BASS TACKLE GOOD STUFF

[Bud Kennedy]

There are times when things just pop into my head that just may rub some folks the wrong way.  While that is unfortunate, I assure you no offense is intended.  First let me say that I like the good stuff.  Good stuff can be many things, but in this case it is in reference to fishing products. 

I would not say that I am a frugal person but I am sensitive to things that are just too expensive for my budget or perhaps items are better suited for expert anglers.  Certainly not being an expert angler by any stretch of the imagination does affect my tackle choices but sometimes the wants overcome the needs and over buying can take place that is not compatible with my knowledge or skill level.

When buying tackle, I do not look for a deal.  All I want is a fair price for the exact product that I want.  I don't want a cheaper imitation, even though it is probably ok, I want the real thing.  So how did becoming a tackle bigot happen?  Currently I am more influenced by folks here on the forum than any other source of information.  I want to hear from true users of a product that are willing to post an honest an accurate description or review of products they have used.  However, if for any reason they declare a reason for purchase as being a cheaper alternative my internal mental overload switch clicks to the off position.  Being cheaper is not a reason only being good can be a reason to support a product and if it happens to be less expensive then so be it. 

Just a few years ago one might remember that I claimed that I had no desire for a name brand rod and had no desire for a higher end reel.  Well it seems that things changed.  Overtime I began by acquiring my very first Lee Smith Custom Rod.  So many here was singing the praises of the rod and the pictures they were posting were clear indicators of a work of art as well as a high performing tool.  After receiving my new rod, I was so amazed at its feel, balance and sensitivity that almost immediately I was smitten.  Since then I have purchased a second LSCR.  Both rods are of very high quality but still something was wrong.  So I started to think about reels.

A number of years ago I decided to standardize my reel collection by purchasing some Lew's reels.  I elected just to go with the lower end reels but as it turns out they were good but just did not perform the way I had expected.  Many here sang the praises of the Lew's BB-1 and after many months I went ahead and got my first BB-1.  While it too was a nice reel I still was not able to cast the way I thought I should and became interested in a discussion about Daiwa TAT reels.  Finally I acquired my first TAT SVTW reel.  This was an immediate love affair and actually caused me to sell the Lew's BB-1.  Since then I have acquired four SVTW reels and have not plans of changing anytime soon.  Using these examples I am exposing that at first I went a bit cheap in my tackle buying process only to change a short time later and buy some products that are UB Tested and reviewed.  If I would not have been so hard headed I would have bought these first and saved some money for real instead of the false comfort I received from the lower end purchases.

OK so I am a contrary old geezer but I can't apologize for that.  Don't tell me about saving money on a lower end product just because it is cheaper.  If I need new line I just buy what I want, If I need new lures I buy what I want and oh yeah, don't get me started on soft plastics.  I like good prices but without good quality then the discussion does not have to take place.  One should consider that "Good Enough NEVER IS" could be a very valid statement when it comes to tackle purchases.

I am the very first to admit that I like good stuff.  I take care of it and it takes care of me.  Perhaps the cheap stuff will too but all I know is my experience says otherwise.  I like to buy from site sponsors and if they provide a discount that's great but it will not be the reason for buying from them.  The reason is they are site sponsors and deserve first shot at my tackle expenditures. 

Over the past year, I have purchased my first Dobyns rod.  I now have three and who know how many more before I am done.  I happen to like the fury series because of being within my budget while still providing a quality product.  If I ever developed more skills (not likely) I might even move up to the Champion series but right now I am more than pleased with the Fury models.  Like they say, never say never.

If you happen to be a person who buys tackle products just because they are cheaper than the higher end products and they serve your needs then good for you.  It's not my thing.  I want to know that I am receiving the quality that I am willing to pay.  These are tools of the sport and if they work to your satisfaction then that is all that counts.  I reserve the right to roll my eyes at your comments even though I have no reason to react that way.  Righteous indignation is not something to be proud of.

[D.W. Verts]

Very good read, Mr. Kennedy.

[Captsteve]

well said

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Oldfart9999]

Great read Bud!!! I buy the best I can afford even if I have to wait for it to come on sale.
rodney

[cojab]

I like to buy once, cry once......within reason. I wont spend extra money just for a brand. It better perform at its price point and it definitely better have good customer service behind it.

As far as baits, I never listen to reviews saying "this thing catches everything in the water" etc. Usually that means it catches anglers. Instead if Im looking for lets say crankbaits. I look for reviews saying whether it needs new hooks, if the bills break easy, poor hardware, or the hooks tangle on casts etc. For plastics, I look at durability, what colors they come in, stuff like that. When it comes to baits, I just dont put much emphasis on how many fish someone caught on it. Too many variables for that to be the reason to buy a bait.

[Donald Garner]

Bud, tks for sharing the read with us. 

[saltystick]

Much of the tackle I've bought haven't had reviews done by anglers that I could read before buying and trial & error and chances taken have been the only criteria before buying. I'm not picky when it comes to rods and reels and most have served me well for over 20 yrs. regardless of the much lower cost than the top end equipment.

When it comes to lures, I started being dissatisfied years ago with the quality or poor design of many and started making my own when it comes to soft plastics including jig trailers, skirted jigs and spinnerbaits. Most brands of crankbaits have done okay except my deep divers made by off brand company's no longer in business was money down the drain. 

When I do make a lure, it must be of good quality material and meet specific design criteria. Having confidence in any tackle used is number one and using anything deemed inferior to the extent that personal requirements haven't been met, kills the desire to use it. For that reason I would never criticize one's purchase regardless the price because that which is valuable to some may not be of the same value to me at that price regardless of high recommendations.

One last thing. Old doesn't mean inferior to new & improved. The only major improvements I've seen are advances in line from mono to fluorocarbon and braid. Braid when it first came out was like using rope and casting difficult the more I used a length. Now I can say I really like the line I'm using because of ease of casting and reliability when fighting larger fish. Better yet is the lower cost, again proving that one doesn't have to pay twice as much for twice the quality.