Fishing is one of those hobbies where you can spend next to nothing on fishing gear and still have a good time. However, you could also spend thousands on gear and still have fun; it all depends on what kind of fisher you want to be.. but let's be honest we all love our gear, and the truth of the matter is that you could have a lot more room in your budget for cool fishing gear if you were able to save money on the actual fishing trip itself. Let’s face it, we’re not all millionaires, so it’s only natural that we need to make sacrifices in order to do what we love. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some tips for saving money on your next fishing trip so you have room in your budget.

Staying Organized

Staying organized before and during your fishing trip can save you a lot of money in the long run. There are a lot of things to keep track of, including planning how long you will be at this destination for, what kind of fishing you're anticipating to do, what gear is needed for that, and ensuring that all your gear is packed in the car before leaving.

Organizing your trip and equipment for that trip can save you money in the long run. If you forget anything, that means going out of your way to go to the store, spending gas money, and having to buy new gear, or unplanned gear, in the process. Many people will end up spending more money than they anticipated, simply because they aren’t organized.

Transportation

Transportation can always be a costly part of the fishing life if you aren’t careful about it. Although fishing the same spots over and over again can be fun, most anglers have more of a sense of adventure than that, and constantly seek out cool new places to fish. Sometimes that means being on the road for a while. Your best option, if you're willing to share, is to find a fishing buddy who can join the trip. Carpooling, if possible, is a great way to make sure you're not spending all that fishing budget on gas while looking for spots. Think about it, traveling a few hours in your car, possibly hauling a trailer with your boat, will probably cost you a couple hundred bucks roundtrip in gas money, not including the boat's fuel. At least having someone to split that with can make a world's difference in deciding whether you get that new rod or not. Take your pole with you using our magnetic fishing rod transport system.

Consider Alternate Forms Of Lodging

Although it may be tempting to stay in the nice lodge or hotel down the road from your fishing spot of choice, is it really your best option? Why not turn your fishing trip into a full-on camping trip? Aside from creating no extra costs for you, camping is simply more convenient, allowing you to sleep right next to the water and simply walk outside and start fishing. Another great option is truck bed campers. Although there is a bit of an initial investment if you don’t already have one, you’ll see a quick return on investment if you go on a lot of camping or fishing trips.

Try Using A Guiding App vs. Spending On A Fishing Guide

Don't get me wrong, guided trips are fantastic. I personally love them, and the amount of fish you usually get put onto, and the spots you would of never found on your own, are just worth the amount you're paying. However, like most weekend anglers I can't afford to take a guide out all the time. I've come to use a lot of really neat fishing apps lately like ProAngler and FishAngler that are either free or super affordable. These apps let you know the good areas to fish in, what's been getting caught, what's being used to catch them, and what conditions are like to enhance your success rate.  Coupling this intel with my underwater fishing cameras to be able to quickly inspect the new waters I'm exploring on and gain quick insight through HD video as to what kind of fish are there and how they're reacting to my bait or lure makes for an effective day on the water.

Save On Food

If you’re doing catch and release on all your fish, you’re going to need to plan for your meals. I find that having a decent sized breakfast before hitting the water will usually last me most of the day. Mix in a few good energy bars, and I'll be fine throughout the day.  Most people find that when they’re out on the lake fishing, they get hungry between meals. If you're like me, without planning some food before you leave, you're bound to stop somewhere on the way home to buy some grub. If you make a habit of this, that adds up fast on your budget!

Have Fun!

At the end of the day, fishing is all about having a good time. If you end up going over your budget, then you’ll be that much more informed about what you can do better next time. If you’ve managed to save some money on your trips or you’re looking into getting some cool fishing gadgets, look no further than our underwater fishing cameras. The GoFish Cam fishing camera attaches directly to your line and captures high-quality video of all your best catches! Contact GoFish Cam today to learn more!