How Is This Economy Affecting Your Fishing?

[ness]

Grey Bear,

I don't have a local deal unfortunately unless it is BPS or Wal-Mart. Also, your not in my house, so don't judge my life. I meant for my post to be some ideas for guys looking to save some money and fish too. Not a political statement. You seem more interested in ranting politically then helping fisherman out with ideas. Just to let you know, I will not respond or be drawn into a political debate surrounding one of my favorite past times. Good Day to you sir.

Hey Dave

I appreciated your post -- get's right to the point of the topic. Don't worry about Chief -- he's a textbook troll.

[Bird Watcher]

Not trying to stir the pot. Everyone has their opinions. Just trying to get more of an "economical" outlook here. What is this economic downslide going to,.....or should I say "how is this economic downslide going to affect our fishing? Let me ask all of us........How is the "current change of times" affecting your fishing? I'll start......With gas for boat and truck round trip, food/ice it's over a $100 bill for me to take a decent trip to the lake. That's a day's pay for me(not asking anybody to go into finances here, just stating for an example). So, my thinking has changed:

-I don't run to the lake everyday off now

-I choose my days wisely(weather channel)

-I take short runs from the ramp(try to plan my fishing around my put-in and stay relatively close)

-I fish ALL day to get the most out of money

-When the timing is right I target "food species" to load the freezer.....This is moreso the case now than previously, crappie and bluegill are my friends.

-I try to take a buddy to share in the gas bill(anybody having problems finding a friend that will stay out on the water all day?, not always an easy task!

-I make more of my own tackle than ever before

-I'm doing a full restore on my old Ranger 374 because I didn't want to take on another payment

How bout you?

To the OP,

It hasn't really effected me. I've always been cheap and always will be.I bought a lot smaller house than I could afford. I wear clothes till they fall apart and then I sew them back together. I don't use credit cards. I have them, but I don't use them. I drive a small 4 cyl truck and bought a boat that was small enough to tow with it. I've always patched my gear back together instead of buying new when possible. When I do buy replacements, a lot of times its used. I've got more stuff held together with cable ties and jb weld than anyone I know. Most of the year, I primarily use live bait that I catch myself. What artificials I need, I buy in bulk and they last me 5 years or more. I can usually go fishing 3 or 4 times on one tank of gas in the boat.

Po' folks got po' ways. All I've ever really wanted out of hunting and fishing is just to be able to go. I've always been aware that the less I spend on gear, the more money my budget allows for gas and the less gas I use, the more times I get to go. That's all that has ever really mattered to me...Just being able to get out.

My young family definitely influences my decision to stay home more these days than the economy does.

[fishinwrench]

I have evolved into a cheap date. Got most of my traveling and exploring far-away fishing holes out of my system awhile back, so now I'm plenty content fishing familiar water close to home which amazingly has resulted in me catching way more (and often bigger) fish at a fraction of the cost.

My eyes aren't what they used to be so "New Scenery" just frustrates me more often than not.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Grey Bear,

I don't have a local deal unfortunately unless it is BPS or Wal-Mart. Also, your not in my house, so don't judge my life. I meant for my post to be some ideas for guys looking to save some money and fish too. Not a political statement. You seem more interested in ranting politically then helping fisherman out with ideas. Just to let you know, I will not respond or be drawn into a political debate surrounding one of my favorite past times. Good Day to you sir.

You have a BPS in your town but no local shop?? That is very interesting.

I didn't mean for that to be a politcal post, but I can certainly understand how it could taken that way. Just as you were offering suggestions, I was doing the same. I had no intent on ruffling your feathers.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Hey Dave

I appreciated your post -- get's right to the point of the topic. Don't worry about Chief -- he's a textbook troll.

Hey Dave, don't put a lot of stock in Ness -- he is a classic Nancy Boy.

[exiledguide]

To the OP,

It hasn't really effected me. I've always been cheap and always will be.I bought a lot smaller house than I could afford. I wear clothes till they fall apart and then I sew them back together. I don't use credit cards. I have them, but I don't use them. I drive a small 4 cyl truck and bought a boat that was small enough to tow with it. I've always patched my gear back together instead of buying new when possible. When I do buy replacements, a lot of times its used. I've got more stuff held together with cable ties and jb weld than anyone I know. Most of the year, I primarily use live bait that I catch myself. What artificials I need, I buy in bulk and they last me 5 years or more. I can usually go fishing 3 or 4 times on one tank of gas in the boat.

Po' folks got po' ways. All I've ever really wanted out of hunting and fishing is just to be able to go. I've always been aware that the less I spend on gear, the more money my budget allows for gas and the less gas I use, the more times I get to go. That's all that has ever really mattered to me...Just being able to get out.

My young family definitely influences my decision to stay home more these days than the economy does.

You and wrench sound like you have it figured out I always had the smallest house, cheapest truck etc in my group also had less debt by fishing strip mines within 30 miles of my house. That made it possible to buy a piece of land on the Big Piney and to fish NW Ontario just about every year after my daughters got married and having very little debt other then my mortgage allowed me after I got cancer to retire 15 years ago while a lot of friends still are working even after forced retirement to pay for stuff. I still buy or do a lot of things I want but I make sure I have the money for the things I need.

[Chief Grey Bear]

We have also started making our own spinner baits and buying plastics in bulk when available.

I don't know where you are getting your plastics and stuff, but this place as some really good deals on bulk plastics.

http://www.barlowstackle.com/Soft-Plastic-Lures-C7.aspx

[Feathers and Fins]

I have to say it doesnt affect me at all. I love to hunt and fish and thats what i do for mental health. I dont care if its a small creek and the smallest of whatever is in it or a big lake and its monsters of the deep. 2 hours fishing clears my head of all problems and refreshes me and that CANNOT have a price put on it.

[dwiebenga]

I agree. It is my time to unwind and forget about things for a bit

[troutgnat]

Were all going to be fat when milk hits $8 a gallon......LOL. This post is very interesting, I'm liking all the comments. Let me say, one CAN eat healthy within a reasonable budget but one has to be willing to put some effort into it. Problem is, many of the American people are lazy; just stating facts. How many of us actually take the time to comp shop, use coupons, learn to cook instead of eating fast food and microwave crap dinners.???