Pilgrim’s Progress – read it every Thursday! Fishing On A Shoestring
Fishing on a shoestring…well not quite THAT bad! But I think it’s true to say that most of us have to fish within a budget. I know I do. A modest income, a mortgage, wife and a couple of kids all combine to ensure that there is no big wad of cash left over at the end of every month. However, I don’t believe that a tight budget need necessarily affect the quality of our fishing. In this weeks PP I want to share how I’ve managed to enjoy my angling without having to break the bank.
Fishing tackle IS expensive. I’m not blaming tackle shop owners, dealers or middle men. In fact, I’m not blaming anyone, all I am doing is making what I believe to be a true statement. But by careful shopping and planning we can still get hold of quality gear at the right price. And I’m not talking about things that have dropped off the back of a lorry! In fact, beware of bargains like that. We’re only adding to someone else’s misery. If there were no people prepared to buy something that’s been ‘knocked off’ then there wouldn’t be any thieves. Simple as that.
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| Cheap sausage was the bait |
Like most manufacturers in our consumer-led society, fishing tackle manufacturers are constantly bringing out their latest model to entice the public and to win the market share. What this means is that last year’s tackle is no longer the ‘in’ rod or the ‘must have’ reel. Something else has replaced it. But what also happens is that the price drops, and often considerably. If you’re interested in image and prestige, forget it. But if you are genuinely looking for a bargain, last year’s model is the way to go. I am not ashamed to say this is how I have acquired my rods and reels. And I’ve been pleased with what I’ve got. After all, twelve months ago they were the ‘ultimate’ in fishing tackle. And it’s still the same item of tackle that it was a year ago.
Another way to pick up a bargain is to buy second hand. There are items for sale each week in the angling newspapers, sometimes local tackle shops have a notice board with items for sale, and there are the ‘We want to sell’ sections of our own local newspapers. And of course, there’s the classified section on FISHINGmagic. Since that started at the end of last year there have been some really good items for sale at an equally good price.
I live in the West Midlands conurbation. With over three million people there are also a fair amount of fishing tackle shops within a reasonable travelling distance. It means there is healthy competition between shops. If you visit a shop regularly, then you’re likely to get offered a discount on purchases small or large. In fact there are a couple of shops in our area that I visit exclusively now for that reason. They look after me, so they get my business. I’m happy, they’re happy, and my bank manager is happy! Alternatively, you could tell them you know Graham Marsden. That will either impress them and they’ll give you a massive discount or they’ll throw you out the shop and ask you never to come back…..
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The Middle Severn can be fished
on a cheap club ticket |
It’s also possible to make certain items of tackle, if you’re a Handy Andy sort of person, or in my case a Handy Andy Parson. In fact there is a regular column here on FISHINGmagic by Budgie Burgess that explains how to make various items of tackle for a fraction of the price one would pay in a tackle shop. In addition, look for alternatives. For example, my thermal insulated deadbait cooler bag cost £ 1 from one of those ‘Pound Stores’ that seem to be everywhere these days. Put a top tackle manufacturers logo on it and I’m sure it would be £ 15 or more. Another way to save money is with bait. Within reason of course. I don’t think that Environmental Health would be very happy if you hung a dead pig at the bottom of the garden in order to start breeding maggots. But there are ways in which money can be saved without any compromise in quality.
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Double-figure common caught on
cheap sweetcorn from Safeway |
If you use meat or corn, for example, try and plan ahead and buy your cans from the grocery store not the tackle shop. You’ll get the same brand, but cheaper. If you want to use flavoured meat or corn, do it yourself. Not only is it cheaper, but you get greater satisfaction when you catch. A little imagination on the bait front can pay dividends. Literally. A final way to cut down on expenditure without losing quality is choose carefully where you fish. You don’t have to pay big bucks to get quality fishing.
This current season I have four club tickets which cost a total of £ 81.50, but for that I have a tremendous variety of waters, which just for example, includes the rivers Dove, Great Ouse, Lugg, Severn, Teme and Trent, just to name a few. As I fish three times a week, shelling out on a day ticket, at say, £ 5 per time, would cost me £ 780 in a year. So I presently ‘save’ £ 698.50 per year.
In next week’s PP read how I’ve managed to cope with the winter weather so far, and all that mother nature has thrown at me.
The Reverend Stewart R Bloor
Sedgley International Christian Ministries
PO Box 1216, Dudley. DY3 1GW.
Telephone : 01384 – 828033
Web site : www.sicm.org
e-mail : missionscentre@sicm.org
