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

[bass or bass ?]

I own a dental laboratory and the dental profession has taken a major hit the last 2 years. A friend of mine had to close his lab this year and all the others that I know of are operating well below what they were 2 years ago.The larger labs around here (40 person capacity) are currently staffed at about 12 people. I'm barely surviving on about 1/3 to 1/2 the income  I need to pay my bills and expenses. Many dental offices in the state have closed their doors in the last two years.

As for me, I've only been able to afford to take my boat out 3 times this year and don't anticipate another fishing trip until October, if I'm lucky.

[CFFF 1.5]

I had to stop fishing my Local Small Boat Club Tournies due to money issues. I had my son almost a year ago now and the mother hasn't been able to find work so we are struggling financially. I have lots of small ponds to fish so I don't really have to worry about gas except for the truck.

[BassThumb]

This ailing economy immensely affected my fishing. It allowed me to buy my first house, and that allowed me to buy my first bassboat. It's a previously repossessed Stratos 275 that was sold to me out of a dealership in Missouri who listed boats on eBAy, on the cheap, because they didn't pay very much for them at the repo auction. This changed my focus from mostly river smallmouth wade-fishing to exclusively largemouth fishing on lakes.

[Bassn Blvd]

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

X2.  The only thing that has affected my fishing is the weather. It's fricking Africa hot!

[SoFlaBassAddict]

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

X2. The only thing that has affected my fishing is the weather. It's fricking Africa hot!

Man, you aint kidding about that.  It's been freakin brutal down here lately.  I'm looking forward to some cooler weather in another month or two.

[SirSnookalot]

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

X2. The only thing that has affected my fishing is the weather. It's fricking Africa hot!

Man, you aint kidding about that. It's been freakin brutal down here lately. I'm looking forward to some cooler weather in another month or two.

That's why I don't do any freshwater fishing this time of year, beach is great especially early morning when I go.

[grimlin]

Yup......Work is so overloaded that they won't hire anybody else back due to a fear of another crash in the economy that they are working us 60+ a week.They say we have work,but not enough....I don't get that at all.We are having a hard time keeping up with the orders as it is right now.

I haven't even had the needs to buy any new tackle lately....I don't see the point in it if i can't even use it right now.

I've caught a measly 7 bass this year....most came out of a little pond at work on my break.I'm used to a 60+ bass average a year(shore bound).   

If you asked me..it's affected my fishing greatly.I did real well when i was laid off... ;D

[Fishing Cowgirl]

2nd year without a pay raise, but thankful to have my job and blessed to be married (one year now) to my husband who got me started in the bass tournament fishing.

His added income helps pay for the boat, (Re-possessed from bankrupt dealer, never titled 2007 Stratos 294XL) and utilities, while I cover the mortgage and incidentals.

In 2009 we traveled to a monthly tournament $, stayed at Camp Mack $, eat out while there $, gas, etc.$ But this year, we had to cut back, so we are just fishing a small, 8 boat or so couples tournament that rotates around local lakes, once a month (With the exception of the Law/firefighter games tournament).  We actually are having the most fun ever. It ends at noon, then everyone goes to lunch nearby and chat about how we all did. Yesterday we placed 3rd and had big bass.. lot's of fun and made a lot of new friends.

[BigMouthBasstard]

Use the military mentality towards fishing when faced with adversity:

Accept the tough times and that 'normal' fishing habits are no longer acceptable; i.e a week off work to spend thousands of dollars to fish a good lake

Adapt to these changes and find a way to get on the water

Overcome; fix broken equipment or sell old equipment laying around to get money for new things. fish lakes close by or with a canoe or kayak. Use the time to refine your finesse fishing skills and practice patience. it doesnt have to always be stick and run style fishing, especially for non-tourney practice. If it means buying baits that are not name brand to save a few bucks here and there do it. or go online to bulk parts catalogs and assemble custom lures for a 3rd of the retail price. Reuse mono for backer on other reels. re-melt ripped plastics and make new creatures. Be creative and have fun with it.

bottom line there is no excuse not to be able to go fishing ever. It is simply an unwillingness to accept, adapt, and overcome the adversity.