I wasn't really having gear issues as much as I found myself with a worn out elbow and shoulder after 6-7 hours of fishing.
Frankly I didn't want to spend a bunch of money because I have bad luck (breaks, trashed,...) with "good" gear, and frankly I'm a cheap SOB.
I can say the the upgrade was certainly worth it.
Some notes:
- - I bought the gear from Dicks - the rod was $99 and instore the reel was on sale for $59. Had I used the online coupon I could have saved another $15, but I was wanting to have everything in hand. So call it $145-160.
- I was (as was my neighbor) really impressed with how much lighter this gear was
- I was equally impressed with how smooth the reel was
- I was equally not impressed with the color of the rod, but I really don't care about colors as much as I do about functionality; I believe it's called flats blue camo; my wife and daughter thought it was very pretty; I guess I'm old school
- I took the rig (as well as my Ugly Stik) kayak fishing on Sat; I swapped out all day and purposely tried to get wind knots on the new rig; I was unsuccessful on my efforts even when I had a bunch of slack in the line. I suspect that eventually it'll happen, but I went home without experiencing a single wind knot. That was a major plus. I was fishing 1/4 oz. gold spoons and 1/8oz jig heads with Exude plastics.
- I managed to get some great distance on the new rig; it's 7'6" vs. my old rig at 6'6"
- I was equally comfortable making accurate casts while feathering the line
- using the old rig I was pitching a rattlin' spook (walking the dog); I managed to get one wind knot in that all day
- there is a HUGE difference in the quality of gear (so far), but that old gear is 5 years old and does manage to catch fish
- for the record the old gear caught reds, the new gear ladyfish - course that is all about lure selection, but I have a weird habit of catching quality fish on not so quality gear
- I'm not sure sure I like the hook holder on the rod - it's a rubber one that you can move around; this may be a function of getting used to
- I opted for 20lb powerpro on the new rig, 30lb power pro on the old rig
- at 7'6" it does take a bit more looking out for walking through doors, putting it in the truck...I have visions of snapping it - not because of the quality of the gear, but because I've already hit the ceiling fan once.
For the record I went home with one 20" red on the old rig, 2 ladyfish on the new rig.
As I told my wife,"I was out looking for a bit of tail from a red, but all I really nailed was two ladies." Yeah...she didn't find that funny either.
Specs below - I'll post my thoughts in a couple months after I wear it in.
Wright & McGill Flats Blue Spinning Rods
WMEBWTI76S1
Style: Spinning
Length: 7'6"
Sections: 1
Lure weight: 1/4 - 1 oz.
Line weight: 8 - 20 lb.
Action: Medium Fast
Power: Medium
Wright & McGill Sabalos Spinning Reel
Model: WMESAB3000
Size: 3000
Bearings: 9 + 1
Line capacity: 155 yards/8 lbs and 190 yards/6 lbs
Gear ratio: 5:2:1
Spare spool: yes-aluminum
Thick power bail
Long life bail spring
Anti-twist line roller