Are you in your fishing prime? Past your fishing prime? Haven't reached it yet?

I'm going to be 50 at the end of the year so of course I'm on my way to having a midlife crisis.

For some reason I feel like my best years are behind me, and those were doing other things. Not much fishing. I fished as a kid/teenager but then moved on to a stupid sport where you hit this little white ball around. Since moving on from golf, I'd say I only have a good five years of "solid" bass fishing. Five actually might be an overstatement. It's probably more like two.

I'm hoping that my fishing prime is in front of me. As long as I can stay HEALTHY, I truly believe it is.

How about you?

They are past me now at 70, 5 years ago I would disagree, so it’s just recent. It’s not like I don’t enjoy it as much, cause I do, fishing days are shorter now that the body is wearing down.

I know everyone's circumstances are different, but thinking you only have 2-5 good years of fishing left at 50 seems quite pessimistic. You never really know, but I'd like to think I have a number of good years left in me. When I grow up I hope to be catching fish like @Swamp Girl and @Lottabass. They catch more fish than most on this site, and there are a lot of good sticks around here.

20 minutes ago, Fishlegs said:

I know everyone's circumstances are different, but thinking you only have 2-5 good years of fishing left at 50 seems quite pessimistic.

Sorry I might have not worded it the best.

I feel like I've only HAD 2-5 good fishing years under my belt.

Just the last few years I've really been diehard.

17 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Sorry I might have not worded it the best.

I feel like I've only HAD 2-5 good fishing years under my belt.

Just the last few years I've really been diehard.

Got you. That makes a lot more sense. I appreciate the explanation.

I think my fishing prime is still in front of me at the age of 78. I don't fish as much time wise but my ability to catch trophy fish has not decelerated. I caught my PB largemouth at the age of 71. I caught a DD largemouth at the age of 73. My PB smallie came at the age of 74. I tied my previous PB smallie at the age of 77 only two ounces less than my PB. You gain fishing knowledge with exposure so that works in your favor as you age. My thinking fishing game is strong which helps compensate the decline in physical ability.

41 minutes ago, Fishlegs said:

When I grow up I hope to be catching fish like @Swamp Girl and @Lottabass. They catch more fish than most on this site, and there are a lot of good sticks around here.

Thanks! Lotta catches a lotta bass, for sure...and big ones too!

I feel like I'm still learning. I've caught thousands of bass in my life and so you might think I've had thousands of opportunities to learn everything that I can learn, but I haven't. Yesterday, I was fine-tuning the way I play fish, which is partly due to my diminished strength. I have to compensate for what I've lost, replacing strength with technique. I'm guessing it's the same for @Lottabass. Is it, Al? I fished the last four days, including twice one day, and I do feel good about that, but I'm feeling it too. Ibuprofen would snuff the pain, but I took some yesterday and I don't like to make a habit of it, so I grin (thinking about my four days of fishing) and bear it.

@padlin wrote: "They are past me now at 70, 5 years ago I would disagree, so it’s just recent. It’s not like I don’t enjoy it as much, cause I do, fishing days are shorter now that the body is wearing down."

I'm the same. Just a couple years ago, I fished six-hour sessions. Now that's too much. I do expect to fish some six-hour sessions when the fishing is at its peak, but not I prefer one to four-hour sessions.

I'm just on the edge of 40. I feel like I've got a lot of years ahead and plan to keep improving. Heck, one day I might even get a motorized boat. So I'll say I'm pre-prime, because this is a hobby where experience matters. I've fished off and on my whole life, but only been serious a few years. I'm the bass expert in my buddy group, but I've got nothing on a lot of you all.

And to the folks on here that feel you're past prime, I'll give you the opposite perspective. You might take longer to recover and more effort to get out there than me, but I feel that your fishing wisdom is light years ahead of me. I say you're in your primes.

I may be past my fishing prime but I’m just getting started on my tackle buying ability.

I'm 73 and I'm fishing the best I ever have on the freshwater front.

I've fished as long as I can remember, but got heavily into Saltwater fishing in my 20's.

In the past 10 years I've gotten more back into freshwater fishing, where now the majority of my fishing is in the freshwater.

I must say that finding Bass Resource significantly help me get back into it.

I'm blessed to have good health to be able to kayak, camp and fish ( being retired is a big help)

I have no doubt my best years are ahead of me! Life is and has been busy with raising a son and everything that goes with that. He’ll be 16 in July which means he’ll be driving so no more taxi cab driver for me. As the years move on, my free time will be more plentiful.

Greetings All,

Wishing each of you well. Interesting point to ponder. Especially as I’m considering retirement soon.

I can tell you that I’m enjoying every angling adventure just as I did when my age was way less than my shoe size. Each outing is an adventure and an opportunity to explore and learn.

As a recreational angler, I’m not subject to other outside influences. I can simply enjoy the path taken at the moment. It has been and continues to be a wonderful journey.

As an example, realizing my preference for UL gear. Which does not imply exclusion of heavier gear, just a preference which provides me greater catching success with occasional ‘high’ drama involved.

Another example is developing a skill set for bait casting reels, both traditional and BFS. That in turn refined my casting technique to also include and improve my UL spinning gear experience too.

