I can't believe how much it costs to go fishing now and the cost of keeping up with everyone else. I have a buddy who just spent $7900 on graphs and one power pole. Gas is $4 a gallon. I have an 04 ranger with good graphs but if i plan to keep up with everyone else I have to update electronics and install power pole. That is ridiculous money. The power poles are great and they help tremendously in the wind. They are definitely an advantage. The electronics just go without saying. The technology on the new ones compared to my 10in. 104c is just stupid. I can't see how everyone can afford all of this.

Then you have new boat prices getting to $70,000, seriously, give me a break. Some of you guys must have great jobs. There has to be a cap when it comes to boats. Will they get to $100,000, I can't see that but it is trending towards it quickly. What do you guys think?

Don't try and keep up with the Jone's..Its a good way to go and stay broke..Just enjoy what you have..

You just have to shop wisely. State of the art electronics are nice but not necessary. A very, and I mean very capable tourney rig can be picked up used for 12-15 K. I am not buying plastic in 11 for the second year in a row and I am catching just as ma ny fish.

Buy used and on ebay. I do and save a ton of money.
I worked in the marine industry for 15 years in the 70's and 80's and back then no one could have imagined the boat prices. Back then the best boat sold for a lot less than an avarage car, now it is double the cost of a nice suv. I surrender and jsut shop for deals.
Maybe the pricing is why what was once 4 big boat companies are now one all built in the same plant.Ranger,Stratos,Triton and Champion.

I had a bass boat with all the options that were available at the time (several years ago) and it was real nice but the boats these days are just outrageous. I know that I can't afford to run with the big boys so I opted for a small fishing boat that I can pull easily with my 4 cylinder Tribute. I consistently catch more fish while fishing smaller resevoirs than when I was fishing the big lakes around here. I caught my personal best (11.6 lbs) with no electronics in a municipal resevoir 15 miles from my house. I know that it's debatable but in my opinion there is such a thing as equipment overkill and I am not making a living from bass fishing so I make do with what I can afford.

Some people make lots of money, and some just go in debt!

And other make do with what is available.

It's sort of like TV, DVD, Ipads, Iphones, ect. You can get by with a simple old school big tv and watch the same shows. A old flip phone still gets calls. My VHS recorder records shows just like a DVR does...it's about making do with what you have and what you can afford.

Some people just like to talk about how much they have....blah....I get bored with that. I'd rather talk fishing!

It is amazing even in a slow economy they keep pumping out higher dollar equipment...in all industries!

I desperately need a power pole in my little tracker in these winds but won't have one until the price is right. I am okay with my electronics. No GPS or Imaging but its okay. Only thing I have been kinda splurging on is my reels and rods. I am slowly upgrading them. Finding deals online is the only way to go, never pay retail. I am not a tourny fisherman so the urgency is not there but I feel the rods and reels do make a difference and that's the only place I've been spending.

I by most of my tackle on close outs and I bought an used Triton.

The average Joe cant afford to keep up with the tournament fisherman.

I still have my 1981 duracraft john boat bout it used.

If you take care of you equipment it will last a long time.

Fishing is what you make of it! Spend as much as you want to or can.

I think you need stop trying to keep up with everyone else. There will always be someone with a nicer boat, better job, better tow rig, and there are also lots of people with better credit or larger debts.

I see so many new F250 diesel trucks towing new 20' boats these days. Some people are content to live modestly and go balls to the wall on their fishing gear. However, I guarantee you that many of these people are living outside/above their means.

I have a 1985 Stratos that my dad lets me use, and I drive a 2003 F150 with 165k miles. I'd love to have a nicer/newer "rig," but I know so many guys that consistently out fish me that I realize I'm better off by spending my extra money on fishing books and a guided trip here and there so that I can learn more instead of signing up for boat payments.

I think you need to be content with what you have and stop worrying about keeping up with everyone else. If not, you'll find yourself miserable after a while.

I think its so funny. Bc everyone gives me [censored] for spending 200$+ for swimbaits but in all honesty I spend less on fishing now than I ever did b4 I started throwing swimbaits.

On the other hand, I am starting to see more small boats on EM than any other time in the 33 years I have lived here.

16'-17' boats with 30 to 50 hp motors. Several aluminum bass tracker boats.

With the economy as it is, it makes sense to me if you want to do some fishing and not go belly up at the bank, this is the way to go.

My wife and I together make a good living and our kids are grown and on their own. I often wonder how so many can afford so much of whatever it is these days, be it fishing or just living in general. Prices for everything just keeps going up with no end in site. Don't get me wrong, I spend plenty on fishing and everything else, but I do have to live within my budget and plan ahead, so if it costs too much, I have to wait or do without. Going into more interest bearing debt for non-essentials at my age is no longer an option. And really at any age it should be carefully considered, unless you're one of those that can really afford so much.

My main problem is gas....When you have to put gas in to prefish and the tournament it adds up.....I just assume not to prefish anymore or just go one day and be done with it....I now have to be smart on where I want to fish and not run up and down the lake....I just spent $150 filling my boat last tournament and we went to one spot a half mile from weigh in and stayed there all day....although its not a waste but thats $150 I could of saved for the time being.....I just assume everyone has $20,000 dollar credit cards and just go in debt

Didn't know that...
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/hot-wire/triton-ranger-finalize-deal

I've spent less than $500 since the 1st of the year on fishing and not only do I have a freezer full of crappie, I've caught 3 bass over 8lbs. . .ALL FROM THE BANK.

So everyone bitching about boat expenses can get bent. Be thankful for what you have for once. Some folks are a lot less fortunate.

A boat isn't a necessity, unless you fish for a living. And if you fish for a living, what in the hell do you have to be complaining about?