Thread: Crappie Clubs

also to echo what T-bone said, thanks to the guys who gave us the memories, Jeff, Russ, Frank, Mike, Tim and Rick...it was awsome.

and Buckeye lake aint 7 miles long, i dont care who you are...

Originally Posted by Hillbilly910

(side note, bass fishing dont really pay much better than crappie, some tournaments do, some dont)

You are exactly correct. Most boats at a bass event carry a value of $20-70,000 price tag. 12-15 Rod/reel combos range from $250-600/ea. The sky is the limit on the $15 crankbaits and 750 color combinations of a sweet beaver. $250-500 entry fee. Our crappie club's average boat value is probably $3-30,000. Some teams will have less than $250 in their rod/reel arsenal. I don't know anyone that has more than $1500 in that category. $15 for live bait and/or maybe a couple bucks for some spider rigging setups with a $40 entry fee. I fish our club on a pack of cigarettes. That's what I gave up to easily be able to afford fishing the club. People spend a lot of money pursuing their hobbies and interests. Most of which offer zero chance of a monetary payback. I know scuba divers, triathalon athletes, golfers, race car drivers....and 99% of them never make a dime.... You're right Hillbilly, everyone's threshold of pain is different. We have some teams in the club that have said they would be likely to fish maybe once or twice a year if they didn't have the motivation to come and fish with the club.

Originally Posted by Hillbilly910

also to echo what T-bone said, thanks to the guys who gave us the memories, Jeff, Russ, Frank, Mike, Tim and Rick...it was awsome.

and Buckeye lake aint 7 miles long, i dont care who you are...

Hillbilly, you almost took a whipping that night over the lake being 7 mile long, that was the funniest thing.

I think everyone has at least 1 good point...

Hillbilly910 - "I know its taboo to says its about the money, but lets be honest, its always about the money. If you wanted to hang out with friends and fish, that's what you'd do, you wouldn't enter a tournament." (Let's face the facts, most of us know we'd be throwing money away fishing against some of these guys, they are that good.)
Tbone72 - "then u win the tournament and it only pays 240 to 300 and u had to beat 35 teams..not easy and payout doesn't cover expenses not appealing" (I've tried to work the numbers out and it seems if you're in it for the money you would do better with a part time job at Wal-Mart.)
CrappieCrazed - "My wife and I were talking just the other day about how busy it seems EVERYONE seems to be that we know. Seems like back in the day it was no biggie to get everyone together for a cook out or what have ya but damn these days it seems everyone has something they have going on EVERY weekend." (it doesn't get any better when you get older Robin)

...and more than likely it's more the combination of all the points that turn people away.
The one point that I would find most appealing and is the only reason I would have any interest is what Y-Slabs pointed out the last time this came up. It would be a great way to meet a bunch of good hearted people who shared a common interest. I would have just as much interest in a meet and greet or even several meet and greets around the state but like "fished-out" says most of the guys on here are from SW Ohio.

for most it's not about the money, no one on this site can cover all of the expenses of fishing. food, gas, hotel, all the different circuits, the price to fish your home lake, your trucks your boat, there is no end to the expenses... it is about the fishing, we all love to fish... some of us like to compete so we fish tournaments so we can fish different lakes with guys we don't know who also love to fish. the money may offset some of the expenses. but frist you have to finish in the money and we all lose more then we win... with or with out tournaments we love to fish, we think we can win or why go... want cash, take up lawn care...

[QUOTE=Yates;2713115]for most it's not about the money, no one on this site can cover all of the expenses of fishing. food, gas, hotel, all the different circuits, the price to fish your home lake, your trucks your boat, there is no end to the expenses... it is about the fishing, we all love to fish... some of us like to compete so we fish tournaments so we can fish different lakes with guys we don't know who also love to fish. the money may offset some of the expenses. but frist you have to finish in the money and we all lose more then we win... with or with out tournaments we love to fish, we think we can win or why go... want cash, take up lawn care...[/QUOTE]

Hah! Very little cash that is........ Well I know that this post was more about tournaments all over the place, but if its worth anything I cant wait to get my schedule freed up enough to get to hang out with the gang again at EF. I really do love it. My fishing partner Dave drives a long way to fish there and a lot of the reason is because its a good group of guys. He has said it before that bass tournaments can be not so tight knit for some reason. on a side note I do hate losing!!!!!! LOL Especially to a couple of fellas that show up 2 freaking hours late to the show!!!

Originally Posted by Osker

Hillbilly, you almost took a whipping that night over the lake being 7 mile long, that was the funniest thing.

naw, im squirrelly and he's just a big teddy bear.

Larry, the pay-out in lawn care isnt worth it either...

and to be clear, i wasnt taking a shot at ISM, like i said, its a great time, and well run. Its just hard for traveling guys to make it work.