Frugal Fishing

[Dyerbassman]

I may be in the minority on this one, but being unemployed, I just have to ask. What are your favorite and most productive inexpensive lures, lines, rods, reels, etc.? I am seriously going to try to fish this year on a tight budget, kind of as an experiment and out of necessity. Besides, this could be a fun topic!

[ww2farmer]

I fish "cheap" too, but only because after many years of buying higher dollar stuff, I catch just as much and just as big of fish on lower priced stuff, with none of the "issues" people claim to have with lower priced gear. Here is just a sample of some lower cost items that I use, I still use some "expensive" things but not nearly as many as I used to.

 

Hard baits: Storm, Strike King, and Bandit.

 

Jigs: Strike King Bitsy jigs, Booyah jigs

 

Frogs: Booyah Pad Crasher

 

Soft Plastics: Berkley Havoc, Netbait, Some Yum, SK, and Zoom stuff................nothing GYCB LOL.

 

Terminal Tackle: VMC

 

Rods: Berkley Lighning Rod Shocks, and Abu Vengeance/Vendetta/Veritas's

 

Reels: Abu Max (casting) Pflueger President (spinning)

 

Line: Power Pro (braid) Seaguar Red Label (Fluoro) Trilene (mono)

[RAMBLER]

I have no intention of putting down our sponsors by suggesting something to buy. That being said, you can get Shakespeare Ugly Sticks rods, at some of the box stores, for $29.95, both spinning and bait casting. None of them are as light or sensitive as the more expensive tackle, but they will do a good job.

The reels will be in plastic containers hanging on the racks. The reels will usually be the lower priced models of the brands used by those that can afford $150.00-$250.00 for a reel. They will also do a good job for you. You will find one our sponsors reels there (Pinnacle).

You are going to have to match the line to how you want to fish.

The lures that you need (not what you may want) can usually be found, there, too.

Hope this helps.

Tight Lines

[Scott F]

Visit flea markets and swap meets. You can pick up some good used gear for cheap prices. 

[Dyerbassman]

I have had luck at garage sales and estate sales. That's how I got my boat!

[Crestliner2008]

Spring tag sales are good sources for higher end tackle at much lower, every man's prices. I really do not care what the next guys uses. It's not the hammer that does the work.

[kwhorne19]

I use a lot of the more "inexpensive" reels and some hand me down rods and as long as you are were the fish are they don't really know the difference..  I am on a budget as well and I need to get all I can out of what I've got...  good luck!

[Dyerbassman]

Don't get me wrong...I have spent $$$$ in the past, but I am really going to try it this year without doing that. I honestly have enough stuff to get by for quite a while, but I am always interested in hearing how other anglers save a buck or two. WW2Farmer, I tend to fish like you. Berkley Shock rods, low end Shimano reels, Berkley soft plastics, and I always search the sales and clearance sections first. Keep 'em coming guys and gals...

[Naplock]

Soft plastics

Tons of varieties, including rigs/types that are very effective even if using yarn on a broomstick.

[basshole8190]

Although i own alot of topend gear now i still use alot of bargain tackle. i like berkley lightnîn rod shocks and abu max series reels and use zebco omniflex mono($2.99) on a few reels with zoom plastics and strike king cranks and do fine but i l i wouldnt give up my nicer gear either

[Missourifishin]

Keep an eye on the flea market section here on BR. I've gotten some pretty sweet deals there in the last 6 months or so.

[EvanT123]

This is an interesting topic and one I think about every so often. I recently boxed up my soft plastics and thought to myself I shouldn't buy anymore till I use the ones I've got. I doubt that will happen though.

For me to fish on a budget I would need a few bags of white flukes 3/0 ewg hooks and any fast action rod. Reel doesn't matter.

[camovan]

Dig for worms.  Seriously, its up to you how much you spend.  I have been unemployed and dug worms, caught fish and fed my family.  I have thrown a $75 bait on a $400 rig as well and released the fish, there is lots in between and most, if not all works and will give you enjoyment if your grateful for what you have.

[ClackerBuzz]

buying from the forums can save you 50-75%. i recently bought 3 lots with over $80 of soft plastics for $15 each. yes you can figure out a specific soft plastic color on fisheries. but a lot of places bass will bite any size shape or color plastic you have tied on. that why i love buying up these lots. i have 2 sets of soft plastics: 1organized lot for difficult fisheries where i need simplicity to learn patterns and build confidence. 2 junk lot of plastics for fisheries where will bass eat anything.

also got jigs for $1-2 each. $200 rods for $110.  $2 strike king spinnerbaits.

