Pricing Out The Average Angler? 2024
JT Bagwell reply :
In this day of $100,000 bass boats, $400 rod/reel combos and $20 crankbaits, do you (or any of your friends) feel like
you may need to look for a cheaper hobby or do you just buy less?
Senko lover reply :
I don't buy $100,000 boats, $400 combos, or $20 crankbaits. I fish from the bank, so no need for a boat. I snag deals on combos; right now I'm fishing a $190 combo that cost me $80 new, and another combo somebody gave me. I get my baits from trees and bargain bins 
. You can bass fish on a budget, but (admittedly) it is hard.
Lunker Huntin reply :
Well if you asked my fiancé I'm sure she would love for me to give it up because of the amount I am willing to pay to catch a "stupid fish" in her opinion. Truth be told though if it wasn't fishing it would just be something else, I have often thought about cheaper hobbies but I swear they just don't exist (at least not for people like me) I have always been a believer of buy the best possible things you can, it doesn't matter the hobby, when it came to motorcycles it was no different, there is always another part or upgrade out there that you want, don't even get me started on diesel trucks that's a rich mans hobby which is why mine is pretty stock and boring I can't afford to play that game. No matter what I will always need a hobby and it will always be expensive so I might as well stay with fishing, after all I'm deep into the accounts when it comes to gear and I don't see any light at the end of that tunnel.
scaleface reply :
Im a penny pincher. I rarely purchase fishing gear thats not marked down. I have to want something pretty bad to pay full price. I hunt flea markets and second hand stores for my favorite crankbaits. I do replace the hooks with expensive ones but those old Big Jims outproduce Rc and KVD cranks in side by side comparisons that I have done in the past three years. I have quality rod and reels that I have picked up cheap .
I have a plastic Bass Baby boat, a canoe , access to kayaks and john boats any time I want. My wife wanted a pontoon , so I got rid of the Bass boat and picked up a used 22 foot Lowe Deck boat with a semi v hull . I can do anything in that boat including bass fishing. I put an 80 lb thrust trolling motor on it and two new depth finders.It fishes a lot better than I thought. I havent done tournaments for years and enjoy fishing much more.
You dont have to spend a lot to enjoy this sport. Heres the only pic I have of the used Lowe deck boat I bought .
AQUA VELVA reply :
I won't pay more than $10. for a lure, a $100. for a rod or $180. for a reel. I have a 94 Bass Tracker V-17 that some guys thought was new. You can buy quality without breaking the bank and it will give you many good years of service if you just take care of it. Would all of that high end stuff make me a better fisherman? At my age and skill level, probably not. But if I ever won the lottery I'd be very inclined to go that route just for the pure heck of it.
gardnerjigman reply :
I put money in the sport/ hobby for sure, but no more than any of my other hobbies ( hunting and golfing). All have big ticket items that you buy once every few years as well they each have consumables... ie; golf- balls, tees, green fees and cart rental. Hunting- ammo, calls, scents.
Just be smart about it and realistic. I bet I can catch as many fish on that black max reel and someone can with that $300 Diawa. You can do it on a budget as long as you are smart and do it within your means. Some guys just like to have a a front deck loaded down with $400 combos, and more power to them. But does it make you catch more fish? Hardly think so...
gulfcaptain reply :
for years I fished with cheaper rods and reels. Maybe $200 a combo. Caught fish. Upgraded to nicer combos, still catch fish. Am I going to go up to $400-500 combos with $300 rods. No, I can catch just as many fish on a $100 rod as a $300 one. It's the person holding the rod that catches the fish. But if someone has the money and wants to fish them that's their priority. Would I love to have a $100,000 bass boat, oh yeah, but for now I'll keep saving till I find the one I want for the right price and catch just as many fish out of that one as that $100,000 one. Just might not get there as fast.
Angry John reply :
You don't even need a rod and reel. You could use a stick with line and hook. The use that all over the world. I get nice gear, because it improves my fishing experence. There are deals to be had on nice gear and dirt cheap stuff on craigslist. If your goal is to fish cheep it is very possible.
aavery2 reply :
One of the things that makes fishing such a great hobby/sport is that anyone who wants to enjoy spending some time on the water can find the level of equipment that fits their budget and needs. Some start out as casual weekend and holiday Zebco 33 fisherman and progress through the ranks and end up true enthusiast and own some of the nicest gear available. Others are very content with using good solid blue collar class equipment that just goes out and gets the job done well. Some are enthusiast and enjoy the ever changing technology and are constantly searching for the latest and greatest equipment so they can test the limits.
Anyway you look at it, it is a fantastic hobby/sport and we all enjoy it on our own level and for our own reasons.
I always say, "Get in where you fit in" if you are not having fun fishing, then you're doing it wrong.
Angry John reply :
Said well.
