47 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Wasn’t the shimano price increase posted weeks ago?

 

Edit:

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/267045-shimano-price-increase/

I did not see that one, which came from Shimano.  The one I received today was from a US distributor, it stated 22%, and claimed Shimano was requiring it.

On 8/13/2025 at 2:58 PM, F14A-B said:

 

 

Despite Tariffs I’ve ordered a $300.00 reel this very day,(Tackle warehouse) you either suck it up or not. I don’t want to pay more & companies don’t want to pay more. 

Read the room.  The reality is that a huge number of Americans don’t have the luxury to decide whether “to suck it up or not”.  The decision is being made for them.

59 minutes ago, OldManLure said:

Read the room.  The reality is that a huge number of Americans don’t have the luxury to decide whether “to suck it up or not”.  The decision is being made for them.

That has always been the case in this country. I mean it’s not like fishing is a critical, life safety issue here. BTW, who didn’t see this coming?? There isn’t a thing you or I can do, so, embrace the suck, or dont. 

12 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Wasn’t the shimano price increase posted weeks ago?

 

Edit:

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/267045-shimano-price-increase/

This makes me wonder if Shimano makes rods and reels in Japan, and their lures come from China.

3 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

This makes me wonder if Shimano makes rods and reels in Japan, and their lures come from China.

Their highest end stuff is built in Japan but a ton already comes out of China, Expride rods for example are made in China. Their lures & majority of the reels come out of Malaysia.

16 hours ago, OldManLure said:

Read the room.  The reality is that a huge number of Americans don’t have the luxury to decide whether “to suck it up or not”.  The decision is being made for them.

Read the room?

 

Please expand.

Are there even any reels that are made in the states? I know there are companies like Bates that "design" them stateside but pretty sure they still source components from overseas. 

 

Again, I don't mind supporting American businesses but for much of our industry those simply don't exist. The end result is just a burden on consumers already in tough financial waters. 

 

It's a sad state of affairs when we have to tell people "your favorite activity isn't a necessity, suck it up". 

Tariffs or not, if I want something and have the cash to pay outright (I don’t believe in credit) I’ll buy it. If not, I’ll save until I have the money then buy it.

1 hour ago, MassYak85 said:

Are there even any reels that are made in the states? I know there are companies like Bates that "design" them stateside but pretty sure they still source components from overseas. 

 

Again, I don't mind supporting American businesses but for much of our industry those simply don't exist. The end result is just a burden on consumers already in tough financial waters. 

 

It's a sad state of affairs when we have to tell people "your favorite activity isn't a necessity, suck it up". 

 I’ve bought lots from Japan, especially the last 18 months or so. Facts are facts, the other thing I talked about on this thread was a reel I purchased for $300 + tax (there’s that word) What I didn’t divulge was I ordered it from an American company and furthermore from a site sponsor called Tackle Warehouse. 
 

Fishing is a luxury in this country not a necessity. 

2 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

Are there even any reels that are made in the states? I know there are companies like Bates that "design" them stateside but pretty sure they still source components from overseas. 

 

Again, I don't mind supporting American businesses but for much of our industry those simply don't exist. The end result is just a burden on consumers already in tough financial waters. 

 

It's a sad state of affairs when we have to tell people "your favorite activity isn't a necessity, suck it up". 

Great point. 
 

my next reel will be for salt water. Was aiming at a Shimano, but I think I’m going with an Avet reel because it is domestic.  
 

thrilled to actually have an option. 

7 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Great point. 
 

my next reel will be for salt water. Was aiming at a Shimano, but I think I’m going with an Avet reel because it is domestic.  
 

thrilled to actually have an option. 

Now we just need them to make a low profile reel! 

4 hours ago, F14A-B said:

 I’ve bought lots from Japan, especially the last 18 months or so. Facts are facts, the other thing I talked about on this thread was a reel I purchased for $300 + tax (there’s that word) What I didn’t divulge was I ordered it from an American company and furthermore from a site sponsor called Tackle Warehouse. 
 

Fishing is a luxury in this country not a necessity. 

I only wish it wasn’t going up for the kids. I doubt if I was 10 again today my family would ever let me pick up fishing as a hobby. If you run only ugly sticks from Walmart it’s not insane, but the joys of baitcasters and solid gear wouldn’t happen. 
 

50 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

I only wish it wasn’t going up for the kids. I doubt if I was 10 again today my family would ever let me pick up fishing as a hobby. If you run only ugly sticks from Walmart it’s not insane, but the joys of baitcasters and solid gear wouldn’t happen. 
 

I’m not happy about it and I really hope there is a better solution coming, but I’ve been thru so many price increases for various items and it’s just par for the course anymore..

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I only wish it wasn’t going up for the kids. I doubt if I was 10 again today my family would ever let me pick up fishing as a hobby. If you run only ugly sticks from Walmart it’s not insane, but the joys of baitcasters and solid gear wouldn’t happen. 
 

Just what kind of gear does a 10 year old need? 

25 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Just what kind of gear does a 10 year old need? 

Good question. I started with a couple of Zebco 33’s and some sort of Zebco rods. Moved up from there. Both of my boys started with 33’s. 

