What you had to do was let her come up with the idea you needed a new reel. So for the first few nights after you return from fishing. You complain about the reel, its getting sloppy bearings or whatever. Get a bit depressed about it. Do a bit of mopping. And then when you get her feeling sorry for you. Well she will come up with a brilliant idea, " Why don;t you buy a new one" and then you say. "We can't afford it, but thats such a sweet idea Hon. I gurantee if you had have tried that approach your Axeon would be on the way.
Move to Plan B. Go to a local Hairdresser and book her in for a cut and shape. Then suprise her with what you have done.