Well, for me, it took several years for me to finally realize that the boat and equipent does not make the fisherman. A bigger, faster boat will get you to a spot faster and dryer than my 17' Xpress will. The difference for me and the other boat is mine is now paid for vs if I had bought the bigger boat that I looked at I would still owe around $9K. I don't have SI or DI or even GPS or Color LCD graphs. I do have a 2001 model hand held GPS though that was given to me. I have an Eagle 480. I have some cheaper Allstar rods and Bass Pro extreme Reels.

I said that to say this. I would love to have newer updated technology. The truth is that it is not in my budget. I can afford a lot more than I have now. I simply cannot put my family in potential financial jeopardy so that I can look good, or go faster on the water. I do believe that technology helps to bridge the gap between experience and novice. However, there is still no substitute for time on the water. Technology may help people to find more fish, but it cannot make them catch 'em.

I can relate to many of the posts on here. I drool over the new boats, but no way am I making that payment!

Too many people these days do not think from an ownership standpoint; its all about what can I afford to pay each month. Financial insolvency is rampant in our country, especially among our youth. The " I want it now" attitude is destroying the fabric of what made our country strong. I see so many $30k Millionaires today, the industry is merely catering to it.

Gas is no different. Once we crossed the $3.00/gal line, I was surprised to see it drop below it. WE tolerated it and still continued to use to excess. They keep raising the bar, and we keep jumping over it. Why should they stop?

This is not a political rant or pointed towards anyone. It is my opinion , that's all. I chose to raise my kids on the pay as you go philosophy that I was raised on; instead of the Credit is king philosophy.

I hear ya'!

All the reasons that people listed above is exactly why I recently decided to purchase a membership to some private lakes about 45 minutes from my house.

The price for the lakes is $140 a month and I don't have to worry about a boat (the lakes provide boats), gas for the boat, insurance, maintenance or anything else.

It's not the same as hooking up the rig and heading to your favorite reservoir, but not having to make all those payments is worth it (at this stage in my life, anyway). Plus, with the lakes being just a short drive from my house, I'm fishing a lot more than I would if I had to trailer a few hours to get to a "serious" body of water.

I just load up my rods and tackle, go fish for about 6 or 8 hours and come home. No loading and unloading the boat, no cleanup... just FISHING.

The whole idea of having to own a 50k-plus boat, Power-Poles, $20 lures and 5k worth of electronics is a marketing phenomenon driven by pros and tournaments, I think. Don't get me wrong, if I had the money to spend I'd have all those toys, but in the end it comes down to what gets you on the water and enjoying the sport as much as you can.

Isn't Travis boating center a Ranger dealer? San Antonio is the worst place for a fishing boat dealership because there are no good lakes around. Anchor marine just left. The economy is fine, except gas is putting the hurt back on it. Have you been to Del Rio? Not nearly as large as SA but it has 2 boat dealerships.

I'm laughing all the way back to the house when I take my old 19' Champion bass boat with "hand me down" electronics, old Mercury 150, repaired/rebuilt trolling motor, etc. etc. etc., and fish a tournament and come home with some money, while these guys in their brand new 21ft Champions/Rangers/Skeeters/BassCats that costs most of my yearly salary come up with nothing. I don't fish to show off my gear; I fish to get away from "life" and relieve some stress and hopefully get a little paycheck to help cover the cost sometimes.

I'm just like everyone else on this forum though - if I had a hundred thousand dollars to blow on a boat and gear, I'd have the baddest, latest bass boat with the best electronics money could buy and the most awesome rods and reels and lures and all that! Not saying I don't dream and drool... I'm just satisfied with what I have, and I'm going to live with what I have until I can COMFORTABLY afford to upgrade!

I'm not knocking you guys that can afford it, either... you work hard for your money, and if that's how you choose to spend your money, GREAT!

Right on HitmanFO! It is very nice to enjoy the sport, or put food on the table, and sip a cold one - whatever your choice! I finally upgradded last year (to a new 2007 Ranger) after returning from five years in Germany and am now trying to relearn the sport!

All the boat prices suck. Buy used, they don't catch fish one way or the other better. You don't need 6k in electornics either. Doesn't suprise PE wants to jack you around with the prices and there whole business model etc... Just buy what you can afford, no sense of being stupid paying for [censored] and then suffering later because of it.

It is going to get worse before it gets better. Could be in the Tank!

We got out of racing just over a year ago. Got back into fishing, bought a new bass boat and equipment.

Although I was shocked to see what fishing costs these days, we are actually saving money fishing over racing. Could always be worse. Hobbies cost thats for sure. My boat payment dosn't even come close to the monthly up-keep on a race car.

I can't afford to fish honestly with the prices being as high as they are. You buy a bag of worms 3.99 and thats for 8 worms. Everyone is talking about boats and graphs but what about the baits. Once you buy the new boat and graph you still have to have baits to fish with and the baits are getting ridiculous I dont have a nice boat and have no payments on it but gas is enough of a payment if you ask me. I love to bass fish and fish tournaments but how can the average joe do it b,c thats what I am.

Things are changing and fishing cost are geting higher and higher and in Southeast Texas we are running out of water to boot.In some cases some people are chasing the wind and all they will end up catching is Mr Debt

I went to bass pro today a walked out with a tiny bag of baits and a spool of line. The price...$106.00....WTF I thought to myself. Just one spool of flouro was $20.00. My dad would have wipped my butt when I was a kid if I spent his 20 on a spool of line for Gods sake.This equipment thing is getting ridiculous too.I think I will catch more fish if I spend more money...?? What am I thinking??

I fish from an 8' Bass Raider, I bought it new with my first profit sharing check. Then about 3-4 months later I got a $100 TM as an anniversary gift from my wife. Then a couple more months I bought a battery. I use mid level gear and only buy things I need. I never buy anything if the money isn't available. I get some funny looks from people at the ramp, but I catch plenty of fish. Maybe someday I will upgrade, but only if I can afford it comfortably. I get alot of comments/questions on my rig at the ramps, I never forget to mention that it costs alot less to charge the battery than it does to fill a gas tank!!

Cliff

It's outrageous if you don't get it put into check quick, I have spent month after month fishing and half on the road fishing new lakes and use to find myself always needing something and would always find it and a 100 extra in stuff.. Now I just make do unless I get on a killer bite, I will but enough to get me thru the full competition.

Its a waste of time and energy worrying about what the next guy has. Be happy with what you have and just worry about your limits not someone else's.