Is Fishing too Expensive

[...]

Hi Guys,

As the Tiltle says.....

Match Fishing 

Carp Fishing 

Besides the Tackle, Gear n Bait.....you've got your Diesel, Food, Drinks,....is it a Day ticket, 24/48hr, Syndicate.....

What is the Style of Fishing, then can Focus on the gear for the Job in hand....Feeder, Waggle, Pole, Alarms, Method.....

Personally I think "Bait" is the dearest expense as we can get to consumed in all of them.

[kevtaylor]

Very expensive hobby, no matter whether you're just taking it up buying budget gear or experienced buying higher end stuff.  There's so many things to buy especially terminal, the values in tackle boxes would shock us no doubt.

Then bait as you say, even sweetcorn is expensive now, my mate bought luncheon meat for catfish and was over £4 a can - bread is probably the only value item.

Then god help you if you think I'll buy sea kit for holidays and predator kit for winter!

It's never ending.  🤷‍♂️

[...]

1 hour ago, kevtaylor said:

Very expensive hobby, no matter whether you're just taking it up buying budget gear or experienced buying higher end stuff.  There's so many things to buy especially terminal, the values in tackle boxes would shock us no doubt.

Then bait as you say, even sweetcorn is expensive now, my mate bought luncheon meat for catfish and was over £4 a can - bread is probably the only value item.

Then god help you if you think I'll buy sea kit for holidays and predator kit for winter!

It's never ending.  🤷‍♂️

Exactly, that's why I think I'm sticking to 1 Discipline, even 2nd now are wanting near retail....

[kevtaylor]

1 hour ago, Highy said:

Exactly, that's why I think I'm sticking to 1 Discipline, even 2nd now are wanting near retail....

I'd love a fly set-up, walked some of our local trout ressies and next to noone fishing, thought this could be the solitude I'm looking for, but again expensive game!  You can't do everything but pike, perch and trout on the fly would be good.

I chucked 2 bedchairs in the tip this year, didn't enjoy that, wanted to give away but don't want people seeing what else you've got. 

Is there an organisation to support young anglers to donate kit to?

[framey]

I think it’s relatively cheaper than it was years ago and bait doesn’t have to cost you anything, you can go and dig some worms and catch fish so all that costs is time.

It’s only starts to cost a lot of money when you got high end or matching equipment.

years ago you had to buy a rod license for every region you fished in now it’s just the 1 

im sure it was about 4 or 5 quid a rod for each region in the early 80’s

we used to walk.

 

im sure if we went back to the roots we could do it for next to nothing.

 

 

[framey]

3 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

I'd love a fly set-up, walked some of our local trout ressies and next to noone fishing, thought this could be the solitude I'm looking for, but again expensive game!  You can't do everything but pike, perch and trout on the fly would be good.

I chucked 2 bedchairs in the tip this year, didn't enjoy that, wanted to give away but don't want people seeing what else you've got. 

Is there an organisation to support young anglers to donate kit to?

Ask the local angling club 

Ours always takes donations 

 

carp take a fly as well lol 

Edited November 30, 2023 by framey

[kevtaylor]

Just now, framey said:

I think it’s relatively cheaper than it was years ago and bait doesn’t have to cost you anything, you can go and dig some worms and catch fish so all that costs is time.

It’s only starts to cost a lot of money when you got high end or matching equipment.

years ago you had to buy a rod license for every region you fished in now it’s just the 1 

im sure it was about 4 or 5 quid a rod for each region in the early 80’s

we used to walk.

 

im sure if we went back to the roots we could do it for next to nothing.

 

 

Yes simple types of fishing can be cheap and very enjoyable, no doubt I'll end up doing just that.

For what we'd call advanced carp fishing it's an awful lot of terminal bits in tackle boxes, leads - all the small stuff really adds up.

Parents setting up youngsters with their first full set-ups will need to pay a lot of money, more than any other sport I can think of?  That's if they want to go straight to carping which lots seem to do.

 

[kevtaylor]

5 minutes ago, framey said:

carp take a fly as well lol 

Oh yeah - forgot them 🤣

[framey]

3 minutes ago, kevtaylor said:

Yes simple types of fishing can be cheap and very enjoyable, no doubt I'll end up doing just that.

