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Posts: 2361
| I don't see anything cheap about stuff that works. I, and most, have boats that are a compromise. I often wish I had one or two more boats
Function is beauty.
Interesting about the electronics. I like my cheap trolling motor unit better than my more pricey Lowrance unit on the dash. Tells me more at all times. But.......I don't get to shows much, and I saw electronics this summer on Doug Kloet's boat that had my mouth watering. You guys have been using all this crap over the years and not talking about it. When I get the rare chance to fish out of someone elses boat, who has the latest gadgets, I feel like I am living way in the past.
If I won the lottery, I am not sure about spending on a boat, rods, definitely not alot on baits, maybe on reels, but ooooh
the electonics guy would LOVE seeing me come in the store. I would have every dodad and fandangle there was. Doubt I'd catch more fish, but I would stay glued to the screens on the way there and back... |
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Posts: 91
| I agree with Steve. The word "cheap" appears too often in these threads. I sold for over 40 years and learned to not use this word in my travels, even when dicussing my competition. I really dislike the word and wish others would quit and use the word "inexpensive". |
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | This post is a fine example of why I am a member of this site!
Great stuff guys!
-Buy an inexpensive, well constructed, medium to small boat, plate it to the max. (size relative to the lakes you fish)(if it has trees growing in it, that is FINE, makes it more affordable!)
-Gut it and start over
-Build the interior to your specifications. (this will take some time depending on your skill with woodworking tools, but either way after your time and and monetary investment it will still be cheaper than buying a fully loaded rig.)
-Put the largest bowmount you can afford.... i.e. 101 thrust on a 14 foot jon boat, might be a tad much...
-Preveously experienced gear is OK!!!!!!
just a few thoughts |
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Posts: 909
| That little jet motor on mine will do right around 30 mph in 3" of water! Lots of fun! I always say that a muskie don't know if your in a Yacht or a raft!
Brian
Edited by muskie24/7 12/11/2009 9:14 PM
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Posts: 1456
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | Some ways I save k'ching...
---put quick-change snaps on all your spinnerbaits, then buy a supply of blade sizes/shapes/colors. Now you can change the blades on your spinnerbaits for size, color, shape as needed.
----make your own leaders, but RESEARCH on how to do it RIGHT. All info needed can be found right here on this site.
---make your own bucktails and spinnerbaits. Again, all info. needed is right here
I've saved well over $1000 doing these things, found a nice winter hobby, and put he money towards electronics. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Buy $1000 in baits for $250 on eBay. I collect Suicks like they are going out of style and yes, I have to repaint about half but the rest are like new or new and cost less including shipping if you bid correctly. Good winter projects!
Just search "musky lure" or "pike lure" or whatever your looking for. Pink boarder guy is gone now  http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m38.l1313&_nkw=musky+...
or get specific and search for the lure of your choice like Suick: http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=suick+&_sacat=0&_trksid=m270&_odkw...
The buy sell board here has a few gems every week if you are fast enough to jump on them too!
James |
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Posts: 193
Location: Mayer, MN | I bought Super D swim baits and saved moolah thanks to Aaron and MuskyTackleOnline.
It is nice to see this refreshing perspective being talked about on Muskiefirst. My perspective changed this last year when I was layed off, lost a grandmother, lost one of her sons (my favorite uncle), my son was born, my sister in law divorced and my in laws foreclosed and bankrupt and I got a new job last week.
DON'T LET FISHING AND KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES'S DESTROY YOUR LIFE AND/OR MARRIAGE OR LEAVE YOU IN FINANCIAL RUIN!
There is a lot of pressure and competition on the fishing forums to SPEND the most. Over and over I see to be the best, you need to buy the best or spend the most. NOT TRUE!
Spend within your means and just be appreciative if you get a chance to fish at all. |
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Posts: 8788
| Don't buy cheap crap. cheap crap sucks. Buy good stuff. Just buy ENOUGH. Buy what you NEED. You can spend $500, or you can spend $10,000, that's up to you. Muskie fishing isn't brain surgery. It's FISHING. You're trying to outsmart a fish with a brain the size of a peanut, that will eat anything that moves when it's hungry. If you want all the high end reels and expensive rods, and a whole collection of lures? Great, your hobby is collecting expensive muskie stuff. Nothing worng with that. If you want to show off how rich you are (or how STUPID you are) you can buy everything under the sun. You won;t catch more fish, but maybe you'll look good not catching fish, or feel good about yourself at the end of the day because you caught one 34" fish on a $700 combo...
