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South of I-80 in PA there are only a few days each year when there is 4 inches or more of hard ice.The gear that seems to be required to ice fish today, (shanty, sled, electronics, etc, etc, etc...), and gas,food, drinks, bait, and everything else that one "needs" to get on the ice have to be paid for. (Don't forget your heater and propane!)How much do you spend per hour of actual fishing? How does that compare with your other hobbies, dollar wise?"Enquiring Minds Want to Know"Is ice fishing the best use of your entertainment dollars?
I buy all my stuff from goodwill or 2nd hand stores from people who move out of the area or give up ice fishing because there is no longer 4 inches of ice south of I-80.
As already pointed out, any hobby/activity can be very expensive depending on your choices.But...if one was to look at $-spend per hour of enjoyment, snowmobiling is far and away the worst I have experienced. Procuring the sled(s) is just the beginning. They are costly to maintain, trailers are expensive, there's always a better helmet coming out, the other riding gear is expensive, the oil - the very pricy oil, accessories, insurance, registration, gas, lodging, eating out, trail passes. And then, you are constantly looking at what machine you "need" next.Then, it all just sits there and stares back at you ALL year long - taunting you. Around me, sledheads have been fortunate if they get a couple hundred miles a season the past several winters. I always tell people, it's a frickin' disease lol.
What is all this banter about pastimes and hobbies?! Ice fishing is not a pastime or hobby. It is a way of life. Money is irrelevant!!
Bourbon .... hunting allocated bottles of bourbon is more expensive than ice fishing .... Pass the Pappy!
This! I did this for several years, but have since moved to Scotch. Either way, you ain't wrong!Pyro
Maybe someday I'll grow up. I just have a hard time handling the peat even at a low proof point ... but a nice 125 proof barrel proof - no issues
I really love the "extremes" from Isle of Islay. They are potent in the peat and smokey flavor.
No. Guns and ammunition is..😎😎✌️✌️
You think ice fishing is expensive you could always go to a Taylor Swift concert for $1300 lol