I'm with you. As a kid my dad gave me a spincast reel (hated it) and a tubular steel rod. Nothing bent it. Finally, I bought what would new be called a Snoopy or Barbie rod and fished that for a few years. Got a bunch of what passed for nice fish to a kid. Then we built a spinning rod from a Herter's kit and added a Mitchell 300. I had the Cadillac of set ups. My first steelhead was on that rod, plus all sorts other freshwater stuff. We went on a long-range trip out of San Diego as a college graduation present. Went in February, which was too early for Yellowtail or anything big and sporting. I used the spinning rod with a sardine and caught mackerel and Bonito. When we got home the line was brittle from being stretched so much.

My preference now is generally pretty fish; size doesn't really matter. Looking for a walk access spot around Olympia with sunfish that need exercise.

All that said, when I chased Kenai sockeye it was with the appropriate gear to get them in and to the processor ASAP.