Originally Posted by
sansou
Pflueger, Shimanos, Daiwas....they're all good quality at the mid to higher range in terms of cost.
The key is: what are you planning to do with your gear?
Personally, I learned a long time ago that when you fish along creeks and rivers, you tend to break and bend stuff. (Car accessible lake fishing, especially Socal, not so much) Consequently, I don't spend more than a hundie for a reel/rod.
Likewise, it's been my observation that quite a few SoCal guys buy very high end rods and reels, just so they can lay them in pole holders to soak bait at a pay lake. LOL
Lures on the other hand....that's the expensive stuff in the long run!