Knowlededge and time on the water will make you a better angler. You dont need a $200.00 + rod and $125.00+ reel to catch fish. But it is in my opinion more enjoyable to use a light wieght rod and smooth reel. You can get by using a less expensive rod, But never skimp on a reel. I see more people having problems with inexpensive reels. Whats the point in getting up before the crack of dawn and driving for an hour or 2 just to have a $50.00 reel fall aprt in the irst hour of fishing, or worse yet, loose the only hook up of the day to a siezed drag just because you saved 25 bucks