WildeFishing

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Qld does not need a fishing license!! We pay for everything in our taxes and other multiple fees extorted out of us! We do not need another money grab on the already too many.............

No permit system required, The 5 billion dollars they gave in foreign aid and to the Ukraine in 22-23 would pay for any program they wanted and hospitals and much required medical gear/MRIs etc...........

Qld does not need a fishing license!! We pay for everything in our taxes and other multiple fees extorted out of us! We do not need another money grab on the already too many.............

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

My Toyota Corolla fits most of my fishing rods in it as well as a full esky, and tows a boat too! Haven’t seen a Rolls Royce backing down the boat ramp - yet!
+1 on the stradics. The older ones were bulletproof. Saragosas are nice too. I have a Thunnus which is a beautiful baitrunner. 

i have Shimano overheads for trolling/reef work. From TLDs spooled with mono to Talicas with 80lb braid. Haven’t let me down. 
 
rods rods rods! I have collected a few! Anything from 50 year old Snyder Glas fibreglass to high end high modulus graphite blanks/titanium guides I’ve built myself. I’ve been building my own for a few years now and learnt pretty quick that quality is far more important than price point. I can spend up to 10 hours building a rod - why would I invest that time on cheap blank and crappy guides when I can get one down the road for $100.
I started a thread on here about quality products that don’t break the budget - will see if I can find a link to it  
 

Just yesterday a mate of mine went out off Cairns. He was the skipper and likes his high end gear. He got them onto plenty of fish (as per usual). Him and his expensive combo loaded with 65lb braid was no match for the skilled operator of an 80lb handline. He got his backside properly handed to him 🤣🤣🤣🤣. 
I understand that this may not always be the case, but I couldn't help thinking about this thread last night when he was telling me about his spanking🤣.

From hand me downs to 2k. 
 
They all work for their purpose. 
The reason I spend big on outfits is because they last if you look after them, and they serve their purpose. More for the larger species. 
 
I have mid to high end reels that are almost 20yrs old and still in excellent condition. 
 
I don't really care what I'm using, so long as I'm not losing. 
Busting off due to equipment failure gets old real quick. It sends you mental.
My high end gear gives me confidence that I can lean on it and it will respond. That's my number one requirement. 
 

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Oh god, this is very subjective and as Ellicat posted, a can of worms haha. Most anglers have this discussion regularly. See the difference of opinion from your friends to enthusiasts! Like the old Billabong slogan, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", this rings true for us too I think in some ways!  
You can catch any fish on a K-Mart combo or the best combo. A Toyota Corolla and a Rolls Royce will both get you from A to B just fine, one just feels a lot nicer and the price difference is considerable, same same with combo's, both do the same job, but one will feel a lot nicer than the other and cost difference is there as well!  
As already mentioned, you can get a beautiful combo for that 250-400 range, its what you prefer and your budget allows.  
I stopped buying cheap a long time ago, but that's me. I went down the very very slippery slop of the best gear (It doesn't take long either!!). Once you dip your toe over the edge, you fall and are sliding very fast down that slope hahaha I use near $2k combos for just my flathead fishing, is it needed no, is it excessive, for sure. Does the gear feel amazing, my god yes, yes it does! Once you get a taste, there is no comparison in terms of weight, sensitivity, action, smoothness etc. You would not even think a 500-600 combo would have much difference to a high end combo, but let me tell you there is and some differences are night and day. I only lure fish as well, I don't use bait, as a lure fisherman, I can notice and feel the differences.  
But I also see and get value out of my gear, I am fishing a minimum 3 days a week and sometimes 7 days. So, they are the tools of my trade so to speak and I get the use out of it, I am also lucky to be able to be in a position to buy it. I seen a meme the other day, it said "People see my lure collection and think I am rich" he said back "Nah mate, I am just irresponsible" haha That's probably me lol I can afford it but I probably shouldn't, but fishing is my passion and life. You buy what is good for you, makes you happy, what your budget allows, as long as you are fishing, is all that matters!  
If you are a regular fisherman and love it, my advice is to buy the best rod and reel your budget allows! But I have mates that are just as serious about fishing as me and they buy cheaper combos, purely because they don't look after their gear, they acknowledge that, and buy gear that if it breaks, they have not lost too much. I very much look after my gear, so that is a difference too and something to consider.  
At the end of the day as long as you are fishing that's the main thing, could be a handline or a $2k flathead combo hahaha  
 
 

Could of been better NAG- 247 ! 

Not accusing anyone, just seen this.🤣

Stradics (not Ci4 models) and $150 max rods is all i use.

My lure set ups are all Nitro rods ($350-$450) and Stella reels ($1100-$1400) and my baitcasting gear is Nitro rods ($350-$450) and Diawa Ryoga and Steez reels ($800h-$900)
Ive got two cheap bait rods that aur Shimano rods that I cheap at $50 each at a closing down sale and Shimano Nasci reels I got for $150 each. 
I've also still got my old favourite rod from when I lived in Darwin am ugly stick with an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C6500 on it. 
Honestly I could do all my fishing with those cheaper outfits an would still catch just as many fish. 
If your a serious dedicated game fishermen then it might be well worth investing in the more expensive rigs that can take more abuse, or are a serious finesse fishermen. Then buying a more expensive outfit world be beneficial to you. 
For me, I buy them simply because I like using top of the range gear, and to my thinking if I look after them and get them serviced every year. Then they should last me 20-30 years, or twice as long as a mid tier one would have and cost the same amount over their lifetimes anyway. 

Mate, My Grandaughter catches Bream on a $100.00 combo.
The fish don't know what you are spending on them.
I spend around $450.00 on a beach combo. I do a lot of beach & rock fishing. In saying that I always shop around for the best price.
Good luck.

And there's some worms missing out of
that can already.😂

You certainly don't need expensive gear to catch and land most estuary fish. However, if money isn't an obstacle and you like the top of the range gear, then go for it.

I try to get the most reasonably priced combo that will still do the job but also be pleasant to use, personally the most expensive combo I have is worth about $400. People spend thousands on their hobbies so there’s no reason you can’t spend that much on fishing gear! 

My cheaper light estuary combos are around $250 while my more expensive ones are around $800. On average it's about $400-$500 for most outfits. 
 
 
Some of my friends tell me that I am spending too much money on gear that I wouldn't even need 
 
While fishing enthusiasts around me have been telling me that it's worth investing in really higher end gear (e.g. Shimano Stella etc.) from the mid tier stuff that I use. 
 
 
I personally think that I am in the sweet spot for price to performance value but  I was wondering how much on average do people spend on gear around here?
 
 
 
 

Bloody hell, poor old Gerry missing out on a little, not happy with a 2 billion net worth hahaha  
It appears the package may have slipped through. Good savings to be had on there but not if duty and GST are applied. Guess it is a bit of a gauntlet.