Threats to Our Sport and the Cost Factor

 

     For those who may not have seen some recent reports at various on-line sights such as nybass.com, once again our sport and favorite hobby is being challenged with the possibility of new usage fees on one of the top lakes in the Northeast.  It appears as though the state of CT has proposed requiring a boating sticker for Candlewood Lake.  While not a nominal fee such as the one for Lake George in NY, the fee is an insane amount of $50 per year for in-state residents and $100 per year for non-residents!  The fees are to supposedly increase the amount of patrol presence on a lake that is already one of the most heavily patrolled in the state.  For causal fishermen or tournament organizations, this is only another link in a long chain of attempts to kick the fisherman off Candlewood Lake.  

    Since CT is the only game in town in the spring, the state and it's DEP benefit greatly by the monies generated for license sales.  At $40 per out of state person, this is significant revenue that could be greatly reduced if the motion passes and anglers decide not to spend the $100 per boat.  Large scale events such as the Bryan Kerchal benefit tournament would be greatly impacted as there are limited bodies of water large enough to hold such an event and at least 30-40 boats in that tournament alone are from out of state.   Come on Connecticut, where does it end?

     While CT were the first that I can think of that utilized a permit system for granting access to it's state launch ramps, it seems as though nearly every event now requires some kind of permit.  While those in CT are still free, most in NY come with a cost of $25 or so per event.  All things considered, this is a very nominal fee but factor in that there is usually at least a $5 launch fee as well and now the cost of holding that tournament runs more than $100.  I really don't mind the launch fee and all boaters are obliged to pay that for general ramp maintenance, parking, etc, but isn't also charging a permit fee "double-dipping?"  What's next, charging anglers for each pound of fish they catch? 

     OK, let's be honest, fishing, and especially tournament fishing has become a very expensive sport.  Consider that a good rod and reel combo is running well over $200 each (and every one of us has at least 5 or 6 of these), crankbaits run $5 each and spinnerbaits $6, not to mention Lucky Crafts for $15 a pop.  How long does that $6 bag of senkos last you?  How quickly are you snapping off those $2 Keitech tungsten jig heads or re-spooling with that $15 fluorocarbon? Don't forget the $100 or more per year that we spend on multiple out of state licenses, the $300 Gore-Tex rainsuit, $75 life jacket, and for some of us crazy enough to do it...that $50,000 bass boat!  Yes, we might be a bit insane but there is no questioning our passion for the sport because we keep spending our hard earned greenbacks in search of bronze and mossy backs!

     I held off on one other factor which single handedly has driven our sport to out-cost other expensive sports like golf.  Gas prices!  At over $3 a gallon for regular and more than $30 for a gallon of oil, the cost to run a boat these days is obscene.  No longer are these costs "insignificant."  When we're making trips to Twin Lakes or Catskill or Saratoga, all things considered, it's very likely that you'll spend over $100 in gas, tolls, and launch fees.  $50 a day, per person...how is that compared to Greens fees at your local public golf course?  If you opt to stay over at a motel, now you're on a mini-vacation.

     So, in this challenging economy where home prices are falling, people are losing their homes to foreclosure, losing their jobs, and running up their debt, we keep finding ways to continue to pump money to pursue our favorite sport.  When it comes down to it, the $300 annual membership dues for our club barely scratches the surface in the grand scheme of things, especially considering that about 90% of that goes back to the membership in the form of payouts, trophies, dinners, and hotels.  What are we getting back from paying $100 boat stickers?  More harassment as we try to quietly enjoy a day on the water among the crazy jet skis and pleasure boaters with 30' yachts on a lake?  Insanity.....simply insanity!

Home