It was not long ago that I would aimlessly walk the aisles of the various local sporting goods stores just to pick up an eye-catching lure or bag of soft plastics without thinking. Sometimes I would run out and buy something that I had read was a "must have for X." I never thought twice about the fact that there was no body of water within 100 miles that "X" would come into play, but I had just the rig if it ever did. Too many times did my hard earned money go towards the purchase of a lure or rig that had no use in the types of fishing or places I fished. I just liked buying new equipment, period. Fast forward a few years and god knows how much money later and I am drowning in a plethora of baits that have never seen the water or even been on the water in my kayak.
I started to recognize the foolishness in my errant purchase history as room for my "investments" started to dwindle. I set out to honestly self analyze my fishing style based on what I had confidence in and where I predominantly plied my efforts afloat. With this information and the realization that I truthfully only needed a dozen or so baits to be effective I decided the judicious thing to do would be only purchase things within my comfort zone. True addiction is hard to overcome though, and soon I had amassed yet another monstrous collection of "confidence baits."
The true irony in my situation is that though I possess a cache of lures rivaling Bass Pro, I am somewhat a minimalist when the time arrives to load up and go fishing. I have a rod for every type of technique imaginable, but I only take 4 or 5 with me sometimes less. Hundreds of bags of soft plastics are stuffed into cabinets yet only a hand full ever make it into my crate. If Plano stock was given for buying tackle trays I would sit on the board of directors even though I can count on one hand how many times more than 3 see the light of day. If you take an honest look at yourself I think many of you will see a similar situation.
So how do we break free from the shackles of tackle manufacturers advertisements, pros rhetoric, and the promise of unworldly fish catching abilities? I am still fighting my own demons with this issue, but I know it starts by taking an honest look at how you fish, where you fish, what you fish for, and understanding that it is not necessary to prepare for situations that will never arise. If you live in Minnesota it does not make sense to stockpile baits that some guy fishing in Florida or Texas says you can't live without. Just because you read about how a 6'9" medium action rod with a fast tip is the only way to go for drop-shotting doesn't mean you can't use the 6'6" or 7' rod you already have on hand. Lets all seek deliverance from the irrational tackle fetish that grips our hearts and wallets. We must be rational. We must overcome....Now I'm off to pick up a few more crankbaits....and maybe a new rod.
Tight lines,
Damian
