expensive equipment???

I'm a belgian sea-angler, since 2 years living near cork and at least twice a week i go fishing, off-shore.
Very often, In France, Belgium , the UK and Ireland, I see other anglers with a capital on equipment: exp. trousers, jackets, last model rod and reels, box,... etc sometimes for a thousand Euro or more.
I fish now 30 years and I'm still using my two daiwas reels that I bought "" years ago, of course, twice a year I change the nylon. I have two excellent Shakespre rods that i bought 10 years ago, paid 35 euro for each and I have normal, warm, but wollen clouths, some of them I bought secondhand for 3 euro.
Last weeks, I was fishing near those 'rich' experts and.... I catched 15- 20 good sized cod and whiting plus dogfish, the other ones almost nothing. And so it happens very, very often!!
Sometimes, I read a sea-angling journal, and what I see there of new rods and prices... unbelievable!! Do you really think that you catch more with expensive rods, reels and clouths!!!
The art of fishing is not to express in the cost of the equipment, but you imagine in the behaviour of the fish: if you should be a fish, what should you do in this of that situation???? One axample more: last week, I saw an angler, and around his hook plenty of coloured perles..... Can you imagine?? What should you think if in a restaurant they present you yellow tamatoes, green meat end an orange pint of guiness??

What's the opinion of other anglers??

If you,ve got it flaunt it . :wink: :wink:

And if you don't got it, go out and embarrass those that have. :P :wink:

*Throws K2 in the Bin* :D
and the Ugly Floatation Suit..
and the Abu 6500 Reel...
and I won't use a Tripod anymore... I'll use a Stick with a 'V' :lol:

we all try to think what the fishes next move will be etc but it is nice to have faith in the gear you have and know that if the fish are feeding further out that you have the gear capable of you being able to use it properly and get the the baits to the required distance etc.
all the bass ive ever caught all came on a rod that i bought for £10 secondhand with a rig tied out of the mainline, since ive had the expensive gear ive used it for them and had no success!! but hey, thats life!!

Nice to hear Xavier tell how good an angler he is.

It is my experience that cheap sea fishing gear usually has a short life. I don't think that inexpensive gear helps to catch more fish. Xavier's extensive experience and remarkable frequency of angling are likely to be the reason for his success.

As for 'coloured perles', I assume this relates to beads. I used to find them illogical. My neighbour M.D., who usually catches more than me, uses the most dreadful looking flourescent beads. I essentially use the same rigs and baits but no beads. Since using beads my results have become more comparable to MD's.

As for 'green meat', fish aren't bon viveurs.

Piere

The year before last I upped my car from a 10 year old corsa to a relatively new passat. Both cars got me to where I wanted but the newer car got me there in more comfort. I didn't know the improvement until I had a newer better car. Alot of the time its the same with fishing gear.

Xavier if you fished the marks I fish trying to bring in big fish over shallow rocky ground sometimes at distance I'm sure you'd change your gear at least to avoid popping your shoulder trying to get fish in. Spending money on rods that can be cast pendlumn allows more ground to be covered with bigger or more baits. As for buying a floatation suit these can save your life. I've wet gear and warm cloths but they won't keep you fishing in sustained rain fall combined with wind.

Spending on the best you can afford now will save in the long run. Cheap gear rusts and breaks under pressure. Fish the clare rocks in mackerel season and you'll see the amount of cheap rods and reels that get broken up.

Donagh

He is right of course. But if you are interested in a hobby you are going to want to spend money on it and once you get used to the level of comfort of those new warmer clothes and the sparkly new rod and reel you probably would not go back. people like buying things, i know I do. Still do not have the one piece suit or the fancy rod rests but I know that it is only a matter of time!!

:wink: Let's hear it for xavier....I think he's great !! He's so tight,he'd put a Scotsman to shame..Good for you boy. Keep up the good work for Belgium. :lol: