Complicating fishing !!!!!!!!

[barbel master]

does anybody else think that fishing is becoming to complicated with all of the new technology and different equipment and things and that it should just be kept simple.

[asp383]

i have to say that yes fishing does appear to have become very complicated, especially for newbies & those of us that have come back from a long break, but then that's where forums like this come in very handy for asking questions & advice.
but there is no reason why things can't be kept simple.
i think it all depends on what you're after, for the average pleasure angler who doesn't mind what is caught, then there isn't any need to use anything more than an all rounder rod so you can swap between float & leger & basic maggot, bread, sweetcorn or worm baits.
for match or specimen anglers, then they want to try to get an edge over the other anglers & outwitt the fish, in order to catch either the biggest weight, or the specimen they're after, so then things like method feeders, bait runner reels, dedicated rods & all the other paraphanalia that goes with it is required.
in general, as a pleasure angler, i try to keep things simple, but have tried other bits, such as method feeders, pelletts & groundbaits & i've found that keeping it simple will get you just as much of a chance of catching most of what's in the water, but using other "technology", you'll find you can often catch bigger & more.
try 1 rod with a basic set up & another with something else & compare for yourself what works best.
i know i'll continue to have at least 1 rod with a method feeder when out on the bank.

[pompy.bass.man]

yes, i do, wat happened to the days when you get a a pepple with a hole init, a small hook and a worm, so simple