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Posts: 7049
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | The thread about how much we own in muskie gear got me to thinking: what can we save money on, while not sacrificing in quality/durability/longevity? Here's a few random thoughts that come to my mind:
-hook cutters: DO NOT go cheap on this. buy knipex or you'll be sorry, eventually.
-trolling reels: for $40 my Magda does what a $300 trolling specific reel will do w/o sacrificing much, if anything.
-snaps: NOT a good place to go cheap! string-ease have never failed me, others have. the extra money is money well spent.
-boat stereo: $100 for my unit, it rocks, and I could have spent aLOT more. None of them are water-proof and will all be killed by that next big wave that will eventually smoke my unit.
Your thoughts? |
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Location: Des Moines IA | I just went cheap on my GPS, now I know alot of guys will say that is not a piece to skimp on. I got an Eagle instead of a Lowrance, because it takes the same cards as a Lowrance, but even though it can't be networked, that's not a big deal, as I will only be using 1 GPS on my boat. It fits my needs just fine, and was almost 200$ cheaper. |
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Posts: 897
| You can definitely save money and still catch fish by using mid-grade rods. There are a bunch of rods in the $100 range that work just fine. Obviously, I'd like to have a $300 rod but it's not necessary.
Casting reels, I think people can save money by buying one quality reel rather than 3 or 4 junk reels over the course of two or three years.
Leaders, spend the money on good leaders made out of quality components (e.g. Stealth leaders) and you won't lose lures to breakage. I lost 3 lures last year because of leaders, none this year.
I think people can save money on gas by backing off the throttle a bit. I only put the hammer down when I think it's prime time.
That's what I have for now.
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | net - quality ... don't sacrifice
hook cutters - quality ... knipex only
reels - quality ... and if you're a caster you can do it all with one
rod - quality ... and if you're a caster you can do it all with one
baits - again, if you're a caster you can do it with 5
- depth raider
- double 10
- depth raider
- bulldawg
- ddd/chopper/pacemaker ... pick your preference
leaders - use quality
boat - i went from a bigger expensive one to a cheap used one that bought me the time to wait and find what i really wanted (a used 690) ... i'll be running a sweet ride that is less cost than what most have in annual fuel and bait expenses from what i've read.
truck - paid for ... buy a diesel, take good care of it and run the miles high.
i haven't bought a musky bait in 3 years, took an entire season off, cancelled a seasonal trip to canada and reduced time on the water to re-prioritize some financial priorities.
the result is that i now own a ranger 690 and owe about $4k on it, have a truck that's paid for, have learned that certain baits simply catch fish and that the amount of money you can have tied up in a sport can get stressed really quick if something in your life changes (for me it was health then job).
BUT ...
1. if you are willing to make some tough decisions, you can protect the most important things
2. taking a season off can give you back your perspective ... and
3. balance is more important than anything |
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Posts: 457
Location: Minneconia | I would think the long winter would be enough to give back your "perspective". |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | "perspective" ... i started to focus on bass and panfish.
it reminded me that there are not only other species, but a different view of the fishery and what's good for it. without sounding argumentative ... i think more musky fishermen should consider how they're viewed by others who share the resources. |
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Posts: 1169
Location: New Hope MN | I have some old St. Croix Lengends (10yrs+) that I catch fish on all the time. Yeah they're short, but they still work fine. I can't throw a bulldawg or a 2Oz spinner...
I also have a 2 1993 6500c3's that still catch fish. I use them for shallow trolling. I had to rebuild the drag 2 yrs ago. You guys with your new $300 reels every year make me laugh.
I also use old components from one lure to the next. If my 12 yrs old bucktail has no color/hair or is rust covered, I'll cut the wire and use the lead for a new one. Weight is weight. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | jonnysled - 12/10/2009 3:21 PM
"perspective" ... i started to focus on bass and panfish.
it reminded me that there are not only other species, but a different view of the fishery and what's good for it. without sounding argumentative ... i think more musky fishermen should consider how they're viewed by others who share the resources.
