how much longer can we afford to fish

[savage884]

I again.But you can't take the money with you.If I didn't spend it the wife would!

[HunterShewmaker]

You may have a great truck and boat but you are missing out on one of life's greatest blessings. I'm sure that there are alot of people out there that have kids, great boats and trucks. I would glady give up my truck, boat for my adopted son. My son loves to go fishing with me and that makes it the most awesome thing in this world. Yes kids expensive but they are worth more then any material objects.

[zx150]

I totaly understand about the insurance going up. They know they have you over a, well you know. It gets harder and harder every year. I hope that it gets better soon but I don't think that it will.

[jdw174]

First bass boat: 1988 Ranger 360V......fully rigged....$14,000
Second bass boat: 1998 Triton TR20....fully rigged...$26,000
Step this up to 2007, and a new 20 footer, fully rigged with all the goodies is somewhere between 35-38K! I doubt that I'll ever buy new again.

I well remember opening the pages of BassMaster and seeing ads from the lure companies where you could get three of their latest lures, a hat, patches, and a catalog for $5. Try and find that today.

There are still some decent lures out there that don't cost $15. Bill Norman's standard line is still under $4, for instance. Yet, reading today's magazines will have you believing that you have to pay at least $15 for a crankbait, $250 for a reel and the same for a rod. It's just not so.

[demodan]

[QUOTE=artcarney_agr;286026]You only live once[/QUOTE
I to am amazed of prices, and how they have progressed over time. And what you get for your money, in the fishing industry. Im a victom to the lure of 21st century bait and tackle. At one time...I thought it was crazy to buy a Crank Bait for $17 bucks....but after I've had great luck catching many hogs on them...it seems that most (not all), CB for $5 or less are junk. I bought 2 reels at Bass Pro shops for $60 bucks each; my club partner said they were junk, and I wasted my money...he said they wouldn't last 2 years; guess what.. he was right, Im having trouble with each one now! I fish about 24 tournaments a year..and all the prefishing that goes with them... but I assumed that a reel for $60 bucks would last, that it was quality ..only to find out...they are junk in the long run! Athough I have to admit...the $50,200.00 smallmouth came off of a reel that was $50 bucks and a rod that was $40 new!!! So now what...if I realy want to be competitive .. do I have to purchas the best?? Rods, make a difference; my Bass Pro Tourney Rods, also for $60 bucks...that I use for C-riging... they are also junk, compared to the $225 rods that are so sinsitive, it aint funny,... it make a huge difference!.. Im wanting to buy a nice tournament bass boat also! ..I could just put my name on the line and be in debt...again. Winning the Big Bass- Big Cash tournament got me / family, out of debt..(payed off all credit cards and cut them ALL up!!!)... it's nice to have that extra money at the end of the month to put back, or ready for an emergency, or to be able to buy your daughter a birthday gift without sweeting it. Like yesterday, my truck started acting up...only 2 years old (25 grand I paid for it)...it's going to take a over $1000 to fix...Im 6,000 miles over my warrenty. But becouse my wife and my self are being VERY smart with what we make...we can take care of this, with little strees. In the past....I would be in the red and distressed. So as of now...I want to be stay debt free, as long as I can...it feels good. I know that soon, I will buy a boat...but for now....I want to feel that feeling of being debt free...I guess I might be taking all this tournament fishing to seriously...but if Im going to play...I'll have to pay..OR .I'll continue to be the guy who uses "hand me down" equiment... but if I have a year like 2006....I don't care!!!! Demo Dan

[dcbasser]

Like the rest of you guys I find everything a little more expensive every year. For me , I try to plan ahead and since I don't do a whole lot of winter fishing I try to put my money back that I would usually spend for the week fishing aside and save for spring. Lets see, thats 25 bucks local club tourney fee, 20 bucks for tackle,10 bucks for pop and snacks, 20 bucks for gas, carry the one........dang I can't afford all this LOL. Anyhow I just try to put back about 40 to 50 bucks a week that I would use to fish and it adds up to be a nice little pot by the time March rolls around and gets me through most of the year. If I'm lucky enough to win a couple of tournies then thats even better and maybe I can splurge for a new rod and reel or something else I want to upgrade. I have also been fortunate enough to have a good partner that I fish with and we half just about everything. I will usually try to put in a little more because we use his boat and vehicle so I try to account for wear and tear and I'm also fortunate to be fishing where as otherwise I would still be home watching Bill Dance bloopers and as funny as they are a man can watch them so many times.

[LittleMiamiJeff]

One way to beat the cost is kayak fishing.
If I could post a pic here, I'd show you a fine fishing machine, about $1200 investment, over 15 feet, sonar, rod holders, great gas mileage :0 and great exercize!
LMJeff

[dcbasser]

Man would I love to have one of those. I looked at some of the fisher's that hank parker was advertising and they are really nice. Got a couple of lakes down here that that is the only thing you can fish them with and are plum full of 10-12 inch bull bluegill and more bass than you can catch in one day if that is possible.

[hairball]

I complain about the exaggerated costs of fishing as much as any one else, but I try to think more optimistically. I'm in a somewhat different position than most people. I'm totally disabled, no kids, and divorced. Being on a fixed income is tough, but nearly every spare dime I have goes towards fishing. I've been addicted to it for as long as I can remember and I intend to feed that addiction whenever possible. When I'm out on my boat, nothing else matters - I'm at peace with the world. I have come to crave that feeling. My life's mission is now to catch as many bass as I can before I get lowered into the ground. Cost be da**ed. Let me go out in a blaze of glory, flippin stick in hand.

[artcarney_agr]

Do what makes ya happy!!! Sometimes, you just can't put a price tag on happiness!

[demodan]

Hairball...that is about one of the best post / quote, I've ever read here!
"Cost be _ _ _ _ _ _ Let me go out in a blaze of glory, flippen stick in hand"
It's 8:20am, Im at work......and you brought a huge smile over my face; mostly becouse I said something very close to your quote, with my wife ..late last night, after our co-ed basketball game!!!! I've been called Mr. optimistic...but you take it to the next level man...dito my brother form another mother!

[roadrunner]

Remember man spends half his money on whiskey, fishing and women. The other half he just waste.