Let's hear it for Thumper! You're Damn right its worth it..... Well, about 90% of the time anyway. I combat fish when I have to. I even enjoy myself most of the time. However, there are times and places when I've said "Sdrew it! this is not worth it!" It just depends on how high your Bull$hit tolerance thresh hold is. Mine is pretty high, so I can fish in some pretty hostile conditions before I get too disgusted and have to go home. A good rule of thumb that I go by is "If your not having fun, then go home". I think it's an individual thing, if you're going to be miserable then I'd say no, it's not worth it.