen, but if you look in the mancaves of these guys, you will see or at least once would have seen the basics in there somewhere along the line...

some people like to have the best. my lil cousin got a snoopy rod and he can out fish any grown man at the lake.:rolleyes:
there is a reason why the expensive stuff is $$$$, because it is made with very nice material..have you seen what a vansteel looks like, in the internals> never mind the material its made with.
i dont spend enough time on the water to justify such a $$$ reel,, i am happy with my penn and walmart special ugly stick..:cool: ..it works for me.:happy:

Do you really believe that, pretty sad comment IMHO? That is definitely the wrong attitude, in fishing and in life. You know what makes you look cool and impress; catchin fish and purposely trying not to look "cool". Especially if you have to complain about how much you are spending.

The only money I ever regretted spending on fishing gear was the money I spent on cheap stuff. It just doesn't take the punishment of heavy use. I love all my expensive poles and reels , not cause they are expensive but because they are reliable in use and durable so they last many years. I would much rather spend $150 on a reel once every 5 years and know it will work than $50 every 2 years and always worry about it crapping out on me.

I would never go into debt over fishing gear but if you got the money , get what you think is best for the job. I use ABU reels90% of the time but I do own Calcuttas for certain circumstances. I won't spend money on anything but the best rods. I made that decision over 20 years ago. A good rod saves your back and arms , it extends the time I can put in before getting tired. I used rubber waders for 20 years but sure do not regret the money spent on Orvis Breathables with a lifetime warrantee that i use now. they are light and comfortable and again extend the time I can fish without getting overtired.

Anyway , I never regretted a single penny I spent on good equipment. Spending will not make a poor fisherman good but good equipment will make a good fisherman better.

Everybody is different.

I have a ton of expensive cookware, some of which I rarely use. It makes me happy to have it though, while others couldn't care less. At certian times having the good stuff really makes a difference in my ability to cook. At other times smacking a heavy pan on the stove makes me smile, and that's it.

Same goes for fishing gear. As long as you pay off your credit card every month, put in your time on the water and don't get jaded by the gear, there's nothing wrong with it.

It's just a hobby :rolleyes:

-spence

Definitely, I couldnt agree more

I just outfitted a guy with a custom Lami 1-Piece rod, Aquaskinz dry top, breathable waders, small Aquaskinz plug bag, Penn Reel, plug assortment, Korkers, Prinecton Tec lights - I gave him a discount for a complete set up purchase....It was under a 1000 but he's got good stuff...

That makes some people puke, and others not bat an eye. Overall though, it is not a bad price to enter a hobby by today's standards. Most of my good stuff migrates to CT, NY and NJ to professionals, people who work in the financial markets, etc. Top of the line stuff is not for everybody.

I don't advise going into debt for fishing gear - a lot of the stuff I sell is boutique tackle for people who can afford the good stuff...Hell - I only have one Habs needle - the one he gave me. I confess to looking somewhat slovenly in last year's Evo I coat.

Spend your money with discretion and an eye toward longevity. The odds are very, good that your Tattoo or Habs plug will not fail - I can't say that about every plug. I was out last night fishing with my old 704Z and the Kennedy Spinfisher graphite rod Joe Mollica made me back in 94' That stuff was expensive at the time - but I only had to buy them once.

No sense in spending $20 on a custom plug if your not picky about your line and tackle accessories. Unfortunately, they ALL go hand in hand. Find a happy medium, economically and you'll be ok. You'll know what's really important when it fails enough on you. Hopefully, the times it took you to learn ...weren't those TIMES OF A LIFE-TIME. ;)

I haven't seen many rods break on fish, most times it was abuse to the rod prior to or during the trip...neglecting eye corrosion or cracks. Line wear is BIG. People neglect to check their line often enough. A good real is important, ESPECIALLY if you don't take good care of it. The last thing you want is a reel jamming up on ya, and it will only happen when you have a BIG fish on. :)

...in closing, like John said....in our younger years we're quick to spend because we don't know the truth about life, how expensive it is...and what's REELY important. As time goes by, you learn and become wiser. I don't regret all those mail-orders to Cabela's for stupik-azz #^&#^&#^&#^&....I laugh now, but learned many lessons good and bad. Sorry about my whacked-out post...but it brought back memories of spending foolishly just to try and catch some fish. Stick to the basics, don't buy 10 of anything....and definatley not all at once.

Good Luck Joseph

thank you, guys. I havent bought new reels yet. Plus I spent those money on foods and liqueors. The main reason is that I couldnt find my bill and I passed the deadline. Gentlemen, I read your posts, they are making me feel crappy because I get another lecture from people who showed me some ropes. Not that I don't like it. It is like a Lady and Three Men movie, you know? Trust me, I ain't going to miss the deadline again. And I ain't goign to spend over 200 setup now. Probably saving it for my christmas wish list. So much stuffs to want, a long wait to go, but eventually I will have it.

Notaro, was trying to PM you but your inbox is full. I gotta go, my wife is calling me so I'm just posting my reply here.

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Notaro, just fish because you love it, when you talk about impresing people with your gear you are actualy working yourself further away from the fish. Who cares what people think, people in general are a bunch of ass' anyway. Call me crazy if you will but fishing is kind of a spiritual thing, not something that all of the most expensive rods and reels in the world could ever produce. Just like the indians, be at one with with your surroundings and yourself, do the right things and the fish will come. (and also know what you are doing, that seems to help too)

Oh well, thats my thoughts...

SJ, do you know what you just sound like my father...:) He told me why the hell do I need those stuffs. I told him that I had a purpose for using it.