Jackson: The sport of fishing is not immune to expense factor

I don't know when and where it will end. I'm referring to the never-ending increase in cost of the wonderful sport of fishing.

One Chain guide ran much of the 2008 season with a new fiberglass boat. The price tag for the craft and massive outboard was close to $60,000. That's $40,000 more than I paid for my first home in Minneapolis.

I am not quibbling with the quality of these extravagant boats, but it seems some anglers believe a high-ticket item will make them better fishermen.

And my observations are not limited to boats and motors.

The price of some fishing reels are another example of overkill. My late friend, Roger, and I once perused some of the newer casting reels. He practically choked up when he saw the prices of several models.

"Pretty soon there won't be any room in the guts of these reels if the manufacturers get close to the 20 ball bearing numbers," he surmised.

I told him I was more concerned about the actual size of a future reel as well as the weight of the beast.

I know fishermen like to show off their new boats and the stable of horsepower on the stern. I realize it's a testosterone thing in some cases. I recall having a recent conversation with fishing innovator Ron Lindner about the bass professionals and how they dress when entering a tournament.

"This is the Velcro crowd," he declared, "in that one season they'll wear shirts and jackets with silk-screened logo patches from XYZ Company and maybe the next year they'll affix new patches on their shirts from ABC Company replacing the sponsors they've lost. The more patches they wear the higher the pride and ego factor and, of course, the fatter their wallets."

I don't see anything wrong with that.

It just seems to me that many of the high-end fishing boats, made for both the walleye and bass aficionado are way over the heads of the average person. Wouldn't it be great to see Joe Citizen enter one of those tournaments in a 16- or 18-foot aluminum Jon boat strapped with a 40-horsepower outboard and win the event?

There are excellent fishing reels on the market that do not force the buyer to cash in an IRA. The lower costing spinning and casting reels sold in many tackle shops will undoubtedly catch fish for the user.

Some time ago I had a long conversation with a local tackle representative who sold reels and rods made by one of the top manufacturers. He told me his company couldn't make a $400-plus spinning reel fast enough because the orders were phenomenal.

I looked at him as his nose grew in length.

"No," he said. "I'm telling the truth. Some anglers demand the best gear and we deliver it despite the cost."

And then there's the case of one brand of less expensive reels that in my experience have fallen apart when I had big fish on the end of the line. Granted, no all the cheaper reels are built with the same rugged quality as the big tickets. You need to interrogate friends who own the less expensive stuff and get the straight skinny from them before you make a purchase.

Will we catch more and bigger fish in the skedaddle boats that reach speeds close to 80 mph? I'm all for nice gear but at what price will be placed on happiness and contentment on the water?

• Catch Mike Jackson Outdoors 7 to 9 a.m. Sundays on WCGO AM-1590 or stream live at 1590WCGO.com