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Posts: 365
| IT ain't the difference between a $5,000 boat and a $75,000 boat ---
IT ain't the difference between a $5,000 truck and a $50,000 truck ---
IT ain't the difference between $750 electronics and $7,500 electronics ---
IT ain't the difference between a $300 rod&reel and $5,000 rods/reels ---
IT ain't the difference between $200 lures and $5,000 lures ---
-------------- IT's YOU ------------- |
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| Please bring back the guests..... |
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | Somebody started happy hour a little early. |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | Does the $5000 rod/reel come with a personal servant ? |
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Posts: 365
| that was "rods/reels" ,,, as in plural ---- |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | boat and electronics im on the light side, the others im on the top side .if I never started fishing or hunting I would be rich and retired and be a very boring person . |
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Posts: 158
| I think I need a decoder pin to figure out the hidden message.
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Location: The desert | Busta Rhymes, is that you?
Edited by Pointerpride102 1/24/2014 6:22 PM
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| IT AINT A FREE RIDE |
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Location: MN | I go to church on Sundays for my sermons |
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Location: oswego, il | Jim3 is right, we can debate why he brought it up the way he did but he is right. Although I have none of those expensive things, I would if I could. |
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Posts: 1000
| He who dies with the most toys wins  |
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Posts: 8865
| Your ability to catch fish is not dependent on price of your gear. That's very true. But isn't having all that stuff a big part of the fun? 90% of the time you're not moving fish or catching fish. You can call it "the thrill of the hunt" if it makes you feel better, but you're really just out there playing with your toys. |
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Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | This is really screwed up.
Not sure what your after Jimmy......
But you sure are confusing me and a lot of other ppl here...
Jerome
What is Me/You ??
Edited by Top H2O 1/25/2014 2:05 AM
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Location: minocqua, wi. | it doesn't suck fishing out of a nice boat ... |
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Posts: 177
| Who? Me |
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Posts: 379
Location: Thief River Falls MN | jonnysled - 1/25/2014 3:36 AM
it doesn't suck fishing out of a nice boat ...
That's a fact. Or fishing with nice gear either... |
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Posts: 2686
Location: Hayward, WI | Well, I think I get the message. Same "It ain't the arrow, it's the indian." I'm sure plenty of guys could outfish me from a 14' flatbottom and the cheapest Gander Mountain rod on the rack.
With that said, if I had the funds to have the $75K boat, 5K in rods and reels, and a few thousand in electronics I would. The stuff I have now is far from top of the line but good enough that I don't have problems with my tackle and can fish comfortably from my boat.
I'd like to move from my Alumacraft Navigator to a Tuffy Deep V. I probably wouldn't catch any more fish from the Tuffy (within reason), but it sure would be a treat to fish from.
Anyway, I think the point I'm taking away from it is purchases typically don't yield the same results as studying and time on the water do... but the nice things are nice to have if you can afford to have them. |
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Posts: 365
| CurlyTail gets IT !!!
IT's time on the water ,, not just time on any lake ,, but ,, lotsa time on a quality fishery ---- instead of spending thousands of dollars on really cool equipment ,,, go fishing in Ontario , northern Minnesota , St.Claire , St.Lawrence , Lac Suel , French River , etc ,etc --- do it this year ---- jim |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Thanks for the heads up! |
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Posts: 182
| BenR - 1/24/2014 4:19 PM
Please bring back the guests.....
But it is still entertaining. |
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Posts: 182
| It ain't the mexican chow, it's you! |
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Posts: 455
| Well I guess he heard the old (Those rods are so heavy) or the (I can fish four foot rollers out of my 20foot boat) one too many times. |
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Posts: 158
| This whole time I am thinking 'it' was 'you' only to find out 'it' meant having to put in time on various quality fisheries. Not just a little time but a lot of time and I should do it this year. I am starting to pick up what triple J is laying down. |
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Posts: 455
| Those trips can be quit costly as well. It`s equally annoying listening to people brag about how much money and time they have to travel the muskie world fishing with top guides. Why can`t I just head out to my local lake and try for a nice four footer and be happy? It is whatever you want it to be really. |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | It ain't others, thats what it ain't. Its always YOU! You make all the decisions..... Its just like bow hunting, if you want a good analogy. The most expensive equipment will not guarantee you're sucessful in the quest. Although, I'd like some of the stuff in 3-Jim's list. Heck, I don't even own a $5K truck!
