Thoughts on Fishing when you are old and tired...

[Captain Phil]

Fishing has been a big part of my life. There were times when catching fish was more important to me than eating or sleeping.  It dominated my dreams at night and consumed a lot of my daytime too.   Tournaments, travel, having the latest gadget, boats, even moving my family so I could be closer to water. I have no complaints and would do it all over again.  I have seen many changes to the sport of bass fishing over the years.  When I started fishing, an old wood rental boat was what most people fished from. I bought my first car top Jon boat in 1966.  Terry Bass, Rangers, Hydrosport, Gambler, Storm plus the same number of salt water boats up to a 40' sport fish.  When it comes to fishing boats, I learned simpler is better.

 

These days, I fish strictly for enjoyment.  Even though I still find myself carrying 6-8 rods, I rarely use more than two.  I would rather catch one fish my way than fill the boat using something I don't enjoy doing.  Modern electronics are great, but I choose not to use them. Other than knowing how deep the water is, I could care less what they tell me.  My fun is hunting fish without having a machine tell me where to fish. I have no problem with others using whatever they want.  If I was still fishing competitively, I would have whatever it takes.   Today, I prefer to fish small water.  The Eustis Harris Chain boat ramp is 2 blocks from my home.  I drive 6 miles to fish small lakes nearer to the forest where I don't have to fight for a parking spot at the ramp.  I like quiet fishing without radios, jet skis, pontoon boat tours and tourists.  The water is clear in these lakes and the bass are not so picky.  I catch most of my fish on top water and it's just me and the fish. Luckily, there are at least a dozen lakes like that in the surrounding area.  While others are beating the big lakes, I'm having a nice quiet time on the water.  It takes me back to a simpler time when bass fishing was what we did before TV, money tournaments and sponsors.   The cool thing about bass fishing is you can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. 

 

I'm slower now and I tire easily. I don't fish if it's raining, too hot or too cold. My Ranger is two years old, but it's still new.  My wife says I should sell it, but I can't bear the idea of not owning a boat. So many great memories. I once had a large lure collection.  I sold most of them when lure prices went crazy a few years back.  I kept a few with special meanings for me. I still have a couple nearly a 100 years old.  They aren't perfect, they've been fished.  I often think about all the fishing days these lure have seen and what it was like when they did.  My greatest memories of fishing are about the people I have met along the way.  Most are gone now.  Some were and still are famous fishermen and women.  They were all characters of one kind or another and I enjoyed them all.  Fishing memories are forever. 

[Mike L]

“Old and Tired”

Yep that kinda says it all nowadays for me also. 
 National and Regional tournament trails have been my passion, however the mind is willing but the flesh is weak. 
I just can’t do it as much anymore as the 2-3 day competitions just knock me down. 
 

The solace of fishing alone whenever I want isn’t something that I’ve ever had a chance to do. 
Not owning a boat and living near the water is one of my many regrets that I’ve come to accept, especially now. 
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[Captain Phil]

20 minutes ago, Mike L said:

The solace of fishing alone whenever I want isn’t something that I’ve ever had a chance to do.  

 

Fishing alone is not something I enjoy.  However, it is difficult to find two people who are on the same page fishing.  I prefer fishing during the week.  This rules out most younger people.  My wife goes with me on occasion. She doesn't fish these days, but she's great company. 

[Mobasser]

Imm 66 so I guess I'm old and tired also. Fishing has been a huge part of my life also, and I too have so many memories.                                         Im happy fishing a smaller lake, taking my time, and I'm not competing with anyone. I love fishing, and it's a little scary to know that a day will come when I can't be out fishing anymore.

[Captain Phil]

23 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Imm 66 so I guess I'm old and tired also. Fishing has been a huge part of my life also, and I too have so many memories.                                         Im happy fishing a smaller lake, taking my time, and I'm not competing with anyone. I love fishing, and it's a little scary to know that a day will come when I can't be out fishing anymore.

 

I am 76 and in decent health for my age.  I had significant back surgery about three years ago, which slowed me down a bunch.  Physically I can still fish. Mentally, it's getting hard to get motivated.  It's not fishing that is the problem for me, it's launching and loading the boat.   Backing a trailer down the ramp is challenging.  It works much better with two people. I think I could fish well into my 80s even if I have to hire someone to go with me.  Applications accepted. 😂

[DaubsNU1]

1 hour ago, Captain Phil said:

- I would rather catch one fish my way than fill the boat using something I don't enjoy doing. 

