I never thought I spent much on tackle either--until a couple of years ago, when I looked at my end of the year credit card statement, did the addition, and found that I spent $2600+.
I gladly pay $35 a year for my shellfish license, and that's only good in one town, let alone one state.
If you guys want to quit fishing over a drop in the bucket, relatively speaking, fee for a SW license, don't let me stop you.
