Pricing Out The Average Angler?

[Mike L]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Nope...........I do just fine with an aluminum bass boat, $100 rods and reels, $6 cranks, and $3 bags of soft plastics.

[Heron]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

 Crankbaits are way over priced.  I wonder how much they really cost to make  $0.05?  

[fisherrw]

Crankbaits are way over priced. I wonder how much they really cost to make $0.05?

I agree!

[DILLY07]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

What bass boat is $100K?  They are expensive brand new for sure, but $100K is not even close to the normal price for a brand new rig.  A 2015 BassCat Puma with a 250 ProXS is right around $50K.

 

Just like with any other sport or hobby, if you want the latest and greatest you're going to pay for it.  There are plenty of budget options in all categories as well, plus the used market.  

 

I wouldn't worry about the market adjusting due to a $25 MegaBass jerkbait...Because they are outsold probably 100 to 1 or more by $6 to $10 jerkbaits.  

 

Edit:

RE: The post below.  I had not, cool.  I still think what I wrote here is applicable, though.  

Edited January 21, 2015 by Stratos20SS

[JT Bagwell]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I spend a lot on hooks

[Heron]

No comment

[JT Bagwell]

Just for clarification, I wasn't talking about myself. I was just curious what everyone thought about the crazy prices on stuff now days.