BY ROB MAGARGAL
Recent advancements in the fishing industry have pushed the limits of technology like no other time I can remember. I am not just speaking of new boat accessories. We all know about Spot-Lock, right? If you don’t, you need to before you think about buying a trolling motor. Just Google “Spot-Lock troller.” You’ll have enough reading material and videos to view to last a month.
Then of course, the idea of electronics with Pan Optics. This one is a bit tricker as only one company had it. They created it and for 3 years everyone else looked in on them from the outside. It’s also no secret about Garmin and Lowrance and their battles in court over the past few years. No need to go too deeply into who did what and why and who got upset — the end result was great for the industry.
Both Garmin and Lowrance signed a declaration, or a pact of sorts, for shared technology, meaning they’ll not totally keep under wraps what they have brewing. They’ll work closer together versus apart. They found that to be the better choice. Or maybe the lawyers did? Either way I know my understanding after reading about it is very simplistic, however, you get the idea.
Spinning has come light years forward too. It’s almost scary now with spinning reels. The rotor balance, spool lengths as well spool sizes and depths. Body/frame sizes. Materials the frames are made from. There are some spinning reels that are so light weight you feel you’ll break them on hook sets. But of course, they’re ultra-strong. Yet, it fools the mind.
Having the right reel, it’s why they are so prized.
This is where we are today with reels and now at prices that we can actually afford.
Rods have followed suit with the reels. They have become more responsive, lighter and stronger. The $500 rod is still there. That buyer is there always. And I will say from serious experience. A $500 rod is better, much better than even a $300 rod.
Rod technology has changed and some of what makes a top-quality rod amazing has made its way to the lower levels. Where the top-quality rod still shines is from the blank. They are just more expenive. That may never ever find its way all the way to the lower level.
What has made its way down? The outer wraps on the black. They are very important. They help in casting accuracy. How fast can the rod get back to true and straight after the heavy load up during the cast as well when line is feeding through the guides. That matters and is considered the action of the rod. I see fishermen complain about casting and backlashing. Many times, it’s the fishing rod that causes the issue. That wobbling back and forth during the cast makes the line rub on the guides as it leaves the rod and that in turn makes the spool over run. Or it causes what I call a “double clutch” of the reel. That’s where the line is being pulled off the spool twice and at different powers. That happens from the back recoil of the rod at the beginning of the cast. This all happens very quickly and can truly only be found by casting the rod.
The tip quality has improved for overall sensitivity. The tip is the first point of contact when feeling a strike. The guides have improved, which allows for heavier braided lines to be used without damaging the guide. The materials the handle is made from has really improved. From Ci4 with Shimano to ultralight composites of other top brands. Handles are no longer clubs. A handle from a rod just 5 short years ago has improved tenfold.
The idea of the quality rod, I can’t speak highly enough of that. My call is getting the lower-level reel at $150 and picking up the $300 plus fishing rod. As mentioned, the reels have really improved to a point that lower level is not what it once was.
The rods, however, yes, they have improved, still not to the level I feel where using $300 reel on a $125 rod makes sense. You are truly doing a disservice to your quality of fishing.
This season coming up, if you think of it in seasons, take a look at the 20 to 30 reels you have from 1998. Yes, they’re nice. They’re not like new. They do not fish like new. They’re just something you’re used to. Do yourself a plus. Sell a few of the old rods and reels or donate a few to a kid’s clubs and buy some new gear.
Once you have a few new additions to the quiver, you may be asking yourself what took so damn long?
