|
|
Posts: 69
Location: Minnesota | Hello.
I'm writing to hear other thoughts on this topic.
As much as I'd like to continue learning about Muskies and all that comes with them, I have a real hard time paying for information, because to me it's by definition a "pay-to-win" situation. I dislike the idea that money can set me ahead in the knowledge department, or in the case of paying for guided trips, the "catching a personal best" department, and then pretending like it was all thanks to me.
I'd really like to read and watch the content on a platform like Muskie Insider, for example, but again, it's all behind a paywall. Don't get me wrong, I understand experienced guys that have spent years learning what they know wanting to get something extra in return for sharing the information; 100% understandable, but it does suck to then, for someone like myself, to not be able to view that individual's content anymore cause of this dilemma.
This same idea goes beyond just information. Technically buying any kind of equipment could be pay-to-win as well, though I think it's obviously not quite the same thing as spending a couple hundred bucks and getting in return information that has taken a lot of people decades to gather themselves.
Is this relatable for anyone else or am I just being illogical?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Alex |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1784
| I might be a bit dense but are you complaining about having to subcribe to a Muskie content channel? If so I'm pretty sure subscribing is optional. If you want to know what the other guy knows you pay. If you don't you don't. Sorry, I might not be getting what you are getting at. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1375
| There is more than enough free information from very good sticks, right here on this site, to catch all the muskies you need, including your PB. The 4 biggest fish I caught were before I knew about Muskies Inc., or this site, and didn't know squat. I've learned a lot since then, and am a lot more adept at catching fish. You don't need to pay anything to get better. They just make you want to. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 576
Location: WI | I have more sympathy for the guy wanting to monetize their years of experience than the guy upset it is put behind a paywall. I always thought Saric and heitings book took years off my learning curve when I got into the sport. What little money they got from me purchasing it, I’m glad they did. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 20
Location: Wright County MN | Most of the big guys out there fish premier waters. Im not saying it doesnt take skill to catch fish on them its just easier. You would learn more fishing your local waters with someone whos fished them a bit. If not look up their seasonal movements and target areas based on that to build patterns.
Edited by youbetcha 7/21/2025 8:57 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 101
| Personal choice IMO. I have had an In Fisherman subscription for years. That is paying for content but in the most traditional way I guess. But still the same as paying for content online. in my view. Paying for a guide? I have not done it as I have always wanted to do it myself. But now that I am older and have nothing to prove to myself I am more open to it. Not that I ever had an issue with it as surely it is a way to learn and spend good time on the water. A big shout out to this free site where there is always good info. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1543
Location: Brighton CO. | Fishing and time on the water and time in the woods are golden, but short lived. We spend our lives at work, with our families, taking care of our homes. Back in the day living in California I was a long way from Muskie country. I'd work 60 hours a week come home Saturday afternoon and watch the In-fisherman I recorded while at work. I had In-fisherman magazine, Fishing Facts, Fur Fish and Game and others. I still have my all my old VHS tapes and all kinds of DVD's along with every single issue of Musky Hunter and Esox Angler. Never mind all the tackle I have. And it's not cheap to drive to the Northwoods from my home in Colorado and rent a place to stay. Unit cost per Muskie? |
|
| |
|
Location: PA Angler | The only thing I pay for are my lures and gear to catch. Everything thing else is free to read or see vids on the net. My knowledge from catching them is learned by myself. If I am spoon feed then I don’t think I can catch them like I do now. It took time to learn and time put in helps learn how to get bigger fish as well. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2376
Location: Chisholm, MN | I soaked up knowledge from DVD's, magazines, tv shows and a little bit of youtube when I was first getting serious. I remember watching every one of Bob Mehsikomers videos on MyoutdoorTV when I was in college when I should have been studying. Essentially, you pay for that too. Just indirectly. Even seminars at the muskie expos cost money to get into. I get what they're doing but I don't think there's much these new subscriptions can teach me at this point, so I've never paid for one and I don't think I will. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 69
Location: Minnesota | Thanks for the replies, folks!
My post wasn't supposed to be a complaint. I just wanted to know the thoughts of others on paying for things like guides or information and if they think it's an authentic way of going about fishing.
