Do you find that this sport is made difficult and expensive for no reason?

[NHBull]

7 hours ago, lo n slo said:

i am hard headed like this. i still throw a t rig most of the time although i have branched out (LOL) to different colors these days. it comes down to being confident with familiarity i guess. 

 

my old high school football coach ran the triple option and we only had a handful of plays, but we could run them in our sleep. i’ve always held on to that mindset i guess.

 

yes, we had face masks ?

Heck, I want to convince our head coach to run the triple for that very reason.....If not, at least the Power I

[toni63]

5 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Zona has us all beat. Granted he probably gets his all for free. Would it be nice to have that man cave?

 

 

And notice this is all hanging on the wall.... not off a hook.

 

I have told people before, the most expensive fish fillet in the world is the largemouth bass, considering the thousands of dollars spent per pound that ends up on a dinner table.

[.ghoti.]

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

 

Something similar could be said about tackle collecting.

 

What I can for myself is I can fish the rest of my life without ever making another tackle purchase. My wife is gonna have a lot of stuff to get rid of when I check out. And the old line about her selling it for what I told it cost does not apply. She is a professional shopper, and knows precisely what this stuff costs. She bought some of it for me.

[Brew City Bass]

Expensive is a relative term here. 

Nobody is forced to spend more money than they can afford in bass fishing. There is no set dollar amount to get your foot in the door. $25 at walmart will get anyone into bass fishing. That's cheap as hell unless you're jobless and broke. 

I can afford middle of the line gear. $200 dollar rods and reels and my bass boat I paid $3,000 for may seem expensive to say a 16 year old kid who doesn't have a job and wants to start bass fishing, but it's fairly affordable for me to own that price range of gear. Then you have the people who make six figure salaries who can afford $500 rods and reels and a $40,000 bass boat. To me, that is EXPENSIVE and I'd go into debt to afford any of that stuff. That's why I afford the middle of the line gear. I can out fish my buddy who buys a new bass boat every 2 years and completely replaces his rod and reel arsenal every year. He can just afford nicer gear and rig. I am happy for him that he can do that, and I am happy he invites me to enjoy those items once in a while, but gear in no way makes the fisherman. 

Is there a stigma that if you don't own the best gear you're a lousy fisherman or won't catch as much fish as you would if you had expensive gear? I find that to be somewhat true, but only the douchebags act like that, and you will find that in EVERY hobby.

I do find the big leagues to be "pay to play" though. Not really possible for someone like me to break into that on my budget and salary, even if I sold everything I owned and was a wayyyyy better angler. 

[12poundbass]

6 hours ago, Brew City Bass said:

I do find the big leagues to be "pay to play" though. Not really possible for someone like me to break into that on my budget and salary, even if I sold everything I owned and was a wayyyyy better angler. 

This is false especially for the Elites and now the FLW. The FLW up until the change a few weeks ago if you could pony up the cash you'd get on a waiting list and make the big leagues. Elites you've always had to qualify.

 

Mike Iaconelli, Gerald Swindel, Jacob Wheeler just to name a few worked their way from hardly nothing to where they are today. You fish local tournaments win those save cash. Go to the next step, win frequently at that step, go to the next. Win tournaments where first place is a boat. Up grade boats or sell it to fund the next level. Where there's a will there's a way. It's a long rough road that isn't that glorious the more you look into it.

[Brew City Bass]

1 hour ago, 12poundbass said:

This is false especially for the Elites and now the FLW. The FLW up until the change a few weeks ago if you could pony up the cash you'd get on a waiting list and make the big leagues. Elites you've always had to qualify.

 

Mike Iaconelli, Gerald Swindel, Jacob Wheeler just to name a few worked their way from hardly nothing to where they are today. You fish local tournaments win those save cash. Go to the next step, win frequently at that step, go to the next. Win tournaments where first place is a boat. Up grade boats or sell it to fund the next level. Where there's a will there's a way. It's a long rough road that isn't that glorious the more you look into it.

Thank's for clarifying on that. I didn't know those guys came from nothing! Good for them!

[Deleted account]

10 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

True enough, but for some of us its all about the fish.

