southie THE BANGA

With rods, I generally stay with the bigger brands and don't spend more than $100.
With reels, I also  stick with brands - particularly in the bigger models that have a bait runner function.
With the smaller ones, I also stick with a brand but try to get them as cheap as possible. I used to get them from the states but with the dollar the way it is, not worth it anymore. Given this, I normally wait for the big sales (such as complete angler) and when they have them running out (normally between $20 and $30), I'll buy a dozen of them. Yes, they might only last a few seasons before dying but them throw it out and open another box  Chasing smaller fish, it doesn't matter that they have limited ball bearings and also doesn't matter if the little one breaks it!
BUT in relation to terminal tackle, I generally go for the better branded hooks (diachi and black magic), swivels (black magic) and fishing line (maxima). I tried some of the cheapie tackle and have been let down a few times when a bigger fish takes it, so don't take the risk anymore. I also generally don't reuse my terminal tackle, so again, buy them in bulk when on sale
Fishing can be as cheap or as expensive as the wife allows....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
David
 

Personally, im a quality over quantity person and for the most part I stick with proven products / recommendations.
HBs are my personal vice, with preferences geared towards YFW, Flathead (I hear they exist 🤔) and Bream, in that order. 
In terms of types, im landbased and mainly target the flats so Im genrally looking at surface or shallow --> medium diving. 
Stickbaits for YFW, Minnows for Flatties and both cranks and small minnows for Bream.
Havent purchased any SPs in ages, but if I did I would probably start with Zman or Ecogear.
TL

If it's cheap and looks genuinely good then I'll have a look; but I normally stick to what works. 
 
If I'm buying hardbodies with any forethought, I'm trying to look at the action on YouTube etc and get reviews or discussions if at all possible. 
 
Soft plastics I'm far more open minded with, again if the profile is nice and I can somewhat visualise the action, I'll have a shot with any plastic brand. 

Yeah some of the big hook manufacturers encourage you to use a hook only once - my 10c jobs can last 3 sessions being mauled by pinkies and still be needle sharp with no rust
 
 

With rods and reels I tend to stick with Daiwa Shimano Pfluegars and Abu.

I used to spend more but these days I dont like spending over $125 on either a rod or reel - but I will stretch that for some of my light lure set ups. (no more than $200)

My braid and fluoro is Kast King - Super cheap and has passed all my strength and in the field tests. I can top shot my reels with 100m of braid for about $4 with a limp braid, that out performs braids 20 times the price

I use alot of plastic lures these days and most of them are just cheapies off ali express or ebay - I did go through a phase of using ZMans to over come rips and tears on small pinkies but little pinks still rip of a zman single tail. So i just went back to cheapies

Jigs heads are ALi express and abay cheapies for the most part - I just use a diamond file to put a needle point on them and they do the job

Same with weedless hooks and bait hooks - all aliexpress/ebay cheapies - I run them through some pretty rigorous testing with scales and in water longevity test - there are some primo quality hooks out there that are 20 times cheaper.
 
And I tend to tinker around making some of my own stuff like floats weighted weedless hooks and sinkers

It has been a long time since I purchased any new gear. I tend to purchase second hand these days as I have found that by shopping around my dollars can go further on better quality gear. Up to this point in time I have stuck with either Daiwa or Shimano for reels and a few brands for rods 😉.  Regards, HBt.

Always looking at making some extra crust while helping fellow fishos out 😊

I thought as much when I read the OP  

Sitting back thinking how to answer these questions as they go in all directions and could be a lengthy reply,so the best i came up with is..
Yes i did and do all the above

I bought a 4 piece travel rod 17-24 pound , light as and love it , $27 delivered to my door , and matched it with a 3000 reel , CAPICI ,13+ball bearings spinning reel $32 delivered to my door , loaded with Mongrel 15lb braid .
Worked a treat on the salmon , and is kept in my boot with a handle full of lures ,just in case a school is spotted while driving .
Both rod and reel have been fine , and love the set up myself cheers

Not to sure as I have a lot of confidence in the zman grubs.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Currently would have 300-350 mixed lures different brand names and unknown soft and hard,the fish only complain when they attach themselves.I do lean towards Savage 3D when on sale.

Nice one mate! Such beautiful creatures they are. The scenery is also on point 👌

Mine to this day is 44.5cm
Between two of us we caught easily 70 Reddies......
Got 3 Fish in 3 casts they went 42.5cm, 43.5cm then this one at 44.5cm 
Was an epic day......
 

 

 

Mine to this day is 44.5cm
Between two of us we caught easily 70 Reddies......
Got 3 Fish in 3 casts they went 42.5cm, 43.5cm then this one at 44.5cm 
Was an epic day......
 

 

 

Cheers mate..... 
All fell to a pink Z man Grub.... All 3 were caught in the exact spot each cast. Not sure if they were doing there "thing" or was just right place right time.... Also noticed it was just before a big storm was forming... Barometric pressure might of had something to do with it... 

Cheers mate..... 
All fell to a pink Z man Grub.... All 3 were caught in the exact spot each cast. Not sure if they were doing there "thing" or was just right place right time.... Also noticed it was just before a big storm was forming... Barometric pressure might of had something to do with it... 

Mine to this day is 44.5cm
Between two of us we caught easily 70 Reddies......
Got 3 Fish in 3 casts they went 42.5cm, 43.5cm then this one at 44.5cm 
Was an epic day......
 

 

 

Mine to this day is 44.5cm
Between two of us we caught easily 70 Reddies......
Got 3 Fish in 3 casts they went 42.5cm, 43.5cm then this one at 44.5cm 
Was an epic day......
 

 

 

Mine to this day is 44.5cm
Between two of us we caught easily 70 Reddies......
Got 3 Fish in 3 casts they went 42.5cm, 43.5cm then this one at 44.5cm 
Was an epic day......
 

 

 

Mine to this day is 44.5cm
Between two of us we caught easily 70 Reddies......
Got 3 Fish in 3 casts they went 42.5cm, 43.5cm then this one at 44.5cm 
Was an epic day......
 

 

 

Woohoo 🎉 how bout dat 🎇🎇
thanks to Savage Tackle & Strike & Hook for putting the comp on 👍

Seriously this is crazy!!!!! 
So dam bloody close!!!!
 

Seriously this is crazy!!!!! 
So dam bloody close!!!!