How's the "Economy"affected your fishing ???

[jignfule]

Just was wondering if you have had to cut your fishing trips or purchases due to tight $$, and if so,how much?

[new2BC4bass]

Much of the weather the past couple months has been so hot and muggy that I wouldn't have gone on fishing trips (locally anyway) even if I had Bill Gates money! Now that it has cooled down, I am hoping to get out more even tho much of it will be at a local river. I never fished moving water growing up, so it isn't a favorite method of mine.

I took a 25% cut in pay last year. My work bonus and a bit of income tax return money are the only reasons I was able to purchase the equipment I did this year (all baitcasting). I said the hell with doctor bills...fishing was more important.

If I were still making 2008 wages, I probably would have purchased another $1-2k in equipment. ;D ;D If I had Bill Gates money, you could multiply that by another thousand. LOL.

[farmpond1]

I have been very fortunate in that apart from 4 mandatory unpaid Furlough days, my job and income hasn't (yet) been affected much.  However, if it were different, I'm sure I would've bought fewer soft plastics and not bought the spinning rod/reel this past July or splurged on stuff from the Orlando BPS this spring.

[ShaneK1990]

If you research it the downfall of the economy has caused a surge in people fishing and participating in other outdoor activities.

[Scorcher214]

I don't have a job and I'm only 17 so most of my money is from birthdays, and Christmas. The economy doesn't really affect fishing atm. The biggest factor has been the weather. It has been an extremely humid summer, and it is just uncomfortable to go. Lately though the humidity has been a lot lower (along with slightly lower temps) and I've been fishing more. Whether driving to somewhere for shore fishing, or going out on the boat.

[Gatorbassman]

If you research it the downfall of the economy has caused a surge in people fishing and participating in other outdoor activities.

This is exactly right. I know a few companies who have seen an increase in sales of products that have to do with the lower end type of fishing. (Bobbers, live bait, light tackle, and stuff to keep baitfish alive)

[Nice_Bass]

I am lucky enough to live in a very sheltered local economy, even in one of the worst states.  That being said, business as usual for me, which means I don't get to fish everyday like I would like to, but I will never complain about employment 

[garland7]

I run an online business, and between the economy, and the gulf oil spill: My time on the water has dwindled due to lack of funds(limited). Now I am starting another full time job next week, so between that, and keeping my business going, prob. will become a weekend warrior

[Red]

I haven't been able to fish much in the last few weeks, but not due to crappy economy, it is because I have been working seven days a week, 12 hr night shift.  Tomorrow night is the last of this schedule then on Monday we go back to our normal 10hr days, Monday throughn Friday.  I have worked at this company for almost three years now and never have I had less than 45 hrs a week, 50 is the norm.  Alot of the guys complain about working so much, but I feel lucky to have a job for one, and to have a job that has awesome overtime opportunity.  When they complain, I tell them that is is better than what alot of people have.  My wife on the other hand had to cut hours for her employees, she actually gave up a few of her own hours so one of her workers could keep enough hours to retain his insursance benefits.  But to the question from the original post, it has not cut my fishing time, when I am on normal work hours, I fish 3-7 days a week.

[5bass]

It's definitely taken its toll on me. Reduced hours means less $$$, which means less gas, which means less trips to the lake. I still go, just not as frequent as usual.

I'm not fortunate enough to have ponds to fish but I have been on the river wading a few times this summer. The bass werent the biggest but there was plenty of 'em.  ;D

[mk49]

I'm lucky enough to make a little more money than the last few years.  I'm also lucky enough to fish 4 or 5 times a week.  But, this could change anytime.

I've spent way too much money (over $25,000) for fishing this year.  I'll have to start spending less, and be ready for some bad things, caused by this economy.

[D4u2s0t]

I work in a recession proof industry, and have been working 80 hour weeks for the past month, having 1 day off in the past 5-6 weeks...  I've only been fishing a handful of times this year, and haven't even been on the site much because i've been busy.  We run a good company, and with people less willing to just give their money to anyone, many of the "competitors" are disapearing, and we're on track to beat last year in income, which was our best year ever.  I haven't bought much fishing stuff this year, but only because I haven't had the time to get on the water, so I haven't really needed anything.

[tholmes]

I'm fortunate in that, so far, the economic downturn hasn't had much of an effect on my job. My wife, however, had to take a 10% pay deferment here a couple of months ago, so money is a little tighter than usual.

It's cut into my road trips, but I have three community lakes that are less than 10 minutes away. I've been hittin' them pretty hard.

