by Babe Winkelman

11/21/2001 .... Because I fish for a living, I probably have more gear than a lot of sporting goods stores. Still, I'd hate to think my success as an angler is based strictly on the equipment I own. When it comes to consistently catching fish, skill—not equipment—is the most important ingredient.

In truth, rods, reels, lures, electronic gadgets, boats and motors are nothing more than tools. While Tiger Woods uses the best tools available, it isn't his driver or the ball he hits that make him a great golfer. He could probably break par on any course in the country using a second-hand 3-wood, a borrowed 7-iron and a 30-year-old putter.

It's the same with fishing. It's the angler's skills—not his equipment—that determine fishing success. On the other hand, most professional fishermen own the best equipment available, and lots of it. So how much equipment does the average fisherman need?

The next time you're considering a major equipment purchase, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I need it? There are certain pieces of equipment I'd consider absolutely essential (a depth-finder would be a good example). There are others, however, that most anglers don't need. Anyone who fishes a huge body of water with lots of mid-lake hot spots might find a GPS a critical piece of equipment. Folks who fish small bodies of water they know like the back of their hand can probably get by without a GPS.

How much will I use it? Fishing purchases are often made with our hearts rather than our heads. We see a product advertised and suddenly have an uncontrollable urge to own one. If it's something you'll use on a regular basis, go ahead and buy it. If it's going to collect dust in your garage, stay away from the sport shop until the impulse passes.

Can you afford it? Anglers with an unlimited budget can afford to own two dozens rods and five tackle boxes jam-packed with the latest lures. But if you're working with a limited budget—as most of us are—choose your purchases carefully.

Will it make me more successful? There are certain pieces of equipment that are almost essential for certain types of fishing. A quality trolling motor is almost mandatory for bass and most walleye fishing, far less important for anglers who spend most of their time trolling with downriggers. If you're convinced the piece of gear in question will put more fish in the boat and if you can afford it, go ahead and make the purchase.

Is the piece of equipment in question a passing fad or the real deal? Back in the 1980s, tens of thousands of anglers jumped all over the color selector and pH monitor. Only a handful truly benefited from either piece of equipment. The same can be said for the can't-miss lures you see advertised on infommercials. Don't deplete your already-tight fishing budget on a fad. Instead, expand on the gear that works for you.

Can I get by with less? Most tournament fishermen run 18- or 20-foot boats powered by 200 or more horses. For tournament pros, these over-sized, over-powered rigs are a necessity. In tournaments, winning the race to a hotspot can determine the outcome of the event. And tournament anglers often must cover large expanses of water, regardless of conditions. Walleye pro Gary Parsons once ran 100 miles one way in huge waves to reach a school of fish that won top prize.

The average fisherman is under no such pressure to perform. Weekend anglers don't have to go 60 miles an hour and they don't have to travel 20 or 30 miles in rough water.

If you can afford a $30,000 boat that skips over the top of five-foot waves at break-neck speeds, go ahead and buy it. But if a 16-foot boat with a 50-horse meets your day-to-day needs, why spend more?

Carefully select the boat, motor, electronics and ancillary necessary for your day-to-day fishing with no regard to what the "big boys" are running.

What gear will really improve my angling success? For most anglers, paying attention to little details will do more to enhance success than all the expensive gear in the world. Make sure the equipment you already own is in tip-top condition. Purchase a good selection of the lures you typically use, making sure you have an assortment of sizes, colors and styles. Put fresh, quality line on your reels.

Equipment? I've always recommended that fishermen own the best equipment they can afford. But in the long run, the most important piece of equipment is the one located between your ears.