Bruce424 reply :
Saving money is my thing... not saying I'm good at it. But I set rules for myself and I follow them. I save money in the long run on lures that I use a lot by putting them together and painting them myself. Like crankbaits spinnerbaits and jigs. I try to buy quality equipment first so it can last a long time if I take care of it. Which I do. I don't have more than 8 rods and reels and 4 of them are for bass. I don't think I need 100 dollar rods or reels to fish. Sure makes it easier. One of combos is a 110 reel and a 50 dollar rod. Also have a reel that was 10 with a rod that was 20. As for getting a different hobby... you will likely be spending money regardless of any hobby. Just have to find ways to cut cost. Using eBay helps alot and giftcards. Taking advantage of sale prices too.
Jrob78 reply :
If someone prices themselves out of fishing, they are fishing for the wrong reasons, or are so insecure that they feel they have to keep up with Joneses. That's their problem, not fishing's.
I would love to have a new bass boat, new truck and a rod locker full of $800 combos but I can't afford that. It doesn't keep me from enjoying fishing. Like Tony said, get in where you fit in.
Brnnoser6983 reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 7:05 AM, JT Bagwell said:In this day of $100,000 bass boats, $400 rod/reel combos and $20 crankbaits, do you (or any of your friends) feel like
you may need to look for a cheaper hobby or do you just buy less?
Buy less!?!?! Blasphemy! ! I just look harder for sales to save off the top end.
But I think that manufacturers are going crazy when it comes to boats. I mean they have gone the limits with the bass boat. It is about the widest and longest it is going to get. I dont think it is going to be able to get any lower in the water, and it seems like the only tactic they have right now is what perks can you get. Well that and a bigger engine. That on itself is insane! I mean the price of a boat is dictated on the size engine, and you can sometimes almost double the cost buy upgrading to the top of the line.
That being said.. I would sell my first born and trade my wife for a nice Skeeter decked out.
Angry John reply :
Get a yak vise a boat and you can fish on the savings for the rest of your life 
Bluebasser86 reply :
I like the idea of the expensive toys, but I can't afford them so I don't buy them. Every once in awhile I'll splurge on a $20+ crank or jerkbait or a $70+ swimbait, but only when I have the extra cash to spend on it.
smalljaw67 reply :
The great thing about most hobbies is you can decide how much you want to spend and how far do you want to go. Some are satisfied fishing from the bank and you can do that and catch fish, for others it is a jon boat, canoe, or other small watercraft along with a few quality combos and then you have the tournament guys with massive equipment. There is a level that most people can afford to get started, but you don't need to spend a ton to catch fish, it is simply a matter of how much or how deep into the hobby you want or can afford to go. The same thing can be said for RC cars, or HAM radios, and the list goes on. Can I go to walmart and buy a $15 combo, a pack of hooks and a jar of powerbait or some nightcrawlers and go catch fish? Absolutely, but for me bait fishing was something I did to relax, bass fishing with lures is where the fun for me begins and it extends into making lures but I do what I can afford and still pay my bills so while we may all want the latest and greatest in boats and electronics plus rods and reels, we still are bound by disposable income.
Bankbeater reply :
I am more worried about buying quality rods and reels than expensive baits. Keep those rigs in good condition and they will last quite a while. I would rather have a beat up jon boat that I can take into the middle of cover than an expensive bass boat and be worrying about the hull all of the time.
flipin4bass reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 7:05 AM, JT Bagwell said:In this day of $100,000 bass boats, $400 rod/reel combos and $20 crankbaits, do you (or any of your friends) feel like
you may need to look for a cheaper hobby or do you just buy less?
Not at all. I think in the 1990s, ESPN, B.A.S.S., and a handful of professional anglers started a revolution, or evolution in equipment that seems to have no end. I for one am thankful the direction the market has gone in the past 25-30 years. For quite a few years now, the selection of tackle at every price range has grown at an almost geometric rate. Although the price to climb into one of those nice rigs seems to have gone out the roof, you can acquire quality tackle without breaking the bank. Thanks to on-line shopping, Black Friday, Memorial Day and other sales, a working stiff can get quality, high end tackle. With very few exceptions, I don't think I've paid retail prices on tackle for the past 15-20 years. For example, I picked up some new Lucky Craft lures this past Black Friday for $8 a piece. About five years ago I landed 4 new Shimano Calais reels for $200 a reel, no tax and free shipping...wait, they were actually under $200 because I applied my Cabelas Club points. So, you Pros keep catching those hawgs on TV with that Lucky Craft and Megabass tackle so that the manufacturers flood the market because of the demand you are creating...I'm going to lay low and wait to ambush that tackle when the smoke clears. No, I think this middle class working stiff will be enjoying fishing for a few more years. 
