MINNOW PRICES

[SWeed]

You got me started so here I go...... I used to be in the wholesale live bait business and still have a lot of contacts.The Media is not Hyping the situation there is a minnow shortage and when supplies fall the prices go up...

Let's go fishing...... lets see I need a boat spend $2-32,000, next a rod $5-250 and a reel $5-189 some fire line $12.95 a couple crank baits $10 or hooks and enough minnows for a trip $10. Whats the problem.

I am in Iowa and can tell you all Minnows have been at a wholesale prices to all of us fishermen here in the north country. If you go south where most of the minnows are farm raised you would be used to paying more for a dozen minnows.

Fuel prices have been up and that also is part of the cost of that Scoop of minnows. Do you realize what it takes to keep live bait alive. The equipment is not cheap. Also your local Bait Shops are getting scarcer and acarcer, I am all for competition but when you have Wal-mart to compete with it can get tough. If you want the convience of buying minnows and not trapping your own your going to have to pay a reasonable price, even a bottle of soda-pop cost over a buck these days. There was a major winter kill of minnows in MN and the Dakotas. If any one of you have 500 or 600 gallons available let me know I'll buy them. It is going to take 2 or 3 years for the stocks to build up again. You will also see fewer large minnows as the summer progresses, because they are being sold now for crappie minnows. Yes Mother Nature has a *****y side and she shows it every so often. Good fishing, Sweed

[SWeed]

I finished reading all the replies to Aquaman.... Using plastics is a good idea, however they too will be costing more as the price of fuel goes up because thats what they are made of.... As for Crawlers most of those come from Canada and the nightcrawler can go pretty deep to avoid the frost, Just pray for rain in the right areas, because if they is a drought they to will go up in price. I have seen the wholesale price of a flat at $55 thats for 500 worms. The Bait wholesalers hate these increases more than you. Most don't make anymore when the price is high, they still add there usually mark up and will sell a whole lot less, therefore grossing less... and to the guy who brought minnows into Minnesota, I would be very careful it is illegal and the penalty is stiff; confiscation of vehicles and federal fines up to $50,000. Even Prison time, Anyone heard of the Lacey Act? SWeed

[GullGuide]

Just a note for all you cheap-skates out there...
If you're ticked off because minnows cost too much, go trap your own, then you'll all understand how much hard work and driving is involved for such meager gains. You'll also come to appreciate your local bait dealer. :)
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[jimbo2]

Heres my theory on why folks are getting so shook up about the minnow shortage. Since the late 70's "shortage" has meant "we are about to jack the prices up and you can't do anything about it!"
With all of these phony reasons for thre increase in fuel prices its no wonder people are speculating that this is another one!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't we given a reason every time they raised fuel prices last summer? Now the prices jump 14 cents over night and not a word?!?
I've worked hard all of my adult life, finally got the boat I've always wanted, and I'm wondering if I can afford to run it this summer.
Sorry for going off the topic, but I think you can see my point.
Three days without electricity can make you a little cranky!

[GullGuide]

Yea the gas thingie ticks me off too. I'm actually going to buy a few solar battery chargers and run my electric more this summer. But, the minnow shortage is legitamate. Winterkill was severe in many parts of the state, and the minnow ponds took the biggest hit. Just something to add on to our frustrations.:)
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