Gear Costs

Mukman

Mukman

Life of the Party
Lots and lots of conversations here about the benefits of buying high quality ($$$$) and I think those benefits are well established. But, what part of your gear (all of it, including clothing, flies, boats, etc) are you willing to go bargain basement on?

For instance, I needed a new intermediate sink line. The prices ranged from $90 to $30. This is one where I went with the $30, because while the sink rate and durability of the $90 line is more predictable, I figured the benefits weren't worth 3X the cost.

Where is the quality difference smallest between high cost and low cost, where it just doesn't make sense to spend a bunch of money?
 
totally agree with Dime. fly lines are the one thing I don't like to skimp on.

Rods: one of my favorite tiger musky rods for how I fish is a $100 (used) TFO Mini-Mag, on of my favorite smallie rods is a $100 old Berkley glass (I do have higher 'level' rods for both of those fish that I use rather frequently as well)

Reels: even my Redington Behemoth can handle albacore pretty easily.

leader: I build my own with Seaguar STS Floro (for trout, I buy)

clothing: I do look for deals on certain brands. Patagonia hoodies are awesome and worth every penny.

packs: good old backpack works for most of my fishing (or closeout fishing packs).
 
Last edited:
Fly rods.
Used to be a Sage guy...Thought they made me a better caster.
Then I got worried about leaving them in my car/truck/camp which made me enjoy what I was doing less.

I now fish
TFO
Echo
Cabelas
Any other rod that I like the casting style of

For me $75-$250 rods are as good as the $1,000 dollar big boys.

I don't ever skimp on tippet or Rain gear.
 
Agreed on fly line, leader and such. Using premium gear and cheap fly line is like putting cheap tires on a Porsche.
 
DimeBrite said:
Fly lines are too important to buy cheap ones in my opinion. I'd rather use a mid-grade fly rod to save money.
Click to expand...
Roger. Do you think this applies to sinking lines fished (mostly) trolling? Don't need the delicacy of throwing a dry fly with it. If so, what does a high cost sink line provide that a low cost doesn't? Seeking clarity here for future purchases.
 
Mukman said:
Roger. Do you think this applies to sinking lines fished (mostly) trolling? Don't need the delicacy of throwing a dry fly with it. If so, what does a high cost sink line provide that a low cost doesn't? Seeking clarity here for future purchases.
Click to expand...
The investment is most important for lines you will be casting. Trolling for trout may not matter to much (unless the line coils up and tangles), but trolling for yellowfin tuna the $$ is worth it.
 
It varies. I have graphite rods that ranged in price from $35 (closeout) to $800, and that $800 one was an exception I don't plan on doing much of. I'll spend what I need to get the rod or other gear that I want. I will take 2 rods in the boat next week; one cost $150, and the other cost $800. I've paid as little as $200 for a bamboo rod (that needed restoring) up to $2200, but there are cane rods in the 3 and $4,000 range that I'd like. Fortunately I don't want them badly enough to spend that much on them. I'm partial to Hardy reels that are over-priced IMO, but knowing they will last a couple lifetimes or more rationalizes me buying them. And some of them I bought used.

I don't buy the most expensive fly lines, but I stay away from cheap ones because the cheap ones have poor finishes, memory like barb wire, or other negative attributes. So I usually stick with Cortland 444 peach. Been using them for about 50 years and haven't tried a line I like better. And they are only $59, basically twice what they cost in 1972. Name one other product that has only doubled in cost over 50 years. I buy Maxima and RIO leader material and don't look at the price because they have served me well, when some other brands have not.

I don't buy the most expensive waders. Mainly because all waders leak, and I'm fairly handy with patching. And because I hear of some negative reports about Simm's warranty issues. And I can find waders that give me good service on sales and closeouts for about $200. That strategy has worked well for nearly 20 years.

I buy the best wading socks I can find because my feet get cold easily, and better socks keep me fishing longer. But I still wear a pair of fleece pants for insulation in my waders that I paid $10 for - they just won't wear out. I buy good rain gear, but I buy it on sale. And so it goes. I think I look for value more than price, and certainly more than prestige.
 
clarkman said:
totally agree with Dime. fly lines are the one thing I don't like to skimp on.

Rods: one of my favorite tiger musky rods for how I fish is a $100 (used) TFO Mini-Mag, on of my favorite smallie rods is a $100 old Berkley glass (I do have higher 'level' rods for both of those fish that I use rather frequently as well)

Reels: even my Redington Behemoth can handle albacore pretty easily.

leader: I build my own with Seaguar STS Floro (for trout, I buy)

clothing: I do look for deals on certain brands. Patagonia hoodies are awesome and worth every penny.

packs: good old backpack works for most of my fishing (or closeout fishing packs).
Click to expand...

