How much does a 72 hour carp fishing trip really cost you?
(We're not talking about contests - just fun games)
For many anglers, a 72-hour game is not just an outing, but a complete experience: planning, strategy, relaxation and of course the thrill of the catch. On the other hand, this whole mix also requires an investment.
In this article we talk strictly about direct costs which a normal game of fishing, for pleasure, involves. We discuss: bait, lures, supplies, pond tax, fuel and food. We do not include long-lasting equipment (rods, reels, tents, etc.).
🥡 Bait and lures – the basis of a successful game
Depending on your style (relaxing or intense napping), the quantity and costs can vary enormously.
- If you go to maximum relaxation, in order to sit quietly and catch fish while enjoying nature, you can use budget boilies, such as:
- EcoCrab, ECOSquid or ECONut, at a price between 33 - 38 lei/kg
- With 10-15 kg you are covered for 72 hours
- If you want to have superior results against the other fishermen on the pond or to do selection in large fish, then we recommend premium boilies:
- Red Brutality, Inception or Spit Fire, all at 56 lei/kg
- With 20-30 kg you are covered for 72 hours
- ↔ Or, most often, the ideal option is to find a balance:
- Combine budget boilies for massive crunch, with a few kilos of premium for the key moments
- This strategy not only is it efficient, but also economical
⬇️ In one game you can use between 15 and 40 kg of boilies**, depending on your style and the specifics of the pond → cost between 200 and 2,000+ lei
🎒 Small but essential supplies
- PVA bags (mesh, bags, tape): 50 - 150 lei
- Leads, quick clips and anti-tangle tubes: 30 - 70 lei
- Hooks (3-6 envelopes): 60 - 120 lei
- Lost mounts: 40 - 80 lei
- Spomb / marker lost: 80 - 150 lei
⬇️ Total estimated consumables: 200 - 350 lei
⛽ Transport - distance matters
- Nearest pond (20-30 km): 100 lei
- Puddle far away, e.g. Hungary (500 km round trip): 400 - 600 lei
✨ Tip: go with friends and share fuel costs.
🏞️ Pool fee - from simple to premium
- Decent Puddle: 150 - 200 lei / 24h
- Balta premium with accommodation: 500 - 750 lei / 24h
✨ Example: La Özetanya Lake (Hungary), a week at the VIP house can cost approx 1,000 euros, but it is divided among 4 people.
🍽️ Food - planning makes the difference
- Snacks prepared at home: ~200 lei
- Daily grill or kettle: 300 - 450 lei, depending on the menu
⚡ Tip: Estimate the servings per day, per person. Otherwise, the waste can be huge.
🧳️ Estimated total for 72h
| Fisherman type | Minimal cost | Average cost | All-in cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lures & Lures | 400 lei | 900 lei | 2,500+ lei |
| Consumables | 200 lei | 300 lei | 400+ lei |
| Fuel | 100 lei | 250 lei | 600+ lei |
| Pool tax | 450 lei | 600 lei | 1,500+ lei |
| Food | 200 lei | 300 lei | 450+ lei |
| TOTAL | 1,350 lei | 2,350 lei | 5,500+ lei |
🔍 Optional costs that are not included in the total, but must be mentioned
🚬 Smoking
- Minimum 2 packages/day × 3 days = 6 packages
- Average price: 25 lei/pack → 150 lei
⛔ Myon Baits recommends: Quit smoking. With that money you can buy nada, boilies or make an extra game.
🍻 Alcohol
- 1-3 beers/day (4 lei/beer): 12 – 36 lei/day → 36 – 108 lei/game
- 10 beers/day, 3 days (4 lei/beer): 120 lei/day × 3 = 360 lei
- +1 bottle of vodka/night (~50–70 lei): 150 - 210 lei extra
⚠️ The cost of the drink can add up 200 – 600+ lei to the budget of a party, depending on the style of consumption.
✅ Conclusion
Carp fishing indeed it's not a cheap hobby compared to other sports. But if you are well organized, plan ahead and make smart choices, you can have a dream party with a low budget.
Because nothing compares to:
- 📸 the picture of a 20+ kg carp that broke your personal record
- 🌟 a sensor that rings at sunset, while you put your neck on the grill
- 🌄 a 20-minute drill with an 18 kg anchor, when the sun rises
- 🐸 in the evening, when the silence falls and you hear frogs singing
- 🍻 a cold beer drunk by the lake, with the mounts perfectly strained
That's what carp fishing is all about. And yes – it was worth every penny, every hour, every moment.