Do you need money to catch fish?

[Scott the fishman]

My one friend buy the tops of the lines poles, rods, lures, etc. He knows a lot more about fishing then me and I needed a new fishing rod for soft platics so brought him to dicks with me and my dad. Me and him were walking around looking or a rod I pick up a 50 dollar rod and he just looks at the price tag and says no good. I am like dude you don't need top of the line stuff to catch fish I can see expensive lures but rods no way. But with out anymore detail what side are you? Do you need high quality equipment or do you need knowledge cause like they say 'knowledge is power'.