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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | IAJustin - 1/11/2013 12:59 PM
Flambeauski - 1/11/2013 8:56 AM
Compared to some hobbies far more popular, muskie fishing is pretty cheap.
I know a lot of guys spending way over 2K a year chasing muskies...I don't know anyone who goes to the movie theater 170 times a year.....if you are serious about fishing muskies its not cheap! Especially for us that require travel to decent water..
5 most popular hobbies (one study ):
1 )Reading
2 )Watching TV
3 )Family Time
4 )Going to Movies
5 )Fishing
I said muskie fishing. Your lumping all fishermen together. Trout nuts don't think twice about dropping a grand or 2 on a rod and reel, saltwater guys pay triple for boats what we pay.
I'm guessing if you broke down all species fished for on the list muskie fishing would fall somewhere between model train racing and unicycle restoration. |
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Posts: 299
| I've been lucky enough to be going on my 12th year in the Surgical Sales Market and although my commission varies from year to year I've been fortunate to make a very good living and have the things I want/need for myself and family. Great benefits, spending account, truck payment and gas paid for makes life a lot easier. I don't believe too much in spending what you can't afford and like to pay cash for everything over credit. This takes discipline and not buying on impulse. I wanted a 620 and set a goal to save up for 3 years and now I outright own my 620. No payments... I also believe its very very important to get your 4 year degree and can't stress it enough to young ones undecided about their future. I also was lucky to receive a 4 year full ride scholarship to a D1 school on athletics. If you can't get a atheltic or academic scholarship then student loans are completely acceptable and a degree should be #1 priority. The job market is already brutal and not having a degree makes it even worse. I can always fall back on my degree if I ever leave my current field of work. Money isn't everything but it sure helps... I went many years of hard work, little pay and tough times to get where I'm at and will never attempt to live beyond my means. I have flexibility and freedom with my job but it's also as cutthroat as it gets. You miss you quota after just 1 quarter in the fiscal year and your job is on the line... No excuses...in my field your only as good as your last month number and it never ends. So the money might be there but it's a daily grind going toe to toe with some of the most ignorant and smartest surgeons out there. Competition daily, being in surgery sometimes 6am till ?? and having surgeons and patients trusting you know what the hell your talking about. The good thing is if your at or near your quota your left alone so just hit the number each month and life is good... I'm paid once a month on salary and commission plus expenses and every month is different so budgeting and money management is very important since I'm going 30 days between paychecks. I feel blessed have such great income each month but I'm also not stupid and sock a lot of it away each month... |
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Posts: 556
| CURLEYTAIL---I am right with you---Just a 1992 old boat and motor---A bunch of baits I throw in some PLANO containers--And ambassaduer reels on T.I rods---All middle of the road stuff--BUT WORKS perfect for me--Spend maybe 1k a year on gas and lodging but still get to enjoy the sport without the huge expense. Works for me and my fishinf partners---I guess maybe there are times I wish I could afford the 60k boats and expensive trips---but I don't dwell on it and just enjoy what i can afford ( and I still keep slamming that 401K with as much as I can possibly afford so I can enjoy FISHING for all species later in life )---Keep it simple--Its still FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 456
Location: Kansas City BBQ Capitol of the world | I voted to what my house hold income is as all the money goes in 1 pot and the fact the wife makes double of what I make so I'd call that a pretty good catch  |
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| Don't assume most musky fishermen do not make a lot of money and they are all blue collar.
Not hard to be rich in the USA if you want to work for it.
But money is not everything. 70 pounder is everything. |
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| Guest - 1/13/2013 10:27 AM
70 pounder is everything.
Get with the program man, 60 is the new 70  |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | im 48 years young.i have a very small house story and a half 850 square ft.after every thing is taken out of my checkni have 550 a week house payment 680 truck 475 boat 150 so at the end of the mounth i have 895 to spend on food gas phone and the other house bills so i dont have much left to spend. so i get may be one long trip a year the rest i stay close to home.i dont smoke dont drink much a case of beer will last me a mounth some times longer. it all comes down to how you spend the money you have.i have a 2012 skeeter mx 1825 a 2012 chevey avalanch .i bought a small house but i use it for sleep .i have a nice boat truck. i spend more on my toys then i do on my house.if i gave up my hunting and fishing i could have a big house but what fun is that |
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Posts: 2024
| Here is some info I looked up. When I looked it up the poll numbers above were pretty much reflecting the average (and median income below). Just some info
The average guy's annual income: $ 39,429 In 2010 the median income of male workers was $42,800
If he graduated from college: $54,069
If he has only a high-school diploma: $28,343
Percentage of men who are unhappy with their paycheck: 49%
100% of unmarried men are single...
