Crappiehunter, I would say conservatively I too have around 25K in gear. However, like you, my 17 year old son even going thru his girl obsession he has right now still loves to fish. In between baseball games and girls we still get the chance to go now and then and let me tell ya, HE FISHES HARD when we go. We also have a pond and he is there almost every evening. So, I would have to say the investment was absolutely worth it.