- Modern electronics are great, but I choose not to use them. 

- I like quiet fishing without radios, jet skis, pontoon boat tours and tourists.  The water is clear in - The cool thing about bass fishing is you can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. 

- My greatest memories of fishing are about the people I have met along the way.

- Fishing memories are forever. 

 

Great and wise words @Captain Phil!!!

 

I finally got in to a new boat after many years of planning, dreaming, and saving. It has been great setting up the boat, getting everything just right, learning the electronics and technology...but I am not catching as many fish. Hmmmmmmm...

 

Yesterday I fished a local lake known for "big-uns', but I got skunked. Kind of frustrating.

 

Reading your words reminded me what matters...fishing the way I want to fish, keeping things simple, the peace and quiet of the lake and nature, and creating memories.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

[greentrout]

 

[Pat Brown]

Phil, as a younger man in the prime of my bass fishing journey, I am filled with deep gratitude by what you share here.  

 

I'm filled with gratitude for the fish, the time left available to me to chase them, the close proximity to multiple  wonderful fisheries that I take for granted so often, and the places and relationships like this that fishing has opened up.  I'm thankful for the close connection to nature and the seasons and maybe after reading your post, I will toss my favorite bait instead of the right bait....maybe a couple more casts just for the sheer joy that doing it MY WAY brings!

 

Thanks for this post.

 

-Pat

[keagbassr]

 Getting old definitely stinks and while I'm not as old as many here (58), I still just go as often as i can on the belief that with  a large caffinated beverage and a fistful of advil  I can feel 30 again for a few hours, long enough to hopefully catch a few. 

[Zcoker]

Whenever I hear about age and fishing my thoughts immediately go to guys like Roland Martin, mid 80's and full steam ahead! As long as that passion is alive, there's no end in site. One will find a way, a will, a driving force to venture out and make things happen. Heck, I'm mid 60's and still tagging sharks for NOAA. Most young guys can't keep up with the costal craziness that I deal with. My health is pretty good and even if it wasn't I'd still be out there fishing. I remember when I got Covid. First thing I did was load up and hit the glades for an all nighter lol All those aches and pains seemed to have vanished once I got on the water. Fishing in itself is the cure, I truly believe, a great healing force which has cured me of many ills. Maybe because I refuse to let ANYTHING get in the way and stop me from doing it, including our old friend called age! 

[scaleface]

I'm 66 and  no longer own a bass boat . Do have a Lowe deck boat that my wife wanted but dont use it very often . I too, like to fish smaller  bodies   of water with a jon boat , elec motor and portable depth finder. I can still stand up in the 12 foot boat , havent fell overboard yet. My first bass boat was a wash tub looking thing called an Ebco. I had a little green box Lowrance flasher. Learned to bass fish by reading Bassmaster , watching TV and renting videos. Never had a teacher, learned on the water.  Arthritis and back pains has slowed me down but I still  fish hard , usually spend a min. of 8 hours once or twice a week  weather allowing.

[Alex from GA]

Hi Phil,  I'm like you but considerably older, 83.  I have a boat in the water most of the time but only fish short days.  In the AM when it's too hot in the afternoons and PM when it's too cold for me.  If ski boats and wake boats are out I go home.  My passion for fishing hasn't ebbed much but, as you say the body has.  I'm still able to kayak fish rivers for different bass for the Georgia Bass Slam but not as often.  I'll be in Central FL in January for a few months and get in touch with you if you'd like.  When I'm in FL I usually fish alone several times a week either on rivers, Withlacoochee or Rainbow or the many lakes around me.  I have a late '80s 16' tin bass boat that gets me in the water.  Alex  

[Bazoo]

Shame I ain't around your area Phil, I'd love to go fishing with you. I really enjoy the comradery of fishing with someone, and making new fishing friends.

 

I do fish with others most of the time. Partly because of a friend that lives with us and is always tagging alone, and partly because of my son, who can't fathom dad going fishing without him. When it's just me and him it's very special for us.

 

I like watching Roland Martin. He gets as excited as a kid when he's talking about bass fishing.

