This could be a tough one for some... ;D

I can't believe i'm saying this, but I think I enjoy shopping/buying all the cool stuff a little more.

I'm a male.  By definition, shopping is not very high on my list of fun things to do.  I go in, get what I want, and get out.  ;D

Using it.

Just wandering around looking at all the gear is still fun though.  

this is a very good question. ..id say i probably get more pleasure shopping and talking bass fishing  but its not much higher than actually fishing

Thats a toss up hmmmmm I love fishing but also like hitting the fishing tackle shop too. I'd hafta say i get more enjoyment out of using it though,.....nothing like that heartpounding feeling you get when you tie into a good one!!!!!

As much as I enjoy buying (not neccessarily shopping) I get more out of building rods and still more out of actually using it all.  Give me time on the water over time at the store or shop!!

Using it and hopefully catching fish on it. But that might be changing since a Cabelas and BPS are opening 45 minutes from my house next month  

I'm with Long Mike.

Well, compulsive bait buying makes me happy....not catching bass doesn't make me happy because I just spent a lot of money on baits.

Catching fish makes me happy and then I go buy more of the baits that were catching fish that day especially if I lost a few of the baits.

It's a vicious cycle that cannot be measured.  Well, not until the baitmonkey moves out of my spare bedroom anyway.  He snores loud too....keeps me up at night thinking of new ways to improve my fishing.

I do like buying new equipment but I don't think I could ever call it shopping.

If I had $500 right now and somebody said "Would like to buy a Loomis IMX and new Shimano reel or would you rather spend it on taking the family and the boat out and staying in the cabin for a week."  

I think I would much rather go fishing than SHOPPING.

Both.

If I shop then go fishing, the day is amazing.  You're getting something new or replenishing what is doing an awesome job for you and then you use it right after to catch some fish.  Cabela opening in my state (IL) just made it more amazing.  If I had to choose one I'd say using the equipment.  If you caught fish then you don't need to buy.

I definatly enjoy using more than buying HOWEVER sometimes I like making it more than using it!

I don't know....

usually i like doing both....

I don't know....

usually i like doing both....

Me too!

Well, compulsive bait buying makes me happy....not catching bass doesn't make me happy because I just spent a lot of money on baits.

Catching fish makes me happy and then I go buy more of the baits that were catching fish that day especially if I lost a few of the baits.

It's a vicious cycle that cannot be measured. Well, not until the baitmonkey moves out of my spare bedroom anyway. He snores loud too....keeps me up at night thinking of new ways to improve my fishing.

Almost took the words outa my mouth there jb_adams.I too am with everyone else who is torn between the two.I am about 50/50 equal on the issue.If I had a bad day on the water a little shopping makes me happy.There is also nothing better than the pleasure of using a nice piece of equipment.Buying a new box and organizing my awesome collection.Catching on a new item is great too,except then bait monkey usually makes me go out and buy any or all colors/sizes of that item even after I catch a dink on it. :-/

I hate shopping. Shopping for fishing gear is only a little better, but I rarely buy anything exciting anyway. Maybe a few hooks or swivels or something. Of course most of my lures, rods, reels, line, etc. is just sent to me. But often times, even if I have to pay for it, I mail / internet order it anyway.

I've often said, if I ever hit the lottery, I'll give one of "my people" a list of the stuff I want to be at the house, by the time I get home from fishing :-) That would include cloths, groceries, fishing tackle, new cars, trucks, and anything else I might need.

Ahhh, but I'm dreaming again :-)

Fish

Fishing......

But buying fishing stuff is still pretty fun in itself.

I wouldn't even care about shopping for this stuff if I didn't like to fish.  This is not a question like which came first, the chicken or the egg.  You have to like fishing first before you ever begin to enjoy shopping for the tools of the trade.  Shopping for equipment will never equal the joy of stalking and catching the fish, at least for me.

Shopping for tackle is a tedious, time consuming means to an end, and that end is going fishing.

The water restorith thy soul.    Fishing gets me away from the rat race, the city, the career, and the sad, sad, sad news that is on all day long.    You can't turn the TV on without hearing about 5 more murders, a wife beating, a kidnapping and a overdose.    

Using the tackle, no question,

Matt

When we bought our house, my wife dragged me to all of the stores looking for furniture, drapes, etc. Now I can't stand to shop in crowded stores. When I go to buy fishing gear I am in and out usually within a half an hour and i only go during the week when there are no crowds.

The water restorith thy soul. Fishing gets me away from the rat race, the city, the career, and the sad, sad, sad news that is on all day long. You can't turn the TV on without hearing about 5 more murders, a wife beating, a kidnapping and a overdose.

Using the tackle, no question,

Matt

My wife and I shut down our SAT dish and went back to nbc, cbs, and abc for that reason. Even then there is nothing but craziness on. What ever happened to shows like Cosby and the A-team? I used to check the news daily to see what was going on but I haven't done that on the net for months now and I'm thankful for that. Just going to get worse boys.

Anyway....back on topic.

It is fun getting a new lure or lure type, it is like a new toy you want to try out.  It is the best when you read about a certain lure and how to use it, go get it, and then it works the first day you try it.  So I will have to say it is better to use, because you can see if it was a great choice or if you just threw your money away.

The only reason that I enjoy shopping for fishing gear is because I need that gear in order to actually catch fish.  If I didn't fish I wouldn't be wondering the fishing sections of Dick's, Gander Mountain, or BPS on a weekly basis.