K_Mac reply :
I have limited resources and have to carefully watch my budget. I fish for many reasons that have nothing to do with fish. It is important to me and my wife, and we sacrifice in other areas to have the money to fish. I try to make good choices in my purchases, always weighing cost versus value. I spend far more than some and far less than others on fishing. It is affordable because of its priority in my life.
Many of us take great pride in how much or little we spend. Get over it!
adam lancia reply :
Get in where you fit in is the more relevant statement so far! I absolutely 100% agree with it and subscribe to it wholeheartedly, especially when it comes to hobby spending. I'm not making an investment into my profession so buying the top end stuff as soon as it comes out is only going to satisfy my want for cool stuff and empty my wallet at a faster rate. I have purchased very few rods or reels brand new unless they were deeply discounted. I purchased 75% of my rod and reel combos used and if you're patient and willing to do a little scouring, great deals abound. However, if you're caught up keeping up with the Jones', your wallet is going to be in trouble. If you feel you have to spend to keep up, it might be time to reassess what you're trying to accomplish by going fishing...
0119 reply :
I think the prices are inflated and I'm buying less because I don't think the quality of the products reflect their price. I like expensive reel's but only if I'm confident they are durable and will last over a decade with parts availability. That narrows the field. Rods are short term for me as they are less durable and manufacturers no longer make traditional styles which I prefer. That narrows that field also. But because in jon boats I and my fishing partner seem to break each others rods, I wont let the rod's price go over $100. I still have some expensive St. Croixs but wont take them on the boat. I'm playing around with making my own. Lures used to be a habit for me, always jumping on what was new. I have shrunk my inventory and now only stick to what has produced in the past in multiple conditions. I'd always been a magazine buyer but no longer buy them since the content is strictly a showcase for the publishers sponsors. I do buy old magazines in bulk on ebay and find their content more useful. I see no logic in buying a boat at a cost of more than my home was bought for. Its strictly jon boats and kayaks for me. My next boat purchase will be a combination of those, a Gheenoe or if finances don't allow it, a NuCanoe.
scaleface reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 9:32 PM, 119 said:I'd always been a magazine buyer but no longer buy them since the content is strictly a showcase for the publishers sponsors. I do buy old magazines in bulk on ebay and find their content more useful.
I cancelled Bassmaster. It is laid out like a maxum magazine these days. Short articles for short attention spans .
fishballer06 reply :
I've been playing high end tournament paintball (even played 2 years of pro) for about 10 years. I was spending $40-80 a weekend just in paint, then add on all the travel, and about $300-600 per tournament (5 a year). So maybe to some, fishing is expensive, but to me, it's pretty cheap.
basscatcher8 reply :
This is my cheap hobby! I was in stock car racing for the last 10 years. I finally quit last year and bought a new ranger aluminum boat and just enjoyed myself. I make most of the lures I use except for crankbaits and when I need a soft plastic I'm usually on ebay looking for the bulk deal from another in house bait maker cause the deal is right and you can get the colors that arent on the shelf. I keep an eye on the overstock websites for lures and will buy the hundred packs of soft plastics when they come available. It's fun and keeps the sport going even during the hard water months.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
The best part about fishing is that there is a budget for everyone. You're only priced out if you try to fish above your means.
Mike L reply :
I wonder how many of the more successful pro's would be useing 350.00 rods and 400.00 reels if thier sponsors weren't footing the bill or just letting them use it.
Sure, it doesn't matter to the more successful ones with $1 million in career earnings, but I assume it does to the vast majority.
But a poor slob like me will get what I can get and make it work, and be as successful and happy as my ability and means will allow.
Been doing that all my life and untill fortune shines down, that's the way it will stay.
Mike
fisherrw reply :
I have probably around 4000 In tackle and rods and reels and my dad had a 30000 dollar boat and a 7000 dollar boat.
Djf3864 reply :
The nice thing about fishing is that it can be as expensive as you want it to be. I like buying good quality gear and baits that will last, nothing worse than getting something and having to replace it after only a few times on the water. I would say that I am in the middle of the price range realm, no $500 reels or anything but I would not hesitate to spend $200 on a reel if I like the feel and features.
I do the same with tools, electronics and vehicles.
rippin-lips reply :
I'm in the same catergory as the guy on the first page Lunker Huntin. No matter what hobby I take up I always spend my money on the best stuff I can afford. It's happened with everything so far. Dirt bikes,motorcycles,fishing,golf,ect
crankbank reply :
Considering my other main hobbies are:
Golf (expensive)
Clay/Target shooting (can be done cheap, but I tend to spend a lot on firearms)
Snowboarding (expensive)
As much as I would like to save a little more cash, If I was to slow down on fishing related purchase... that money would just funnel into one of the above hobbies.
ww2farmer reply :
Nope...........I do just fine with an aluminum bass boat, $100 rods and reels, $6 cranks, and $3 bags of soft plastics.
