By David Graham: 10-4-2024
Fishing has a unique way of calling to the soul. But sometimes that calling seems to echo from the other side of some form or other of a perceived 'wall'. The dream trip... that place you've always wanted to go, fish you've always wanted to catch is just on the other side of... fill in the blank. It seems to boil down to two things, time and money. A perception has been built though that you need to be wealthy to travel and fish, but with some strategic budgeting and smart planning, your dream fishing trip can become a reality. Here’s your ultimate playbook for cost-saving strategies to make those trips happen!
1. Debunking the Myth: You Don’t Need to Be Rich
First, let’s clear the air: fishing trips don’t have to break the bank... and you may have more money than you're aware of. Many anglers fall into the trap of thinking that premiere lodges and private charters are the only options. In reality, with some creativity, research, and planning, you can have incredible fishing experiences without draining your savings.
2. Cutting Costs on Lodging
Embrace Alternative Accommodations
The way I see it... lodging is the pit stop. A place to lay your head and clear the digestive tanks... its a non factor in the overall experience of the travel! When I look back on my favorite trips, seldom is the quality of the bed sheets a part of the story! Look to find chunks of cost savings by finding budget friendly lodging
Camping: Many fishing destinations offer campgrounds right by the water. Camping not only saves you money but also enhances your connection with nature. Grinding it out and becoming more intimate with the location could be challenging in the moment, but finds its value in the long term memory of the experience.
Vacation Rentals: Websites like Airbnb or Vrbo can provide affordable lodging options. Look for homes or cabins that accommodate multiple anglers to split the cost. These apps allow you to peruse a general region and select a range of preferred accommodations and price ranges tailored to your budget and needs.
Hostels: For those who don’t mind sharing a space, hostels can be a fun and budget-friendly option.
3. Finding Affordable Flights
Be Flexible with Dates
Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to monitor prices. Being flexible with your travel dates can help you snag the best deals. I use the Hopper app to help pull the best prices as well
Utilize Reward Points
Sign up for credit cards that offer travel rewards or frequent flyer points. With some smart spending, you could accumulate enough points for a free or heavily discounted flight. I personally use a Capitol One Venture card. It is pretty ideal for someone like me who is doesn't travel quite enough to justify premier cards with hefty annual fees... but allows me to basically earn 'free' money towards flights by merely paying off my normal expenses.
Don’t forget about airline loyalty programs; even if you fly with different airlines, many will allow you to combine points or credits.
Timing is Key
Book flights well in advance—ideally, two to three months out. Last-minute deals can sometimes be tempting, but they often come with inflated prices.
Look for flights on weekdays, as they are typically cheaper than weekend flights.
4. Cutting Gear Costs
The marketing machine behind the fishing industry has ensnared so many anglers into thinking they need brand new (and expensive) gear. Whether it be for style points, or the perceived better quality of the product, we lose A LOT of money by buying gear we don't need.
Borrow, Don’t Buy
Reach out to friends or local fishing clubs to borrow gear instead of purchasing new items. Many anglers have extra rods, reels, or tackle they’d be happy to lend.
Buy Used or Rent
Check out online marketplaces (Facebook for example), Craigslist, or local tackle shops for used gear. Renting can also be a great option, especially for specialized equipment you might not use often.
DIY Gear
For some fishing gear, like lures, specialized rigs, or gear storage, consider a DIY approach. There are countless tutorials online that can guide you in making your own fishing equipment at a fraction of the cost.
5. Collaborate with Fellow Anglers
Group Trips
Pool resources with fellow anglers. Organizing group trips can reduce costs significantly on lodging, transportation, and even guided services. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with friends or meet new fishing buddies.
Network with Others
Maybe this is the most inexcusably lost art of them all among sportsman. In today's day in age we have more means of connecting with one another than ever before - but so few are taking advantage of these modes of communication to build genuine relationships! Building strong networks can afford opportunities to 'trade' trips, to host or BE hosted on trips at a reduced (or complimentary) rate. Try to build new relationships on each trip. In my most recent travel trips I have built new connections that allowed me to later connect on even more trips with those anglers and their connections!
6. Breaking Bad Spending Habits
This is a HUGE opportunity to gain back money you never realized you had. This goes for anglers and basically everyone else on earth! Find the bad habits you have and use your greatest passion as the reason to stop them.
Identifying Areas to Cut Back
It’s easy to overlook daily expenditures that add up over time. Here’s a breakdown of some common habits and their average costs:
Eating Out: The average American spends around $300 per month on dining out, including fast food. Cutting this down to a couple of meals a month can save you over $2,000 a year.
Smoking: The cost of smoking can be staggering. At around $6 per pack, a daily smoker spends about $2,200 annually. Quitting could fund an incredible fishing trip.
Drinking: On average, Americans spend about $50 per month on alcohol, but this can easily escalate. Reducing this by half could save you $300 a year.
Junk Food: Frequent snacking on processed foods can lead to spending around $50 monthly. By cooking at home and choosing healthier options, you can easily save another $600 a year.
To be frank, the benefits of stopping some of the habits mentioned above go beyond financial fitness, but will likely make you more physically capable of performing the hard tasks on the water.
The Bigger Picture
Consider this: A dream trip to the Amazon might cost around $3,000. If you examine your spending habits, you might find that cutting back on just a few of these areas could fund that adventure. For example, if you save $2,000 from dining out and $1,000 from quitting smoking, you could easily cover the cost of your trip.
7. The Money Right In Front of Your Face
What are you holding on to? Many fisherman, and really most people have a collection of gear or items with value that have been sitting unused for years. Think of the dollar amount you have essentially laying around that could be repurposed if you'd just put in the work to sell it!
Old Kayak: You upgraded a few years ago, but never got rid of your first kayak. Its still in good shape and could easily fetch $200-$400 dollars. Think of this as 'trade in value' for new gear, or travel expenses!
Fishing Rods & Reels: That older set of rods and reels you haven't touched in a while? Someone just getting into fishing would love to pick those up for $50-$100 dollars each.
Electronics: Consider the value of any miscellaneous electronics either fishing or non-fishing related. Old trolling motors, weed eaters, microwaves and mini fridges. We all have stuff laying around unused and slowly losing value! Cash in on them now and repurpose that old value to something new.
8. Final Thoughts
Traveling to your dream fishing destination doesn’t have to be an unattainable luxury. Understand that some marketing efforts online benefit by making travel look comfortable and luxurious so often times the images of these experience would create that perception. The reality is, you can do A LOT with a little... and you have more than you're aware. By embracing budget-friendly strategies, cutting back on unnecessary spending, and leveraging the power of community, you can reel in unforgettable fishing experiences without breaking the bank. Remember, the joy of fishing lies not just in the catch, but in the adventure and camaraderie that comes along with
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