Are reels getting a little to flashy?

[Bassboss]

*rant on*

I was piddling around on tackle warehouse, and noticed that a lot of the reels are really flashy! I mean, they do look good, but you'll have to match with an other flashy rod to make it look good. Their are very few reels out there that have a "classic" look to them. Kind of like loomis rods are. I mean, what rod are ya gonna add to a loomis to make it look like a good combo?

Ardent is one brand that has shyed away from flashy blingy reels. Why can't other companies have reels that are more classic looking? Along side of the bling reels.

Don't get me wrong, I love the look of the revo premier, Zillion Type R, and all those, but not with a classic rod like a loomis or Lammiglas.

What do you guys think?

*rant off*

[CamG]

Guess I can honestly say I've never really considered "matching" rods and reels...they are made to fish with, not enter into a fashion show.

Kinda like guys who won't wear mix matched camo while hunting...as if the deer care.

I do understand your point though...there are some ultra flashy reels and rods on the market. Some of them are close to being too ugly to fish with. I'm much more of a classic style guy myself.

[BassFeverJohn]

I think some are. In other cases like Skeet's, flash is the whole point. I personally don't like flashy things that draw attention to me, but at the same time I want my gear to look nice. I have bought combos that matched before, but I have never even considered attempting to match a rod to a reel, or vice versa.

I spend too much time trying to match my heels to my purse anyway...

[WTL]

Ur right, ardent has shyed away from flashy reels. Instead, they are just ugly.

[BassFeverJohn]

Originally Posted by WTL

Ur right, ardent has shyed away from flashy reels. Instead, they are just ugly.

Oh, I have to disagree on that. They look very elegant and stylish to me.

[rrw4258]

Originally Posted by WTL

Ur right, ardent has shyed away from flashy reels. Instead, they are just ugly.

I'll have to agree with you on this one, WTL. I got my chance to look at the Ardent reels this past weekend in person, and they were just down right one of the worst reels design wise I have seen. The reel I was messing with did not feel like it was worth $200.

On another note, I also messed with a Shimano Stella, that was a little under $600. IMO, the Saros looked and felt better, for a third of the cost. Some reel companies are taking reel prices a little too far, IMO.

Ryan

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by Bassboss

Ardent is one brand that has shyed away from flashy blingy reels.

Originally Posted by WTL

Ur right, ardent has shyed away from flashy reels. Instead, they are just ugly.

Originally Posted by BassFeverJohn

Oh, I have to disagree on that. They look very elegant and stylish to me.

Man....this argument is so enthralling it just called for visual aids.



If you're not sure what "visual aids" is, it's where you look upon something so horrible, your eyes die a slow and painful death.

[WaffleJaw]

C'mon Bryce....The fishoflage reel is awesome!.....So is rollerblading

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by BassFeverJohn

Oh, I have to disagree on that. They look very elegant and stylish to me.

lol same here john! Things are freaking awesome!

And thanks for the replies guys!

Ryan, they do feel kinda cheep in hand, but they're good reels. I've throw a plug around with one and they're sweet. Great casters and super smooth. I wonder how they preform with a fish on the line though....

[Jrob78]

Match made in Heaven I'd say!

[Abbeysdad]

LOL aand make sure yer belt matches yer shoes!

Are there fishin fashion police out there?

[WTL]

I just vomited.

[bassinbob]

Flashy can be ok if not hard to take care of. I never worry about matching. Just look for a good price.

[Tavery5]

I just had to post a picture of this classic



If only they made it in fishoflauge

[WaffleJaw]

Originally Posted by Tavery5

I just had to post a picture of this classic



If only they made it in fishoflauge

Do you fish it or cop a feel?

[islandbass]

I look with disdain (j/j) upon my bass anglin' brethren who feel the need to color coordinate their rods and reels. Come on! Fish tough or go to the mall and get your nails done and while you're at it, grab me a cinnabon.

Kidding aside, I would never fish with that camo rod and reel. Are you kidding? If I put that down inthe grass to fish with another rig, I might not find it.

[walkeraviator]

I thnk that is the point guys... you will notice that flashy abu reels match a flashy abu rod.... they want you to spend money to have a matched rod/reel... so they make their stuff off colors that make it hard to match to other brands...

Personally i dont care what it looks like as long as it isnt bright orange...if you get my meaning

[Cavs1123]

Some part of the flashiness might be for people to recognize easy. Like if I see a yellow rod I automatically know its a Skeet from far away too. A lot of the black rods you have to get really close to know even what brand they are. Same thing with reels too...

[BigBassin144]

Personally, I don't think reels are that flashy.

But I do think manufacturers make their rods and reels match somewhat. Like Walker said, Abu's Vendetta matches the Revo SX perfectly. Same with the Veritas and the STX, and the Verdict with the Premier.

I know this is going to be hard to believe coming from the guy with a perfectly matching blue rod and reel, but I don't think matching the rod to the reel is that important. Sure it may look cool, but it doesn't affect the performance. I would NEVER buy a rod or reel based on looks alone, but if a rod I like and a reel I like go good together, even better!

BB

[coachpurdy]

I started fidhing with round reels (abu garcia) and now the low profile don't feel right to me. So, I am kind of limited when it comes to matching rod and reels. Besides, rod and reels are tools not art. Except for the Ardent which is about as abstract as you can get. I wonder how much extra they charge just for the paint job.

[WTL]

Coach, thank goodness there are people with taste that still prefer round reels, they will keep making them. Might have to spend a little more.

[WaffleJaw]

I like matching the rod and reels....I dont go out of my way to do it....But I like it.
And adding a few colored anodized parts doesnt make a reel flashy to me...It sets it apart from the other models for easy Idenification.

But Im OCD about colors and things like that.
I like color coordination

[geezer1]

If I ever start buying fishing equipment because it "looks cool, matches my eyes or my dogs toenails, etc.", just haul me off to Shady Pines! Good grief, what the heck is happening to our sport?

[66KingFisher]

I was just talking with Wafflejaw about custom airbrushing a reel to help it match a rod he was building. And as I mentioned to him, I believe customizing or personalizing a fishing reel is no different then customizing a motorcycle or car, or article of clothing......I'm all about custom......Have been since I was a kid......Customized my bicycles and skateboards and Notebooks and Gym bag, and on and on....lol

I've always liked being different, but that doesn't mean I wanna stand out like a sore thumb......I just like my stuff to have a different look to it.......Plus it makes it easy to tell mine from the crowds of factory items that all look alike.

I recently airbrushed my PFD, making it easier to tell mine from the other PFD's in the storage box....lol.....I've seen reels used for crankbait fishin, airbrushed to look like a crankbait.......And why not?

Manufactures of everything from Harleys to hairdryers have seen how their clients take their products and modify or customize them, so why not the fishing industry....Seems to me that in the past few years alot of mfg's are trying to do the same thing by giving their products a "Custom" look.......Motorcycle mfg's are big into this right now.....Even auto mfg's are now offering alot of paint colors that were once only seen on a custom painted cars......I suspect you'll see more custom flashy techy new age designs, finishes, and gadgetry in the future of our sport before its over.

Do the fish care whether or not my reel matches my rod....NOPE!.....But if I have a choice I'd like them to be a good lookin matched set.....or better yet a custom matched set that nobody else has....lol

[bassinbob]

Well said 66.