Bringing down costs of fishing?

[Ultralight]

I have been thinking lately about the costs I pay in order to go fishing. Obviously fishing is cheaper than hobbies like collecting muscle cars, flying jets daily, and compulsive gambling. But I still noted that I put a fair amount of cash into fishing, and as fall fishing season starts to ramp up I am thinking of ways to bring the costs down.

I tallied up the average (give or take) costs:

$12 -- to drive to a lake
$5 -- for live bait and/or fakin' bait
$2 -- for a bag of ice to dispatch the fish humanely in a cooler
$3 -- in tackle (jigs, spinners, etc. that get lost because of snags and such)

But I noticed after a long day of fishing, despite having thoroughly enjoyed it, I will often buy a cold bottle of Perrier or grab a burrito at the Chipotle. So that tags on another $2 - $7, so say about $5.

$5 -- immediate after-fishing refreshment

Then I have all the kitchen costs associated with fishing, things like water used, ziplock bags for freezing the fillets, oil, flour, cornmeal, NA beer, for deep frying, gas for stove, and so forth. I will estimate the costs of this to be about $3 per trip (I catch a haul of fish about 80% of the time).

$3 -- for kitchen costs

So my average fishing outing costs me around $30.

Whoa!!!

I need to bring this price tag down!

[peggy]

I don't know. For an entire day of 'vacation' that totally relaxes you and brings you peace and contentment, $30 bucks isn't so bad. Everyone needs to unwind and find their center. Some sew or paint or cook, or garden. Some fish. (I sit on the dock and feed my fish that were more expensive than i care to say) All can be expensive and drive you a bit crazy if you try to tally up the real cost of that tomato! But it's something we need. Everyone needs a creative outlet. It is very human and necessary i believe.
Unless you are fishing instead of paying the light bill, I wouldn't worry about it. Cheap therapy KWIM?

[Kestra]

Yes, it's fairly reasonable for a hobby. It depends how often you are going, how much food you are getting out of that cost (as you'd have to buy more at the store if you didn't fish) and how much you are saving/putting towards your debt.

[Ultralight]

Yes, it's fairly reasonable for a hobby. It depends how often you are going, how much food you are getting out of that cost (as you'd have to buy more at the store if you didn't fish) and how much you are saving/putting towards your debt.

During April-May-June I go from 2 to 4 times a week. July-August I go once a week. September-October I go once or twice a week. I don't fish from November-March though. Lakes are iced over.

[bae]

$0 Stop by mother's house.
$0 Row boat out into ocean a wee bit
$0 Bait (easily netted or leftovers)
$0.50 crap/prawn trap maintenance (always drop in a couple of pots while fishing, then you'll at least have something)
$2.00 butter, veggies, and other essentials.
$0.00 wine/beer - have guests bring

[Ultralight]

bae:

Looks great! And you can't beat those prices!

[Float On]

You didn't mention fishing license.
Our state license is $12 per year and if you want to add a trout tag its another $7. Not a bad deal at all. They do offer a few free fishing days per year but those are always crowded.
I can be in water within 5 minutes of my house so I don't have a big gas bill, plus there isn't any place to stop for goodies between here and there either. Dad makes the flies and keeps me stocked in other supplies as well, plus my beautiful filet knife was a gift from him (and made by a knifemaker we know) so my expenses are almost nil other than the license every year.

[Ultralight]

You didn't mention fishing license.
Our state license is $12 per year and if you want to add a trout tag its another $7. Not a bad deal at all. They do offer a few free fishing days per year but those are always crowded.
I can be in water within 5 minutes of my house so I don't have a big gas bill, plus there isn't any place to stop for goodies between here and there either. Dad makes the flies and keeps me stocked in other supplies as well, plus my beautiful filet knife was a gift from him (and made by a knifemaker we know) so my expenses are almost nil other than the license every year.

You have a good set-up too. The fishing license is a flat rate of $19 in OH. Trouts or no trouts.

[Tradd]

It's cheaper than my shooting hobby.

[Ultralight]

It's cheaper than my shooting hobby.

Tradd:

I used to go clay shooting a lot! Whoa...! Now that was pricey. I stopped breaking clays because it was breaking the bank.