For what we'd call advanced carp fishing it's an awful lot of terminal bits in tackle boxes, leads - all the small stuff really adds up.

Parents setting up youngsters with their first full set-ups will need to pay a lot of money, more than any other sport I can think of?  That's if they want to go straight to carping which lots seem to do.

 

We are all guilty of having way too much tackle and that’s when I think if you look at it and what you paid then it is quite expensive but then when you break it down to how long you might use a rod provided you don’t tred on it etc could be 10/15 years spend 300 on a rod and break it down it won’t be as bad as you think .

in 1990 I bought the wife a “proper pole” mid range  equates to 1700£ in todays money lol

not sure compared to golf though lol 

 

[kevtaylor]

14 hours ago, framey said:

We are all guilty of having way too much tackle and that’s when I think if you look at it and what you paid then it is quite expensive but then when you break it down to how long you might use a rod provided you don’t tred on it etc could be 10/15 years spend 300 on a rod and break it down it won’t be as bad as you think .

in 1990 I bought the wife a “proper pole” mid range  equates to 1700£ in todays money lol

not sure compared to golf though lol 

 

Yes the kit can last a long time, that's what we want anyway and therefore the cost could be thought of as spread.

I thought of golf but once you've got the clubs etc, apart from upgrades, you've got it - only course fees after that and you could find value courses.  Obs I'm guessing but have bought 3 second hand sets for me and my kids and have a cheap course around the corner, can walk there in 5 mins lol  Clubs, bags and trolleys were £30 per set, good enough for me.

Fishing wise there's nothing good nearby, I have to get out the county.

 

[bluelabel]

Carping can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it from a tackle and bait perspective... however... from a Day ticket/ Syndi angle, owners mightily take the pee 

A syndi I joined one year for £250, the following year went up to £400 because the owner stocked 2 x 30's... its now over £500 a year for an irrigation pool with very little in the way of "Facilities"

 

I fish club waters now, as they provide much better value for money...👍😎🎣

[Golden Paws]

21 hours ago, kevtaylor said:

I chucked 2 bedchairs in the tip this year, didn't enjoy that, wanted to give away but don't want people seeing what else you've got. 

Unfortunately, probably wise advice. My mate was always on Facebook market place as he chops and changes his gear regularly. He got his garage broke into by a couple of pro's who disabled his alarm and were in and out in 5 minutes with about £8,000 worth of kit. He said on reflection that a couple of likely lads he showed around a few months previously were probably the culprits.

My local club are also glad of gear for youngster and it might be worth asking around. It does seem a shame to chuck away stuff that could have a second lease of life.

[framey]

1 hour ago, bluelabel said:

Carping can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it from a tackle and bait perspective... however... from a Day ticket/ Syndi angle, owners mightily take the pee 

A syndi I joined one year for £250, the following year went up to £400 because the owner stocked 2 x 30's... its now over £500 a year for an irrigation pool with very little in the way of "Facilities"

 

I fish club waters now, as they provide much better value for money...👍😎🎣

Still only £1.37 a day 

less than a cup of coffee lol

[B B]

Not to sure about match fishing but generally Fishing can be cheap or expensive it’s your choice all depends on how deep your pockets are.

The basic gear that a beginner has to start the sport with is incredible value for money for the carp and course angler But the day ticket waters that hold large carp can be costly, great if you can join a club with lakes near you tho. 
I used to fish the Linear waters regularly but it was getting to expensive and to hard to find the time…
48 hr ticket is £66 for 3 rods now 🙄 add the share of the fuel and bait = around £100 ish,  lucky I’m on a syndicate 15 mins away from my home which cost £350 a year   

[bluelabel]

2 hours ago, framey said:

Still only £1.37 a day 

less than a cup of coffee lol

Great if you have £500 spare... not so great if you haven't 🤷‍♂️

Even when I was working I couldn't justify spending £500 on a syndi ticket from a cost or time perspective... perhaps I could afford it now I'm retired, but the urge to tie my fishing to one water just to justify the cost of an overpriced ticket, isn't high on my list of priorities any more...

[...]

I think it's as dear as some people make it, in which ever discipline you choose you have Budget, Middle n Top End tackle.

My Tackle I'm happy with now, but I'm gonna look for a Trakker Tempest 100/100T for my Day Fishing trips, night fishing I'll keep my Tempest 200.

