How difference does price make?

[RobDar]

I guess my wife is right...

I put too much thought into things.

[RobDar]

I personally think there are ALOT of guys out there with MUCH more boat than they actually need.

Who determines what somebody 'needs'?

Really, none of us 'needs' to fish. We are not starving.

Really, none of us 'needs' a boat'.

Really, none of us 'needs' a rod, reel and lures.

When somebody starts dictating 'needs' it starts to get scary. We are free to do what we want with the money we make. It starts looking at best like a 'sour grapes' type thing that somebody has a better boat/equipment/etc, or at worst like a form of mini communism where everybody only gets a $2000 aluminum jon boat with a 5 hp motor because somebody decided that is all we really 'need'.

I'd rather choose where and how my money and enjoyment are spent.

Sorry - I don't want to pull this into a political thing, I hate politics, but there are two threads of a similar nature with different folks weighing in on how my hard earned cash should be put to use...

/end rant

I understand your rant, but I don't think DELee36 is trying to dictate our needs or preferences. He's just making interesting conversation. As for "sour grapes," some of us can afford more expensive boats and equipment but we don't buy them because we have different priorities. When I retire I want to fish whenever and whereever I want with good equipment. I'll forego the very expensive stuff now, so I can put money away for when that time arrives. Now, there is the possibility of dying before I get to enjoy this ideal retirement I have in mind, but that's a chance I'll take. If this were to happen, then I know the money saved would go to those I love, which is still a higher priority than having the most expensive boat in town.

thanks senile1...I probably could have worded my original post more cautiously.

[RobDar]

I'am going to spend every cent I have before I retire. Then I can draw $960 SS

each month and eat cheese. If I die tomorrow my wife can have a nice yard

sale. I can look back when I get old and say ( Dam It Was Fun ).

YOU GO BOY!!!!!

[Guest avid]

Avid, thanks ahfully for your response. It's quite nice of you ectually! Naturally having my people contact your people is "der rigour" and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Incidentally, my people may tell your people that the cruises on the yacht tend to be rather short, because the yacht is located on a 200 acre lake. Also, the yacht sorta looks like a pontoon bridge; but if you squint your eyes and use your imagination ...

Not to worry Chipper, I'll simply return the topsiders.  I saw a dahling pair of swamp boots at the tractor supply.

cheerio

[RobDar]

I guess I am just one of those guys who believes that there is a difference in what you can afford and the "value" of a thing...and I always ask that question...what is the actual value here?

If you are someone who places alot of value on 70MPH and the roar of a 250 Horse motor...then you will of course judge things differently...which is fine...that is why capitalism works.

I guess it could be argued that if you believe that you are a better fisherman because you fish with top quality equip...if that equip gives you both peice of mind and a certian confidence...then you LIKELY WILL BE a better fisherman because of it. If when you are out there you believe that your equip gives you an advantage or just simply makes you giddy...then you may have spent your money well.

I am just not that guy.

I have been outfished too many times by the guy in the canoe. LOL!

[greentrout]

can't add a whole lot here but i believe one of the biggest mistakes i can make when making a judgement about another fisherman is to base my judgement about him on the kind of equipment he uses-- whether that equipment be more or less expensive than what i use. equipment does not make the fisherman. good fishing to all.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Not to worry Chipper, I'll simply return the topsiders. I saw a dahling pair of swamp boots at the tractor supply.

cheerio

OH OH, HE'S BREAKING OUT THE CHAPS   AGAIN

[burleytog]

Ask yourself this question when buying.

Would you rather spend $50 three or four times or $150-200 one time?

That $45 reel that seems like such a good deal will most likely leave you cussing one day.  That $150 reel will outlive the cheap one.

It took me a long time to realize that.  I couldn't get past the initial cost.

I buy with longevity in mind.

Case in point.  I've got two spinning reels that I used frequently when I was fishing a lot in the 90s.  One is a $60 Daiwa that was a gift from my dad.  It is 15 years old.  Only in the last year of it's use did it start to go downhill.  It still works, but isn't as smooth as it once was.

The other is a $20 Quantum.  Used sparingly for trout and bluegill.  Purchased new in 1997.  A nice reel new, ever increasing slop after 4 years of use.  No matter how many times I tear it down, clean and re-lube, it won't get any better.

I've got a 30+ year old Ambassadour 5000 that is almost as good now as the 5500C3 I bought a month ago.  And that is without ever being serviced.

I am a strong believer in the adage that you get what you pay for.

Myself, I'm past the point of trying to get by with junk equipment.  

Growing up, I lived on the rivers and creeks.  Once I got married and got a job, fishing took a back seat to life.  2 years ago I started getting the desire to get back on the water.  Last year I got serious about it.  I was fishing with the gear I had been using 15 years ago.  Obviously it was old and outdated.

When I started upgrading, I made the mistake of going cheap.  I spent a couple of months fishing with the cheapest stuff I could get by with.  After being constantly frustrated, I came to the conclusion that it was a waste of time and money.

I know what it is like to be young, short of funds, and impatient.  That said, one would be much better off to save the money they're spending on cheap junk and buy one good combo rather than 4 cheap ones.  

Some things are worth waiting for...

[RobDar]

good point Burley...sir