Fishing ain't cheep

[tommo]

How much does it cost to go fishing?

We all take friends fishing. Sometimes I don't think they realize what it takes to catch fish. I usually have to go to a certain area 3 or 4 times to learn how to catch fish there. Seems all areas are unique.

Typical trip for me:

Bait/fishing gear = $50
Gas for boat and truck with camper = $70
Propane = $6
Food = 20

Plus:

Boat, camper, truck, poles, rain gear, warm clothes, tackle, numerous jackets and wear and tear.

I'm on a fixed income so I usually save for a trip. And, when I get there I try to stay for 3 days in the camper. That way I get my cost per day of fishing down. Three days costs almost the same as one for me.

I still love getting out to fish all year round.

Enjoy Life!

[Bob Barthlow]

tommo,Iknow what you mean,thats why I fun fish with the same group of friends.....$5.00 for gas dosn't cutt it for the drives we make dose it. :shocked:

[omnivore]

When I really want to go fishing but don't have enough funds, I just come to Ifish and tell fishy stories. A little cheaper that way :grin:

[Steelie Ben]

I know exactly what you mean. I have a certain friend who I like to take fishing but he never really puts any cash forward to help in the expenditures. I usually supply the gear and the bait and the gas, man does that stuff add up. I feel bad making a fuss about this cause I know he doesn't have a lot of cash and he really likes fishing. I just got him started on steelhead fishing about 2 years ago and he still hasn't got one yet, I have handed a few off to him but its not the same as doing it yourself. I can't wait to see the smile on his face when he accually does get one for himself, that will make all the monitary stuff well worth it. Well I am rambling now, tight lines to all.
Ben

[spooner]

10'Bill Herzog lamiglss fishing rod $240
abu garsea reel $75
the guy you take fishing out fishes you with his $2.50 garage sale fishing rod...... priceless.

[Uncle Bob]

On the left side of my steering console, it reads:
This boat runs on gas not thanks!

UB

[Seefood Man]

If figure my next fishing trip will run about $160,000+ :shocked: Well kinda of... when move form Colorado to within a half mile from the
NF Lewis. :smile: We might have a good offer on the house today, so say a prayer for us that everything go well. Boy! talk about stressful. We can't wait till its' over. REALLY looking foward to meeting you good folks

[Phil Layer]

I used to let it eat away when friends would hop on my boat, use my tackle and take off with their fish the moment the boat touched dock. Then, I realized the anger was ruining the fun I was supposed to be having not to mention my friendships. I chalked it up to the fact that people without boats haven't a clue as to what it costs.

Now, I just figure it is my expensive habit and if some of my expense is going toward good times for my buds, so be it. If they kick in some cash or help at the end of the day, it's a bonus.

With this attitude, I find my fishing trips much more enjoyable...and still and always, expensive.

[miami82]

Steelie Ben,
I hope your friend realizes what a Great friend he has in you. I have done the same for friends in the past, and it's great when they hook a big one.

Tight Lines!

Miami82

[TundraIII]

Amen, Moby!! Learned to deal with this problem the same way. Got a few buddies that
will pitch in without asking but also a couple of friends who never pitch in. Just had another ankle biter 9 mos ago and the wife is just working part time now. Its gotten pretty tight for fishing expenses. So guess who gets to go fishing with me this year?
And I may as well advertise now, I always have an empty seat! :grin:

[WaterDog]

I guess it just comes with having a boat. Yes it’s expensive. Yes I have to buy extra rods and reels. Yes there’s insurance and maintenance, but I look at this way. I was going to go anyway, so why not have some company. :grin: Most of time I refuse any payment and some of the guys have boats too so I know someday they’ll return the favor. :smile: For the ones one’s that don’t have boats, it’s something they don’t get to do very often and they usually go home wanting to buy a boat and them telling their spouse that is what they’re going to do is worth the fuel. :tongue:

[fishchaser]

My fishing partner loves to fish sooo much, he doesn't charge me. He's a good friend. BUT I usually pitch in bait, or I buy him Breakfast, or I do something to offset the cost of the trip. I know how much it costs to go fishing, but can you really put a price tag on the amount of fun you have with your friends, or the time out on the water? That is priceless. I know that even if I didn't pitch in he would let me go fishing, because he just loves to fish, and that is worth everything he has.

[Pilar]

There's more to it than fuel and bait. As any serious boat guy knows the boat needs TLC too. Wash downs after the saltchuck, maintenance, repairs and just the general brain damage that goes with owning a boat.

