No need to break the bank for fishing equipment

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The old game of keeping up with the Joneses used to revolve around expensive automobiles, houses and chic clothing. You know what I'm talking about. If my neighbor bought a new car, by golly, so would I, and -- bang! -- the buying race was off and running.

Lately, however, it also has become fashionable to spend a lot of money on high-end fishing gear. How silly can we get when it's oh-so-easy to buy nicely working equipment for one-tenth the cost?

A kind of madness has taken hold of many millions of American anglers and the handful of companies they deal with. Everybody who's ever manufactured a fishing reel, rod, or fishing lure now has top-dollar items that would make Donald Trump blush with envy because he would wish he had gotten into this game that appears to be a kind of robbery. Only this robbery has happy, willing victims who do not complain.

Let's look at some prices that are so high we might all get a nosebleed:

The Japanese Shimano tackle company appears to be keenly aware that certain Americans will try to out-yuppie one another by spending far, far too much for a simple fishing reel.

For example, in the current Northern Bass Supply catalog there is an advertisement for Shimano Stella spinning reels that -- for even the smallest model that can hold only 110 yards of 6-pound testline -- will run $489.99.

Folks, we're talking about a cockamamie spinning reel that is intended to help you catch stocked trout, perch, small bass, crappies, maybe a little old catfish -- none of which will "run away" with hundreds of yards of line like a powerful tarpon, bonefish or permit might. No, the aforementioned species tug a little, then lay on their side while you reel them in. So why would Shimano make this reel with 12 ball bearings, waterproof drag system, titanium-coated roller and other such nonsense when you're angling for a fish that a child can hand-line in without any problem?

One other thing, Shimano, if you ever hope to get me to spend $489.99 for a light-use spinning reel, don't you dare tell me that the body of the reel is made of aluminum. For shame. For that kind of money, I believe silver or gold-plated metal would be appropriate.

By the way, the same Shimano Stella models can run up to $699.99 for the largest size in the lineup, a saltwater reel capable of holding 460 yards of 20-pound testline.