43% of Americans over the age of 18 are single
53% of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older were women in 2011; 47% were men
The median household income in the United States is $46,326.
Dual earner households have a higher median income at $67,348.
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Retired, Everyday's a Holiday, and everynight's a Saturday night
Thanks to a long time at a good company with good benifits, retired at 60 and it's been verrrrrrry enjoyable. |
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Posts: 2024
| Maybe Steve was simply commenting on me diagnosing dyslexia for a living, or that he did not understand a word I wrote??? I can't imagine anyone on this site being sarcastic... Who knows, all is good and just know many think you teachers rock!
My point in my rambling post before was to point out that the poll results on this site pretty much reflects the "average single male income", not to move to a teacher debate. Granted, the results I posted are from US Census data and not a sample of incomes in musky water areas. Since I ramble so much, I didn't finish by pointing out the poll results are close to representing "single males", not married couples. Married couples should have a higher income, which isn't reflected by the poll results. Maybe people only reported their income, not combined household incomes. Being a psychologist, I wonder if that is because more musky fisherman are single, or divorced. Which leads me to wonder whether their musky madness contributed to divorce??? I can't imagine my ex tolerating me spending half of what I have spent for being able to fish 2-3 weeks a year. Maybe someone can create a poll looking at that?
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| Retired at fifty. I'll be fifty four, in May. Residence is in Florida, but from the middle of May, to early October, I'm fishing Lake Vermilion and area. My wife lets me fish everyday, all day, if I want, so I usually do!!
Spent last four summers, up there.
Dept free, and loving it! Thanks to my wife having a great career! |
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Posts: 458
| I know the guy that said this and it is not an insult. He has other family members that are in education. I think he meant his brother does not have unlimited funds as he is a teacher. Please do not misunderstand his words. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Or manipulate them to suit your agenda. This isn't a discussion on careers in education or the ramifications from any point of view.
I've been called 'Just a $%^$#@! salesman.'
Twice.
In the same conversation. |
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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | All I ask is for people to rephrase their wording...That's it. Call it an agenda if you will, if that suits you.
Steve
Edited by VMS 1/14/2013 8:40 AM
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| I once said," it is just a muskie". I get it. BR |
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Posts: 833
| The thing that interested me the most about this topic was how much on average a typical angler spends on the sport, more specifically the typical cost to get started in the sport. I know the two metro chapters of MI are constantly trying to come up with ways to increase membership. One of my pet theories on having better recuiting success is that the cost of the sport is such that it has trouble compeiting for other cheaper alternatives among cetain income brackets / age groups. My logic is that if you are 23 and just out of school it is very hard to afford a truck, a boat, tackle, etc. The start up costs are just rather high compared to say beer and XBOX. If you buy that, then maybe MI should be looking somewhere else to grow it's rolls?
Again, just a pet theory of mine.
For me personally, I think a big differentiator is where you live. If you have to travel to Musky Fish AND have your own gear it can get prohibitive in a hurry. I am blessed to live in the Twin Cities so I get away with just buying gear. I think the posters talking about living within your means and taking time to accumulate are the ones to listen to. Also, time on the water. You can have the finest gear in the world but you will not catch much unless you are out there learning to tune into the Muskies.
Edited by Brad P 1/14/2013 9:29 AM
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Posts: 200
Location: Minnesota | I'm living the American Dream. I went studied hard, worked hard, earned an average income, saved and sacrificed, and then married a great woman with a great job.
That said, if I didn't fish, I'd have a lot more money. Then again, my wife's family are the ones who got me into muskie fishing, so she's really the one to blame for this. |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | The more disposable income you have - the more you will spend. Some people fish out of a 2012 620, and others fish out of a 1967 lund resorter. Some people still use silly little nets and others wear $400 sunglasses. Everyone has different needs and desires and how we recreate is our choice. How much we spend on musky fishing depends on income but it also depends on too many other things in life to compare annual average income to see if you are "keeping up".