If you really like your fishing (boat owning) buddy, show up to do some of the not so fun stuff when you are not fishing. Gear needs fixed and tackle replaced. Gas on the day helps too.

Don't make him come get you, go to his place and help load and unload the boat and rig.

[tommo]

Great posts!

Sounds like we're talking about what real friends are all about.
There are all kinds of ways to do your part of a fishing trip. Helping to clean-up would be a treat.
I used to have a motorcycle magizine and lots of motorcycles. Everyone wanted to ride and enjoy themselves. Few wanted to take part in clean-up, maintenance and repair. I found all the maintenance and clean-up too much of a hardship on my time. I love going with a self sufficient partner.
Sounds as if I'm ********, but I got over that a long time ago. Now, I enjoy what I'm doing no matter who goes. I find peace and contentment by myself, and of course, fish.

Tom

[WaterDog]

Ken,

When we hook up I will buy the doughnuts. You need 2 or 3 dozen? I know it’s tough being on a fixed income and all. Besides I know what part of town you live in and that says it all. Just remember, “some guys have boats too and they will return the favor” . Lunch and coffee is up to you though. I aint no caterer!!! :tongue:

[Seefood Man]

I was thinking that it is always good to have someone else in the boat, for that extra hand.

[Ed]

I'm going to spend my money. If I sold my boat and gave up fishing, I would STILL spend my money on something. Everyone's heard: it's not the arriving but the journey that counts. Frankly, I'm in it (fishing) for the journey. If I spend all my money supporting fishing so be it. I may not be around tomorrow. Tight Lines.

[Propwash]

Took a friend fishing and his buddy , went to the Columbia , fished , caught some and left for home in Bend. Stopped for fuel at Madras in the invites truck and told them to fill it up. The gas came to thirty dollars in the truck. Ron and I had to use the can ,so we each gave BUDDY a twenty.Got back to Bend and dropped my boat and BUDDY said that he really liked going fishing with us 'cause he not only got some fish , he also made money on the trip. No mention of change to us or gas for the boat. BUDDY doesn't go fishing any more!

[byteme]

My partner that I started taking Steelheading was always stashing $20s in my truck after every trip because he knew I would not take it if offered. He takes me bass fishing and the last $20 I left in his truck I wrote "Steelhead fishing" on it. He got the point and we decided to call it a draw. A three hour drive and me on the oars= a 1 hr drive and him gassing his boat. Now it's just a question of who buys the beer.

byteme

[Beer Waggin]

I don't think I can count the number of times I've been up till one in the morning tying up hooks, wrapping Kwik-Fish, etc. just so I can have a good time the next day. But spending the time with friends and family is 75% of it for me. Most of the time I could of cared less about a few bucks for gas, but when I have to bring your food and beverage because you didn't realized that the store wouldn't be open at 4:00 in the morning.... Come On! Those people rarely get second invitations from me. Most of the time I only ask people to chip in when we go on long trips, like to Astoria every weekend for salmon fishing in the summer. I had one buddy give me a 5 dollar bill for gas on one of these trips. Oh thanks, with my truck that gets me 32 miles down the road, or for that matter, it doesn't even cover the cost of the bait. I just don't think people realize how much it truly costs to own a boat, let alone get it to the water. When I had my boat I would fish almost every weekend. When I slowed my fishing because of the economy (see reduced commission check), friends would say let's go fishing. I simply told them I didn't have the money. When they said oh we'll pay for the gas, I let them know how much it would cost. Then they'd say, geez, you need a new truck so you can get better gas mileage. Good thinking, I'll just go shell out another $500 a month for a new truck so we can fish every weekend.
:whazzup:

I now use a good friends boat to fish out of. I fill it up with gas every time we go out, change the oil for him, wash the boat whenever it needs it, bring food, beverage, tackle and rods every time we go, etc. All he does is tow it and store it, and the company pays for both of these items. So if you add up all the dollars I spend on fishing in his boat, it doesn't even add up to half of what it costs him, and I wouldn't have known this unless I too owned a boat at one time. Oh yes, I'll have another boat in a year or so. I'll enjoy it every weekend, and I'll probably be sleeping in it every night.
:grin:

[CAGEY]

WaterDog, Man iam glad to read that post. Now i know i can go in your boat for nothing. I was really worried as to how i was going to go with you and figure out a way to do it for free. I don't suppose you will bring the doughnuts? :tongue: