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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | I fished for LM Bass for about 30 years and spent quite a bit of money on lures, boats, etc., just to catch 12" fish and release them (they taste lousy). Eight years ago I started fishing for Muskies (mostly Tigers). Of course I had to buy a lot of new gear including rods (heavier), lures (mostly bigger) car-top boats (3 different ones) and off course lots of accessories. Of course the fish are a lot bigger than them ole' green trout and I believe it's worth spending the time (and even more money) to catch them!!!
Recently, I purchased my first boat with a trailer (both used and inexpensive) after cartopping (or keeping my boat at the lake) for 30 years. Of course, I didn't have a truck to pull it. So (after telling my wife I needed a new vehicle for transportation since I have to turn in my company vehicle because I'm retiring soon)I purchased a new pick-up truck ($$$$$$$$$$$$) and now have two car payments!  The bride actually accused me of purchasing a truck to go fishing!!! (hehehehe).
I guess you'd say - "I've got the fever (including my own Tiger website)!! So after all of this, I wonder.... I spend all this time, money, etc. to catch and release (their too scary to eat) these "toothycritters?" Is there no end to it? Have I come to the fork in the road and taken it? Does anybody come to the lakes anymore because it's too crowded? Is this hobby inexpensive after you stop spending money!! Your comments are welcome!! Tom
Edited by muskiekid 6/11/2003 9:01 AM
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Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | In my opinion, it will probably never get inexpensive. If it did, that's when we add another week in canada, upgrade to a new boat, get another tackle box full of lures, need that new jerkbait rod..........etc. Get the point, it's a never ending cycle! |
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Posts: 259
Location: Alexandria, MN | I have been doing this over 20 years and it still takes me for a ride every year. This is an addiction and you are now just another Junkie. Welcome to Muskie Angler Anonymous. |
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | Anybody know where to purchase a winning lottery ticket!!! |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | Muskiekid, your toast. It's past the point about worrying about the money. Take your lumps from your wife and go fishing. Ask forgiveness, not permission and enjoy the fruits of musky fishing. I have been told by several people on this site that I have a problem buying too much stuff. At this point I can only feul my compulsions.
Edited by ToddM 6/11/2003 4:56 PM
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Over a three year period I vowed I was not going to spend anymore money on muskie fishing. That period ended about two years ago, and after a two year buying binge I have made up for it several times over. It is possible to fish the things and spend very little money other than the necessities, but what fun is that? |
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Posts: 346
| Even collecting stamps can be spendy. |
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Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | It seems everytime I buy the "last lure for the season" I'm back a week later. Even in the winter I could be at fleet farm for something and end up buying something. |
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Posts: 260
Location: Kentucky | Its easy if you live in Kentucky!! The only temptation I have is Rollie & Helens catalog No sporting goods stores carry muskie stuff in KY!! Course I did just order a 8' Fig Rig from Smokey's.!!!! |
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Posts: 3926
| Heroin is a safer way to go. |
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | Start cruising around ebay. I have spent about 100 bucks there just this week, would have been 55 bucks more but I missed a reel by a buck today.
Ranger, you are right. I wonder if they sell needles on ebay?.lol |
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| I too find
Edited by Sponge 4/30/2007 6:49 AM
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | Are you guys kidding? $8 for rod and reel at garage sale and a couple of old Flatfish and a mepps spinner I swiped from my dads cobweb covered box and I'm off and catching muskies casting off docks (don't even need a boat). I'm sure it looks funny to se a 39 year old bald guy riding his bike and carrying a fishing pole going down the side of the freeway but who cares what other people think. Powerpro..pro line..clothesline..it's all the same thing isn't it?
Seriously..I'm thinkin' of getting a night job to help offset the expenses of this desease. Who needs sleep when there are Muskies to be caught. |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | lobi! I think I saw you on Webster last year fishing off the tube! We were passing through it to head out to the main lake and some guy sitting on top threw some bait in behind us and caught a 30+ incher out of our propwash! If I knew then what I think I know now we would've seen a pattern. "Propwash Trolling!" DANG!!! Oh....in 3 years I've accumulated (on top of my bass tackle from eons back) a complete musky arsenal for 2 and last fall a new "Used" boat. "OUCH!" said my wallet. "Don't look back now Daddy. Mom's still watching you!" |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sure, the baits are expensive, but we save lots on tackle boxes by carrying them around in a $3.00 styrofoam cooler. Actually, I have spent ALOT, but have made a living in the Muskie (and Walleye, when absolutely necessary) biz since the 70's, so I can't complain. Everything is relative. If I golfed, that would be my 'vice', or mountain biking (yeah, right!) or ultralight piloting, or whatever; you can't take it with you anyway. |
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Posts: 626
Location: ashtabula ohio | was thinking along the same lines last time on the water... what has become of us, once simple bass fisherman hitting the local lake or stream and loving it regardless of the size bass you caught and the number of cold ones you drank, now absolute hunters,cast big lures all day, focusing hard , checking for frayed line, suspect knots,kinked leaders, retrieves, action of lures,trolling speed, water temp, drinkin water not beer... i guess its graduation...still doesnt explain why i spent 600.00 bucks on more gear this spring when i was convinced i was set for the year in march...but i still dont let go of the upbringings,fished my growin up lake yesterday catchin dink bass,last week i was catchin carp on a 4.5 ft. ultra light, what a ball! honey nut mini wheats!! they love those muthas! |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | I think it will only cost more every season. Like many others have said, it's just as good an addiction as any to spend your $ on. Every time I see a lure I haven't seen yet I think "Maybe, just maybe that will be the one that helps me catch the big one. I can't just let it hang there on the rack if it is." I don't catch a large number of muskie every year, so I make up for it in equipment. I got a large Plano tool box last year to use as a muskie box thinking I would never fill it up, but it's hell when you keep seeing the empty spaces in it. Anyway, it's full and I've started another. It's an addiction, and it will always be expensive. But just one fish makes it all worth while. I too go hit the bass waters when I get tired of being skunked, just to make sure I can still catch something consistently.
Edited by Lone Stone 6/13/2003 2:26 PM
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | Is it possible that my behavior is normal? |
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Muskie (Musky?) fishing - inexpensive hobby?