Yes, increasing age and being medicated require adaptations. So, personal safety is a priority. The changes I’ve had to do are OK by me and don’t prevent me from goofing off. Yes, I do things differently than I used to. If you reflect you’ll realize that has been happening throughout a person’s life. Making changes because you have to or just to make it comfortable.

Yup, given the AZ weather, my age, my medication considerations, along with the required travel, it all makes for a full day of taunting fish. Yes, I still make it home for dinner, and I don’t venture too far out of communications range. Cell phone coverage is still poor in many parts of AZ.

What is that frequent common saying, “too young, then too old to know better”. My accumulated fishing experience has been robust with lots of learning. However, the enjoyment is still a high and fulfilling as when I was a young lad with the cane pole. These days it is more a UL fiberglass pole.

I can say that every day on-line with fish is pretty good. I am so glad I can. I currently don’t have enough data to build an opinion on where I am. I guess I’d better go fishing more and get that data!

Be well, Cheers!

I don’t know about prime but I’m 70 and still at it every chance I get.I know that Ive got a lot of fishing left in me and no way I’ll quit until I absolutely can’t do it anymore.Love me some bass fishing.

I’ll be 38 in June. I’ve fished my whole life since about 7 or 8. Grew up in Florida pier and surf fishing and pond fishing. Moved on to canoes then kayaks. Had a couple short lived really crappy boats. I’ve caught gator trout, bull reds, huge flounder. Canoe fished for sharks at night on channels and wrestled 6 foot sharks on large spinning tackle. But bass fishing found me about 12-13 years ago or so. And I love it more than any of that. I think about it constantly and fish constantly. But my prime? Idk I have so much to learn and a lot of years ahead of me hopefully. But I’ve got a trashed elbow and a messed up neck from 20 years of work and not being very nice to myself. My trips aren’t all day long. And my arm wears out after a few hours.

But time

Is the only currency we spend with out ever knowing the balance.

So I fish a lot wear my arm out. Buy tackle bought a crappy little boat and fish like it’s the classic every time. So I’d say my prime is still ahead of me I hope.

My prime is every time I’m fishing - I don’t really actually think I have a prime - I am just trying to catch a new PB and enjoy nature and that should be something I can always do no matter how old I get - HOPEFULLY!

Definitely in the prime years at 65.

Retired 6 years ago and bought a bass boat and the trailer is ready for it's 2nd set of tires. Lol

The driving is tiring for sure though.

Are you in your fishing prime? Definitely Not.

Past your fishing prime? Most certainly, yes.

Haven't reached it yet? Well behind me.

And for me to think otherwise might help with some motivation.

I also believe that a man has to know, or at least have a decent idea of, where his limitations lie.

I think that's the secret sauce that keeps me from overextending and injuring myself.

As a younger man, my fishing was about quantity—more hard, longer.

Now it's more about quality.

In that sense I am probably closer to my prime for fishing than I have ever been.

I just wish I had a little more mental & physical gas in the tank.

And it's not like I don't keep in shape either.

YMMV.

A-Jay

At 77 I am a long way from my physical prime, but I am enjoying fishing as much as I ever have. I will never again wade deep into a large powerful river while far from civilization to cast to fresh, unpressured fish. I may never set a new PB for any species. But the main thing is the same as the first fish I caught at 6. There are so many wonderful things about fishing, but the main thing remains the same. What is the main thing?

When I first retired, I used to fish almost daily at a large fishing pier in a tourist destination. It had many anglers every day from every age, race, social position, economic position, education, ethnicity, etc., etc. I noticed one thing that every one of them had in common.

It was the look on their face the moment of the hook set. I don't know what to call it. Thrill, joy, satisfaction, relief, or what; but I knew what they were feeling. It is the same for all of us. And, that moment in time, that feeling, never dims regardless of age. And that, my friends, is the main thing.

So, there is much to look forward to for you . . . unless you never get another bite.

I’m not sure where I’m at, I kinda just keep doing what I’ve been doing. I’m in my mid 40’s, but don’t feel I’ve dropped off physically a whole lot. I mean, I get wore out and take a little longer to recover fishing hard..but it still hurts to feel good so to speak. If I was completely free of everything and could just fish…I’d go dawn to dusk if it’s bangin’ no problem. There isn’t anything better than fishing, except for God. That’s it

I’m 27,

I don’t think I’ve hit or have begun my fishing prime.

Getting into fishing late, starting at 18, it has definitely been a journey, learning and experiencing the fishing world.

I’ve become pretty good with certain stuff, but buying a boat last year certainly added more for me to learn lol.

I still consider myself in the “learning phase”

I would say my 'prime' years were my late 30's through late 40's. I had no problem staying on the water for 8+hrs and then driving 2-4hrs. to get home. Also, my head was in the game all the time.

Now, I'm 76 and 3hrs. on the water and I need a break, my mind wanders and the farthest I travel is 1.5hrs.

I can say that I seem to enjoy my time on the water more now than I did then. I don't get as bumbed out when I get skunked.

Honestly, if you're in decent health whether it's fishing or anything else, if you don't think that this year is going to be your best year, what's the point?

I don’t think I have peaked yet.

Not me, I'm in my prime.

I just put in a 10 hour day. It was cold, windy, the water muddy and I knocked the snot out of them. My back was aching, had to sit down often but my cast were pretty good. Did a lot of skipping which continues to improve. After having to miss almost an entire year, I've picked up where I left off.