A good ultralight rod and reel can be purchased for less than $30. A freshwater combination rod and reel can be bought for less than $50. A basic saltwater outfit will be priced in the same range and often you can use the same equipment in both salt and fresh water. Add a few dollars for a spool of line, some terminal tackle and basic lures, and you can start fishing for $100 or less.

On the other extreme, the most expensive freshwater reels go for $450 to $550, and saltwater reels can cost much more. Add a custom rod for $500 and you break the $1,000 mark before you put on any line. However, most people never own such high-priced equipment no matter how fanatical they get.

A pack of hooks may cost less than a dollar but some specialty hooks run close to a dollar each. Many lures can be bought for a couple of dollars but some cost up to $20. Line runs from a few dollars for a bulk spool of 1,000 yards of some no-name brand to over $20 for 100 yards of a quality brand.

Start slowly, buy some basic equipment in the beginning, and add to it as your experience and tastes develop. Don't try to break the bank to get everything at once. Use some common sense and build your inventory gradually over time. You'll be surprised how quickly fishing equipment and tackle accumulates and you run out of space for it.