Heron reply :
I purposefully do not spend a lot of money on fishing, and still catch fish to my satisfaction. With the money I save, I like to use it to take my lovely wife out on a nice vacation.
buzzed bait reply :
mostly all hobbies have differnent levels of participation from entry level/beginner to enthusiast. we could all list another hobby we have been a part of that was equally or more expensive than fishing. most important thing for me in EVERYTHING i do be it a hobby, relationship, job, etc. is to GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN. so i just don't fish above my means, easy as that.
boostr reply :
Compared to my last hobby which was hot rodding my Mustang, This is way cheaper. What I spent on that vehicle, I could of bought a nice tin and some reel fancy gear. I'm still not done with the ride, it just needs minor stuff to complete, but now I'm into my new hobby, Bass Coraling.
bigturtle reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 7:05 AM, JT Bagwell said:In this day of $100,000 bass boats, $400 rod/reel combos and $20 crankbaits, do you (or any of your friends) feel like
you may need to look for a cheaper hobby or do you just buy less?
This is called peer pressure. You see others getting the uber high end stuff, and you feel left out.
I dont feel peer pressure. I see others getting the uber high end stuff, I just say to myself "Im glad that last BPS rod that went 'bang' wasnt a Megabass"
nascar2428 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 4:08 AM, ww2farmer said:Nope...........I do just fine with an aluminum bass boat, $100 rods and reels, $6 cranks, and $3 bags of soft plastics.
Same here, except I substitute the boat for the bank. Out fished several bass boaters last year, much to their chagrin. LOL
hoosierbass07 reply :
Crankbaits are way over priced. I wonder how much they really cost to make $0.05?
fisherrw reply :
I agree!On 1/21/2015 at 6:05 AM, hoosierbass07 said:Crankbaits are way over priced. I wonder how much they really cost to make $0.05?
DILLY07 reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 10:20 PM, fishballer06 said:I've been playing high end tournament paintball (even played 2 years of pro) for about 10 years. I was spending $40-80 a weekend just in paint, then add on all the travel, and about $300-600 per tournament (5 a year). So maybe to some, fishing is expensive, but to me, it's pretty cheap.
Your so right fishballer06. I used to play paintball. I used to play in PSP Chicago 3 times. I've gone to NPPL Huntington Beach in California. It's gotten so expensive. Before paintball, I fished a lot.
Anyways, back to the topic, Fishing is not really my hobby. It's my passion and love of the sport. I, honestly, fishing all the way up to the Elites. Everybody has one shot to go. It's my dream. Right now, all I got is 2 man boat using one seat. Using on lakes and backwaters of the rivers. Its all I think of. I spend quite on necessities that I need for fishing. Good line such as Sunline Sniper. Why do I use Sunline Sniper instead of Berkley Trilene lines. It's all about of trust of the company.
SirSnookalot reply :
I don't think the average weekend warrior is going to spend 100k to go bass fishing, even if they could afford it. Perhaps a different story if they were a high level competitor or retired having all of life's obligations well managed.
I choose no longer to have a boat for bass fishing, I come and go as I please.
I do go offshore in the ocean without owning my own boat. I have friends I go out with and I'm also a member of a boat club. My membership dues cost me less than what insurance would be, let alone repairs and marina fees, just gas and go.
0119 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 5:38 AM, bigturtle said:This is called peer pressure. You see others getting the uber high end stuff, and you feel left out.
I dont feel peer pressure. I see others getting the uber high end stuff, I just say to myself "Im glad that last BPS rod that went 'bang' wasnt a Megabass"
I don't see peer pressure. Maybe just the opposite. I spend and use much more expensive equipment than the other freshwater fishermen around me. Here, if you use anything better than a tattered ugly stick and a squeaky spinning reel, you are out of the norm. I get more odd looks than I ever feel peer pressure. I get laughed at for using casting gear or having the latest lures and thought the fool. Maybe being considered the odd man out is a form of peer pressure.......
JT Bagwell reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 5:38 AM, bigturtle said:This is called peer pressure. You see others getting the uber high end stuff, and you feel left out.
I dont feel peer pressure. I see others getting the uber high end stuff, I just say to myself "Im glad that last BPS rod that went 'bang' wasnt a Megabass"
Is it still called peer pressure when the markets adjust to the higher priced platform and all bass boats cost $100k or all crankbaits are $20?
I don't think it is peer pressure when someone spends $50k on full size pickup truck, that is just what they cost now days.
Logan S reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 7:12 PM, JT Bagwell said:Is it still called peer pressure when the markets adjust to the higher priced platform and all bass boats cost $100k or all crankbaits are $20?
