Post Christmas Charity

[papajoe222]

Like a lot of the members here, I'm looking forward to finding some fishing goodies under the tree on Christmas morning.  When I do, I'm faced with a dilema (notice I said when, not if).  What to do with the gear that it replaces?  Small items like lures, line, etc. are a no brainer, but whether or not to sell off rods, reels, etc. always puzzles me. For one, some of the older items I have have some sentimental attachment and there isn't much of a market for six or eight year old technology.  The answer I came up with was also a no brainer, but seeing as I have either a pea brain or mine is so small shoving it up a fly's butt would be like putting a BB in a box car (my wife's analogies) I didn't see it.

Every year around the time I get my income tax refund, I donate new gear to a few different organizations. So why not donate my used equipment to those that will not only appreciate and use it, but possibly become dedicated anglers as a result? Where I live, there is an abundance of single parent households with both parents and children that, given the opportunity, could possibly become just that. Many of them can not afford to spend their hard earned money on anything but the necessities in life. It won't be difficult to locate a new home for the two combos I plan to replace, or some of the 'extra' gear I have that sees little or no use year-n and year-out.

Won't you consider some similar act rather than let perfectly useable equipment sit after Santa, or a friend/family member lights up your Christmas?

 

 

[Matthew2000]

I believe there is a wounded warriors type organization for fishing as well.

[Fishes in trees]

That is a great idea - in theory.  In my experiences, stuff that is free doesn't get respected/taken care of like some equipment that was paid for does.  It has to do with a persons emotional commitment , a realization that  "X" piece of equipment stands for X amount of money.  If the gear was free, the base cost of that gear is 0 so how well some gear is maintained or not doesn't enter into the equation.  Should you decide to give away some of your stuff, I hope I'm wrong in your case.

 

If I didn't know who I was giving the free gear to, I probably wouldn't give it away.   Too many prior experiences in the arena of giving away free stuff.

[*Hootie]

That is a great idea - in theory. In my experiences, stuff that is free doesn't get respected/taken care of like some equipment that was paid for does. It has to do with a persons emotional commitment , a realization that "X" piece of equipment stands for X amount of money. If the gear was free, the base cost of that gear is 0 so how well some gear is maintained or not doesn't enter into the equation. Should you decide to give away some of your stuff, I hope I'm wrong in your case.

If I didn't know who I was giving the free gear to, I probably wouldn't give it away. Too many prior experiences in the arena of giving away free stuff.

Sad, but to a lot of people, if it don't cost nothing, it ain't worth nothing.

Hootie

[F14A-B]

I did that for a young guy once, 2 baitcast reels, one rod, a tackle box with quite a few hard baits.

Word came to me about a week later, it all ended up in a pawn shop. That was 1997, I ain't over it yet...

Good luck though... Not all folks are scum bags.

[papajoe222]

I believe there is a wounded warriors type organization for fishing as well.

There is and there is also one for vets.  I was thinking more along the lines of school age kids, but I know where you guys are coming from.  I've given some of my used gear away rather than attempting to sell it with the end result being disapointing.  Hopefully, with neighborhood  families, this attempt won't be.  If nothing else, I'll purge some of the excess equipment I have. I can't believe I've accumulated twenty five rods and sixteen reels, but if I plan on adding some new items, this beats tossing them.

[hatrix]

How do you even know those kids are in to fishing? That would be the first thing I would want to know before giving stuff away. I doubt your rocking a bunch of wal-mart specials for your rods and reels and I hate to say it but if your not really into fishing then you don't deserve it. That would be like giving someone who has never used a wrench before a set of snap-on or blue points when craftsman is more then enough for them. They wouldn't appreciate what it really is. I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to giver away on here with the pay it forward thing but I guess some people ruined it for everyone. I ended up taking it to my local place and told them to give it away to kids. I told them any kids that come in with there mom or dad and the kids are the one buying stuff then give them something. I have even seen some of the kids who got stuff later on in the shop and they were happy to get anything for free. It is cool cause I know someone who really wanted it and is going to use it got my stuff in the end. Like a pack of plastics or hardbait or even hooks is nothing to us if someone gave it to you. But for a child thats awesome when you dont have anything to begin with.

[Senko lover]

Somebody gave me an old Shimano spinning combo and another three boxes of finesse worms (that I'm still using) and got me started in fishing. I probably wouldn't be using worms right now if he hadn't introduced them to me.

[HoosierHawgs]

There is and there is also one for vets.  I was thinking more along the lines of school age kids, but I know where you guys are coming from.  I've given some of my used gear away rather than attempting to sell it with the end result being disapointing.  Hopefully, with neighborhood  families, this attempt won't be.  If nothing else, I'll purge some of the excess equipment I have. I can't believe I've accumulated twenty five rods and sixteen reels, but if I plan on adding some new items, this beats tossing them.

One around here known as Heroes on Water. They do Kayak Fishing Rehabilitation for wounded vets. Check out Central Indiana Kayak Anglers for more info. All of their tournament fees are donated to them