Have fun!
Al |
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Posts: 455
| Funny I know a guy who has everything on 3 Jims list and while I love fishing with him out of his rig I`m not so sure I would want it. When your towing a 20' ranger with a full size club cab dual rear wheel rig you gotta pay some serious attention. Can`t pull in quick mart, need huge gas station, forget the drive through anything. Hope the hotel has parking. It does have drawbacks. My sub 5k 1999 4runner and 1987 ranger are much more manageable. The key is to have equipment that you are comfortable with and keep it well maintained. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | muskyrat,
What makes you happy is what makes you happy, and I'd bet there isn't much concern by others if you approve of what makes THEM happy.
I like my little 17' boat. I'd not like it much at all on Bay of Green Bay in a strong wind.
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Posts: 72
| if u have a 5 thousand dollar boat you are not gonna be able to fish any kind of big water. |
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Posts: 415
| JOHN FALLON - 1/26/2014 9:39 AM
if u have a 5 thousand dollar boat you are not gonna be able to fish any kind of big water.
I know guys who fish or have fished LSC in 12 footers. I also have a buddy who fishes Lake Michigan every single weekend of the open water season in a 24' that he has less than $5k invested into. |
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Posts: 90
| If having to own the best of everything is what makes you happy, you have serious issues and misplaced priorities.
Guaranteed, like JJJ is eluding too, it sure as heck doesn't make you successful or any better than the next guy. I would imaging it is also quite infuriating with the guy with 5-10k invested into all his gear routinely shows you how its done. |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI | "IT" is a subjective concept. "IT" is whatever you want it to be.
If you can afford the best of everything and having the best of everything is important to you, go for it.
If you can afford to travel to the hottest musky bites and it is important to you, go for it.
If you have the time and choose to spend every waking moment in pursuit of the fish that drives us all crazy, go for it.
Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing, and IMHO that is what IT is all about ! |
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Posts: 50
| Heard something the other day that I think applies.
"Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about." |
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Posts: 455
| Yea that is a dumb statement. I have seen Howard Wagner fishing the St. Lawrence out of a big ole piece of junk and he was catching fish. I fish the Larry every year and it`s no problem. If it`s windy I go a different week or chill and drink beer on the bad days. I also fished lake St. Clair and wished the boat was bigger. Things like being able to back in the driveway or fit the boat in my garage are important. Also the smaller local lakes don`t always have launches or parking for a mega rig. Then I have to consider if I do fish big water am I fishing out of a guides boat or a friends boat. There is a lot to think about. I just know on an average weekend on my local lake I would rather have my boat. For two or three days a year I wish I had his boat. |
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Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | LOL - Some of us don't need to fish big water! Big water is not exclusive to big fish......If you really believe that, you are missing some opportunities....
Have fun!
Al |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | muskyrat - 1/26/2014 2:06 PM
Yea that is a dumb statement. I have seen Howard Wagner fishing the St. Lawrence out of a big ole piece of junk and he was catching fish. I fish the Larry every year and it`s no problem. If it`s windy I go a different week or chill and drink beer on the bad days. I also fished lake St. Clair and wished the boat was bigger. Things like being able to back in the driveway or fit the boat in my garage are important. Also the smaller local lakes don`t always have launches or parking for a mega rig. Then I have to consider if I do fish big water am I fishing out of a guides boat or a friends boat. There is a lot to think about. I just know on an average weekend on my local lake I would rather have my boat. For two or three days a year I wish I had his boat.
I don't think you are either qualified or welcome to decide what is or is not a 'dumb statement' here. Take that to heart. |
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Posts: 455
| Well didn`t mean to stir trouble. I have been fishing muskie for over twenty years. Not sure if that makes me qualified but you can fish big water out of an inexpensive boat. |
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Posts: 90
| Ja Rule - 1/26/2014 9:44 AM
JOHN FALLON - 1/26/2014 9:39 AM
if u have a 5 thousand dollar boat you are not gonna be able to fish any kind of big water.
