Why Are Fishing Equipment Prices So High?

T

tbae

Member
#1
#1
I realize we went through post-Covid inflation of ~8% or so which is now down to like ~2.6% but when I compare to some sample fishing equipment prices, it seems crazy how high they are now. Here're a few samples:

Daiwa BG 3000 Reel - I bought this for ~$85 ($80 pre-tax) pre-COVID and now they are ~$130 = 50% increase

Monofilament Fishing Line - I used to buy Stren Hi Impact for ~$5 for 15 lb 860 yds and now I can't find this brand anymore and all other comparable are ~$9 = 80% increase

Uglystik GX2 6ft 6in Spinning Combo - I bought this for ~$30 pre-Covid and now they are $60 = 100% increase

At this rate I'm not sure I can afford to go fishing in 5 years or so.

Does anyone on the forum have insights re: why these prices are so high (please don't say chip shortage)? Maybe prices increase behavior is same for all outdoor sports products...

Thanks in advance!
 
TheFrood

TheFrood

Well-Known Member
#3
#3
In many cases it's businesses seeing an opportunity to squeeze a few more $ profit out of
customers as they blame it on inflation, rising costs, etc...

Admittedly, costs do go up, inflation is real, yes. BUT... it's simple greed when a 10% cost increase
to results in a 50% price jump.
 
M

MisterT

Well-Known Member
#4
#4
Walmart Zebco Omniflex Mono is pretty cheap and gets the job done.

Regarding reels / rods - I suggest Japanese tackle. Especially now when the currency rates are favorable for US consumers.
 
T

tbae

Member
#5
#5
Yes I've used Omniflex before and agree with you - speaking of cheaper fishing line have you tried Walmart's Fitec Legend mono fishing line?

For Japanese tackle - thanks for the idea - any website(s) you recommend?
 
M

MisterT

Well-Known Member
#6
#6
tbae said:
Yes I've used Omniflex before and agree with you - speaking of cheaper fishing line have you tried Walmart's Fitec Legend mono fishing line?

For Japanese tackle - thanks for the idea - any website(s) you recommend?
Click to expand...
I have not tried the Fitec Legend mono. I still have plenty of Omniflex line. :)

I have personally used north-one.jp. I have ordered from them perhaps 3 times so far (2 reels and 1 rod). (They have an ebay page but you save a bit of money buying through the website.)

I have not used these but other reputable sites are digitaka and plat.co.jp.
 
K

K1n

Active Member
#7
#7
Prices are often affected by raw material shortages too. Plastics raw material suffered a shortage not too long ago and it might finally be reflected in pricing now. However, we all know that once prices get bumped up, it seldomly gets reduced unless the item is being discontinued.

The Daiwa BG (or any other new line) is a great example of introductory pricing to get people interested then bumping up the price slowly. I remember when Daiwa first released the exceler line of reels. They were 90 odd bucks at the time and came with two spools instead of one. Now, the price point is about the same, but comes with only one spool.
 
Ken Jones

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#9
#9
bassfanatick said:
To the OP yes everything is up, not just fishing tackle stuff, inflation hitting hard, you get less for your money now, as others have said you can still shop at Walmart and look for sales and stuff to save some money.
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Yes, general inflation certainly plays a big role, especially inflation caused by the rise in the cost of oil which impacts the cost of gasoline and every shipment by every truck and ship that brings these items from other countries (where most are built). That's not counting the rise in price of plastics due to the same rise in the cost of petroleum.
 
Red Fish

Red Fish

Senior Member
#10
#10
-I’ve noticed the increases myself and have not bought anything but terminal tackle new recently. I have noticed that the Penn line assembled in China are somewhere around the right place when on sale (Particularly referencing the Squall line). The Daiwa line is overpriced (whereas the Lexa 3 and 400’s started out at 150 are now 250). Just not worth it for that as I do not believe they will hold up (10) years.
-I have Penn GS reels (20) years old, purchased new, that still work just fine. The new Squall and Fathom are based upon the old Penn GS Series.
-Finally, I have enough gear that has lasted through constant use over years and see no real (reel) reason to buy new at the current prices (wait until it goes on sale). I use mostly conventional and bait casting. I have 2 Avet Sx Gen 1 that work fine. A GS 555 and 525 Penn that work just fine. I have 2 Abu 6500 C3/Sweden working fine (one I need to replace the bearing behind the handle because a couple teeth on the gear missing but still functional).
4 Tigerstiks over (20) years, indestructible. 2 Phenix 800 series rods.
-My advice is use what you have (if you have rock solid stuff). If not, purchase rock solid stuff that is Gen 1 (still NIB on EBay) or slightly a few years old if you don’t want to shell out for new main gear. Fish don’t care about new gear. As long as you can buy hooks, weights, line... you should be able to continue fishing.
 
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S

SC McCarty

Well-Known Member
#12
#12
Some of it is an indirect result of inflation. A number of corporations have used inflation as a cover to increase prices beyond an increase in costs. While ordinary people were struggling with increased costs, profits for these corporations increased. This was notable among some grocery chains.

Steve
 
TheFrood

TheFrood

Well-Known Member
#13
#13
SC McCarty said:
Some of it is an indirect result of inflation. A number of corporations have used inflation as a cover to increase prices beyond an increase in costs. While ordinary people were struggling with increased costs, profits for these corporations increased. This was notable among some grocery chains.

Steve
Click to expand...
Or car companies posting record breaking profits on severely reduced sales numbers...
 
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