Tom

[Stasher1]

With the exception of the weekend work I had been doing for the past few months, I haven't really worked in over a year. I went back to school full-time shortly after I lost my job, so I keep my three year old son during the day and go to school.

I have turned down several jobs over the past year, mostly due to school and daycare. Unless the job pays very well, it's really not worth taking due to the high cost of daycare and the hassle of rescheduling of my classes.

With that said, I get to fish at least once a week, usually more. My tackle purchases have dropped off a bit from two years ago, but that's really not related to the economy or my employment status. I'm just fairly happy with the gear I have...for now. 

[BASSclary]

Last year my Dad bought around 1k in fishing stuff not including a boat. This year he hasn,t baught anything to do with fishing

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I fish the same as always.  Luckily I primarily fish on electric only lakes.  No need to fill up a gas tank to use the boat.  Once I pay of my last car and buy a freshwater boat, then I'll see how much bass fishing I really get in.  I've gone out saltwater fishing a lot less this year.  200 bucks in gas for a day really starts to hit the pocket after a while.  I haven't made it to the Bahamas in a few years primarily because of gas prices.  Whatever they are down here, it's just shy of double in the islands.

[Beastie Bass]

Well, I am a carpenter and the economic hard times have taken their toll for sure. The last 3 yrs I have been laid off for at least 3 wks each yr. I'm lucky so far thats all I have lost. It has only added to my fishing time, especially at night. It's been too hot to go during the day and my local lakes are crowded lately during the daytime. Just today i got 2 new 09 revo sx ($99) and a used st. croix avid for 100, the cheapest combo I've bought in the last 2 yrs. I am lucky enough to fish 3-7 days a week and my wife is still home when I get there. ;D

[hookingem]

The economy Hasn't really effected me but its effected my family pretty hard. My dad had to move away for a job so I never get to see him anymore. Which kinda hurts, But hes doing what hes got to do to provide for his family and I respect that more than anything. My fishing purchases have probably tripled though! I work at a tackle shop and believe me it has its perks! Those 300 dollars rods you said you would never have drop to 175.

[fishfordollars]

No effects here yet. I fish when and where i want.

[zerofivenismo]

My tackle purchasing habits has evolved since losing my job and taking another job with 30% less pay.  I still purchase tackle, but not so much out of compulse and not so much like they're going out of style (except for discontinued items  ).  As for rods/reels, I buy used either from here or other forums.  And then sell my gear to feed the addiction.  Fishing has taken a toll, but that's because I have a 2yr old and a 3mo baby.

[pudmunk]

Starting fishing from scratch

little money

medical bills up the wahzoo (daughter had a stroke, then wife lost the next baby at 6 months)

not good

I make due though

Fishing has saved my sanity

[SirSnookalot]

Starting fishing from scratch

little money

medical bills up the wahzoo (daughter had a stroke, then wife lost the next baby at 6 months)

not good

I make due though

Fishing has saved my sanity

You're my hero.............Hope daughter is doing well and better luck in the future.

I spend very little on tackle, I find you don't need a lot to catch a lot fish.

[flippin and pitchin]

I guess i'm the norm after reading the other comments. The economy hasn't impacted my income although I took a wage freeze to help the City where i'm employed. Disposable income, like the rest of you has been effected by life issues, wedding to pay for, new granddaughter, helping my other kids and so on. I don't fish often but try and make my trips really count so a two hour drive is not uncommon to get to good locations. I did upgrade quite a few outfits this year but I don't buy stuff out of my wages. No overtime means no new toys. Yesterday was my 37th anniversary so it must work.

Go dunk a jig RED and whack a biggun!!!

[pudmunk]

Starting fishing from scratch

little money

medical bills up the wahzoo (daughter had a stroke, then wife lost the next baby at 6 months)

not good

I make due though

Fishing has saved my sanity

You're my hero.............Hope daughter is doing well and better luck in the future.

I spend very little on tackle, I find you don't need a lot to catch a lot fish.

Thanks, she's 2 1/2 and doing unbelievable. You wouldn't know if I didn't point out the physical incapabilities she has.

I agree about the tackle, although you do need a decent assortment because you know you cant resist when you go into get let's say "just some hooks"  : to buy something else, plus all the one you end up losing or think (lol) you may end up losing so guys double up on favorites.

It's crazy sometimes when some people buy all this tackle and never even use 2/3 of it.

[pudmunk]

By the way happy anniv flip n pitchin. That is one angel of a wife you must have to let you fish all these yrs.

Best of luck