I know guys who fish or have fished LSC in 12 footers. I also have a buddy who fishes Lake Michigan every single weekend of the open water season in a 24' that he has less than $5k invested into.
The only boats out on St.Clair in 12 footers would be freighters or the coast guard. The only thing they could be fishing for is a body or two........ |
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Location: Clintonville, WI | Eureka.....more time on the water! By George, NOW I think I've got it. |
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Posts: 136
Location: Chicago | Ultimatly it is you I completely agree with that statement. Yet to ignore some of the innovations and developments of the past twenty years or so would be foolish. It has completely changed the game and gives us an edge like we never had before. While not all of us can afford all those great tools you can prioritize what you do feel is necessary to aid you. Even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes, but fishing where giants live and being at the right spot at the right time are things you don't buy. Anything I can buy that helps me do those things effectively and efficiently im sold.
Edited by jaycbs74 1/27/2014 11:38 AM
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Location: Des Moines IA | Well I will fish out of anything as long as I have a opportunity to catch fish. Make due with What you have and get after it. I'm not to worried about keeping up with the next guy. Seems simple to me... |
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Posts: 415
| 2roofmusky - 1/27/2014 10:10 AM
Ja Rule - 1/26/2014 9:44 AM
JOHN FALLON - 1/26/2014 9:39 AM
if u have a 5 thousand dollar boat you are not gonna be able to fish any kind of big water.
I know guys who fish or have fished LSC in 12 footers. I also have a buddy who fishes Lake Michigan every single weekend of the open water season in a 24' that he has less than $5k invested into.
The only boats out on St.Clair in 12 footers would be freighters or the coast guard. The only thing they could be fishing for is a body or two........
LOL, I meant fishing out of 12' boats, not fishing in 12 foot waves. |
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Posts: 455
| My bad on the use of word dumb. I have to work on my politeness for sure. Yea I was thinking twelve foot waves and didn`t want to say BS lol. I saw perch jerkers on the St. Lawrence in jon boats anchored behind islands. Those guys were crazy! |
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Posts: 477
| I find it funny that now that I'm a little older, I have more of the nicer gear, but much less time to use it. Back when I was cutting my teeth in the sport I had minimal gear and lots of time to use it. Funny how the game changes along the way. Enjoy the ride. |
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Posts: 47
| speaking to 12'ers, I thought he meant 12' waves at first as well, but fishing the great lakes, realize what he meant. Do Not ignore the 12' boats on the great lakes, unless you don't like a good fish fry. Anyone fishing Green Bay can attest to this. We don't call them harvest without warrant. They aren't looking for the 'hot' bite, they're on it. They aren't out there to whistle Dixie. These guy flat crank fish. Used to watch Dave's father in law out on the bay north of Peshtigo crankin walleyes like nobodys business out of his 13' northwoods. Take Heed. Harvest craft. They're for real. Yarr..
Edited by Strawberry 1/28/2014 12:05 PM
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Posts: 31
Location: Illinois | For my first five years of musky fishing, I was beggin boat rides and borrowing lures for gas money and beer. I probably learned more and had the most fun during those years. Musky fishing is in your blood not your wallet.. PERIOD!!!! |
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Posts: 1358
Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | I don't have any of the special gear. I used to... But now I do most of my fishing out of my 12' converted duck boat, only depth finder is a converted vexilar. and a trolling motor mounted in the back.. have nice rods, good reels and a decent number of baits. I still catch fish. (except last season...ugh). For what it is worth, I get more gratification out of catching fish without all of the bells and whistles then I would if I have them. it's kinda like the difference between catching a musky on a Musky Mayhem lure, or one you built yourself. I would rather on the one I built myself. Now if I could afford all the bells and whistles I'd have them. But in the mean time, I love catching it without all the gear, like the old timers did.
