How not to overspend on fishing gear?
Let my Wife do the tackle buying, only time I questioned my own intelligence was the time she put 250 crank baits on my credit card ! I ask her (WHY ) so many and she answered ---------- they were cheaper in quantity !
I told her that was good thinking because she got them for half price !
What else could I say ?
FS Digest wrote:
How do you guys have so far managed your expenses?
I tend to spend A LOT in fishing gear!
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by runnersgo
Join the club. I really don't understand why I can't walk past fishing gear and not buy something. Fortunately, I spend a lot of time at Walmart, and to be honest, because I fish a lot, but don't consider myself an expert, the Walmart selections are reasonably priced and have never really failed me. My fishing is all fresh water inland lakes so I really don't get into the "heavy" fishing a lot of you do. I don't understand why you need an expensive rod and reel. There are lots of inexpensive equipment that "don't break the bank" and the loss of a lure doesn't crush me.
You guys are like kids in a candy store! Remember, that looking at your tackle boxes, you don't use 1/2 of what is there, so why are you buying more? Are you like women in shoe stores? Parctice a little self constraint. Save your money and take a trip, hire a guide for a special fishing trip, or something, or a savings for when you break a rod or your outboard motor craps out. Just Sayin...RJS
Robert, You are absolutely right. Buying fishing gear is something just short of an addiction. I only respond because I know I don't need a fair amount of what I buy, and I don't go hog wild crazy. Maybe a single $2.00 lure. However, I have pulled that single lure out of the sack two or three times on my way home just to admire my "prize". Had a good friend who was the same way with power tools. His response was that "they will look good on the estate sale". Some day I will have some very happy Grandchildren. "Grandma, why did Grandpa have all this fishing equipment"?
audigger53 wrote:
I take the wife with me. LOL That limits how much I can spend.
That's the only way. Left to my own devices, I tend to get carried away.
Tight Lines š£
I'm a cheap bas**rd at heart. I don't own any $300+dollar rods or reels, but time still adds up the collection. 36+rods and reels, from Cane poles and 4.5ft ultralights, to Stand Up Tuna rods. 2 Freshwater tackle boxes,3 Saltwater tackle boxes, Gaffs Tagging stick,Flying Gaff, Tailer, 5 nets, boat tools,anchor systems, and on and on......
Much I haven't used in 20yrs, since I sold my bigger boat, but it would cost 2x as much to replace, so I keep it. You never know when an opportunity will arise to use it again. It's all maintained, and other than changing line, its ready to go.
I consider it an investment in FUN, and the return is much better than drinking it away, or shoving it up my nose.
audigger53 wrote:
I take the wife with me. LOL That limits how much I can spend.
lmao, ain't it the truth
I finally had to set a limit on the number of rods and reels I have for bass fishing 12. Six spinning and six casting.
Musky Iām at 7
Sold some overflow and invested in upgrade on one bass outfit
Iām just about where I want to be
Lures , I just pulled 100 hard baits and sold them
Soft plastics Iām getting ready o go thru these. Plan is to put acceptable inventory to cary on boat and set up a ā mothershipā to replace when necessary or to stock up for a trip.
As far as buying new. Iām targeting specific lures to fill specific needs.
For example. I have plenty of 12 ft crankbaits. I donāt buy more of these.
I could use a couple more 16 ft crankbaits so Iāll pick up a couple.
Old75
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
Ronniejw wrote:
My biggest spends nowadays is the lure that catches the fish, I have one I get at Walmart, 2 for just over $1 and keep plenty in hand as they're my main bass lure. I have plenty of everything else so it's only bait I need to purchase now
What is the lure?
Pretty sure that the first step in curing an addiction, is admitting that you have one.
Despite the efforts made by two ex-wives and numerous family and friends, I am still in total denial.
...."Problem ? What stinkin' problem ? I have empty slots in that tackle box, and that one, and that one and space in that bag for a couple more Plano boxes, and my 4 rod racks aren't actually...totally full.....and my SS check is due in a day or three..... pantry is full, vehicles paid for, bills paid already, even the liquor cabinet got replenishment at Christmas time.... Covid is gonna make me a hermit for the next few months.....soooooo......"
Yep, in total denial of my disease.
It's not the reel or the rod It's the guy holding it that makes the difference. I generally spend about 60.00 to 70.00 on my rod and reel combine. I catch just as many fish as those with the 300 to 400 dollar rigs .
louzam
Loc: central Maine, Kennebec Valley
Was at a seminar some years ago. A representative from Berkely was giving a talk on tackle, the consumer, the company, etc., etc. What he said was Fishermen use 5% of their tackle 95% of the their time, and the remaining 95% of their tackle, 5% of the time. The trick is apparently is to identify what is your go to "5% of the time tackle" and eliminate the other 95%
It's not over spending if you can afford it. Friends that use my gear leave knowing the difference when they have to go back to theirs.
Post on CraigsList for used rods, reels, etc. I've got lot of stuff I'd almost give away !
Iāve had the same penn reels since the early 90s, my rods I fix multiple times if needed before buying a new one. Terminal tackle I get off Amazon.
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