[12poundbass]

55 minutes ago, Brew City Bass said:

Thank's for clarifying on that. I didn't know those guys came from nothing! Good for them!

Just to clarify I'm not implying they were dirt floor poor. They started out like me and I'm assuming you just an average Joe. They weren't like a Boyd Duckett and extremely wealthy. There are many more like the three I mentioned.

 

My point if this is the route you're considering you can do it. You don't need top of the line anything. You need skill, dedication, and the desire to be the best.

[Brew City Bass]

9 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Just to clarify I'm not implying they were dirt floor poor. They started out like me and I'm assuming you just an average Joe. They weren't like a Boyd Duckett and extremely wealthy. There are many more like the three I mentioned.

 

My point if this is the route you're considering you can do it. You don't need top of the line anything. You need skill, dedication, and the desire to be the best.

Want to be my life coach? Great motivational words

[TOXIC]

Fishing means different things to different people.  For most it's a fun activity, for some it's a hobby, for some it's a competitive sport and for others it's a job.  All levels have differing monetary investments.  Everyone has their own path to follow depending on how serious you want to take it.  For me it started out like most kids worm and bobber fishing.  Then my grandfather took me to Canada as a young teen and I was able to experience catching 8lb walleye on hair jigs and double digit pike on red/white Daredevil spoons.  When my grandfather passed, I quit fishing for a number of years.....like 30.  Life got in the way, I got married/divorced and remarried.  Changed multiple jobs, got a serious career, moved multiple times and 25 years ago ended up here in Virginia.  Got to know my neighbor who loved to fish and we would go to a small lake 5 miles from our houses to catfish in a jon with chicken livers.  Got the opportunity to buy a pvc bass hunter with a trolling motor and because of my location, had numerous bodies of water to fish for bass.  Worked with a lady who owned 3 acres of riverfront on the Shenandoah river and discovered wade fishing and fly fishing for smallmouth.  It was a misty morning out in the middle of the river after a heard of deer had just swam past me within arms reach, like I wasn't there, when a feeling came over me, it was if my grandfather was standing right next to me and at that point everything just clicked.  I became a student of the sport of fishing....all fishing.  It came somewhat naturally.  Had a friend coming from Nebraska and I hired a local guide to fish Lake Anna.  Had my father coming and hired him again to fish the Rappahannock river .  Out fished the guide on both trips.  He offered me a job taking out his overflow clients and offered me his sponsored boat for that year if I could pass the interview.  The interview was that I met him on the Potomac river (which I had never fished at that time) and I had to put him on fish.  I studied up for a week and met him at the river.  He sat in the passenger seat and told me to take him to the fish.  I did.  That started my guiding experience.  In guiding, sponsorships help your bottom line and puts products in the hands of potential buyers everyday.  I approached the companies whose products I used and believed in.  It also started my requirement to work shows, give seminars and product demonstrations.  I have to stay up to date on current offerings and what is out there in the industry.  I got "connected" in the business side of the industry and it has lead to a wonderful relationship with a lot of people/companies.  I was active pro-staff for Bass Pro for 15 years.  Did a lot of seminars and tank demos for them.  Although I am still under contract, I am not affiliated with a store right now.  I work for a Rep Group out of Kansas for numerous products in both hunting and fishing and appear in Bass Pro and Cabela's across the country for Grand Openings and local for annual events. I represent my sponsors every time I am on the water for fun or for business.  I take it very seriously. 

 

Long story long....  That is my journey into the fishing world and why I choose what gear I do.  I could have stopped at any point along the way and still be fishing for cats out of a jon but I took a sincere interest in the sport.  Now that I will be retiring from that serious career I started 34 years ago next year, I can't wait to see what's next for me in the fishing world.  

[J Francho]

I've actually noticed a shift.  More and more, the industry is offering some quality products at a lower price point.  You do not have to spend $300 or more for a sensitive, light combo with a decent warranty.

[Raul]

the angler makes it complicated and expensive when it is not.

 

However, to me, purchasing fishing stuff that I don't need is part of the fun, 95% ( I bet it's more ) of my baits haven't touched the water, I have several NIB reels that ain't gonna see action in many years to come, there are many baits I purchased with the only purpose of exhibition.

 

And in the end .... BETTER HAVE AND NOT NEED THAN NEED AND NOT HAVE ( Baitmonkey is happy ).

[Tennessee Boy]

15 minutes ago, Raul said:

And in the end .... BETTER HAVE AND NOT NEED THAN NEED AND NOT HAVE ( Baitmonkey is happy ).

I feel the same way about money.  That's why I try not to buy a bunch of tackle that I'll never used.  To each his own. ?

[bhoff]

I mean this is purely an opinion based question/statement you made so everyone is going to have a slightly different answer by nature. As far as only needing one of two combos for fishing that is completely personal and only applies to you. Some people might only feel like they need a single combo and others an entire room full. It could depend on factors like what type of fishing you like doing, geographical location etc. You can make the sport as cheap or as expensive as you want. However, to point at someone who has most likely invested their hard earned money in a boat and say hes naive for doing so is not the right frame of mind. I'm sure everyone including the man that made the comment has something in his life he spends a relative large amount of his income on because he enjoys doing so. For me that is cycling and fishing. As long as I am making (somewhat) smart decisions with my money and having fun in the process I will continue to do so. 

.02

[bait__Monkey]

u kant stop me.  i wil hawnt u

On 7/18/2018 at 10:34 AM, J Francho said:

I've actually noticed a shift.  More and more, the industry is offering some quality products at a lower price point.  You do not have to spend $300 or more for a sensitive, light combo with a decent warranty.

 

i get dem huukd yung

[WRB]

You can catch bass using a cane pole and nightcrawler if catching bass is your goal.

Boating is something a lot of non fisherman do for recreation, some combine the two, boating and fishing.

Everybody can choose how they bass fish and how much money, time and effort to invest in the sport.

Tom

[Trox]

Don't listen to any of these guys on here... They are just trying to keep you from one of the best kept secrets in bass fishing in case they ever have to compete with you in a tournament. People who have been around know that Bass are attracted to the smell of money. I once knew a guy who fished and he told this me this secret. What you need to do about a week before your next trip, is go to the bank and request a MINIMUM of $100 in singles. The more the better. Get a box and dump in the cash. Then, get all of your stuffed Plano boxes and just dump everything in there. The direct contact with money is what makes a good bait deadly. And the longer they are kept in the money box, the nastier they get with the scent of luxury and believe me, they will be able to tell how long you let those puppies soak. Dude, people be slayin' bass all day with this technique, and if you got good credit, go ahead and print out your credit score and toss it into that box as well. 30lbs sack by 9. 

[Krux5506]

The thing about fishing and I will say specifically bass fishing is because it's so addicting and theres a plethora of options as far as baits/lures (not to mention a rod/reel rigged for each technique) there is very much this feeling that I can only assume addicts have where they always want more more more. Therefore the fishing market can capitalize on that so easily. The newest, latest and greatest baits to catch you the most and biggest fish. It's such an easy marketing tactic to a bunch of fishing junkies, lol. 

 

I do think the longer you're into the sport, the more you just revert back to the tried and true classics, or whatever baits and lures you have come to be the most comfortable and successful with. It's easier to pass up those brand new $20 lures when you already know what works. At the same time, I always like seeing new stuff hit the market, but I am kinda tough to sell to and it's definitely not because I know everything, it's because I tend to be a cheapskate.

[Glaucus]

On 7/19/2018 at 3:09 PM, WRB said:

You can catch bass using a cane pole and nightcrawler if catching bass is your goal.

Boating is something a lot of non fisherman do for recreation, some combine the two, boating and fishing.

Everybody can choose how they bass fish and how much money, time and effort to invest in the sport.

Tom

Well of course, Tom. I'm not advocating for the use of a cane pool and some nightcrawlers. What I'm saying is, is having dozens and sometimes even hundreds of techniques ready to go really necessary? I get that it can be part of the fun for some people. I get that boating can be fun too. Lately I'm just not seeing a point in all of it when there's a dozen really good techniques that will land good fish, any time, any place, and that a Jon Boat will do everything a bass boat will do, when reaching spots is your goal and not simply recreational boating. Call it buyer's remorse, I guess, since I've spent years buying things for this or that situation, and out of not having to retie a lure. 