I am not going to sit here and claim that I am a great musky guy, cause trust me,. I have a ton to learn. BUT I know I can catch em without all the gear which makes me feel good about my knowledge of the water, the spots I fish and the techniques I use to get the job done. To me, it brings me much more gratification then if I used technology to help me out.
I guess the question I would ask. For all of you that have all the nicest gear... If you were forced to get rid of all of it, do you still think you would put up the same numbers? Or catch with the same consistency?
I know adding all that gear to my boat and arsenal would increase my fish, but would your decrease without??? |
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Posts: 8865
| For the most part, NO. But I have to admit, without quality rods and reels, one might not catch as many fish. Long rods = better figure 8's, using the right combo for the lures you are fishing = less fatigue. Not having to deal with malfunctioning equipment = more time casting. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | I know adding all that gear to my boat and arsenal would increase my fish, but would your decrease without???
I think you just answered your own question. |
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Posts: 7115
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | I grew up fishing out of a 14.5' aluminum shell that leaked and the motor rarely ran all day. I remember standing in an inch of water (without water proof boots) all day in late October. I learned to cast on 1940s pflueger supreme reels (if you have never cast one, try it, makes you appreciate the knobs on the sides of your reels) and until I had the ability to upgrade my rods, none were over 5'6". Baits fell apart (same vintage as the reels) and my leaders and line sucked.
I am now SO happy to not have to stand in freezing ass water all day with a boat that doesnt work, gear that is basically garbage, etc. If you can afford it, and it enhances your fishing experience, then buy it.
BUT, because you dont have the money, or choose not to use it for fishing/boating gear, you're not better or more powerful than the rest of us who do. It's just your choice.
What it is about is fun. Don't tell me my enjoyment is sullied because my sh*t is better or more expensive than yours. |
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Location: Lake "y" cause lake"x" got over fished | Propster - 1/28/2014 4:25 PM
I know adding all that gear to my boat and arsenal would increase my fish, but would your decrease without???
I think you just answered your own question.
I would venture to guess that there are a handful of guys out there that could lose all the "best" gear, or all the electronics and still catch consistently. So I am wondering how many guys out there feel strongly enough to say that they would fall into that category? And how many are willing to admit that they would spiral downwards fast without all the "gear"
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | And there are cabinet makers who could build nice cabinets with hand saws and sanding blocks. Doesn't mean those are BAD tools, but they are not the best, either. What Slamr said. |
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Location: Hayward, WI | FAT-SKI - 1/28/2014 4:08 PM
I guess the question I would ask. For all of you that have all the nicest gear... If you were forced to get rid of all of it, do you still think you would put up the same numbers? Or catch with the same consistency?
I know adding all that gear to my boat and arsenal would increase my fish, but would your decrease without???
I don't have the nicest gear but I'll bite. I have a basic Powerdrive bowmount with plenty of power for any wind I can stand in, 2 color gps units, and good long rods and pretty good reels. I fish out of a 16' Alumacraft Navigator. Pretty capable boat but nothing crazy.
So, if you took away my bow mount completely, I feel that would change my whole ballgame. I'd have to turn into a drifter. I might be able to adapt to that style but I think it would cost me some fish. Give me a stern mount trolling motor and that would be better, but there's a fair chance that would knock my fish count down a couple ticks.
Take all of my electronics away (talking depthfinders) and I'd be totally lost. I could probably catch a few fish per year but it seems it would be rough. I tend to follow deep breaklines fairly precisely, and would be completely lost without them. Knock my fish count down 75%. Or, I just become a slop fisherman and hit visual structure. Would be a total 180 though.
Take away my long rods - take away most of the fish I catch in the figure 8 each year, and might also lose a few more. Take my long rods away and reduce my catch by 10-15%.
Give me a 12-14' boat with small outboard. This would probably not hurt me a whole lot providing I had electronics, a bowmount, and good rods and reels. Only thing is there are some conditions I can fish in now, that I might not venture out into with a small boat. For the most part, though, I don't fish big water and could hack it from a little boat. It MIGHT cause me to fish less often, and shorter days though, which could hurt the fish count a lot.