My son is 6 and he is using a daiwa spinning setup he won in a crappie contest in May. The value is about $50-$60.

 

I figure he can beat on it with his less than ideal casting skills and there’s really no harm.

 

When he proves to me he is capable of properly using higher quality gear, then I’ll burn that bridge.

3 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Just what kind of gear does a 10 year old need? 

Not a whole lot, but that 10 year old starts fishing with his high school team in 3 years and from there wants a boat and the list goes on. 
 

The reality is it’s significantly more expensive compared to similar costs from 20-30 years ago when my generation was picking up the hobby. 
 

I could work a part time job and afford to run my little aluminum boat with decent gear. No 18 year olds doing that today. 

34 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

. No 18 year olds doing that today. 

I disagree. Plenty are doing it out my way, just not in the latest and greatest bass boats/gear.

 

It just depends how bad they want to fish and have reasonable expectations on the type of boat that can be purchased with savings from a part time job.

 

 

1 hour ago, RRocket said:

I disagree. Plenty are doing it out my way, just not in the latest and greatest bass boats/gear.

 

It just depends how bad they want to fish and have reasonable expectations on the type of boat that can be purchased with savings from a part time job.

 

 

I’ve looked at boats with my nephew and I’m honestly shocked. I just want people to continue to enjoy the sport we love so much. I’m in my 40s and have a solid career, but I can’t help but feel bad for anyone starting out on life now. 
 

The last five years has changed so much, I guess we have to adjust to the times. 

 

35 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

I’ve looked at boats with my nephew and I’m honestly shocked. I just want people to continue to enjoy the sport we love so much. I’m in my 40s and have a solid career, but I can’t help but feel bad for anyone starting out on life now. 
 

The last five years has changed so much, I guess we have to adjust to the times. 

 

I fished out of a 12 foot boat for two seasons. Surely some of my fondest fishing memories. This was a sub $2k set up. I see other boats here for $2k or less that will get you on the water catching fish and enjoying the outdoors. I don't think that's a sum of money that's out of reach for kids with part time jobs. I think it's a problem of unrealistic expectations for some kids. A part time job will not get you a pro level boat. 

 

I saw 2 kids out this weekend and we chatted them up. They went "halfers" on a little tin boat. We fished along side them a bit. They were having a great time. They were catching fish.

 

You don't need to spend vast sums of money to enjoy this sport immensely. I bet a great many of us on the forum started off with some pretty austere boats when we were first starting out in this world! LOL 😆

FYI, this morning I received an email from one of the Japan distributors of a flash sale on Shimano products, prices were in Yens;  Metanium, Calcutta, Antares, etc., 8-30% off.  I'm a Daiwa guy and didn't spend much time looking, but thought some of you may be interested;  there were about a dozen reels and 3 rods.

5 hours ago, RRocket said:

I fished out of a 12 foot boat for two seasons. Surely some of my fondest fishing memories. This was a sub $2k set up. I see other boats here for $2k or less that will get you on the water catching fish and enjoying the outdoors. I don't think that's a sum of money that's out of reach for kids with part time jobs. I think it's a problem of unrealistic expectations for some kids. A part time job will not get you a pro level boat. 

 

I saw 2 kids out this weekend and we chatted them up. They went "halfers" on a little tin boat. We fished along side them a bit. They were having a great time. They were catching fish.

 

You don't need to spend vast sums of money to enjoy this sport immensely. I bet a great many of us on the forum started off with some pretty austere boats when we were first starting out in this world! LOL 😆

Well said! My first boat was a Coleman Crawdad (the 8 foot “floating suitcase” version) that I got for a graduation gift. Had a .037 lb thrust Shakespeare trolling motor that my Grandpa scratched up somewhere and I couldn’t be happier with it. Scored a Super Sixty flasher at the swap meet for $5, and I thought I was in tall cotton. 

 

After wearing that out (literally had holes in it), I bought a third hand 14’ Montgomery Ward jonboat, moved into a 17’ Bass Tracker, then found a deal on the Ranger I dreamed of a kid.

My oldest boy has been wanting a kayak to fish from, and I’ve just about had to carry a defibrillator with me for when I look at the price tags. 
 

Somehow our sport has gone completely sideways, and I am praying that it resets itself before it becomes a forced reset. 

2 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

 

My oldest boy has been wanting a kayak to fish from, and I’ve just about had to carry a defibrillator with me for when I look at the price tags. 
 

 

Check out a Scout 365 inflatable or the bigger 430. Designed to fish standing up. I powered mine with a 2.5 Suzuki.

 

Great little boat! 

2 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

FYI, this morning I received an email from one of the Japan distributors of a flash sale on Shimano products, prices were in Yens;  Metanium, Calcutta, Antares, etc., 8-30% off.  I'm a Daiwa guy and didn't spend much time looking, but thought some of you may be interested;  there were about a dozen reels and 3 rods.

What company?

 

Could be a good deal. But at the same time it could bite you in the arse and actually pay more than the original price if they don’t ship it right away and get hit with a tariff.

2 hours ago, RRocket said:

Check out a Scout 365 inflatable or the bigger 430. Designed to fish standing up. I powered mine with a 2.5 Suzuki.

 

Great little boat! 

I’ll check into them! Thanks!!