I don't think it is peer pressure when someone spends $50k on full size pickup truck, that is just what they cost now days.
JT Bagwell reply :
I take it you haven't seen the MSRP for the new Triton with the 300 on the back. It is just over $100k.
flyfisher reply :
It's all about what you like to spend your money on. As has already been mentioned, if yo are so concerned with having the latest and greatest then you need to have a career that can support it, if you don't then live within your means. I like to spend my money on my hobbies but it is never on credit and it is never at the expense of any other bills. I do admit that i like a nice fly reel though and that is something that isn't even needed for 95% of the fishing i do but hey, I like it.
I would bet that all of us got started with cheap basic gear and had as much fun as we do now if not more. Just have fun and spend what you can and don't ridicule or look down on those who spend more or less than you do, remember we are all fisherman
buzzed bait reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 7:12 PM, JT Bagwell said:Is it still called peer pressure when the markets adjust to the higher priced platform and all bass boats cost $100k or all crankbaits are $20?
I don't think it is peer pressure when someone spends $50k on full size pickup truck, that is just what they cost now days.
you might be over estimating things a bit JT... the most expensive boats are $100K, the most expensive cranks are $20, the most expensive full size pickups are $50K.
a lamborghini veneno is going to set you back about $4.5MM making it roughly the most expensive production car right now. that doesn't mean i'm priced out of the market to drive to work.....
it really is a bit of peer pressure if you feel that you must have said 100K boat and $20 crankbait to compete or to have fun or whatever you do fishing-wise. i've seen many happy people on the shoreline with some 15lb mono wrapped around a 12oz coke can slinging worms and crickets and frankly hauling in some killer fish.
it's all about getting out what you put into it.
5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :
Price doesn't mean squat. I can out fish a rookie who uses the aforementioned items at high prices and I could use Walmart specials and an old John Boat and do better.
Not saying the experience is everything, but it is really important as well to have reliable equipment.
Green Trout reply :
I spend a lot on hooks
Heron reply :
No comment
JT Bagwell reply :
Just for clarification, I wasn't talking about myself. I was just curious what everyone thought about the crazy prices on stuff now days. 
flipin4bass reply :
On 1/22/2015 at 11:25 AM, JT Bagwell said:Just for clarification, I wasn't talking about myself. I was just curious what everyone thought about the crazy prices on stuff now days.
High priced, high end tackle has been around a long time. Can you imagine an "average angler" forking out $2.25 for one of these in the mid to late 50s. Sears & Roebuck sold these then for that price and at the time this store targeted the masses. There was cheaper lures you could buy, but back then, if you wanted to play with these you had to pay. Today, we laugh about going into the water to retrieve a lure...I remember as a preteen making .50 cents a week doing that. Those "crazy prices" have been around a long time.
Sam reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 7:14 AM, Senko lover said:I don't buy $100,000 boats, $400 combos, or $20 crankbaits. I fish from the bank, so no need for a boat. I snag deals on combos; right now I'm fishing a $190 combo that cost me $80 new, and another combo somebody gave me. I get my baits from trees and bargain bins
Wait until Senko Lover gets over girls, graduates from college, starts a career and then looks to get back into bass fishing with a $100,000 boat, $400 combos and $20 crankbaits.
It usually happens to all of us.
The cure? Wedding cake.
Lund Explorer reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 7:05 AM, JT Bagwell said:In this day of $100,000 bass boats, $400 rod/reel combos and $20 crankbaits, do you (or any of your friends) feel like
you may need to look for a cheaper hobby or do you just buy less?
Don't you think that the higher costs are due more to improvements in technology, materials, and quality?
30 years ago you could buy a fully rigged Ranger for $20k and you had the very best of everything. I can't think of anyone who would enjoy buying a brand new boat today if they knew they would be flying down the lake with a smoking old two stroke that drank gas like it was an ice cold beer and required constant tune-ups due to fouled plugs. Besides that, the overall size of the main engine has doubled in size since then, which means they've been able to add another 3'-4' to the length of the boat. Then consider the electronics installed on that 1980's boat, when the selling point was "pixel count" which got you target separation measured in inches instead of feet, or "super twist" so you could see them in the sunlight.
Rods/Reels? Does anyone really want to go back to the days of pistol grip rods made with that cutting edge material called Boron? I still have one of the first "low profile" reels that Abu Garcia came out with. It sits in storage and even though it still works almost as good as when it was new, it feels like it's full of gravel.
$20 Crankbaits? Well, you got me there. Probably because I never fished with them much back when they only cost $5 a pop.
