To me the cost of fishing has gotten out of hand for most people. What are your thoughts?

Only if you let it.

First, let me say that I'm not a boat owner yet. I don't need a boat that costs a lot of money. My ideal boat is a 14ft alum. boat with no more than a 20hp motor. Thats just me!

Equipment like rods and reels, I've been using some Shimano Calcuttas for bass fishing that's maybe 15 years old. Catfishing I use my older Ambassadeur reels.

I think fishing is actually one of the cheapest hobbies/sports that I've been involved with. Try golf or photography, now that's expensive!

I got out of hunting and took up fishing because its a lot cheaper for me anyways.

This is the price we have to pay to have fun. Fun is the best word that I can come up with. Everyone has a different reason for spending so much money searching for this fish. But I believe it all comes down to the extent that we do the sport.
I have been a serious Bass fisherman for 30 years and have kept records on my spending. I have adveraged $25K a year doing it and it has been fun.
Now that I look back and know what I know now this is what I would do differently. To fish 3 Bass tournaments that require prefishing, and all the expenses of a long trip; it cost about $2,000. This would take place every month. Take that $2K and go to Mexico every nonth or once every two months. That is 6 to 12 trips per year. You can catch 100 Bass per day down there and 50 of those over 5 lbs. It doesn't get any better than that.
I wish I had it all to do over again. I would only fish Falcon, Amistad and Mexico once a month and put that money to good use.
It takes the biggest part of a month to heal up after a trip to Mexico; then you are ready to go again.

I agree with above posts, You don't have to let fishing expenses get out of control. I've done it at all levels and for me it is more FUN to keep it basic. A comfortable boat helps keep it enjoyable because you will enjoy your time on the water more with good seating(your back), some storage, and dependability to get you back to the ramp. I used to always buy new boats but the last 10 years I have purchased used rigs at a fraction of the cost and paid cash. Not having a boat note or huge fuel bill helps keep it fun for me. The biggest bass I ever caught at over 10 pounds, came from my 1995 17' Tracker aluminum boat while fishing a top water on Rayburn in the Fall. That was several years ago, but I never forgot about how I had gone back to the basics and wasn't burning gas running all over the place. It just depends on what level of fishing you want to do. This same conversation could take place in regards to deer hunting. Keep it simple and remember why you are doing it! Egos cost folks a lot of money!!

If I go anywhere more than 20 miles from home it costs me $100 minimum to fish for a day. Diesel for the truck, Boat gas, boat oil, ice, drinks, and snacks. That doesnt count losing baits, paying launch fee's at the ramp, or any other incidentals.

Get'in to be high $$$$$$$$$$$$ fo sure!

Boat $50K
Boat puller $40k
Equipment $12k

Sitting on water as the sun comes up,
with family or good friends

Priceless.

All hobbies cost, you just gotta pick one

i don't count the drinks and snacks towards the expense of fishing, because if i stay home i eat and drink more

Best thing I ever did (fishing wise) was to buy a kayak. Fishing locally (Rayburn/Neches) now cost a whopping 10 bucks! Considering the same trip in the truck with the flat bottom could be around $100, I figure the Frontier has paid for itself TWICE already.

I had to cut back on taking the wife out to dinner!!

$100 per day with a moderate amount of running around sounds about right. A lot of running can easily double that.

Too many lakes in my area to have to drive far to fish then once on the water its a lit cheaper to use the trolling motor. Normally if i burn a tank of gas in the boat in one day i probably went noating instead if fishing. The game us only as expensive as you make it.

Donald Harper, just wondering what lake in Mexico are you talking about ?
Sorry everyone not wanting to get off point.

Rio Maverick, the cost of fishing has gone up, and the cost of fishing is not the only thing that has gone up, everything has gone up. I believe I've read someone on this forurm say, "everything has gone up, except my salary", and I agree whole-heartedly with their statement. However, fishing helps me keep my sanity, so I'll keep at it.