how much longer can we afford to fish

Hey Matt,
I don't think you'll get too many buyers on your philosophy. Yes, my wages have went up in the last ten years but not nearly as fast as the price of durable goods (boats,appliances,vehicles,etc...) has went up. There was a time that I could afford most NEW boats and most NEW automobiles but no longer (and afford payments on both). The last new vehicle I owned was in 1991, a dodge 4x4. Three years later the new improved Dodge came out and the price of ALL trucks skyrocketed. I can't afford a $500.00 per month truck payment along with all the other bills (electric,phone,gas,water,food, healthcare???).
Like some of the above posts, it's getting to be a rich man's world. I used to know alot of friends with NEW boats and NEW trucks but I know less and less people who can afford such expenses in this day and time.
I've got a 2001 Dodge (bought used) and a 1994 Procraft(bought used and excellent condition). I'll still fish but I'm not paying 30-50 thousand for a boat?
I catch them pretty good in my beat up old procraft (LOL) and beat up old Dodge (LOL). I guess us old poor boys just need to stay out of the boat showrooms and leave it to the rich boys. Besides, the fish know how much money we spend and they won't bite a poor boys hook..LOL..just having some fun. Matt, I forgot, I do know a guy who is buying a BASSCAT from you and is selling his Aries boat. (I do know someone with money)
Good fishing and see ya on the water,
Tim
bassmaster

It does get harder every year. When you don't get a pay raise or 2% and inflation(sp) goes up 3-4% ever year it is hard to get ahead.

I Dont Think Our Pay Raise Equals Out To The Cost Of Living Expense Every Year. Inflation On Gasoline Has Made A Big Impact Over The Years. It Has Caused Us To Pay More At The Pumps And The Transportaion Of Products We As Consumers Buy Has Increased Due To High Fuel Prices Or The Transportation Companys Would Not Make Any Money.groceries Have Went Up Due To This As Well As Many Other Things We Buy. Also The Boat You Buy Gets A Higher Price Tag On It Due To The Freight Charges It Takes To Ship It(assuming That You Have To Order It).i Think There Is Even Freight Charges On It If You Dont Special Order It.as Said In Previous Post Above "they Will Charge As Much As We Are Willing To Pay".

yeah what bassmaster said,and you are wrong not everyones pay goes up regularly.i make 50+ ayear i have been blessed with my job i get a 10% pay raise over the next 5 years guess what?my health insurance has surpassed that total raise in 6 months,so i will actually be making less.I just bought 4 shadraps rs #7 for 3.99 a piece,guess noone liked the color but i'll paint em..
the new ones on the shelf are 6.29..same color.so next year will they be 8.29??some place they already are..someone asked when will it reach a point that it falls,fishing never will,i'll never quit i can't but with ford and other good paying jobs leaving and getting cut back something will have to give,you can't buy a 40,000 triton working for ups as a part timer.
trickle down economics.

I understand that not everyones pay increase with the cost of living, but you missed my entire point. I would love to have a corvette, my father paid $35,000 for one in the mid 80's brand new. Now a new one like it is $55,000. I can't afford that right now, so guess what, instead of complaining about it I am looking at 3-4 year old Corvettes.

The reason I chined in was for different reasons than you might think. Consumers don't realize negative publicity about our sport just hurts it. It gives people a bad view of fishing and they may not continue to fish, start to fish or introduce their kids to fishing.

There are people out there that believe what they read on the internet and only read the headlines. So I just get a little off my rocker when I see posts that put fishing in a negative light.

Anyone can afford fishing, just maybe not as plush as others. There's nothing wrong with running a 5 year old used Triton or a 2 year old reel off Ebay. 1 Man's junk is another Man's Treasures:)

Matt

Matt

I think kids get more and more expensive........that's why I don't have any.....and also why I have a great boat and truck! :)

Your right by being young and not having those expenses you can have that thought of "you only live once" (enjoy it now, i did) i too thought that years ago. Things are different now with a mortgage, career, healthcare, kids and the thought of building my retirement to it's maximum, what can i leave my family with when i'm gone and other facts that face people as they get older. Don't get me wrong i still spend way to much for rods, reels and tackle but i can handle that. I would love the feel of a modern bass boat but for me, i choose not too right now. Have to hit a few more goals first! Good luck to ya.
Don

How many of you have paid $1.00 or more for a bottle of
W A T E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Creatchers of Bad Habits!!!

Rowdy

Well i will agree with the higher prices of things but it is not just fishin it is all across the board. But that is store bought stuff. I did not see any posts about entry fees for bass tournaments and/or club fees. Man i remember when the club fees were sign on the dotted line. I also remember paying $20.00 per boat to fish a tournament and launch fees were $1.00. Now look at what entry fees are and club dues, whew. So needless to say I fish a lot less tournaments. My point anyway. Hope I dont make any full time tourney fisherman mad.

I got three words for ya, GASOLINE, **** ARABS, there I'm done now, good day to all.

hey matt
i agree with you totally,i see 2 year old tritons for 25 to 26,ooo that would be the way togo i think,you are right i have save a ton buying cranks and rods and reels and fixing them.i wasn't trying to be negative i still fish a lot but i have to watch what i do with my money.hey ART,you are right the kid is expensive,i have three cans of formula that would buy me a full tank of gas in the boat BUT i enjoy the girl more than a bass on my line,but heck i'm doing both so it's a win win for me.:)

I agree with Matt, it's really pretty compareable to years past I bought my first Ranger in 91 an 18'w/150 New for 21,000., today a 19' w/200 is around 30,000. 9,000. in 15 years not to bad. Our wages go up and our ins. goes up the manufactuers pay more also for the same things. The technology between my 91 and today is amazing flashers were commonsite then now you have side finding imaging borrowed from the US Navy, outboards are way more effeicent, no wood in boats to rot anymore you could go on and on.Some of the larger boats(50,000+) are sure nice but not for everyone you just have to live by your means and who cares what the other guy drives the fish sure don't.It's funny like someone mentioned usually the people who complain about gas prices are the same ones who walk in a gas station and buy 1.50 bottle of water. Ctfishwhsker is right the higher paying jobs are leaving and along with them others(the I'll buy it at wal-mart mentallity) will go but we are getting political and I'll let it go at that. Asfar as entries going up they have but the payouts have as well Redman/BFL entrys in the 90's used to be 85.00 with a first place payout in the 3000. range(full field) now the entry is 200. with a payout(1st) around 8000. (full field w/ contingecy $) Its all relative you can go as deep as you want or spend as little as you want its still a sport for everybody.