Saltwater costs

[JerkBait]

I think that saltwater fishing costs ALOT more than freshwater fishing. Everything about it costs more.

(I dont get to go as much as i like because it costs more BUT I DO LOVE IT!)

Anyone else agree or disagree?

[SnapperSlapper]

Agree. I used to go once a month down to Orange beach with my buddy who has a boat but not now. The rising cost of fuel has stopped me from doing that.

[larpyn]

my offshore boat holds 150gal of fuel vs 20-25gal for a bass boat or inshore boat so yes i agree if you are comparing it that way. however inshore saltwater is relatively close to bass fishing costs.
i have some friends who fish bass tournaments though and i know they spend as much if not more than me and i almost exclusively fish 20+ miles offshore everytime i go. i guess the cost is relative to how you fish and how much you fish.
i think capt brian on here is a charter capt and he can probably exceed several of us put together in total cost because he goes more than the average fisherman.
but looking at a per trip basis, it would seem to me that saltwater would probably be the more expensive.

[captbrian]

my offshore boat holds 150gal of fuel vs 20-25gal for a bass boat or inshore boat so yes i agree if you are comparing it that way. however inshore saltwater is relatively close to bass fishing costs.
i have some friends who fish bass tournaments though and i know they spend as much if not more than me and i almost exclusively fish 20+ miles offshore everytime i go. i guess the cost is relative to how you fish and how much you fish.
i think capt brian on here is a charter capt and he can probably exceed several of us put together in total cost because he goes more than the average fisherman.but looking at a per trip basis, it would seem to me that saltwater would probably be the more expensive.


try $61,000 in fuel last season for 2 boats

[JerkBait]

try $61,000 in fuel last season for 2 boats

my point exactly. you think a guide on lanier spent that much? no.

[Randy]

Not just the cost of al the equipment up front but upkeep and replacement from salt damage to equipment costs more too. A fresh water reel can be pasted down for generations. A salt water reel will not make it through one good summer.

[Bobhica]

It's not just fuel! Everything involved in saltwater fishing cost a lot more than freshwater. I grew up fishing fresh water in Ohio and now I live on the Gulf, and not only is gas more expensive, but maintenance on equipment makes the life of tackle MUCH shorter. If you don't buy stainless equipment, then the salt eats it up. But to buy stainless is much more costly. Trolling motors of the saltwater kind are at least $400, when you can pay half of that for a freshwater motor. If you use freshwater reels, you can forget them after 2 seasons from rust. Trust me, it is twice (at least) as expensive to saltwater fish than it is to stick with freshwater!

[JerkBait]

yea i always just try to buy one rod and reel for my vacations every year and just trash it afterwards. the surf kills it everytime.

[Doyle]

Not all saltwater fishing has to be expensive. I can take my small boat (14ft with 15hp motor) and fish all day on $20 worth of gas, bait, and beer (it used to be $10 until gas went up). Of course, I'm not running very far doing this - but when the price of gas goes up, the big boat stays in the yard.

[huntindawg]

I don't want to call you all liars or anything, but my dad bought two Shimano baitrunners (the spinning reel with the button on the bottom that puts it into freespool) back in '92, and I'm still using them today. I would estimate that they have been in the salt at least 3 weeks a year since then and they still function fine. I also have a pflueger trion that is about 7 years old that has been in the salt every year at least 3 weeks as well. Both of these reels have never malfunctioned and the only thing I've done is just add a little oil to them periodically.

[captbrian]

for the most part, when it comes to tackle, you get what you pay for. i rebuild all of my reels during the offseason, and usually at least once during the season, but they go through some serious abuse.

[larpyn]

try $61,000 in fuel last season for 2 boats

that tells me something.
you must be good at what you do to stay that busy. :cheers:

[Southbound]

yes but the fish sure are BIG!!! It is all relative and preference. If you crappie fish off the bank you can have a blast and it will not cost you much. if you go three hours east off the ga coast to the gulf stream you can catch fish as mean as a nutless boar hog and a big as a ford fiesta, but it will cost ya.

and yes saltwater eats fishing equipment.