Edited by Weiseyyy 7/23/2025 9:04 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 405
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Your dilemma is the realization that the dopamine hit that you get from fishing is more about the journey to success than the success itself. Your personal character is the opposite of the fellow sharpshooting in the "Big" thread that searches about with livescope and takes one cast - he would take a helicopter to the top of a mountain and take a photo and post for affirmation from total strangers, whereas you would train for years to accomplish the same thing for your own personal gratification. The reality is that in both endeavours (climbing and musky fishing) you do need to have the right gear, take the right routes (fish the right places) hone skillsets and avoid pitfalls based on others experience given our lifetimes and time for such pursuits is limited. The absolute best solution to your problem is finding someone (or a group) who are likeminded and move forward in the pursuit and evolve and learn together using what tools and information as you deem necessary but within the boundaries of what you still consider a challenge. It is certainly possible to do it solo (and valuable to go solo for much of the time), but you will more likely to not burn out and enjoy it more with others involved that have similar motivations much of the time.
Edited by Angling Oracle 7/23/2025 10:10 AM
|
|
| |
|
Location: Athens, Ohio | When something is wrong with my car, I pay to take it to a 'pro' if I can't figure it out myself.
Same thing with something going wrong with my fishing- if I'm not getting what I want out of it, I need to go find a pro. m |
|
| |
|
Posts: 7080
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | I think the differentiator between when we used to all have 3 magazine subscriptions and bought DVDs is those selling the content aren't ALWAYs well established. Fishing Facts was a known mag with credibility, as is/was InFish, or even Musky Hunter (RIP). The content wasn't always PERFECT, but it was written by well established names in the industry.
Now? Being a guide and having a camera, or just having a camera and being able go fishing, makes you eligible to sell your content. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 136
Location: Roscoe IL | I look at it, as the same as paying for golf lessons, or hitting and pitching lessons for my daughter who plays softball. I dont expect people who make their living off of something, to provide information without gaining something in return. We pay for knowledge in every aspect of life. |
|
| |
|
| A lot of good points. Last summer I paid a guide to take me musky fishing on Eagle Lake. We had success in high winds, hitting wind blown reefs, rocky points, etc. I was paying not just for a big stable boat to fish from in high winds, but the hours the guide had put in getting bounced around in previous high winds, learning where musky go in that weather.
But Slamr also makes a good point, the old magazines didn't just publish a story because it had good pictures. The authors had earned a reputation as guides over a period of time in a variety of conditions. Today on the chain where I live I see many boats with a camera mounted on the side of the boat the guy is fishing out of. He might get some great footage but doesn't mean he is a great fisherman. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 153
| There is a ton of free content out there, particularly on podcasts and youtube, that you don't have to pay for anything. But, to be quite blunt: not a single one of these sources have beat out getting on the water. Nothing substitutes for experience and going through the highs and lows of just getting out there and casting until your back hurts. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 165
Location: West Central WI | Fish and learn within your budget. Don't feel like you're missing out because others do things differently. Determine what you're willing to pay or do at a cost you can afford and get on with it. I took me years to accumulate all the equipment, electronics, and boat that now serve me well. When I started out, I was on a tight budget. I started by joining Muskies, Inc to get their magazine and learn all I could from chapter meetings. I had one pole, a good net, release equipment, no boat, and a half dozen baits. I eventually bought a boat with bare minimum electronics. Every few years, I'd upgrade electronics, trolling motor, etc. To save $ on poles, I took a rod building course and now I have more poles than I need - but I found a hobby that will keep me in the game after my body is too old to muskie fish. |
|
| |
|
| Rotorhead - 7/24/2025 3:31 PM
Fish and learn within your budget. Don't feel like you're missing out because others do things differently. Determine what you're willing to pay or do at a cost you can afford and get on with it. I took me years to accumulate all the equipment, electronics, and boat that now serve me well. When I started out, I was on a tight budget. I started by joining Muskies, Inc to get their magazine and learn all I could from chapter meetings. I had one pole, a good net, release equipment, no boat, and a half dozen baits. I eventually bought a boat with bare minimum electronics. Every few years, I'd upgrade electronics, trolling motor, etc. To save $ on poles, I took a rod building course and now I have more poles than I need - but I found a hobby that will keep me in the game after my body is too old to muskie fish.
Great advice. I always shake my head when some new musky guy posts about just getting started and folks tell him he needs to get a Legend Tournament, a TranX 400, etc. I didn't have that kind of coin when I started and guessing a lot of other folks don't either. |
|
| |