[OkobojiEagle]

Buy a current fishing liscense and fish with whatever you currently have... I bet it will catch just as many bass as it did when you bought it new.

 

 

oe

[nascar2428]

It's easy to be frugal, it's just a state of mind. Clearance should be my middle name, wether in a store or online, the clearance dept,is my first stop. Be on the lookout for some great deals between now and Spring, A lot of them will not be advertised, especially in the big box stores. 

[*Hootie]

I fish "cheap" too, but only because after many years of buying higher dollar stuff, I catch just as much and just as big of fish on lower priced stuff, with none of the "issues" people claim to have with lower priced gear. Here is just a sample of some lower cost items that I use, I still use some "expensive" things but not nearly as many as I used to.

Hard baits: Storm, Strike King, and Bandit.

Jigs: Strike King Bitsy jigs, Booyah jigs

Frogs: Booyah Pad Crasher

Soft Plastics: Berkley Havoc, Netbait, Some Yum, SK, and Zoom stuff................nothing GYCB LOL.

Terminal Tackle: VMC

Rods: Berkley Lighning Rod Shocks, and Abu Vengeance/Vendetta/Veritas's

Reels: Abu Max (casting) Pflueger President (spinning)

Line: Power Pro (braid) Seaguar Red Label (Fluoro) Trilene (mono)

SEE!!.....it can be done.

Hootie

[shootermcbob]

Buy a current fishing liscense and fish with whatever you currently have... I bet it will catch just as many bass as it did when you bought it new.

 

 

oe

Off topic, I know. But, I LOVE your avatar. What a cool picture.

[OkobojiEagle]

Thanks shootermcbob,  I love her too!

 

 

oe

[MikeJames]

Yard sales. This past summer I picked up 15 rod/reals and 3 tackle boxes, most of the tackle was still new, for $20 at a yard sale.

[SirSnookalot]

Rod and reel wise an abundance of sophistication isn't needed to catch most fish, but if one's budget allows it why not.  One of the most economical lures is a spoon, barring any loss only the hook needs to be replaced.  Storm wild eyed shad, 3 pack for about 5 bux, catch a lot of fish and with some luck will last pretty good.  A $3 bucktail jig will catch about anything that can swim, quite a few toothless fish can be caught before they need to be replaced.  My #1 pick is a 2.99 jerkbait I use, has caught more bass and peas than all my others.  Unlike my Rapalas I never break the lip off, I cast under bridges and make a lot of bad casts, the lure is like a timex, keeps on ticking.

[Darren.]

I may be in the minority on this one, but being unemployed, I just have to ask. What are your favorite and most productive inexpensive lures, lines, rods, reels, etc.? I am seriously going to try to fish this year on a tight budget, kind of as an experiment and out of necessity. Besides, this could be a fun topic!

 

My favorite cheap gear would have to be the ultimate in simplicity, simple long poles, no reel, just a length of line, a float, a hook, and some bait (live or artificial).

 

Serious fun. And I've even used these for wacky rigging, caught some nice 2 pound largies hitting a dock. GREAT fun with my boys.

[Nice_Bass]

I may be in the minority on this one, but being unemployed, I just have to ask. What are your favorite and most productive inexpensive lures, lines, rods, reels, etc.? I am seriously going to try to fish this year on a tight budget, kind of as an experiment and out of necessity. Besides, this could be a fun topic!

I am with you on a tighter budget this year and last, really it was more fun simplifying and getting a bunch of junk out of the boat anyhow.

Berkley powerbait flat back shad/lunker city shaker and Conquistador 3/4-1oz jig head.  Good substitute for more expensive ultra realistic swimbaits. Only a 6-7 inch profile but still catches good fish. 

Berkley powerbait soft plastics- last longer than most brands, don't need to buy scent, etc. etc. 

pocket knockers to quickly retrieve jigs and crankbaits.  This was my best money saver yet as I already used everything else.  

[J Francho]

I spent VERY little on fishing last year.  Stay local, pack a lunch (and dinner if necessary), plan your fishing path instead of running and gunning willy-nilly around the lake, use what you have.  When you need to buy new tackle, buy quality stuff, and when it's on sale, but don't buy new stuff just because it's reduced.  That's my Achilles heel, lol.

[tomustang]

I think many of us have a goal of getting the higher quality while paying the lowest price. That being said I'm a huge fan of Cabelas in store bargain cave and BPS outlet store. Check back periodically cause you never know what comes in for return or closeout.