Fishing partners

[whitwolf]

I fished with a guy for many years that turned out to be a jerk. The first 5 were fine the next 2 there were some red flags but fine, the last 3 he became someone that made so my poor decisions on the water I couldn't stand to be on his boat. I was mired in a divorced and had sold my boat but it had gotten so bad and he had gotten so bad I made the choice to just find some small ponds to fish. 

 

I got remarried, bought another bought, then a nicer boat. I fished mostly by myself out of fear that the next guy would be like the last one. My wife went a few times but didn't have a lot of fun because I didn't listen. 

 

My son-in-law started going but my step daughter would start texting two hours into a trip asking when we were coming home. It would be non-stop.  She made his life miserable.  I fished by myself and was happy. In September of 2022 I had a stroke. No more fishing by myself.

 

It has been difficult to find anyone to go but a funny thing happened.  My wife has gone everytime I have wanted and we have had a blast. 

 

A little back story: she would go before but didn't want to stay out there for 10 hours.  I heard but didn't listen. (Talk about a jerk) I was giving instruction as if she had the skill level of a seasoned angler. (Talk about a jerk).... there's more. Anyway fast forward to 2024. 

 

We go for short 5-6 hour trips; I don't over coach, we talk a lot, laugh, bought a pee can, she brings whatever picnic snacks she wants, and she's having fun! 

 

Tresa is having fun because I finally got out of my own way and was forced to listen. She's a great partner and wanted to stay out yesterday a little later!

 

After she lost a nice fish she came up with a one liner that made me smile. It hit home: : "Fishin' will make you cuss." She said it light heartedly and with goodwill. 

 

One last thing: I have read for many years on this website many of the ramp champions brag about their launch/load skills and berate anyone whom can't do these tasks in less than 5 minutes. I have to walk with a cane now and it takes me a while to launch and load. If that bothers you in any way either get over it or take a hike. Me and Tresa helped an elderly couple load their pontoon yesterday  because they were having trouble. It's public water, they have every right to be there. Compassion is free, try it some time. 

 

Anyway, back on topic: if you are fortunate to find a good fishing partner hold onto them, they're worth their weight in Gold!

[Zcoker]

Sometimes folks blend and it's espeically nice to have that blending take place with something that you both love to do, like fishing. And Like with most things, ya don't really know what ya got until you loose it. I've been through my share of fishing buddies, sure have, some good, some not so good, and some just parting ways. What I've come to see with fishing buddies is that they just happen; they're not something easily planned out or neatly orchestrated. You may get to together with someone for something entirely different and eventfully find your way to a particular niche (like fishing) which may last a long time or not. Just the way it is. Time changes and people change along with it. Going with the flow is about the best ya can do. Keep those doors open because open doors always invite new beginnings! 

[gimruis]

2 hours ago, whitwolf said:

We go for short 5-6 hour trips;

 

5-6 hours is a short trip?  Guess my 4 hour excursion on Saturday was REALLY short.

 

I fish with about 3-4 people several times each season (3 good friends or my Father).  But my favorite fishing partner has 4 legs.  Always wants to go and never complains.  If only she could net some fish.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

So it took you ten years to figure out some guy wasn't going to work out?

Sounds "fishy" to me.

[A-Jay]

Nailed It ~ !

A-Jay

 

[gimruis]

Hey @A-Jay does your wife ever go with you in the lund?  I was just wondering.

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

Hey @A-Jay does your wife ever go with you in the lund?  I was just wondering.

In the beginning she could. 

But it's a little beyond her capacity now.

Unless we did a very local mid day thing.

Great news is we are planning on being in the Old Town together again Thursday !

First time in a couple of years. 

Very exciting.

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

[Captain Phil]

My wife has been my fishing partner since we were teenagers. We even fished together before and after school. She fished a lot of He & She tournaments with me in the early days.  When I started fishing tournaments, I needed a full timer.  It took me a while, but I finally found the right one.  In order for this to work, you both need to be on the same page.  Mutual respect helps.  Sometimes you will catch all the fish.  Other times your partner will.  As long as someone is catching, it works.  All my fishing partners are long gone.   It's hard when you get up in age as I don't go fishing as often.   I start out with good intentions, but I run out of motivation often. A boat ramp is especially difficult to maneuver alone.  Launching the boat is the easy part.  I use a long rope and let the boat slide off.   Loading the boat is much harder by yourself.  My son, who is in his 50s, fishes with me once  a month. Those are great days!