You need gear that works and doesn't fall apart, you need enough lures to cover the water column, and you need good terminal tackle. How many fish you catch and how big they are? That's about where you fish and how often, not about the price tag on your gear. |
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Posts: 75
| Words to live by on any topic :
"Some was expensive, most was inexpensive. None was cheap. "
Cheap will turn around an bite you every time.
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | One thing that hasn't been brought up yet is the actual fishing expenses. Gas, lodging, bars, restaurants, guides, etc ....
Try something different to save money - stay closer to home to save gas and lodging expenses. You could stay at a cheaper hotel or camp somewhere. There are some nice campgrounds on musky lakes if you are willing to sleep in a tent. You don't need toeat out for every meal - pack a cooler and make your own food. You could bring a small grill in the boat and grill your steaks right in the boat if you can't find a place to get out and cook. Some of my best meals on trips to Canada have been on an island in the middle of nowhere eating precooked meals that were heated up over a stove that was packed in the boat. You could try fishing on your own next trip and save the money spent on a guide. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | lots of luck - 12/12/2009 6:39 PM
There is a lot of pressure and competition on the fishing forums to SPEND the most. Over and over I see to be the best, you need to buy the best or spend the most. NOT TRUE!
Spend within your means and just be appreciative if you get a chance to fish at all.
so very true ... |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Wishin I Was Fishin' | There is nothing cheap or rather inexpensive about musky fishing, if you got it bad it doesn't matter the cost. Sure you can save a dime here and there but it only get's spent on something else, like gas for the next trip.
Don't get me wrong I am tight b@stard with my money but I have to be to maximize my fishing trips. I even put my health at risk pouring lead for weight sets to offset the cost some.
I don't know what I would do without musky winternet. |
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Posts: 909
| The way I save the most money is by trading lures right here on the buy/sell section! I very rarely buy new anymore! This is a great feature of M1!
Brian |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I do the following to lower costs:
- Make my own steel leaders
- Don't buy many new lures. Mostly just replace beat up lures that no longer function.
- Don't use throw-away lures like plastics much. Lures that withstand abuse from a number of fish can save one a lot of money over time.
- Use Gander Mountain IM8 Pro Select rods. At $80, they outperform and outlast many rods that cost three times as much.
- Use ABU Garcia 6500 class reels. Easy to fix and stand up as well as any I've seen. And they don't freeze up in the cold like many of the expensive reels.
- Use a good superline that can take abuse and is reasonably priced.
- Fish more and drive the boat less. Run-and-gun usually ends in less fish caught and more gas burned.
- Fish closer to home. Fact is, there are huge fish in the Twin Cities metro area and we usually do much better near home than up north.
- Run the same boat for many years. Ran my first boat 17 years. Have had the second boat since 2003 and have no plans to replace it.
This is what works for me.
Good day all. |
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Posts: 145
| I tend to go with the less expensive rods. I second Herb on the Gander rods. I have had very good luck on the tournament muskie rods (around $100). I spend the extra money on reels because I have had too many of the less expensive ones break. In my opinion it is less expensive to pay for a nice reel up front than replace cheaper reels (fishing is also more enjoyable!).
I also started making my own bucktails to save money and customize. I'm not sure how much this saves though because it has also become an addicting habit!
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| In my opinion, most musky anglers (nyself included) have invested more than needed into rods, reels, and baits. That's the fun stuff, no doubt. The underrated gear is where I look back on some purchasing mistakes. Here's some areas I wouldn't "skimp" on:
Raingear: Get the best you can, I love my Simms jacket.
Cutter: Get a Knipex, end of discussion.
File: If your file is three inches long and has a yellow handle, treat yourself to an upgrade and use it often.
Hooks: Don't be cheap and sharpen a hook until it has a squatty little nub for a point. Replace hooks often.
Leaders and snaps: Way too many people are tight wads with their leaders and don't replace them often enough. I like Stealth and #5 Stay-locs. It doesn't matter what brand you buy or if you make them yourself, make sure you replace leaders and snaps.
