Budget Minded Fishing

Budget-minded Fishing

                List of materials and costs for a successful fishing trip:

•             Boat = $25,000

•             Truck (to pull boat) = $40,000

•             Tackle box = $50

•             Baitcasting rod and reels (4)= $600

•             Spincasting rod and reels (4) = $500

•             Assortment of popular new artificial baits = $319.00

•             Ballcap with a autographed by a pro fisherman = $36.00

•             Assorted spray on fish attractants = $ 100

•             Beer (to drown your sorrows after spending all this money) = $20.00

Total $66,625.00

                That’s right, in order to have a successful fishing trip you need Seventy thousand dollars worth of gear just to get started. In order to catch fish you have to pay-up, otherwise, you can just forget about it and go play in the minnow well at your local bait shop.

                Baloney! In spite of what all the magazines, TV ads, and the guy working at the tackle store say people were catching fish long before superbraid lines and kelvar rods were invented. As a matter of fact, very little equipment is actually needed to catch fish, and with just a few dollars and some time invested you can bring home an bucket full of tasty fryers.

                So, let’s revisit that list:

•             Boat (Who needs it? Lots of fish are easily caught from shore or simply putting on an old pair of shorts and sneakers and wading out into the stream.) = $0

•             Truck (Hey man, just use what you drive every day) cost = $0

•             Tackle Box (A discarded five gallon bucket makes an excellent tackle box, and if you have two of them you have not only a tackle box, but also a seat, a creel for carrying your catch home, and a handy bait container.) cost = $ 0 – 5.00

•             Rods and Reels ( For the ultimate in budget fishing, just cut a nice supple pole of hardwood eight to ten feet long and secured your line to the end. If you don’t mind spending just a bit a perfectly serviceable freshwater rod and reel combo can be had for a reasonable price.) cost = $ 0 – 30.00