Not to argue but how many years ago was that? AND how old were you?

If you notice someone also said the price of new boats has thus pushed the price of used boats upwards. What we could afford then as a kiddo is not that affordable nowdays.

If you mow yards, you compete against the illegals too. How can a HS kid afford to compete? Vehicles are expensive and heck, I am still using my old 6hp mower and my 2006 truck cause they have gone up in price too.

We all like to think "We did that when I was young!" (We all walked to school in snow storms, ate ramen noodles, and didn't have any shoes, but still fished all we could.) BUT with the current state of the economy and lack of jobs for HS kids, your 2 strikes behind.

We like to think "Its possible, just work hard!" BUT if that was the case every kid would have a boat and the opportunity to fish the high school level and college level..and have college paid for. If that was the case we wouldn't even be posting about this topic.

Get educated, get a good job, fish all you want.

And don't get married and have kids...as long as you can hold out.

I enjoyed the good "free" life for many a years.

Then I realized I needed someone to wipe my arse when I got old.

Was 28-35 yrs old or so. Not that many years ago to me. I am only 44 now.

Its not a matter of how anyone did it when they were younger. Fact is a man can sit around and make excuses on why he can't do something or he can get up and get to trying. The people that truly want to find a way to fish and own a boat will make it happen. Its not about competing with illegals or finding other reasons to fail. Just figure out what you can do to get to where you want to be. That works in all aspects of life fishing or not.
Personally I think a lot of people find reasons to fail before they even try.

I know as a fisherman before I owned a boat I would often get up an hour or two early and get out the door so I could get in a few casts at a local lake on the way to work. Had young kids at home and could not always get away in the daylight hours so I took what I could get without it negatively impacting my family time. I did the same with buying a boat. I worked odd jobs, OT and whatever else was there when it made sense for me to do. Once we covered bills and savings and all my responsibilities were met I saved up a little here and there.
In a non fishing example when I started getting healthy I had the same schedule commitments as anyone. Was actually working a part time job as well. Did not always have that extra hour or so a day to work out during daylight hours. It meant getting up way early and heading to gym on way to work to get my workout in. Its just what had to be done. No big deal. I wanted a boat and I wanted to fish so I did what it took. Wanted to get healthy and lose weight and did that as well.

My point is this its all about the want to. I am no different than anyone else and no better. If I can accomplish little goals like that so can anyone else that wants to.

Sounds normal to me. You got out of high school and got a job so you could afford it.

BUT how is that helping the HS kids who can't get into the sport (I mentioned HS kids affording what you bought when you were 30)? How do we protect the youth who want to fish, but can't. That is the future of our sport. Not us mid age wanna bees.

Fundraisers and odd jobs on weekends, get with bass clubs to see if they can wash/detail boats/trucks, part time jobs, anything at all that can be done legally to make money. In the meantime find mentors and folks that will help get them on the water till they have a boat. Again its all doable. Its not some insurmouuntable obstacle.
it will be graet practice for later in life in terms of learning to juggle responsibilities and prioritizing. It sucks we all can't go out and dow hat we want and buy what we want but there is no better sense of accomplishment than earning a goal you set on your own through hard work.

My son was 3 years old when he started fishing with me, then he started tournament fishing at 7, he is now 24 years old,has a great paying job, he has a $28,000 Bass Cat, Travel Trailer on Fork and is a High School boat captain for Scurry HS fishing team.

He loves fishing and teaching younger kids about fishing.

So a high school kid that goes to school 8-4pm should be able to afford what you bought at 30.....if he sets his mind to it?

He works Saturday and Sunday (only days he can work more than 4 hours).

When do you propose he take off to fish his high school tournament at Sam Rayburn 2+ hours away? Pay for his own hotel. Gas, Tackle. WITHOUT a family full of money and time?

That is the future, not us 30-40 year olds.....LOL! I'm halfway to the grave at 36.

Really helps to have a dad who fishes. My dad didn't even own a fishing rod. He bought me a tin boat for $100. 30" wide you could flip out of in 2 seconds.

It's the kids who dad's can't afford the bass boat that want in and have such trouble....and thus give up a dream.

There are plenty of affordable boats out there, you just have to spend the time and find them.


I know of a couple of good ones for sale right now that are very affordable and good 20 foot rigs.

If someone wants a boat, puts in the time to work and save they can afford one. Like many things in life today, everyone wants the best right now and with little or no work........

Sad thing is, several kids have gotten on the TFF to ask for stuff like this and never got anywhere with it. Here is our sign.

Who the heck says they have to have a fully rigged boat. I am saying you can get a solid bass Tracker type in the 17' range for less than $5000 if they shop around. work your tail off a couple of years to get there and its done.
Yes a kid can work a part time job after school and on weekends, yes he can still get a day here or there to fish and mix in a tournament. It is all very doable. is it the perfect answer maybe not but its one that rewards effort and a dream.
I can't sit here and honestly say I am all for handing a kid a nice boat and unlimited funds for gas etc along with a tow vehicle with no effort on his part besides show up and fish. I would not just sit back and support every aspect of my kid fishing tournaments and not have realistic expectations that he contribute in some manner.
I think there are huge lessons that will pay off a million times over in supporting a kid's hard work and draems but I expect some effort as well.

And plenty have stepped up and help give the kids an outlet to earn money. There have been recent postings by Donald Darper and PapaMark wanting someone to stop by and help work for a day that went unanswered. Decent wage, lunch provided and an oppurtunity to earn a little something. It goes both ways.
I also see a ton of local guys stepping up and offering to mentor, captain, and outfit some HS teams with gear. See it at boat shows, boat dealers and locally too.
it takes a combined effort by those that want to get kids on the water and the kids themselves to make it happen.

$5K for a high school kid to purchase on his own? I assume Dad bought his truck (we won't even bring that into the picture)

Once again I sold my boat with blown motor for $4500.....and it would have taken another 5K to make it run....won't run with a rod sticking out of the head. So price of boats is HIGH now.....if I sold a junk boat for $4500 several years ago.

I for one was only making $4 an hour when I was 15....and to think of $5 was like it was a million dollars then. My weekly check was $75 bucks. LOL!

Mark, if it's not that much money why did you not have a $5K boat before you were 28?

I've personally given two different high school teams between $500-800 worth of plastics and other assorted tackle. So, your opinion that nobody helps them is bogus and laughable.....