First Aid kit: Get one before hitting the water in '10
Safety gear for boat: Spare navigation lights, whistle, horn, extra flotation, backup navigation (hand-held GPS, compass), extra wires, spare prop, fuses, etc. Sure you'll spend a bunch of money for stuff you hope to never use, but if you need any of these items it'll be the best money ever spent.
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Posts: 221
| In whichever category, choose the product that has the longest warranty for the most INEXPENSIVE price. Okuma rods are probably the best example.
Darcy Cox |
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Posts: 582
| you don't need a $300 rod or reel to catch fish. Gander rods are usually under $80 and work just fine. Same with reels. Although i like my more expensive stuff better, i started out with the cheaper stuff and still caught fish. This is a good place to start i believe if you want to go a little cheaper.
The things i don't cheap out on are
1. Leaders - NEVER, always buy top quality
2. line - I always buy the good stuff - powerpro, stealth etc... there is no sense in trying to save $$ here.
3. Good set of pliers - you need them to work when you reach for them to unhook a fish. So many times you pick them up and they are rusted etc.... becuase you went cheap.. Get a good set of stainless steel.
Edited by jackson 12/16/2009 7:08 AM
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Location: Twin Cities | Thoughts on Going It On The Cheap?
Don't, it costs way more in the long run. |
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Posts: 221
Location: Detroint Lakes, MN |
IMO rods/reels are the last thing you should "go cheap" on.
Your rod and reel is the piece of equipment you use more than anything. A well balanced rod that loads properly and takes the work away from you fore-arms and wrists when you cast will allow you to fish longer and harder without fatigue.
JS
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Posts: 30
| One thing I have not seen mentioned. Barter.
Swap your stuff or expertise for gear.
I have some of the nicest gear out there. Most of it I either bought used from guides in the offseason or worked a trade for items or expertise I had to offer in exchange for the gear. I get seriously discounted stuff or free stuff from my work (the legal way). I find people who want what I have and work a trade.
Camp vs Hotels or cabins on my trips.
Make my own leaders.
Fiberglass down rigger rods for trolling (40-60 each) and Daiwa 47's with line counters. ( I only troll heavily for 2 months, casting the rest of the year).
When I get around to it I plan to firesale about 1/2 my baits or trade them and cut down to the basics. Unload all my starter rods, and extra equipment and go low key.
The biggest problem is I switch techniques and water regularly. Trolling at least requires more rods than casting. Different baits on clear deep vs dark shallow lakes. Trolling GB is small lures, other lakes big lures. You all get the picture. Concentrating on 1 body of water and limiting my approach would be a big cost saver.
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Posts: 203
Location: Germantown, WI | I've been using Gander Mtn Rods with Abu Garcia 6500C3s, and Bass Pro Pete Maina Rods with the Bass Pro Pete Maina Reels for a number of years. I also have an Abu Garcia 7000C3, an Okuma IDX-400A, and a Gander Mtn GS-66. None of these rods/reels are top of the line, but I wouldn't call them cheap either. I can handle everything from small twitchbaits to Magnum Bulldawgs, DCGs or 10" Jakes on the various rods I own. I wouldn't throw a Magnum Bulldawg, DCG or 10" Jake on my 7'6" MH Gander Rod with a 6500C3, but it is fine for small to medium cranks and twitchers as well as small to medium bucktails. I can't throw a Pounder on the rods I own, but I've never seriously considered buying one either.
I agree that you can get some deals on this site as well as on Ebay and I've done both. I also make my own wire and Fluorocarbon leaders as well as many of my own bucktails. I still like to buy lures and all of my rods and reels were bought new. I have a 16' Lund Rebel from 1987 that pales in comparison to most of the boats that I see at the boat ramp, but it suits me fine for the waters I fish.
I think a lot of people get hung up on the bling factor in fishing just like the bling factor in clothes or cars or whatever else people buy. If that is how you want to spend your money that is your business. I'm not knocking it. I'm sure that Shimano Calcutta reels and St Croix Legend Elite rods are great tackle, but I'm not likely to own them any time soon. My tackle gets the job done for me. I'm not out to impress anyone with a fancy tackle or fancy boat. Some day I will buy a nicer boat with more horse power when I can afford it, but I won't go into debt to do it. The bottom line is that you can catch muskies and enjoy the sport while not buying all the top of the line gizmos. |
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