Marrital status, age, fishing past, kids, jobs, geographic location, fishing partners, etc.. are all more imporatant variables to look at if you want to compare yourself to another angler.
I think the musky world is pretty representative of the current way of life in America - if you want it you buy it, if you can't afford it you finance it. If your neighbor has one, you better get one. We live in a materialistic world..... don't worry about what someone else has or doesn't have, worry about what you need or if you can afford it, what you want. |
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Posts: 7038
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | "if you want to compare yourself to another angler."
I know barely employed muskie anglers who love it just as much as "wealthy" doctors and attorneys that chase muskies.
Don't be jealous of others...dig deep enough in their lives and I feel pretty confident that you'll find they deal with just as much day to day BS as the rest of us. |
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Posts: 833
| I agree, I've met all walks chasing Musky and as long as the individual fisherman isn't a jackwagon, the common love of the hunt make them fun to have in the boat. |
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Posts: 613
Location: Michigan | VMS - 1/13/2013 12:51 PM
jasonvkop - 1/11/2013 12:23 PM
he is just a teacher, .
Care to elaborate on being "just a teacher?"
Steve
As in that is the only job he does and does not make much money from it (which I think is a problem in this country). All my family members are teachers or professors so no need for the lecture.
Edited by jasonvkop 1/14/2013 1:55 PM
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Posts: 568
Location: Lake St Clair | Attn: the 17 people who make over 250K a year
For my birthday i would like a boat
thanks |
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Posts: 661
Location: Roscoe IL | jasonvkop - 1/11/2013 12:23 PM
There are a couple other things that should really go into this poll, but that would be too difficult probably. Age, marital status, kids, etc all play a big part in how someone spends his or her money. My brother has a TON of lures, including a lot of collectibles, which he will never fish as he just likes to admire them. He doesn't make a ton of money as he is just a teacher, but he is single, has no kids, and rents a house with friends, so he has a good amount of disposable income to spend on lures, rods, reels, etc.
You said it! Then add in if your happily married and like spending time with your wife kids and buying them things other than fishing equipment. Fishing doesn't seem so importnant in the grand scheem of things. Keep it in perspective and mix it up. Skip a trip with the boys once in a while and plan a weekend out with the wife, have dinner, live music and a theme room at the hilton, give me that choice and see ya later guys... |
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Posts: 7038
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Fishing doesn't seem so importnant in the grand scheem of things. Keep it in perspective and mix it up. Skip a trip with the boys once in a while and plan a weekend out with the wife, have dinner, live music and a theme room at the hilton, give me that choice and see ya later guys...
*might be the most intelligent thing I've heard on this site in years. |
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Posts: 7038
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | And to extend my point for a second...I personally had an "interesting" 2012. Too wrapped up in personal FUN (being facetious) to get out and fish. Couldnt get away from work long enough to take a single fishing trip beyond a "need to get a boat wet" trip the crappy waters locally (3X all year).
But now all that is behind me (hopefully). Funny, went in the garage this weekend a few times to look at my boat, gear...and none of it got broken just sitting there. It's all there, just waiting to be used.
So my point is this: I had the money, but the rest of life was so messed up...that fishing wasnt really an option. Take care of the rest of it, make the money...and appreciate all of your life and for JC's sake, dont be jealous that other people make more money, or have a bigger boat...just enjoy whatever you have.
Oy, philosophical moment over. |
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | mastical - 1/14/2013 5:29 PM
Attn: the 17 people who make over 250K a year
For my birthday i would like a boat
thanks
HAHAHAHA!!!!
And I would like to add, that if you say money can't buy happiness, give me 250k for 1 year. I will report back after I get back from my 1 yr vacation out on the Great Barrier Reef. |
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Posts: 613
Location: Michigan | JimtenHaaf - 1/14/2013 8:31 PM
you say money can't buy happiness, give me 250k for 1 year. I will report back after I get back from my 1 yr vacation out on the Great Barrier Reef. ;)
Really?! I'd do an entire year up on Eagle Lake! |
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