And Bingo was his name-o. |
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Posts: 2017
| Hook cutter= Lowe's Kobalt 8" Compund bolt cutter - cuts 7/0 easy with one hand, lifetime warranty = $9.99
Edited by IAJustin 12/10/2009 3:39 PM
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Location: Contrarian Island | I disagree w you thinking no head units are waterproof...I have a Clarion CMD5, it has no cover plate and sits out on the side of my console and it has been absolutely DRENCHED many many downpours....zero problems... so to say none are waterproof is not quite true..
things you definitely don't need the high end stuff for to catch fish are reels, heck my Pete Maina $100 reel has held up as good as any of the $350 ones...
rods, you can get used stuff on this site or elsewhere..
boat, you don't need a fancy boat to put fish in the net...the fancy rig below has been visited by lots o skis the last 5 yrs
imo the things not to skimp on are:
trolling motor,
good deep cycle batteries
outer wear
sunglasses
net
release tools
line and leaders...they are the connection to the fish....don't buy crap that will break and kill a fish
and the Clarion CMD5 w/ 4 Alpines... ; )
Edited by BNelson 12/10/2009 4:26 PM
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 Camp Ranger.jpg (158KB - 138 downloads)
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| we were talking about this over lunch today: if you're patient, you can get pretty much everything under the sun right here in the buy/sell forum. much of what you see is in excellent shape for 1/3 or less of the price of buying it new.
if your budget is modest you can avoid settling for cheap new gear by getting quality used stuff that's inexpensive. the fish won't mind if your reel came with some scratches on the sides.
the one exception, the one thing i'd never buy used is terminal tackle. get some Stealth leaders and replace your snaps with new ones when they start to show some wear.
everything else from boat, rods, reels, lures, etc. can be found on great deals.
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | Make your own solid wire leaders
Use Stealth Tackle Flouro leaders where necessary like spinnerbaits, bull dogs and trolling.
Don't use snaps.....use High Quality split rings.
Get Autopilot Trolling motor minimum with high thrust.
Fresh trolling motor batteries....big Fleet Farm ones are plenty fine...I get 5-8 years out of them...and I use them alot.
Use a good on-board charger like the Dual Pro.....Best thing I have invested in. Only have to add about a cup of water a year and I leave it plugged in all winter...just unhook the boat wires.
Edited by Jomusky 12/10/2009 4:38 PM
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Posts: 1270
| You can make all your leaders and save a ton of money. As for the sterio in the boat the best thing that ever happened in my boat is when mine quit working. When I'm fishing I don't need to be hearing music. |
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Posts: 8788
| In the past 6 months, I have lost my job, burned though my savings, and had a client default on four months worth of freelance work. I've had a LOT of time to reflect on the thousands of dollars I have spent on muskie gear...
I wouldn't recommend that anyone buy crappy gear, because it's going to cost you fish, probably some that will wind up dead, and it simply does not last.
That said? You don't need 6 rods, an aresenal of reels, and several hundred lures. When you take a week trip to Canada, bring 10 times more stuff than you need, and still leave hundreds of lures at home? Stupid.
Yeah, I like lures as much as the next guy, but a lot of guys out there, myself included have enough gear to outfit a guide service.
But yourself a good combo, 30 lures, good tools, a good net, and good terminal tackle, and thats all you will ever need.
As for balance and perspective? It's muskie fishing, it ain't life and death. You may find yourself standing in front of a mountain of gear someday, wishing you had the money you spent on lures that are still in the box, reels that have been used three times, and rods that are still in the package. Worse yet, it may be your girlfriend standing in front of that mountain of stuff, looking at the place on her finger where a ring would go, if you hadn't spent all your money on fishing...
Lambeau is right, too. The stuff that gets bought and sold here is largely a result of people buying too much stuff, and then one day getting to the point where they need the money more than they need to have 10 reels and 500 lures. Amazing deals can be had. |
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Posts: 1530
| i chuckle at the 200 dollar rods, reels, and 100 dollar lures. if a fellow does his homework, avoids the cattle call, theres plenty of quality musky stuff available.being a troller i prefer the 50 doaller tiger stiks, penn 320 reeels. im amazed at the need of 200lb snaps, . we tend to overkill the specie.. its not about the fancy shirts, rods, reels, lures. its about the hunt. i guess my take on it after 45 years chasin, has shown me. |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Get a job at an outdoor retailer. Excellent deals to be had. Especially VAPP deals. Vendors are very generous, some offering up to 3 products a year at 50% off. |
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| BNelson, you might want to consider spending a couple of bucks on some battery covers.......and/or a good fire extinguisher  |
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Location: Contrarian Island | nah, the boat isn't exactly going to go up in flames now is it...  |
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| Just teasing, it is a sweet rig |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | BNelson - 12/10/2009 6:43 PM
nah, the boat isn't exactly going to go up in flames now is it... ;-)
Per the Handbook of Wisconsin Boating Laws and Responsibilities:
It is unlawful to operate a motorized vessel equipped with a storage battery unless the battery is secured against shifting. The battery must be equipped with nonconductive terminal shields to prevent accidental shorting. Both the positive and negative terminals must be covered. A covered battery box with a strap is best.
