how much longer can we afford to fish

[RoadToad]

I can't believe the price of crankbaits. I guess I'll always be a live bait fisherman; not that that's particularly cheap, but I just don't have the cojones to actually tie something that cost 10 or 15 bucks onto the end of a fishing line and throw it out in the water hoping to catch a fish. I know, you don't really lose that many if you're doing it right, but still...

[artcarney_agr]

You only live once

[Chubminnow]

I can't say much in regards to tournament fishermen and how much they spend because I myself am not a tournament guy, so I have no idea what it's like wearing the tournament guy shoes. But as I consider myself to be a general red-blooded everyday american fish-head, I probably spend more money on stuff that I don't REALLY need than what I realize. How much does it really cost to be able to simply go fishing...in a boat...on your favorite lake? Ditto on what one of the other responses to this thread was when he wrote: "You only live once." I am in agreement with that and what the heck, there sure are other hobbies/interests/vices and/or addictions that are a lot worse than fishing that we could be spending our money on.

[geobass]

Did any of us ever think we would see the DOW over 12,000 and no one is talking about it!

[Cobra190]

This basically has to do with a "they will pay the price if they want it" attitude from the manufacturers and retail sales folk. And for the most part it is true. If it is something you want, you will pay the price to get it. And the price will keep going up.
What effect will this have on the fishing in the future. We all try to get our children and any other children for that matter interested in fishing. As the price of everything keeps rising, what will it do to those we are introducing to the sport. If the children we are turning on to the sport, show an interest as they become more independent and start paying even higher prices than we pay now, then it is untelling where this sport will lead as for the prices to be paid. But on the other hand, what will happen if the prices are the key that turn just as many away from the sport? Will it flourish as a high price hobby? Or does anyone think that there will be a decline in the future that may force alot of these prices,(other than gas) to go down?

[trentonc2000]

Its true, the newer outboards use a fraction of the older ones. My problem isn't gas in the boat, its the truck (well, my old one). just bought a new one and haven't really been out lately.

hahaha on the crankbaits. i have a lucky craft pointer that I rarely use. i say its because i have more confidence in my rogues, but i cant stand to lose it.

a big thing on the prices of fishing tackle is more and more sponsorship in the last few years. so while the pros (check out the BASS 07 Pro Guide) can fish more comfortably with the huge deals they're getting, we're paying 8bucks for a spinnerbait....

[savage884]

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

[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.

[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!