Bait I'm now getting in Bulk.

Venue will be changing from next year, the 2 FREE Park Lakes (small & large) will be fished more.

[salokcinnodrog]

I saw this in NCB, and decided it is a topic for main discussion as not everyone (meaning me) regularly go into Non Carp Banter, so I moved it, leaving a link to its new position.

 

I've made the point that as anglers and as people, society as a whole, we are targeted with advertising and marketing of things we don't need, and fishing tackle of most disciplines is the same; products to 'make life easier', that frequently take away personal innovation or make it that everyone is doing the same.

 

Fishing can be cheap and simple, a hook attached to the line with enough weight to get it where we need to cast to, simple barbel, chub and roach fishing, and either a float or rod tip to indicate a take. That is as simple as it gets, BUT, you can't watch a float or rod tip constantly for hours or days at a time.

This brings us to our need for bite indication, a buzzer or audible alarm.

 

Tackle has developed, rods that could only cast 50yards back in the 1960's have been superceded by rods that will cast hundreds of metres, and obviously the cost has increased.

Reels that could only hold 200metres of line, more modern gears and the baitrunner, or Bite and Run.

 

In alternative disciplines from carp fishing, sea fishing may work out 'cheaper', possibly because some fish may be saving us food money, as well as being leisure, although I admit lug and rag is expensive unless you dig it yourself.

 

 

 

 

In terms of waters, many are overpriced; clubs, day ticket even syndicate waters. I can't justify £25 per night to fish a day ticket lake, nor can I justify £235 for the local club (including night ticket) when my syndicate is £500.

 

There's more to say, but I'll save a few thoughts for further discussion...

 

 

[framey]

19 hours ago, bluelabel said:

Great if you have £500 spare... not so great if you haven't 🤷‍♂️

Even when I was working I couldn't justify spending £500 on a syndi ticket from a cost or time perspective... perhaps I could afford it now I'm retired, but the urge to tie my fishing to one water just to justify the cost of an overpriced ticket, isn't high on my list of priorities any more...

 

most people will think nothing to spend 3 or 4£ on a cup of coffee a day  and then moan about ticket prices as they are driving to the lake.

my club is 135 a year for me and the mrs.

I don’t like to fish day tickets as they ARE too expensive imo.

plenty of town centre stretches are still free to fish ok most are devoid of carp but hey ho plenty of other fish to go for

all top end equipment in any sport or hobby is expensive
I can buy a screwdriver for less than a quid but I wouldn’t use one.

 

[emmcee]

On 02/12/2023 at 13:02, salokcinnodrog said:

I saw this in NCB, and decided it is a topic for main discussion as not everyone (meaning me) regularly go into Non Carp Banter, so I moved it, leaving a link to its new position.

 

I've made the point that as anglers and as people, society as a whole, we are targeted with advertising and marketing of things we don't need, and fishing tackle of most disciplines is the same; products to 'make life easier', that frequently take away personal innovation or make it that everyone is doing the same.

 

Fishing can be cheap and simple, a hook attached to the line with enough weight to get it where we need to cast to, simple barbel, chub and roach fishing, and either a float or rod tip to indicate a take. That is as simple as it gets, BUT, you can't watch a float or rod tip constantly for hours or days at a time.

This brings us to our need for bite indication, a buzzer or audible alarm.

 

Tackle has developed, rods that could only cast 50yards back in the 1960's have been superceded by rods that will cast hundreds of metres, and obviously the cost has increased.

Reels that could only hold 200metres of line, more modern gears and the baitrunner, or Bite and Run.

 

In alternative disciplines from carp fishing, sea fishing may work out 'cheaper', possibly because some fish may be saving us food money, as well as being leisure, although I admit lug and rag is expensive unless you dig it yourself.

 

 

 

 

In terms of waters, many are overpriced; clubs, day ticket even syndicate waters. I can't justify £25 per night to fish a day ticket lake, nor can I justify £235 for the local club (including night ticket) when my syndicate is £500.

 

There's more to say, but I'll save a few thoughts for further discussion...

 

 

Totally agree with all this. 