STS flouro is the best deal in flouro. I prefer it to all others price aside. Very good stuff. Excellent knot strength and excellent flexibility.
 
Cheapo sinking lines can have several bad habits, among them being stiff in cold water, not casting well, having memory, coiling easily and cracking prematurely. Unfortunately some expensive lines have the same attributes. But for me that fishes lakes 90% of the time and sinking lines 90% of that time a good line is worth the investment.

For everything else a lot of money is spent on useless name brand bullshit to fluff up the buyer's ego. Rods in particular have been so over hyped and overpriced for so long but we are living in the age of great modestly priced rods right now. Take advantage of it.

Waders have but one function-to keep us dry but the better part of a thousand dollars can be spent on them and although they might be marginally better than a budget wader they are not 5 or more times better. Several years ago after owning Cabelas and Orvis waders I bought Simms thinking my problems were over. They didn't last any longer than the others so I bought some very inexpensive models for around $100 and they have been the best I have ever owned. Go figure.

Back when they were still being sold I bought 3 Orvis Encounter II composite reel bodies and 9 matching spools. Total price back then was $300 for all 12 pieces and no problems after 10 years. They will bounce if dropped on pavement. These cover most of my sinking line lake fishing options for 4,5 and 6 wt rods.

The use of computer design, CNC manufacture and modern materials make it much easier to build a quality product at an affordable price. Poor equipment will be quickly identified in the market place and outed on boards such as this.

Here's the bottom line: You can drive to work every day in a $25,000 economy car or you can make the trip in a $75,000 SUV or pickup truck. You can spend that extra $50K on image or do something fun with it instead, pick your poison.
 
I go "middle of the road" on a lot of my gear, but good lines, good wading boots, and good wool socks are musts. I appreciate good rain gear, but it's so horribly expensive that I struggle convincing myself to buy it, especially now that most places I like to fish close in November these days.

A fun way to save a tiny amount of money is finding stuff around your house that might serve as a substitute for fly tying materials. Otherwise, I'm no help. I spend way too much like everyone else.
 
Hard to justify big $ on high end rods with my casting ability...still have room to improve with my current rods
I spend on good boots because I do a lot of bushwhacking on OP during winter steelhead season
I spend on good rain gear
Under $200 for waders because I tear them up and usually replace them in a couple years after multiple patches
Rio fly lines have served me well, both single hand and Spey
Maxima is hard to beat
STS fluorocarbon is a favorite...fly and gear
I'm starting to tie most of my own flies, especially for the Sound. Last season I found that my self-tied flies held up much better than what I bought in the shops...and I also know the quality of the hook when I tie the fly myself.
 
The last rod I bought was a TFO six wt and cost $129.95 - brand new.

I get a lot of very decent gear from the classifieds here and a couple other forums. Most of my fishing shirts come from dead guys in Florida and other retirement havens. Like Salmo and Ive I buy cheap waders, most of them used, and usually keep five or six pair on hand. I haven't bought a brand new pair of boots in 25 years other than new boots from members here - all at discount prices. I now have a life time supply of boots. :)

Next week I'll be checking out the shorts @swimmy is wearing for when he tires of them or the fickle fate of fashion decrees that he sheds them like a snake skin.
 
A lot of times it's more useful (but admittedly more wasteful) to buy three cheap things than one nice thing. I'd rather have multiple cheap copper johns than one nice one because I know I'm just going to snag them up eventually and I don't think the nice one makes that much difference in a catch rate.

Some things are worth spending money on. Many would put lines in that department. But for me it depends on what I fish with that line. I don't need the nicest 3wt trout line out there because my 3wt trout fishing is not at all technical and for very hungry native trout in cascade streams. If I fished picky spring creeks in MT with my 3wt, I might feel differently. But as is, I don't feel bad about paying a more for lines for other species/styles.

I think the trick for most gear is to find the sweet spot of price/quality/support/design. Echo is a good example, as many have mentioned. A company owned and run by people who fish. Their stuff isn't the highest of high end, but it's well designed and built. Their price ranges are well within "working man" budgets. And they will take care of you if you have a problem.
 
When my life or livelihood depends on my gear, I spend what is necessary or exceeds my needs.

I have only bought 2 new fly rods since the 80's. I still have my first and use it. All the rest of my rods have been bought used. I take care of my rods.
Since I am not a highly technical, super long distance caster I really like my Cortland lines. There is a reason why they have been making Cortland Peach lines for decades --> well-made, less expensive, don't coil, last a long time and get the job done...
Tippets - not a place to skimp on.
Clothes - buy what is necessary and performs as needed.
Boots and PFD - your life depends on them. Do not skimp for sure.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top