[TOXIC]

The old saying “You want to get to know someone, spend a day with them in the boat” is really true.  I have a bunch of friends that I can fish with but I only have a couple fishing “partners”.  One is my old tournament partner who was also with me in the guide service but he lives a ways away and is an avid waterfowl hunter so we don’t get out nearly as much.  The other is a guy I have fished with for the last 20 years.  We have developed a tried and true system that maximizes our catch rates.  It helps that we are very good friends and we also take fishing trips together.  We are leaving for St Clair this Friday.  My wife has -0- desire to spend the day in the boat never has, never will and that’s ok.  

[Munkin]

Finding a reliable tournament partner is tough! I went through a couple that let me down.

 

Allen

[DaubsNU1]

My old boat was pretty much a one-man set up. And with my work (supervise 11 people), when I'm on the water it is quiet time...alone time. I do not have a set fishing partner.

 

@Captain Phil, yep, launch and recovery is a pain doing by myself, but I get along.

 

After getting the new boat last August, the wife has joined me on warm, sunny afternoons. She likes to bring a book and some wine, and just chill. We brought the dogs a few times...the Yellow Lab thought my spinnerbait was a retrieving dummy, and LAUNCHED from the casting deck in to the lake : )

 

Most days I fish by myself.

 

I do fish with my brother and 83 year old Dad a lot.

 

[Susky River Rat]

I will take some people here and there. My real fishing partners are my dad and dog. 

[TnRiver46]

I’ve got dozens of fishing partners, going with 2-3 after work today. Back when I worked as a guide, you had to learn to be able to spend time on the water with anybody. 
 

@whitwolf, i have taught my wife to fly fish but 99% of the time, “you can’t tell her nothin” 😂 😂 

[PBBrandon]

Been tough finding fishing partners for me. One moved away a few years back, we go maybe once or twice a year. My girlfriend has been busy with school, might take her out this weekend if the weather is nice. And my current fishing partner works most weekends.

 

Lot of days on the lake flying solo, I need to get a dog or something lol

[whitwolf]

5 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

So it took you ten years to figure out some guy wasn't going to work out?

Sounds "fishy" to me.

RW... it was complicated. There were a lot of promises made and very little kept. I learned some very important lessons in how not to be treated.

[Zcoker]

For some, a pet will do as the best fishing buddy. I get that very well. Here's my dog, Sasha, who was a very good surf fishing partner. She would lay down and guard the sand spike and bark at the waves when I was reeling in a fish. Then, on the way home, take a long nap lol. Had to put her to down after--get this--25 years. Yes, that's 25 human years! When I put her down, the Vet had asked me what was my secret because he'd never heard of a dog living so long. I said two things: fishing and no Vets. 

 

Guarding the sand spike and stuff

 

 

After a long day of fishing 

 

 

 

[ironbjorn]

Good write up. I especially like the part about taking your time and being patient. People move too fast these days. Someone loading and unloading at the ramp and taking a few minutes longer isn't going to change a single thing about your day. But your bad attitude and anger will have already ruined it. 

[Bankbeater]

Since my dad passed away I mostly fish by myself.  I like the quiet time on the water.  I also like to go at my own speed while I'm fishing.  Sometimes you can't do that with a partner.

[Junk Fisherman]

8 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

Since my dad passed away I mostly fish by myself.  I like the quiet time on the water.  I also like to go at my own speed while I'm fishing.  Sometimes you can't do that with a partner.

 

Same here.  I used to be in a club and fish with guys several times a year but I fish completely by myself now that I left the club.  Overall, I like being able to fish exactly how and where I want.  I like listening to podcasts on the water as well.  My son who's turning 10 will be getting out with me while on a family vacation this summer so hopefully he wants to start fishing with me.  