As i predominantly sea fish now I can confirm it is a cheaper form of our hobby. Yes you can buy a £500 rod and £500 reel but you can also get a rod and reel combo for £30 and catch fish with it. The hooks are on average £2-£3 a pack,  put those hooks in a fox, korda, gardener, nash etc packet and they are £5 - £6 a packet. Yes lugworm and ragworm are expensive but you can also pop into your local supermarket and pick up a whole mackerel or pack of sardines for little more than a pound and catch fish and as you rightly say , fish that you can eat. 

[salokcinnodrog]

7 hours ago, emmcee said:

Totally agree with all this. 

As i predominantly sea fish now I can confirm it is a cheaper form of our hobby. Yes you can buy a £500 rod and £500 reel but you can also get a rod and reel combo for £30 and catch fish with it. The hooks are on average £2-£3 a pack,  put those hooks in a fox, korda, gardener, nash etc packet and they are £5 - £6 a packet. Yes lugworm and ragworm are expensive but you can also pop into your local supermarket and pick up a whole mackerel or pack of sardines for little more than a pound and catch fish and as you rightly say , fish that you can eat. 

I can remember a fair few nights getting home at 3am, and before going to bed filleting a few bass or cod and then freezing the fillets, with 1 left out for dinner that day.

My bass fishing is often quite cheap, almost like deadbait fishing for pike with a popped up bait.

 

Even my chub fishing is cheap, bread, slugs, lobworm and dog biscuits, those same baits work for other species. 

 

On 02/12/2023 at 13:02, salokcinnodrog said:

I've made the point that as anglers and as people, society as a whole, we are targeted with advertising and marketing of things we don't need, and fishing tackle of most disciplines is the same; products to 'make life easier', that frequently take away personal innovation or make it that everyone is doing the same.

On my 'Distances and Wraps' thread I mentioned the 'need' or lack of, of distance sticks, and alliterated to it above. You DON'T need to buy distance sticks, 2 banksticks will do, but there are other products that probably come into the same boat.

 

I'm trying to compare my tackle to other anglers I know, my mates etc, and I'm probably the most guilty of spending money on 'shiny':

Five rod holdalls, three bivvies and umbrellas, seven bite alarms (3 Delkim TXI'd and 4 ST's), carp rods, spinning rod, float rod, specialist rods, marker rods, spod rod and reels to suit and two barrows, two bedchairs, oh gawd, stop now...

 

There's still more to say!

[B B]

1 hour ago, salokcinnodrog said:

I can remember a fair few nights getting home at 3am, and before going to bed filleting a few bass or cod

In my younger days I would be sea fishing all times 3 tides a week sometimes 4 if the cod were in, dig the worm low water and fish the tide up and down  

I had an arrangements with a mate who managed a butcher shop he would take all of the cod and swap it for meat. Talking of butchers shops where have they all gone used to have 4 of them in the high street now it’s the metros like Tesco and others that sell the meat.  😏

[framey]

14 hours ago, B B said:

In my younger days I would be sea fishing all times 3 tides a week sometimes 4 if the cod were in, dig the worm low water and fish the tide up and down  

I had an arrangements with a mate who managed a butcher shop he would take all of the cod and swap it for meat. Talking of butchers shops where have they all gone used to have 4 of them in the high street now it’s the metros like Tesco and others that sell the meat.  😏

The independent butchers green grocers bakers etc can’t compete with the likes of Tesco.

same for most tackle shops who don’t have the buying power of AD 

Edited December 4, 2023 by framey

[kevtaylor]

On 01/12/2023 at 19:33, B B said:

Not to sure about match fishing but generally Fishing can be cheap or expensive it’s your choice all depends on how deep your pockets are.

The basic gear that a beginner has to start the sport with is incredible value for money for the carp and course angler But the day ticket waters that hold large carp can be costly, great if you can join a club with lakes near you tho. 
I used to fish the Linear waters regularly but it was getting to expensive and to hard to find the time…
48 hr ticket is £66 for 3 rods now 🙄 add the share of the fuel and bait = around £100 ish,  lucky I’m on a syndicate 15 mins away from my home which cost £350 a year   

Bluebell is now £40 for 24 hours 🤷‍♂️

[B B]

6 hours ago, kevtaylor said:

Bluebell is now £40 for 24 hours

Ouch !

[framey]

6 hours ago, kevtaylor said:

Bluebell is now £40 for 24 hours 🤷‍♂️

So are some on the linear complex