Take it all away - give me a little boat, short rods, NO electronics of any sort, and I wouldn't be surprised if my catch rate was cut by 80% or worse.
On the other hand... give me a nice row troller with no electronics on a lake with an excellent suspended bite and I may be fairly ok. 
Oh yeah... Take away 90% of my baits but let me keep 5 that I pick: Little to no change in catch rate, sadly.
** Most of this is considering trying to fish the way I do now, without all the equipment. I think a lot of this equipment lets us find the cribs, the bottom transitions, the bait balls; lets us work structure accurately and efficiently, etc.
Take ALL of that away and I'd have to change my style. Find and drift big weed flats, reeds, slop, shorelines, visual rock piles. In reality, the fish count may not drop by as much as I'd think, but I bet average size would. Comfort and enjoying being out for a long day would be significantly reduced.
I think I could manage ok without all of IT. But, I work 5 days a week to enjoy as much if IT as I can afford on the weekend.
Tucker
Edited by curleytail 1/28/2014 5:21 PM
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Location: deephaven mn | I appreciate the cabinet maker analogy.
efficiency and proficiency
good tools please, I prefer good tools |
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Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I'm not going to put myself on any pedestal because there are many, many, many more good sticks out there than I am, but I will say if I were to go back to gear I started with in my early days, my lures would be smaller for the most part, but I don't think the overall catch rate would fall. The gear to present those lures might not be as long, may not cast as far, or be as easy to use, but it would get the job done....I'd learn how to adjust presentation based upon the equipment I have to use.
Take away my electronics and GPS, and I might be fishing different structures such as ones that could be visually seen unless I trolled over an area and hit weeds or bottom, which I have been fortunate enough to find doing so many years ago, but could then triangulate from there to get back to the same basic area to fish it again. I'd learn the directions to places on the lake, even with many islands by visual cues and a simple map, and I could get around, although night fishing would be out as danger levels arise in situations such as those when you cannot see.
Put me back in a little 12 or 14 foot boat with oars and I can get to those spots on days I was strong enough to move into the wind and anchor, I think I could fish the area slowly, but effectively. I may not travel as far from camp, but I would definitely know that part of the lake better than any other because the limits of travel ensure thorough exploration of small areas. If I were mobile to fish other lakes, I could get into areas that big boats could not access..thus, areas of limited fishing pressure and potentially some great fishing.
Now...take away my education from all the various sources with which I have been fortunate enough to accumulate a vast knowledge of the fish, where they live, how and when to present certain lure types, etc. etc., I think I'd be in a little bigger bind. It would put me back to the days before muskie fishing became popular...before Doug Johnson, Dick Pearson, Jack Burns, and many more who were instrumental in bringing this sport we all love to the level it is today and enjoyed by so many of us here. Without that education, my catch rate would be much lower.
Steve
Edited by VMS 1/28/2014 6:17 PM
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Posts: 455
| Give me a row boat and a zebco push button outfit with a budwiser lure and I will still catch a muskie. |
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Posts: 559
| am I the only one that understood what an x70a was showing me when I got my head wrapped around it I caught 10x more walleyes I used to fish muskies in Ont with my foot on the tiller handle of rental boat and we did just fine
n |
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Posts: 559
| OH by the way when this is was talking about IT I thought they were talking Rudy He is The S##t Everybody kows that |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | And folks used to hunt deer with sharpened tree limbs, too.
I'll use my cross bow and my 7MM Mag anyway.
And Rudy IS the bomb.
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Anyone fishing out of expensive boats that isn't having a good time, please PM me and I'll gladly trade you my boat for yours.
Edited by Pointerpride102 1/28/2014 7:36 PM
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Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Pointerpride102 - 1/28/2014 7:19 PM
Anyone fishing out of expensive boats that isn't having a good time, please PM me and I'll gladly trade you my boat for yours.
I too am ready to upgrade. |
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| And also anyone fishing out of a perect boat and in perect conditions call me. Take this to your perect hart. ??? spell check is free take that to hart |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Slamr - 1/28/2014 6:50 PM
Pointerpride102 - 1/28/2014 7:19 PM
Anyone fishing out of expensive boats that isn't having a good time, please PM me and I'll gladly trade you my boat for yours.
