Cheaper than fishing

[duff beer]

Fishing is just like any hobby....some people spend far more than they need or spend too much in the hopes it will make them "better".

 

[pedroims]

My friends and I rent a charter three times at year, total cost per year per person $400. So far we have always caught enough fish to justify the price.

 

[fhm555]

...the only fish I eat is in a restaurant.

If you are smart you won't eat any fish out of the (fresh) waters here in Alabama.

 

[DeathFromBelow]

Fishing is just like any hobby....some people spend far more than they need or spend too much in the hopes it will make them "better".

I can only speak for my self, but I'm fully aware that the 500 to 1000 dollar rods I buy wont make me a better angler.
I buy them because I enjoy the craftsmanship, light weight, sensitivity, finish etc. YMMV.

 

[JaamE]

Here was our catch that day....you can judge the size of the fish by beer can on table! 4 of these fish were caught on $20 Barbie rods by the girls. We released about 25-30 other fish.

I fish with a $3 roll of fishing line and a cheap hook and earthworms off the side of the dock. Roll of line in one hand and laying on my belly. Used to do it though cracks in the dock but i had to have someone go under and cut the fish loose when i did.

But then again, i dont catch enough to feed anyone, kinda like my bass playing.

 

[fhm555]

My first day on a saltwater fishing pier as an angler we got hit by a big run of kings. I was using a big azzed zebco reel on a Penn Tiger stick I'd picked up at a local pawn shop. I copied the local wire leader and treble hook rig and also copied the whole cigar minnow bait. I got hit, let it eat for a 3 count then set the hook. The smoker took off and when it hit the end of my 80 odd yards of line it just jerked the whole front off my reel and never even slowed down. They are called smoker kings because they routinely smoke reel drags, not because they taste good smoked.

I'd been fresh water angling with spin and fly rigs most of my life but this was my first lesson in the necessity of having the right gear for the job at hand. The reason offshore tackle costs so much is because the fish you are after will shred anything less. I've had fish off the same pier burn the drag up in my Peen 705 which is made specifically for inshore saltwater live bait fishing. I've also been spooled on a Mitchel 303 which holds over 250 yards of 12 lb mono, another inshore saltwater reel.

There is a HUGE difference between the heaviest freshwater and the lightest saltwater gear, and the price reflects it.