Tough Times And Tackle

[Mobasser]

My wife had a major surgery 3yrs ago. Our insurance covered most of the cost of this bill, but, there was still a balance left to pay. Next week I'll make the final payment on this bill. It feels like I've had a sack of concrete on each shoulder, and now they're gone. So, I've been fishing on a budget.Here are some items I've found, that more than outperform their low cost. 1- Shimano Sienna spinning reels. These are the 500 size. I bought 2 7yrs ago, one for my wife, and one for me,to use for crappie fishing. They've caught scores of crappies, a few bass, and some stocked trout. For 29.95, very hard to beat, and still working as new.  2- QuantumTG 400CX casting reel. Purchased on closeout 2yrs ago, for 36.00. Very smooth , good casting, nice overall. A great value. 3- don't laugh. Lucky Strike plastic worms from Wal Mart. I bought 12 bags, 4" and 6" assorted colors for 25cents a bag on closeout. We boiled these worms, and added some anise oil to the bags. We caught quite a few fish this summer, especially on the tequila sunrise color. Again, an excellent buy . 4- last but not least, Trilene Big Game monofilament line. I've bought many spools of this line over the years.Ive never gotten a bad batch. Each spool has been consistent, tough, good quality line. An excellent value for the hard earned dollar. We all love high end, quality tackle. Most times you get what you pay for. If your fishing on a budget, don't worry. You can still catch plenty of fish. Shop around, and you can find some good bargains out there. These 4 items have worked great for me. What are some lower cost items that you've bought, that are a great value?

[new2BC4bass]

I used Trilene XL for years.  Never a problem.  Hardly ever pay full price for lures.  Many years ago little Beetlespins were a favorite lure with the grub replaced with a small Mr. Twister.  Caught many, many fish with very few.  A spinnerbait is still a favorite lure of mine.

 

Package deal $100 for three Black Max 1600C reels.  Not the tightest tolerances, but cast surprisingly well and wind be damned.    Daiwa Procaster 100HN on closeout...$30.  Fine reel...even at full price.

 

6' ML Berkley Lightning spinning rod.  Around 40 or so years old.  Has caught hundreds of fish.  Mostly panfish with a Beetlespin or Roostertail.  No idea what I paid for it.  Still sits in the basement with a Penn 430SS on it.  A nice little reel.  Too bad I haven't fished a spinning rod in years.

 

Few years ago I bought 3000 yard spools of 8# and 12# Silver Thread AN40.  Use it on a lot of reels.  Probably have to will the remaining line to my daughter.    Think price was somewhere in the mid $30s.

[Hammer 4]

I can recall, many, many....years ago when I had a 2 pc cherrywood spinning rod, with a close to the bottom of the line diawa reel on it. Caught tons of fish on it, including a few 10lb Bonita, some checkers ans spotties. I used that set up for oh..at least 3 or 4 yrs..Having the latest and greatest is nice, but not required to have a good time catching fish.

[BoatSquirrel]

For $37 at WM, I love the Mitchell 300 spinning reel.  

[Spankey]

I hear ya with those Lucky Strike rubber worms. I’ve had success using them as a change up. Not a go to worm for me but when I want to stick with a worm and things are slow and just need to give something a bit different. Oily but I don’t care. I slather them in garlic or some type of smelly jelly. Should fish them more consistently but I don’t. They catch bass no doubt. 

And I hope your wife is feeling better and you guys get back on track. 

[Deleted account]

Most of the tackle available today in the lower to middle range is more than adequate for getting the job done. Additionally if one is strapped for cheddar, functional used gear at swaps, fishing flea markets and the like can be had for a song. We collect tackle donations and sell it to raise $ for our charity, and often, we end up buying some ourselves. 

[Fishes in trees]

I have had bad experiences with Trilene Big Game.  I have 4 or 5 spools sitting around the fishing shed, all 8 years old or older.   If I was going to use that stuff to hang pictures, I'd quadruple up or quintuple up.   I don't trust the stated strength of that line at all.

That being said I agree with the OP that bargains can be had when you look around and be patient.

A couple of years ago I noticed that Academy Sports had their own brand of magnum square bills that were slightly cheaper than the Strike King ones.  Then one day I wandered into Academy and they were on sale at 2 for $5.  I now have a nice set of magnum square bills - a dozen of them in several different colors.  Last winter they put Ocho's on sale at $2 per bag and now I have a lifetime supply of echo's - 30 or so bags.

A few years ago at Walmart, their entire stock of 1st generation Tungsten weights (Lake Fork Tackle I think) went on sale when some GED type went to town with the fifty cent price stickers.  I was kind and left 1 pack of each size on the rack.

[Fishes in trees]

On the subject of bargain opportunities, don't neglect pawn shops.  Just like mom & pop fishing stores, I can't drive by one and not stop.  Most of the time you don't find anything worthwhile, however a couple of weeks ago I was in Warsaw for the Leavenworth Bass Club's Fishing for Freedom event and I found a very cool old Diawa Light & Tough rod, the white/silver/grey one with the deer foot lower split handle.   They had the same model in a cranking rod, but I didn't need/want that one.

[WRB]

Good to hear your wife is past her health issues. Care taking consumes a lot more then money and time, it can impact everyone's well being.

Living within your expendable income often means looking for bargains and finding them  makes it worth the effort. 

Thank you for sharing.

Tom

[Mobasser]

15 minutes ago, WRB said:

Good to hear your wife is past her health issues. Care taking consumes a lot more then money and time, it can impact everyone's well being.

Living within your expendable income often means looking for bargains and finding them  makes it worth the effort. 

Thank you for sharing.

Tom

Tom, the best part about this is my wife has recovered and doing very well now. I have a lot to be thankful for. Thanks again Tom

[Bankbeater]

Don't forget about auctions and garage sales.  Sometimes you'll find really good deals at these places.

[ike8120]

Just because it is inexpensive or used doesn't mean it is bad. As long as it serves the intended purpose and works for you, that is all that counts. Fish don't know if it is a $30 rod and reel combo or a $300 one.

[GReb]

Very glad your wife recovered and debts are paid off. The cloud of debt can cause all sorts of issues and some don’t make it through the storm. But it’s a critical lesson to all of us a meaningful life can be lived on a small amount of money. Sometimes eliminating the wants and desires creates the happiest version of ourselves. 
 

Oh and cheap Walmart worms work great in unpressured water. If you have a private pond or small lake there’s no need to throw a Yamamoto or Rage Tail. 

[jmz313]

$.87 beetle spins from WM.  i'll switch up the plastics to the last 2" of a paddle tail, grub, or ribbon tail.  I can use the blade, or if its super blue bird and dead wind, just the jig head.