[TOXIC]

@Captain Phil, you and I are a lot alike.  I feel like I know exactly where you are coming from.  When my passion was out of control and I was guiding, traveling all over the country doing shows for the grand openings of Bass Pro and Cabelas (before they were under single ownership), as wall as being Pro Staff for Bass Pro and at the risk of sounding a little self centered, being pro staff for companies like Hawg Caller, Lunker Lure, SPRO, Gamakatsu, Smith Action Optics, CastAway Rods, KeelShield, Jack Links and because I was on staff for an outdoor Rep Group, a ton of other fishing and hunting companies like Quantum/Zebco, Bullet weights, and hunting products like Burris optics, scent-lock, and a dozen others, I was totally consumed by the industry. After my 2 year stint in Florida, tournament fishing, yes I had a full time job during all of this, I decided when I moved back to Virginia to back off most all of the commitments.  I did not want to let Yamamoto go though since I had been with them for 20+ years.  When they got bought out and I was lucky enough to be retained, I have been happy writing and promoting for them. Now the new company has expanded their fishing line up I get to test out a few different makers.  Bill Lewis, SteelShad, Buckeye Lures are baits I have now open to me.  I guess I will stay engaged in the industry for a while longer.😋

[Captain Phil]

It's great to here from all of you.  Kind of inspiring actually.  I checked my boat this morning,  plugged in the charger and added some gas.  This summer was so hot, I haven't been on the water in months. The weather here in Florida has finally cooled off and I'm ready to go. 

[WRB]

At 80 have already turned the page on owning a bass boat. Still have a passion to bass fish but accepted my goals have changed. A day on the water is more important then catching bass.

Tom

[Captain Phil]

43 minutes ago, WRB said:

At 80I already turned the page on owning a bass boat. Still have a passion to bass fish but accepted my goals have changed. A day on the water is more important then catching bass.

Tom

Me too.  If I catch at least one bass, I'm happy. 

[roadwarrior]

Luckily I still have friends to fish with. It's Prime Time on the Tennessee River and I will be

chasing smallmouth tomorrow. If I'm on borrowed time I hope my credit doesn't run out too

soon!  I hope you all have a great fall and find a few on your favorite water.

 

 

                                                 

[Mike L]

28 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

Me too.  If I catch at least one bass, I'm happy. 

At 73 I’m still not at that point. 
 

Been multiple big girl hunting so long the 1 catch after hours on the water just makes me mad enough to push it to the limit sometimes. 
 

I’m sure I’ll get there eventually,

 just not sure if I want to. 
 

 

 

 

Mike 

[Zcoker]

Sometimes I think back about those days when I first started bass fishing and it was bank only, no boat, no kayak, nothing fancy but two feet, a fishing rod, and a pocket full of cheap lures. Down here in south Florida, one can pull off the road, get out of the car, and fish into oblivion. I recall those days well, the exhilaration, the adventure and, most of all, the complete and utter simplicity! Age may be upon us but age is only a word, a number. Life is more than age. Life is simply simple. Life can be just as exciting at 80 years as it was at 20 years! 

[WRB]

80 is 27 in celsius😎

[Jig Man]

Suck it up butter cup.  I’m older than you are and just got back from a 6 hour trip to Table Rock.  Fishing was slow but we managed 21 bass and 2 walleye with 4 nice keepers.  I’m heading back Thursday.

[Susky River Rat]

I hope I still have the drive to fish when I am your age and older. I can honestly say I have fished most my life. From as old as I could old a rod till about 16 then from 16-23 I didn’t fish at all. Motocross took over. One day a dude at work was wearing a fishing license on his hat. I said I like to fish so we started going together. 10 years later I am still at it. I have learned the last couple years fishing is deeper for me than just catching fish. It’s an escape. It’s for fun. I don’t put pressure on myself to catch the biggest or most. I do not use Facebook of anything else to compare to others. I just fish. I am hoping to do a tournament just for giggles.  If I get skunked so be it if I place even better. It’s for me to grow and expand the sport for myself. I truly love all the options with fishing. Target this or that. Go here go there. It keeps it fresh. I do not feel stuck like I did with motocross.

 

keep them rods bent. Once you stop you’ll truly be “old”.

[Bankbeater]

At 60 I'm still good to go for a one-day local trip.  I notice it when we go down to the big lakes for a 3 or 4 day trip.  I can still stay out on the water for 6 or 7 hours at a time, but I need to pace myself. 

[gimruis]

This thread is a little depressing to be honest.  No one can defy Father Time.  Age and physical limitations are something that I haven't experienced yet, but it's no doubt coming later in life.  Thanks for the warning.  If I lived around some you older fellas, I'd take you guys fishing.  All you'd have to do is sit in the back of the boat and cast.  Kind of like my 74 year old Father.  I'm still pretty young, athletic, and have my endurance.  My biggest hurdle these days is finding time.