I too am ready to upgrade.
Plenty of excitement to be had in my boat:
"I wonder if the splash from this medium sized bucktail will be enough to top the gunwale and sink me?"
"Fishing during allergy season is exhilarating. One sneaky sneeze and the boat will flip over."
"Do you think we'll make it back to the landing today?"
"Hold on, the motor only engages at 6000 RPM. Sit up front so we don't flip over."
All this excitement could be yours with a simple PM! |
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Posts: 20279
Location: oswego, il | I bought my first boat when I was 16. It was a 14' starcraft with a 9.5 Johnson, eagle flasher and a 36lb transom mounted trolling motor. I fished all over with that thing. When I was 14 my parents rented me and my younger brother our own boat on eagle lake, a 16ft naden with a 20 Johnson. No depth finder, no trolling motor. My brother and I would go all over just the two of us on out on our own. Finding and fishing our own spots. We caught fish, sometimes the guides wanted to know where we were going because we were out fishing them.
make the most of what you have and enjoy it. It doesn't define who you are.
Edited by ToddM 1/28/2014 9:21 PM
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Posts: 999
| The beauty of musky fishing is that we all play on the same field. You may have better equipment then I but unlike hunting none of us own the land or have a $15k lease that us full of 175" Booners. You maybe able to buy big whitetails but the waters I fish are all open to public fishing. I think I get it.
Edited by Mr Musky 1/28/2014 9:32 PM
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Posts: 455
| There is pretty wide gap between antiquated junk and the best of everything. I know a guy who upgrades his electronics every year. I think that is overkill but if you are using Phluger knucklebusters with Dacron an upgrade is certainly in order. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Who's 'You'? |
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Posts: 455
| Well Slamr was talking about the old Phlugers and anybody who remembers those can appreciate how far tackle has come. I don`t think 3 Jims point was that we should be using 40 year old tackle only that you don`t need the latest and greatest. |
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Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | sworrall - 1/28/2014 9:38 PM
Who's 'You'? . Jim shockey? |
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Posts: 1352
Location: E. Tenn | The big question...
"Do the muskies really give a #*^@??" |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | THE most important tool of any boat, or gear to me, is a #*^@ good trolling motor that always works and has enough power to get me through a day and fish spots effectively in less then desirable winds. So you can take away my Ranger and Big Nasty, but you ain't taking my 101 36 v Terrova! |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | My first boat. A 14' Starcraft that I built into the best little muskie boat it could be. A 46 lb motorguide gps and casting decks. Loved that boat and caught a lot of Muskies all over Wisconsin. My point is make the best of what you've got. I out grew that boat but to each his own. Just for the record I like all my nice stuff now.
Edited by Trophyseeker50 1/29/2014 12:07 AM
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Posts: 415
| I'm a person who likes to buy the best equipment money can buy. Right now with restrictions due to wife and kids I am probably right about in the middle of the spectrum between the guys with REALLY nice equipment and the guys with the basics. All that being said, what I find hilarious and entertaining is to see the guys with nice equipment get so annoyed by this subject. |
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Posts: 4342
Location: Smith Creek | When I started muskie fishing we used a 14 foot boat... with no electronics... powered by a 7.5 Merc and something called "oars" (don't see them much anymore)... sometimes on Lake Superior. Catching a fish (usually small) was cause for celebration, as was making it home alive.
I wish my dad was still around so I could take him and grandpa out with all the gear I have now. We might stay dry and have a shot at actually catching some of the fish we saw. |
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Posts: 5229
| Had a 14ft boat with a 9.9 johnson use to go through the locks to lake calumet,and lake michigan .Did have an auto pilot without the footpedal which was nice.0723 |
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Posts: 32957
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Ja Rule - 1/29/2014 6:09 AM
I'm a person who likes to buy the best equipment money can buy. Right now with restrictions due to wife and kids I am probably right about in the middle of the spectrum between the guys with REALLY nice equipment and the guys with the basics. All that being said, what I find hilarious and entertaining is to see the guys with nice equipment get so annoyed by this subject.
