Why bother with fussing about how much money other people spend on reels and poles? No one is being forced to buy the expensive gear and there is plenty of low budget gear out there. It's their money and who cares what they do with it? Looking back, I probably would have saved money if I would have bought the $200. reel and the$330.pole to begin with instead of starting cheap and working up through many upgrades. I am a good example of spending a buck to save a dime.