Is it just me...

[SirSnookalot]

Looks as though your dad has different priorities than you.  I'd be willing to bet his life experiences have taught him that there are far more important things than the latest and best fishing gear.  You on the other hand probably watch too much tv where pros are you using the best and pay way too much attention to what you read.

I think your father is giving you a lesson on life that goes way past the boundaries of fishing.  Pay more attention, you might learn something.

[steezy]

... Or do other people in your family complain when you buy expensive(and in my case not so expensive) fishing rods and reels? My dad never lets me hear the end of it.. > He always nags me about how my Crucial and Carbonlite is "so high-end" and how I want to save my christmas money for A new combo. He's one of those people that thinks all rods are created equal with just different price tags. Which is fine, I agree to a point but their is a quality and performance gap between my combo and a Gander Mountain $50 combo. Like he cant understand my explanation of why I spend the money I do on my gear. Obviously I enjoy a more refined rod, but he seems he wont let it go on what i spend! I wish I would get him to fish a better rod so he knows what its like to fish a nicer rod and reel than what he has. (I would let him use mine but he hates casting gear.) Its just so frustrating when he nags me for using a more expensive rod when he has never used one himself.

Does anybody else have a family member like this?

And my dad does fish as often as I do, So he's not clueless about it like a family member who doesn't fish.

Sorry for ranting a bit.

I bet your dad would really light up if you brought home a steez combo.

[VolFan]

SirSnookAlot hit the nail on the head.  If you're 15, you probably don't need a $300 combo.  You probably need more practice and experience.  But we were all there once.

[Raul]

I give a rat 's rear end about what other people think, it 's my darn friggin hard earned money and I do with it what I want, the wife ? she don 't even dare to say anything, she buys them trash like designer shoes she wears once, purses, clothes n 'junk, heck, I can purchase a couple of Steezes with what one of her purses cost me.

[trevor]

I give a rat 's rear end about what other people think, it 's my darn friggin hard earned money and I do with it what I want, the wife ? she don 't even dare to say anything, she buys them trash like designer shoes she wears once, purses, clothes n 'junk, heck, I can purchase a couple of Steezes with what one of her purses cost me.

Now that's the spirit!

[grimlin]

Looks as though your dad has different priorities than you. I'd be willing to bet his life experiences have taught him that there are far more important things than the latest and best fishing gear. You on the other hand probably watch too much tv where pros are you using the best and pay way too much attention to what you read.

I think your father is giving you a lesson on life that goes way past the boundaries of fishing. Pay more attention, you might learn something.

Good advice.....Since he is still young,very young yet.

I don't think your dad is 100% wrong.

I also understand the meaning "you only live once" also.

If you can afford it and it won't hurt you financially I say go for it. 

[BASSclary]

Like I know when I grow up I'll have responsibilities like paying mortgage, insurance and all that stuff(I actually have to pay for my insurance before I can get my liscence), and I get he would rather spend 50 on a gander mountain combo and have other stuff, but it just gets me that he nags me about it.

And I would love to get my old man a nice combo, like a Compre and a Sahara, but being only 15 I dont have a job, so I dont get money alot, and really cant have a legit job until July(my 16th birthday)

[BASSclary]

I bet your dad would really light up if you brought home a steez combo.

Haha I dont want to give him a heart attack! ;D

[bilgerat]

I give a rat 's rear end about what other people think, it 's my darn friggin hard earned money and I do with it what I want, the wife ? she don 't even dare to say anything, she buys them trash like designer shoes she wears once, purses, clothes n 'junk, heck, I can purchase a couple of Steezes with what one of her purses cost me.

...says Raul here on the forum ;D at home it's a whole 'nother tune...

Just kiddin with ya.

[BossHoss]

I am a pretty young guy myself (21) and I agree with a lot of what is said here.  I like nice fishing stuff as much as the next guy, and I would agree that people that don't love fishing would have a hard time understanding having several combos.

   With that being said, I speak from experience when I say that there a lot more value in having a decent little john boat and extra money for gas and tackle then having a 300$ combo with no boat and no tackle.  You will learn 10x more about fishing from that little boat with a serviceable combo than to have a steez on the bank or at home because you didn't have any gas money. 

    As you turn 16 I think a job is a must unless your have some other means of income.  I would strongly suggest putting some of this money away for college and whatnot  Whatever money you don't save, spend on insurance, or blow taking the girlfriend to prom, I would suggest spending on whatever makes you happy.  If that is a 300$ combo then so be it. 

  The only other word of advice I would have would be that if your going to spend money, spend it on stuff that retains value or will last you a long time.  My dad still has some Daiwa's he bought when I was a youngster that still work great.  Another example would be the nice shotgun I purchased recently.  I know that 5 or 10 years from now I can prob get close to, if not more than, what I paid for the gun if I am in a pinch to pay the electric bill or heaven forbid buy diapers.  In that sense I am able to justify the nice gun as a recreationally friendly savings account.  The only catch to all of this is the last word of advice.  Stuff only retains value if you take care of it, so take care of your gear the absolute best that you can and it will take care of you when you use it and when you get ready to sell it.

P.S. Stay away from those energy drinks...they will take the lead right out of your pencil

[VolFan]

I'm a little older than 21, but, hey, buying diapers isn't as bad as I thought it'd be!  It gives you someone fish with and preach to later.  Plus, a baby is infinitely better that a Steez combo, trust me on this.

[DTack]

Good ideas so far.

First off, he's dad, he's the boss so don't argue what he's saying.  All your life you're going to have people tell you you're wrong for what you choose to spend your money on.  I'm lucky enough to have a dad who showed me fishing and supports it as much as he can.  I also have a girlfriend who in over four years has never complained one word about the money I spend on fishing.

One thing I might say to your dad is that you understand he's looking out for your best interest, but let him know this is what truly makes you happy and that you'd rather spend your money on what makes you happy than go out and blow it on the everyday stuff you can do without like cds, fast food, or (imo) the largest waste, drugs.  Let him know you find value in being in the outdoors and are trying to spend your money wisely on items that will last as you plan on spending time for years to come using the same equipment.  This may show that you have an understanding of value and are still trying to be wise with how you spend your money.

And if all else fails, just take the verbal abuse and come on here and let it go to the back of your mind!!!

[BASSclary]

P.S. Stay away from those energy drinks...they will take the lead right out of your pencil

Lol I havent had energy drinks in a long time,

Tea for the win though (:

And about getting a boat and a functional combo, I told my dad that's what I wanted to do but he was being a negative nelly about it.

I also dont have anything to haul a boat in  :-/

[BassThumb]

It's your allowance, you can spend it how you want. :

[slonezp]

I'm a little older than 21, but, hey, buying diapers isn't as bad as I thought it'd be! It gives you someone fish with and preach to later. Plus, a baby is infinitely better that a Steez combo, trust me on this.

And alot more expensive.