[GaryH]

10 hours ago, whitwolf said:

 

One last thing: I have read for many years on this website many of the ramp champions brag about their launch/load skills and berate anyone whom can't do these tasks in less than 5 minutes. I have to walk with a cane now and it takes me a while to launch and load. If that bothers you in any way either get over it or take a hike. Me and Tresa helped an elderly couple load their pontoon yesterday  because they were having trouble. It's public water, they have every right to be there. Compassion is free, try it some time. 

 

 

I’ve helped many of folks at a ramp that’s having trouble. Getting mad is only going to ruin your day. We were all there at one time not knowing all the tricks to loading or unloading. Different story if they’re being ignorant and just goofing off instead of loading or unloading. 

 

[Junk Fisherman]

3 hours ago, GaryH said:

I’ve helped many of folks at a ramp that’s having trouble. Getting mad is only going to ruin your day. We were all there at one time not knowing all the tricks to loading or unloading. Different story if they’re being ignorant and just goofing off instead of loading or unloading. 

 

100%

 

I'll never forget being a newbie and taking a little too long at the launch and having some older guy criticize me.  Several times over the years I have assisted others and helped out the obvious novice.  There was a guy a couple years ago launching a fish/ski that it must have been his first time launching.  He didn't back down far enough (shallow launch) and was having all sorts of problems getting it off the trailer.  I showed him a couple things and ended up backing his SUV down a few more feet.  The guy wanted to pay me.  I just told him to enjoy the day and pay it forward.  

[Motoboss]

My fishing partner was my ex brother-in-law, until he moved to Michigan. The Wife has gone with me off and on for years but since getting rid of the Ranger she just isn’t comfortable in the smaller Lund or canoe, so I fish alone. Which I enjoy or my mutt tags along.

[TnRiver46]

On 5/13/2024 at 2:11 PM, Zcoker said:

For some, a pet will do as the best fishing buddy. I get that very well. Here's my dog, Sasha, who was a very good surf fishing partner. She would lay down and guard the sand spike and bark at the waves when I was reeling in a fish. Then, on the way home, take a long nap lol. Had to put her to down after--get this--25 years. Yes, that's 25 human years! When I put her down, the Vet had asked me what was my secret because he'd never heard of a dog living so long. I said two things: fishing and no Vets. 

 

Guarding the sand spike and stuff

 

 

After a long day of fishing 

 

 

 

Good girl Sasha. That’s also a good recipe for humans, no doctors and lots of fishing 

On 5/13/2024 at 4:35 PM, GaryH said:

I’ve helped many of folks at a ramp that’s having trouble. Getting mad is only going to ruin your day. We were all there at one time not knowing all the tricks to loading or unloading. Different story if they’re being ignorant and just goofing off instead of loading or unloading. 

 

Ain’t that the truth! There was a guy with a jon boat taking out the other day, me and my buddy talked to him for a bit. Said he had a kayak and fished a while, decided to upgrade to Jon boat . From out of town somewhere I forgot. Some ladies pulled up in kayaks and we were already blocking the ramp chit chatting so me and my friend paddled away to clear the ramp. Got maybe a quarter mile upstream and heard some god awful sounds, he had dropped an axle off the side of the concrete. We paddled back toward the ramp to help but by the time we got close he had locked it in 4x4 with a nice newish f150 and grinded his way out after disconnecting the trailer. Later that night when we took out, there was a terrible set of chunks taken out of the concrete ramp from his axle, I still feel bad we didn’t back his trailer down for him. My buddy said he mentioned something about not being able to back a trailer, I never heard that part as I was parking my truck . Granted he shouldn’t have been launching without knowing how but dang he tore up some stuff and I wish we could have taught him something 

[crypt]

my partner for years is my best friend since we were kids. when he got married his wife was all about him having his fun....until their son was born. we have been out maybe 5-6 times together since his son was born.....that was 30 years ago.    I fish by myself mostly now. sometimes one of my other friends will call when they need a partner for a tourney or need help trying to fish new waters.     I fish mostly by myself now.....I like the peace and quiet.....

[SC53]

My wife of 29 years is my best friend and fishing partner.  She can back a boat trailer better than most of my male friends. And she holds her own when fishing whether it’s fresh or salt water. Throws a bait caster like a champ too. I’ve been humbled more than a few times by her.