Is it necessary to spend huge sums on fishing gear to actually catch fish?

Question

This kind of disputes that theory, doesn't it?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080822/ap_on_fe_st/odd_barbie_fishing_record

Answer 1

It's certainly not necessary. I'm living proof of it. Quality doesn't always have to be expensive. Some of the very moderately priced rods and reels out there are just as good as those ridiculously priced ones. I agree with another answerer, I see people at the docks with their high end gear (for show of course!) and all they wind up doing is watching everyone else catch fish.  

Answer 2

I'd say that instance was the exception to the rule, wonder how much line a barbie fishing pole could hold and what kind of "drag" it would have to play the fish to tire it out.

However, I do agree you don't need a $300 rod and a $600 reel to catch fish, you can get a cheap rod or even a used one and do it just fine. I've never spent more than $100 on a rod and more than $125 on a reel (saltwater r/r thats why it was expensive), in fact I buy many of my reels used on ebay (shimano or Garcia mitchell 300/308/408) and just buy the rods at Wal-Mart if they don't have it I go to Gander Mountain or Bass Pro (in that order).

Hooks and line you do need to be quality but not necessarily big $$.

Buying the high dollar rods & reels are for those who feel the need to show some "status" - a friend of mine bought a $10k+ shotgun to shoot trap & skeet - he takes it out of the case slowly and polishes the barrel (so everyone can be awed by it) - status.

There is quality out there at reasonable prices - you just need to shop and experiment to find what your comfort level is with the quality of something...for me...

No south bend hooks or tackle

brand name fish hooks too

ugly stick rods

garcia mitchell & shimano reels (spinning & baitcaster)

Answer 3

Yes, and no.

If you spend more money to get fluorocarbon your fishing success rate will go up.

However, say you got a Megabass Destroyer. Doesn't mean you will catch every fish in the lake.

Depends on what.

yakdawg1: Shimano doesn't make the Ugly Stik series of rods. You must be confused with Shakespeare.

Answer 4

There is a difference in a G Loomis rod compared to a Shimano Ugly stick.  About a $300 difference.  No, you don't need expensive gear to fish unless you do it for a living or are really hardcore.  Like someone said above me, my daughter has a Snoopy rod and catches just as many as I do.  

Answer 5

There are NO fish, that can tell how much you have spent on your rod & reel.

The expensive gear, is for the people that are on an EGO trip & have to brag about how much they have spent on fishing tackle.

Answer 6

If anything a some what good rod and an open face reel is good. You can spend about 25.00 on that You will want some hooks, line, bate such as Salmon eggs,and any other bate you would like a jar will cast about 3.00 each. If you are Lucky and catch a fish you need a chain to put the fish on and that goes back in the water until you re ready to go home.You would want to get a tackle box or something to put all you tackle in. Your fishing license don't forget that. If you go to your state parks there is a daily fee,  or an annul fee.So to get started it runs about 125.00 to 150.00But after that all you need is you license some bate, and you can always add to your tackle box. I hope you do go out for fishing as a sport it is fun and relaxing. I went from fishing to camping, the old fashion way a tent and I love the out doors.  

Answer 7

Actually when U r a hardcore fishing freak the quality of that really expensive reel n rod can make a happy ending cos after many reels n rods had broken down so often after like a couple of month.Its not that the gear can't be use anymore,just very uncomfortable due to the mechanism of those cheap gear wear off.U see its the quality of the material its made of that allow user the comfort of enjoying the process.To get fish u don't need good gear but to really enjoy a good ride u need a good car if u can afford it why not?This is solely for extra/luxurious purposes.There r only two different human race in this world,the poor n the manageable.Be real,if u can get the best wouldn't u use your resources?if u don't use it n u just keep it then its even worse,u kill other's dream of gaining such resource.In this case,its only a 21pounder  so the rod played a small part,cos I dont think its the rod but the quality of the line used that caught that cat.Even the rod snap,by holding at the line would land that cat.if u disagree of such logic,why dont u use ultra light lines to fight really big fish.most wouldn't last for few seconds.That is a channel/pond/lake try at the sea with the worse condition.

Answer 8

LOL, apparantly not

Answer 9

You can buy a $20 combo at Kmart and catch a ton of fish...LOL

Answer 10

not at all. most of my gear is second hand, and i catch plenty of fish.

Answer 11

Nope.  Don't need to spend 100's of dollars.  But, as you buy a new lure here and there, or an inexpensive rod and reel to have as "backup," it does add up.  

I tend to watch for sales and browse the clearence racks.  

Answer 12

Not really. It depends on luck point in case.

Answer 13

Not at all... I was known for handlining it when I was working on the tour boat... bought a cheap-*ss spool of line from the marina store and some hooks and kept them in the armrest compartment in my towncar... no trip going out that day? set up the handline, buy a bag of frozen shrimp from the marina store and sit out on the end of one of the docks and catch seatrout, mangrove snapper, pinfish, etc... all for about $4. I'd bring home dinner even if I didn't work. Yay!

Edit:

Now don't get me wrong, nowdays I do have a rig that cost near $250 (If I had paid real price on it... it's nice having connections), and it works real nice for me, but I can't say I've caught more fish on it than on my handlines or $25 rigs... but it is real nice... that Shimano reel is so much smoother and nicer than the cheapo reel on my $25 rod/reel combos (been through a few of those...) but it's my second one... salt water is NOT nice to those pricey reels... rinse rinse rinse!

Answer 14

I once saw someone catch a nice white seabass (10 lb+) on a "Snoopy" spincast outfit. So anything's possible, but I think it falls into the "even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes" category. I've seen dozens of nice fish hooked and lost on similar cheap kiddie tackle. You improve your odds immeasurably by having decent tackle.

That being said, I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between a $150 outfit (basic saltwater rod and reel) and a $600 outfit. Having new line, good knots, and knowing what to do makes much more difference than than expensive tackle.

Answer 15

It really makes you wonder doesn't it? However, I say no. In my opinion a person is much better off investing in learning about fish, their habits and habitats than in expensive gear. If you can't find a fish and get it to bite the most expensive gear on the planet won't do you any good. If you know how to find the fish and get them to bite, you can pull them in on a hand line if that is all you have. Hey gnome, didn't I see you in a tv commercial??? Tight lines!