[JerkBait]

fish as mean as a nutless boar hog and a big as a ford fiesta

:bounce:

[Wild Turkey]

I used to fish offshore and had 110 gal tank. With the 2 snapper limit and $3.00 fuel I sold the CC last summer and bought a 19' bay boat. Now I have just as much fun, more relaxing in the bay without the waves etc. And I normally dont burn over 10 gal of fuel all day with the 4 stroker.

[Parker Phoenix]

It may cost more, as I offshore fish a majority of the time. But the pull of something big, way down yonder is a rush I have become addicted to.

[d-a]

for the most part, when it comes to tackle, you get what you pay for. i rebuild all of my reels during the offseason, and usually at least once during the season, but they go through some serious abuse.


Yep buy once cry once is my motto.


d-a

[Southernhoundhunter]

i fish inshore saltwater and i spend about the same as i would if i bass fished. i only fish with live bait though so i really don't spend money on lures. from july to october, i don't buy bait i catch shrimp and if they are hitting mud minnows i won't buy shrimp i'll just catch minnows. I'll usually spend 25 on bait before july and 15 to have my boat put in and probably 20-30 on gas on average. it's a lot cheaper than offshore definately and i personally have more fun inshore than offshore. My motto on inshore reels is, if it doesn't cost you almost or over 200 for a rod and reel, you're buying junk that won't make it through may

[Hunting Teacher]

As far as wear and tear on reels goes, the way to solve that problem for reels is; If it says Shimano, buy it. If not don't buy it. Problem solved.
With rods, they hold up pretty well anymore to salt water. Buy a one piece rod unless you want it broken the first real fish you hook. Use braid instead of mono and you'll find it holds up better too.
I live in the bass capital of Florida, but I hardly ever use up my precious free time fishing in fresh water. Bass don't hold a candle to the strength, size and variety of costal salt water fish.
So yes, it costs more but is very well worth it!!!
teacher

[Wild Turkey]

Actually inshore fishing is cheaper than bass fishing. You dont have to buy a 50,000 bass boat with a 400 hp motor capable of 100 plus mph to catch fish and impress your buddies. We just go fishing and enjoy it. No need to go over 40mph. And thats only if a storm is brewing.

[JerkBait]

to catch fish and impress your buddies.

thats what its about for alot of `em. lookin good. some of the best lookin boats/trucks bring no fish to the ramp....


:rolleyes:

[Pineyrooter]

Its a relative question. Two guys live on the northwest coast of florida. One guy spent $18,000 on a almost new bay boat, drives a 2004 F-150 V-8 and generally fishes within 30 miles of his home and within 8-10 miles of shore and generally within 5. He typically goes 15-20 times per year. The guys neighbor bought a $33,000 bass boat and enjoys bass fishing and typically drives his 2004 F-150 V-8 to Lake Okeechobee 3 times a year, 8 times a year to Northern AL and 5 times to North Georgia as well as rivers in North Florida when he can. So, who spends the most??? It depends on the situation. The average joe can be freshwater fishing anywhere in the Southeast in less than an hour if he really wanted too. Saltwater fishing requries planning and lots of expense for those 200-400 miles from the coast. It just depends ...

[JTharpe]

I fish offshore and usually burn between 30 to 40 gallons of gas a trip. This split between 3 or 4 people is not that bad. As far as tackle goes you have to take care of it to make it last, as well as buy good stuff to start with.

[Juan De]

I have some salt water tackle that i have had for years, and they will last as long as they are taken care of. I try to by reels that can double for use in both environments I have a peen powergraph that i use for my sabiki riggs that doubles as a crappie pole, and my bass poles double as trout poles, and i use a Penn 975 for both catfish and drum/ small shark. Just a good way to help keep some of your costs down.

I figure out on my speckaled trout adventures that it usually costs me around $6.50 to 8.00 a fish with acouple of these fish going 19inch and that is cheaper than the fish market.