Regardless of all that, this hobby can be as expensive as someone wants to make it. Reading through the stories of people's fishing trips, quite a few members here are really enjoying themselves spending a whole lot less than top dollar.
papajoe222 reply :
I also golf on occasion. I don't have a $300 driver or a $150 putter. I aLso am not a scratch player nor do I aspire to be. When I fished competitively, I purchased the best equipment I could afford. If I ever felt a $20 crankbait would make a difference at weigh in, I wouldn't think twice about purchasing one.
roadwarrior reply :
Another thing is that after a decade or more most guys have all the basics.
So most of what we purchase are replacements for tackle and "new toys"
when it comes to rods & reels. Every year most of us buy a few new or
different lures, but regardless of the cost, it's generally not much in the
scheme of things. The killer costs are boats, boat maintenance and tow
vehicles.
Catt reply :
I've followed JT around the WWW since he's been on the dang think!
He doesn't post much but he says a lot
Let's see what I can add
How much y'all pay for your iphone, ipad, android, & other tablets?
How much y'all pay to play on the WWW?
Bass fishing is heading the way of waterfowl hunting which has all but priced the little guys out!
A lot of what we use in bass fishing is nothing more than creature comforts!
A-Jay reply :
The past few years the price of fuel alone has been enough to keep many anglers from being able to afford the $$$ for the truck - forget about filling up a boat tank.
Not this year though - at least so far.
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
When the guy that had the $100k boat, $50k truck, $400 combos, and $25 crank baits stuffs yours and everyone else's entry fees in his pocket, do you blame the gear, the guy, or yourself?
Gear doesn't make the man, but there are some good sticks with good gear. Some guys with big hats actually have some cattle.
FunkJishing reply :
I do the best I can with what I can afford. Marketing schemes arent what make fishing great and never will be. I've seen anglers get their backside handed to them in tourneys with 400$ combos against anglers with less pricy equipment such as boats, rods & reels. 99.9 percent of fishing rods fish better than the fisherman using them. To me if you're skilled you can be a great angler with ANY equipment available.
roadwarrior reply :
Better equipment doesn't make a poor fisherman good,
but it can help make a good fisherman better.
J Francho reply :
Exactly, Kent.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Those figures seem awfully inflated. If I spent even half the amount you've described, I'd have to get a second (or third) job. It IS true that I spend more than I probably ought but compared to those figures, I'm an absolute pauper. I'm certainly NOT going to suggest someone else spend more, less, or the same as I do but I am happy to say I personally would never spend that much-even if I had it (or could get that line of credit).
I still grieve the day I cracked my old Berkley Lightning rod under one of my boat cleats. Not because it was an expensive purchase but, rather, because it did the job well enough. Price (or "high dollar") doesn't impress me.
SirSnookalot reply :
The average angler will never be priced out, there will always be something affordable for every budget. I would venture a guess the majority of manufactures stay in business by selling mid range equipment over high end.
When it comes to boats where I'm at fishing boats come in all sizes and price ranges, from kayaks and jon boats on up to some pretty lofty numbers. The kayakers go offshore ocean a few miles, fish ICW and freshwater, so getting on the water is affordable where ever you are at. Don't think the average fisherman is priced out.
K_Mac reply :
On 1/23/2015 at 12:53 AM, J Francho said:When the guy that had the $100k boat, $50k truck, $400 combos, and $25 crank baits stuffs yours and everyone else's entry fees in his pocket, do you blame the gear, the guy, or yourself?
Gear doesn't make the man, but there are some good sticks with good gear. Some guys with big hats actually have some cattle.
Well said John. It reflects what I was trying to say earlier. The idea that high-end or low-end gear somehow relects a persons skills is silly. There are guys at both end of the economic spectrum that will always catch fish. There are also guys who will never be very good regardless of equipment.
It is the folks who make judgments about someone based on what they drive, the boat they own, or the gear they use that challenges me. Those are all incidental to skill and character, and you can't buy either one of those.
roadwarrior reply :
Yep...
Take BPS as the perfect example. Appears to be a VERY successful company and they
do not even offer much "high end" tackle. I have asked if that might be a niche for them
to enter and was told "That is not the direction we are headed".
buzzed bait reply :
as long as Walmart continues to have a fishing section, there will be reasonably priced fishing gear available.
primetime reply :
I like to buy the Japanese lures simply because I feel all the places I fish get way to much pressure and I figure a different color, action, or anything slightly different may be better. With that said, The bulk of the fish I catch are on the "standard lures and baits" and I could go fishing for 12 hours with $50 worth of tackle and be 100% confident, but I feel better with a full bag of stuff.
