Bass fishing and other hobbies can be expensive or as inexpensive as you want to make them. There are plenty of ways to spend vast sums of money for fishing gear or any other sport or activity you are interested in, but there are usually ways to save some money. It's possible to go bass fishing on a budget and save money on everything you need to catch a bass. Here are some ways to save a few bucks on rods, reels, lures, and the terminal tackle and line you need to fish them.
Lures
One easy way to quickly go over budget is to get a little crazy when buying new lures. There are many options and more colors than you can stuff into your shopping basket. Here are a few simple tips to save money and not go overboard. Start small and stick with the basics and proven lures in the most proven and versatile colors.
Whether new to fishing or trying to increase your tackle arsenal, building a tackle box can get expensive quickly. Instead of only buying what the pro anglers say or trying to get the latest and greatest product innovations, look at what is selling. Tackle Warehouse and other websites have a top sellers section. These baits sell well because they work, and anglers repeat their purchase and return for more. If you are still deciding what crankbait or plastic worm to buy, check these lists to see what works for others and stick to these without taking a wild guess and spending more money than needed.
For soft plastic baits, purchasing tried-and-true colors like green pumpkin and not buying every color a company makes is a straightforward way to save some money. You can also purchase lures in bulk from some brands, and this will give you savings if it is something that you know works. Yamamoto Senkos are one example of this, and while there are cheaper versions of this style of bait, buying the original in bulk will bring the cost down.
Another easy way to save a little coin is to be diligent and wait for holiday sales at popular online outlets. If shopping in person, the sale and clearance rack can offer significant savings on lures not selling at that store or being replaced by newer models. The fish don't know how much you spent on the lure and will bite sale-priced lures just as often as more expensive baits.
Rods and Reels
The rods and reels used for bass fishing are often among the most expensive fishing gear. Some of the prices on high-end gear are costly, but there are always ways to save some money with more affordable models. All major brands recognize this and generally have a product for everyone, regardless of budget.
Also, with the advances in technology for rods and reels, even the lowest-priced reel is much better quality than a top-of-the-line item a decade ago. When these companies come out with new products every few years, they often pass the technology down to lower-priced models as they become better and better every year.
Used gear is an excellent option for saving a little money on your next setup. Many anglers always want the latest and greatest model of everything and sell their old gear locally or on sites like eBay when they upgrade. This is a simple way to get a great rod or reel at a lower price than what it cost initially.
Many bass anglers have piles of different rods, which are highly specialized for specific fishing lures. These technique-specific rods have become the rage in recent years, but sticking with more versatile rods allows you to use one or two rods for just about everything you need in fishing. A medium spinning rod around 7 feet long and a medium-heavy baitcast rod around 7 feet are two versatile rods that can do almost everything in bass fishing. If you were to pick just two, these would be it.
Line, Hooks, and Weights
These items do not cost nearly as much as a tackle box full of baits or a rod and reel combo, but they are needed, and the cost can add up quickly. Unfortunately, these items are also fairly disposable and must be replaced as you lose them or start to wear out their life. Thankfully, there are still some ways to save some money with them.
Fishing line is one item where going cheap can hurt in the form of snapped line and lost fish, but there are still some ways to save money without sacrificing quality. Seaguar, a leader in the fishing world and the inventor of fluorocarbon lines offers its BasiX fluorocarbon at a price starting at around $10 per spool. It's a quality line for any price, but the lower price allows anglers to have a solid product for less.
Hooks and weights are other items that disappear as you lose them in rocks and cover or your line breaks. As a result, it can be a constant re-supply effort. Tungsten weights have become the rage, and they are superior to lead in many ways, but they cost quite a bit more. Tungsten is not required for many techniques, and drop-shot weights and even bullet weights are usually acceptable. You lose some sensitivity for feeling the bottom, but you will also save money. One more way to save some is to pour your own lead weights. After the initial investment of the equipment, you can save in the long run if you pour enough of them.
Hooks are also vital for catching your fish. A quality hook does a better job of penetrating a fish's mouth than a cheaper version, so this may be one instance where you want to spend a little more here and save in other places. Buying in bulk is another option to save some, especially if you have a favorite hook size and style.
Bass fishing can get expensive in a hurry, but there are places where you can cut some corners and save big. There are places where spending more makes a big difference in your success, but there are many other instances where you can save and go bass fishing on a budget.