I'm not sure if this law is the same throughout the states, but I would venture to guess it is. I'm not trying to call you out, just a heads up as some people really don't know. Spending the summer on the water with the Sheriff's Department made me aware of how much stuff they can get you on, and the fines are not cheap. Out here every offense on the water is a Class B misdemeanor as opposed to a class C. |
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Posts: 32889
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The difference between 'cheap' and 'inexpensive' can be HUGE. Never use one term where the other should be.
I have gear that I like. Some was expensive, most was inexpensive. None was cheap.
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| When you really think about it if we could survive the first 3 months prior to opener of what ever the season were excited about we could save tons of money and you know what i'm talking about! Every year prior to the opening of bird hunting season i would buy a new Gun or new boots or something related to whatever I was excited about. I'm allready thinking about what new rods might come out for next seasons musky opener for crying out loud. Do i really need a new rod? Probably not but i can think of worse things to spend my money on! I'm a strong believer in buying the best quality product first and not spending more in the long run.
GOOD LUCK! |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | for those of us who cant fish alot buying tons of lures is our way to get by... even though we never get to us them. |
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Posts: 1237
Location: South Portsmouth, KY | 2 things i learned about not goin cheap this year. Do not buy cheap raingear, and do not buy cheap batteries. Quality in both of these are worth their weight in gold. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I would definitely fit into the category of not buying the most expensive items on the market, but I am definitely one who would say spend the money on quality items that are durable and do what you need them to do. Many of the main items have been hit. Some things you just cannot skimp on, but electronics, etc...we can all get by with much less than what many of us use. I don't go top notch on electronics, and to be honest, I think I have only purchased 2 pieces of electronics brand new...the in-dash flasher on my console and the GPS unit on my console. Heck...I'm still running an old lowrance X65 in the back...
And I would also agree, we could cut back on many items like tackle...no need for all the rods, lures, etc. you only use about 14 - 15 of them consistently for the most part anyway... (tongue planted firmly in cheek here...) |
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Posts: 692
Location: Pelican Rapids, MN | Sacrificed the imported beer for some domestic - Priorities! |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Don't sacrifice on:
-Things that get you out fishing (motors that run and a truck to get you there and home)
-Things that keep you out fishing (rain gear, TM and batt, good reels)
-Thinks that keep you safe (boat that doesn't leak and is wired correctly, life jackets, etc)
-Thinks that make for a clean release (terminal tackle, nets, hook cutters, etc)
The rest is for fun. I have over 1000 baits and after culling and culling it gets tough to get rid of some of them. They may not have seen the water in years, but they might get out on my next trip... |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | HOOKS! and Bourbon. If you use crappy hooks and lose a fish and remedy that by drinking cheap bourbon you'll be sorry. |
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Posts: 909
| BNelson - 12/10/2009 5:06 PM
I disagree w you thinking no head units are waterproof...I have a Clarion CMD5, it has no cover plate and sits out on the side of my console and it has been absolutely DRENCHED many many downpours....zero problems... so to say none are waterproof is not quite true..
things you definitely don't need the high end stuff for to catch fish are reels, heck my Pete Maina $100 reel has held up as good as any of the $350 ones...
rods, you can get used stuff on this site or elsewhere..
boat, you don't need a fancy boat to put fish in the net...the fancy rig below has been visited by lots o skis the last 5 yrs
imo the things not to skimp on are:
trolling motor,
good deep cycle batteries
outer wear
sunglasses
net
release tools
line and leaders...they are the connection to the fish....don't buy crap that will break and kill a fish
and the Clarion CMD5 w/ 4 Alpines... ; )
If I closed my eyes I would swear this was me talking! I agree with everything you said! Beautiful boat, heres mine!
(P1010040jet boat [640x480].JPG)
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P1010040jet boat [640x480].JPG (107KB - 134 downloads)
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Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | I love the little river rat boats. Easy to load & unload, and you can use a ditch as a boat launch if needed. Sure a Ranger is the ultimate rig & on windy day's just about unbeatable, but for fishing local ponds or even smaller Wisconsin lakes it's hard to beat a smaller boat that you can beat to hell with no worries.
Buy what you can afford, look for deals on ebay of even a garage sale. I's a fun hobby that only get's expensive when you let it. I spent more on Suckers than anything else I can think of this season, including gas. I know my friend spent $8.00 each at one bait shop. YIKES!
Excellent thread comming into the Christmas holidays. |
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