Who is annoyed? I see the folks 'without' making all sorts of comments, not so much from those who have it all.
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Posts: 2026
| What it aint for me and musky is living in Arkansas... Digest that and then go look at whatever equipment you have and I'm sure you will feel better at whatever you have. What it is is now working for myself and having the freedom to make a few trips, meet new people and relax and just fish and drink lotsa beer. |
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Posts: 1202
Location: Money, PA | I love to fish and if I have the dough, #*^@ right I'm gonna be comfortable! |
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Posts: 151
Location: Chippewa Falls, WI | I first read this thread a few days ago and thought, this won't go anywhere and yet here it is at the top again today...suprised the Pres didn't use it to make his point about income inequality during the state of the union last night! Lets just call it what it is...people who don't have and can't afford the "finer things" are quick to point out that they are better for it! Those that have the $$ to buy what ever they want don't care what the others think. I can say this (without trying to offend anyone) because I used to be the first guy and now I'm the second. I grew up fishing with my dad who didn't have the money to buy a nice boat or great electronics, he won a 40 hp suzuki when I was a kid taking first place in a muskies inc fall contest. He had that same motor on his same 16' sylvan until last year! He's a D@MN good fisherman and the best father and friend I could hope for!! The only thing I cared about was fishing with him and my brothers. Fast forward a couple decades and all the 5'6" rods and abu 6500's have been replaced and we fish outta 21' rangers with big HB graphs, 101 terrova's and I have a bunch of brand new baits.
I'll share a short story...My dad likes to fish a certain island on the chip a very certain way b/c he's caught a lot of fish doing it. I saw a spot on the back side that looked good on the HB graph and against his advice we fished it the way I wanted to (in a spot he hadn't bothered casting to in the past). As we reached the location that looked great by map I raised a solid 4' fish and even though it didn't eat, my dad looked at me and said, "for 20 years I never new that little spot was out here! Guess I learned a new trick today"
Better gear doens't make me a better fisherman but when asked (by the dealer that sold me my graphs and terrova) why I spend that kinda money on something that I only use 10-15 times a year? My response was simple and straight forward, "because I can". I look at it this way, I don't have the time to spend countless hours learning a lake and the different breaks it has, I use the HB to do that! I have a business to grow and clients to take care of along with a wife and two young boys at home. I feel guilty about taking too much time away from them so I do what I can to speed up my learning process by having the best equipment available. Its no different then using a new garmin gps for deer or elk hunting. Sure can I read a compass and a map, yup! Would I rather have our Montana canvas wall tent for our elk hunts and top of the line cabelas beds to sleep on or would I rather have the thin coleman tents and air mattress' that go flat every night that we used when thats all we could afford??? The answer is simple, buy the best equipment you can. Does it make me a better fisherman no, only time on the water, and this website will do that!!
By the way I don't think my dad minds riding behind the windshield and relaxing while we're running aross LOTW on a windy day
adubs |
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| My last muskie trip this past fall was with custom rod, 300 ej, and really nice waders. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | JaRule … you got a mouse in your pocket? |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | ARmuskyaddict - 1/29/2014 10:06 AM
What it aint for me and musky is living in Arkansas... Digest that and then go look at whatever equipment you have and I'm sure you will feel better at whatever you have. What it is is now working for myself and having the freedom to make a few trips, meet new people and relax and just fish and drink lotsa beer.
I'll trade you. You're in the waterfowl Mecca.
Everyone wants what they don't have. Dreaming big is part of living. I dream about winning the lottery because it would be a blast. That's not to say I'm not happy with what I have, because I am very happy. But if we didn't dream big life wouldn't be much fun. Dreaming gives the drive to achieve. We all dream about the big musky, some more than others. |
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Posts: 32957
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I don't have the 'best' of everything, but I do have the 'best' for me. I use St. Croix, Abu, Custom X, Migizi, and Tooth Tamer rods, and have my favorite of each. Spinning rods, I use Berkley and Fenwick. Ice I use St. Croix, Frabill, and Fenwick. Nice stuff. My flipover is a side step insulated Frabill, that's a great shelter but is not an Ice Castle.