One thing I have been doing is using saltwater lures, or at least lures marketed to the saltwater croud like Mirrorlure, Unfair lures, Yo-zuri etc...The colors are different and some of the shapes look just like a large shiner or bluegill and produce well. I look for sales and when I find a good deal I buy them. Tackle warehouse recently had the Skimmer's for $10, and Ebay often has the Sebile lures (not the action series) for under $10 so you can buy plenty of quality tackle without breaking the bank...I also don't care if I have the nicest or fastest boat, I also have a cheap kayak that works fine, and I rarely spend more than $100 on a reel, or rod, I look for deals and sales, but I have no doubt some of the Japanese lures work better than the American stuff, but give me a few Rapala, Bomber, and Strike King hardbaits, big bite, Yum & Netbait plastics, and even regular Berkley Trilene and I am good to go if need be...I have a box full of expensive jerkbaits I have accumulated over the years, and the bomber long a, and Rapala Balsa Minnow hardbaits tend to see the most work, zara spooks will produce with the best of them as well for walkers, same with the Rebel Pop'r....I recently have gotten into the glide baits and bigger swimbaits, but you rarely lose them, and for me I buy the Savage, River2sea, and they seem to do the job..Same with the Spro and Sebile swimbaits which you can find deals on especially the versions from the year before.....
primetime reply :
I would say some of the best angler's I have ever fished with used a very limited amount of tackle, usually lures that have been around forever and are classics for a reason, and one guy had all shakespeare reels, Ande line, $2 wallmart spinnerbaits, all house brand soft plastics and less expensive cranks like the cordell Big O, and Older rattle traps, and I doubt I could beat him no matter what I was using....Skill is skill, $50 lures can't make up for time and experience on the water.
roadwarrior reply :
Well, maybe that's true to some extent, but here in the Mid South more
10 lb bass have been caught in the past three years than in the last ninety
years. The "Magic Lure" is the Alabama Rig.
BassmanDan reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 11:32 AM, Angry John said:You don't even need a rod and reel. You could use a stick with line and hook. The use that all over the world. I get nice gear, because it improves my fishing experence. There are deals to be had on nice gear and dirt cheap stuff on craigslist. If your goal is to fish cheep it is very possible.
Yeah but if you could only bring one stick, line and hook what is the best one to use?
I fish from a jonboat so that eliminates a huge portion of the expense for me. When it comes to equipment I do go overboard like most but it's just a matter of making good choices for your budget.
Catt reply :
The #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of you wallet!
OK Bass Hunter reply :
The average angler will never be priced out. For as long as there is a market, a manufacturer or group of manufacturers will be there to serve them. That being said, Bass Resource does not cater to the average angler. I would say we are in the 5% of the market that is catered to by the Cabela's, Bass Pro's and Tackle warehouses of the world. Some of us might fit in to the .5% that pays more than $200 for a rod or reel. For us fishing is not just a hobby, but a passion and we are willing to spend accordingly to pursue that. There's a reason the Ugly Stik is the best selling rod brand year in and year out.
0119 reply :
Opinions are like, ........ , everybody has one! I think being "priced out" is a matter of ones position in life and situation. Many of us might feel it could never happen but sadly most of the country lives pay check to pay check. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who feel they are "priced out". Just like there are golfer's who can't afford fee's down here when they inflate prices for snowbird arrival. Sure there will always be a lot of Zebco 33 and Ugly Stick sales but there will also be those who just can't or won't fish, at least like they used to and join the bucket brigade so many of you hate so much.
K_Mac reply :
0119 I think the likelihood of avid bass fishermen joining the "bucket brigade" due to cost is about the same as angry Floridians moving to New England to avoid the invading hoards of nasty snowbirds.
0119 reply :
I didnt say 'avid' bass anglers, I said anglers...... None of us should assume that everyone is in a place financially, that they may have to give up a hobby. You honestly think that of all the millions of anglers in the US there hasnt been someone, or many, who became disenchanted by boat prices higher than their first house or the latest uber light baitcaster or the price of Lucky Craft baits. Or hung out on this site and been drowned in suggestions to buy high priced shimano's or sensed that to fit in or find success in fishing they had to buy over their initial plans and then just give up.
roadwarrior reply :
No.
As you have already stated, the best selling brand of rods in the world are Ugly Sticks.
K_Mac reply :
People try all sorts of hobbies along the way. That many fishermen come and go has little to do with money IMO. All I'm saying is for those of us who enjoy the challenges of bass fishing, money is not going to keep us off the water. I can't afford a high-end bass boat or house, yet I own an old tin boat and a basic old house. I complain regularly about the cost of many things, from fishing tackle to grocery prices, but still manage to eat and fish regularly.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
I buy what I like as a treat for hard work. My kid has plenty of food, I've never been a single day late on a mortgage payment and my credit card has never accrued a penny of interest.
It's about knowing what you can afford and being able to say "no" to yourself if the situation doesn't permit. I'd love to have the highest end equipment to throw a Roman Made Mother and have the money to buy them, but I know that's out of my range.
