I could not agree with you more on this issue.My fishing buddy has not learned this yet though.he spends more$ on the junk than i do on quality equipment because it just wont last as long.i seen him break three cheap rods in the same weakend last summer right when the silvers were in and then he had one of the biggest silvers i have ever seen right to boat only to have his cheap line break.I use only quality line,rods,ect.but i personally think that good line and hooks are most important because it is the only link to you and your fish.