I use Abu and Shimano reels with a couple Okumas mixed in. I have a very nice 998c SI 'Bird. Like that alot. My bow mount motor is 10 years old. Works great. My boat is 4 years old, and the motor and trailer 10 years old. All work great.
I have the opportunity to run a new 21' ride with maxed HP every year. I don't, it is way overkill for most of my fishing. I borrow Zach's when I need one.
All the gear I use are tools to complete what for me is not only my hobby, but a large part of my vocation. Any of them don't fit the need exactly... I can't do my job well, and don't enjoy the day on the water as much.
Tools, and good tools. Not all brand new top of the line, but good tools. |
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Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | What it Aint for me personally?
It aint about standing in a leaky rental boat, with my feet at an angle and my back killing me.
It aint about having a cheap leader that glistens in the sun and breaks on contact.
It aint about having a reel that is going to crap out on me the 1st day of a week long trip.
It aint about getting drenched because the poncho I bought for 7 bucks doesn't keep me dry.
It aint about blowing out my shoulder socket trying to reel in a lure with a Zebco 888
It's about fun, and none of those things are fun. |
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Posts: 1416
Location: oconomowoc, wi | husky_jerk - 1/29/2014 4:30 PM
What it Aint for me personally?
It aint about standing in a leaky rental boat, with my feet at an angle and my back killing me.
It aint about having a cheap leader that glistens in the sun and breaks on contact.
It aint about having a reel that is going to crap out on me the 1st day of a week long trip.
It aint about getting drenched because the poncho I bought for 7 bucks doesn't keep me dry.
It aint about blowing out my shoulder socket trying to reel in a lure with a Zebco 888
It's about fun, and none of those things are fun.
they were 20 years ago! now..not so much. |
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Posts: 455
| Well what better way to spend your hard earned cash before you croak than Muskie equipment. I`m a bit like Steve in that I could have a bigger boat it`s just not rite for me. The only thing that is irritating is when people are educating others and insist they need this or that when they don`t. A classic example. You need this rod and reel to throw pounders. ( Saw this advise being given to a 70 year old club member). My question does he need to throw pounders? I managed to catch quit a few without throwing pounders. You need this gps to do this and that. Ok but the guy is fishing a 300 acre lake. What you see as invaluable someone else may not even need. |
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Posts: 999
| BenR, you werent stream fishing were you? |
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Posts: 5229
| All the time ,and money we spend on this crazy sport.What it ain`t?It just ain`t right .We are some sick individuals!0723 |
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Posts: 117
| Big boats don't always mean big fish!! It takes hard work, homework, time on water and MANY other variables. I started the Muskie game a few years ago. I was 16 and used a 14 Ft Lund powered by a 9.9 Horse. there have been a 55.25, 55.5 and a 56 incher in that boat. No electronics, a very small hand trolling motor. Just hard work, learning the spots inside out from time on the water and obviously a little luck. People get to concerned when they don't have the "best" stuff. If you can dial down the lure, speed, angle, and timing....the Muskie could care less!
Now that I have grown up a few years, and able to have a little extra cash....I do now enjoy the big boy toys a little more |
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Posts: 2085
| Anything to the post above? If you don't think on lakes like V, your electronic footprint makes a difference you are crazy, run all your 10" graphs and your 101 trolling motor ( yep I have them too) over top/ too close to 50" + shallow fish and see how "active" these fish generally are. Lakes with a lot of pressure and I know the spots well.. I've started to turn my electronics off and use the TM as little as possible...BOMBS AWAY!
Edited by IAJustin 1/31/2014 10:04 AM
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Posts: 127
| Ja Rule - 1/26/2014 9:44 AM
I know guys who fish or have fished LSC in 12 footers.
those would be the days where I decide to fish somewhere else. |
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Posts: 455
| Things are great! I got the same style 680t ranger as your brother because it fits in my garage. If your ever out in N.J. give me call I will take you out. |
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