[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