 

It's like, ok, what worm really works for me? Zoom Trick Worm. Many different rigging methods, always my go to. So why have 17 different types of worms? What finesse tactic really works for me? Wacky and Ned. So why have 6 ready to go? What crankbaits really work for me? 1.5's and 1/4oz traps, so why have 100 different kinds? What topwater gets the most action? Whopper Plopper. So why have a couple dozen different baits? After narrowing it down, it seems silly to me to keep stuff I don't use or that works to a lesser degree. It's not about the cheapest route at all. It's about what will work, what does work, and why having other similar stuff that isn't as good, just to say I have it, just in case??

[813basstard]

5 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

Well of course, Tom. I'm not advocating for the use of a cane pool and some nightcrawlers. What I'm saying is, is having dozens and sometimes even hundreds of techniques ready to go really necessary? I get that it can be part of the fun for some people. I get that boating can be fun too. Lately I'm just not seeing a point in all of it when there's a dozen really good techniques that will land good fish, any time, any place, and that a Jon Boat will do everything a bass boat will do, when reaching spots is your goal and not simply recreational boating. Call it buyer's remorse, I guess, since I've spent years buying things for this or that situation, and out of not having to retie a lure. 

I’m with you on this. Best advice I’ve gotten (in fishing and life) get good at what your good at. With that in mind I’ve scaled down what I throw but expanded on colors. So instead of 5 different kind of jigs now it’s 2 in 3 different colors. Instead of 12 different styles of lipless now it’s 3 with 5 different colors. We don’t fish table rock one week and the Big O the next so we don’t need to be as flexible as the pros. Would it be nice? Sure. But I’d rather increase the quantity and quality of the fish then completely start over with a new technique. And I’ll never, ever buy a bait more than $8. Ain’t doing it. Don’t need it.

[WRB]

Very few recreational bass anglers own multiple presentaion specific rod and reel outfits.

It wasn't until Dobyns exploited presentation specific rods, brilliant on his part, that the vast majority of bass anglers owned more then a few MHF bass rods and a rod crankbait rod, maybe 4 to 5 combos if they also flipped.

Finesse bass fishing wasn't a factor outside of selected regions like the west coast and Midwest finesse anglers that used spinning.

The west coast introduced swimbaits and now swimbait rods and reels became popular.

Flipping gave way to pitching so another specific rod combo is popular.

Jerk baits and poppers use the older shorter rods as the mainstream MHF got longer 7' to 7'4" is common, too long for working some lures so 6'6" rods are again popular.

Instead of the basic 4 to 5 combos a decade ago most bass anglers today feel the need 10 combos. Good for the rod & reel mfr's, are they needed? No, you can catch bass using a cane pole and nightcrawlers if being a minimalist is your thing, it's not mine so I keep 15 combos in my boat locker.

Tom

[slonezp]

Nothing is stopping you from using an Ugly Stick combo, Eagle Claw hooks, lead sinkers, and a red and white bobber with live bait

[Glaucus]

15 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Nothing is stopping you from using an Ugly Stick combo, Eagle Claw hooks, lead sinkers, and a red and white bobber with live bait

You missed the point along with the other elitists. 

[Russ E]

16 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Nothing is stopping you from using an Ugly Stick combo, Eagle Claw hooks, lead sinkers, and a red and white bobber with live bait

^^^^ what he said

it is as expensive as you want to make it.

[soflabasser]

26 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Nothing is stopping you from using an Ugly Stick combo, Eagle Claw hooks, lead sinkers, and a red and white bobber with live bait

Don't forget a yo yo reel. Very simple to use and provides a challenge that most people are not used to. I caught a fat 24 inch, +7 pound bass a couple months ago on a yo yo reel as bycatch while fishing for channel catfish. Guess somebody forget to tell this bass that my yo yo reel was not a +$500 combo and that I was not fishing with a lure that some professional bass fisherman says is the best?