I've seen it mentioned on here multiple times, there is a point of diminishing returns for the average guy. A Stella might be the nicest spinning reel ever made but if all I can afford is a Symetre then my fishing experience shouldn't be diminished. It will still catch fish and last a looooong time.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
FYI, I fish out of a 16' Tracker jon boat that I bought 12 years ago for $1k. 
I still do ok.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
If anyone/anything is pricing anglers out of the sport it's the economy, tax code, health care etc. Tackle prices vary widely enough until it comes to the point of hobby vs. living expense.
zachb34 reply :
I've seen you on instagram and you do more than OK.On 1/23/2015 at 10:02 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:FYI, I fish out of a 16' Tracker jon boat that I bought 12 years ago for $1k.
I still do ok.
fisherrw reply :
On 1/23/2015 at 9:00 PM, roadwarrior said:No.
As you have already stated, the best selling brand of rods in the world are Ugly Sticks.
absolutely i LOVE ugly stiks!!!
fisherrw reply :
On 1/23/2015 at 10:02 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:FYI, I fish out of a 16' Tracker jon boat that I bought 12 years ago for $1k.
I still do ok.
hey it works right!!
fisherrw reply :
On 1/23/2015 at 6:09 AM, roadwarrior said:Well, maybe that's true to some extent, but here in the Mid South more
10 lb bass have been caught in the past three years than in the last ninety
years. The "Magic Lure" is the Alabama Rig.
thats exiting cuze i just got some!!
0119 reply :
All they do here is scare every fish in the water......
ColdSVT reply :
Yeah i have some megabass hardbaits and a pile of luckycraft ( been collecting LC for over ten years) but bread and butter baits all cost under 10bucks
My rods and reels are middle of the road. Anywhere from 120-220
Lund Explorer reply :
When you guys want to experience an truly expensive hobby, take your wife to the RV dealer and ask her which motorhome she likes!
ColdSVT reply :
On 1/24/2015 at 5:14 AM, Lund Explorer said:When you guys want to experience an truly expensive hobby, take your wife to the RV dealer and ask her which motorhome she likes!
Why the hell would you do that?...silly silly
primetime reply :
A $500 Reel does not tell you where to cast, how fast to retrieve your $30 lure, what type and size line to use, how to set the drag (or maybe they do) but I have no problem if someone has all top quality equipment, good for them, I hope they enjoy it. I could get buy purchasing much cheaper equipment and lures, but I enjoy my new toys, I like to buy lures with my extra money since I do not have any other hobbies that require as much money as fishing. All that matters is that you buy quality line and hooks, things you will always need.
If you are on a budget, my advise is not to spend money on reels or rods that are not proven, meaning do not spend $30 on a new reel that just came out, but rather spend it on say a Pfueger Trion, as that is a reel that is proven to be quality, and if it breaks, it is easily fixed...Buying the cheapest reels will only cost you more money, the plastic $10 reels break every few months, if you take care of a $100 casting reel you should get a minimum of 5 years even if you fish like me, meaning it will get sand in it, wet, and dropped....
Lund Explorer reply :
On 1/24/2015 at 5:48 AM, ColdSVT said:Why the hell would you do that?...silly silly
Many years ago we purchased a used Class C motorhome that intended to use on fishing/camping trips. Wife hated the thing, hated traveling to all these different lakes, and wanted to settle down at a seasonal campground. So, we sold the Class C and purchased a 30' travel trailer. For three years we traveled to different seasonal campgrounds and bottom line the fishing was lousy at everyone we could find. Now we were back to the old fishing/camping trips, but with only one vehicle capable of towing both the camper and the boat meant double trips. For me!
With a Class A motorhome, I've got more room than the travel trailer and I'm down to one trip each way. BONUS: To get the boat to the campground, the wife drives the truck which leaves me in the motorhome all by myself. Life is good!
BTW, much like a boat, it is often much more affordable to purchase a gently used RV than it is to buy brand new off the lot. A guy can buy a brand spanking new $100k Triton, or he can wait two years when that same boat is now valued at $75k. So long as the original owner didn't beat it to death, it is the best deal.
scaleface reply :
I was in the sporting goods department a week ago checking out rods.Theres a falcon that I like a lot and have been mulling over buying it. Its on clearance for a hundred bucks. It really feels nice in the hand. Then I picked up a super cheapo Quantum Torsion. Thirteen dollars. It felt great. Light weight , comfortable. I mean holding it in the store it was comparable to the Falcon . I still want the Falcon. But I still cant get over the feel of that cheap IM6 rod.
Penguino reply :
I just wait until the Christmas sales or labor day sales and look in the bargain bin. I have no lures more expensive than 5$.
FishTank reply :
I have looked for a cheaper hobby but each time I try the toys just keep getting more expensive. With the gear and stuff I have purchased thus far I could stop buying fishing equipment today and probably fish until the end of days with only buying hooks, line and soft plastic.
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