Pardon My Rant...

[RoachDad]

So here's my rant. Maybe I'm justified, but I've noted that most people seeking justification actually aren't.

 

 

 

What's a guy to do?

IMHO, you are not justified.  When my first son came along, I had a hot rod.  I sold that bad boy and bought baby stuff.  If you can't afford it, get a better job or stop everything that is not family related.  Fishing is not important.  It is a past-time.  It is a luxury.  

[Gatorbassman]

My very first boat was one of these. I hauled it everywhere I went. It was a blast..... It got sold when kids came along and I went back to bank fishing. The one in the picture was borrowed though. 

[MarkH024]

Another option would be to start making friends with a guy who own's a boat and can put you in the back. Throw in gas money, snacks and drinks and usually a guy would be happy to have you along for that. 

[Preytorien]

This post isn't about me being upset I can't buy a $60K Stratos, nor having problems finding time to fish, it's about the fact that little can be done about diminished areas to bank fish.....let's keep on topic

[Preytorien]

Another option would be to start making friends with a guy who own's a boat and can put you in the back. Throw in gas money, snacks and drinks and usually a guy would be happy to have you along for that. 

 

Mark I've done that a few times here and there. He insisted that I not have to pay for launch, gas, or breakfast, but I noticed that he keeps inviting me back 

It must be my homemade (Hardee's) sausage buscuits.

[GoneFishi'n]

Yea, I've floated the idea of a kayak or inflatable watercraft of some kind. It's plausible, but I think for the time being I'll have to stick to bank fishing.

I think one of my best avenues will be to find a couple of honey holes and just keep them secret to myself. A couple of you mentioned finding some of-the-beaten-path types of places, and using Google Earth I've scouted a few. I'm going to keep them to myself, that way I'll have some sembilance of privacy and a place to "call my own" until the boat option will allow me to break out even more.

Thanks for all the suggestions, the best thing to know is that I'm not giving up anytime soon. I still have a couple of places that I can still visit, so at least I'm not totally out of options.

Thanks for hearing me out and all the advice guys! :Victory: :Victory:

I know a place where you can get an awesome float tube for a great price. I'll PM you since I can't say it on here.

[WRB]

The 1 thing bass anglers like to do is talk about bass fishing, the best place to do that is on the water. The second best is in a bass fishing tackle shop. This is where you go to meet other local bass anglers....go there. Meet some new friends with boats.

Tom

[FrogFreak]

I understand where you're coming from. I was a bank fisherman for a long time when I had little kids. Once in a while I'd treat myself and rent a boat but for the most part I was stuck on shore. The good news is there are a bunch of places to fish up where I live, the bad news is they are diminishing. It seems home owners on lakes will do just about anything to keep you off "their" lake shores. Just last weekend I was pulling my Kayak off the water of a small canoe/kayak only access lake and a Sheriff came up and asked me if I knew how to get on another small lake nearby. Apparently one of the home owners on the lake called and complained that a boat was on "their" lake. You see, that lake is kayak and canoe only as well and this boat had a motor. What a crime (that's sarcasm). I also get sick of the no parking signs that seem to crop up next to bridges. I get that folks shouldn't be parking half on the road but geez. Is is such a big deal on a rural gravel road to have to slow down a bit. 

 

I know people here say to buy a kayak etc and that's a great idea if you can afford it. If not, the Google Earth idea is great. I would ask you to look at the cost of a Kayak v the cost of gas to make those trips to out of the way areas. It may make more sense to invest a bit in a way to get on the water. I love my Kayak. I finally bought an aluminum bass boat this year but I still fish out of my Kayak on a regular basis. 

 

Good luck with the family. I didn't do much fishing for about 6 years when mine were little but the investment is worth it. When they do get old enough to go with you, it's priceless!

[Preytorien]

I understand where you're coming from. I was a bank fisherman for a long time when I had little kids. Once in a while I'd treat myself and rent a boat but for the most part I was stuck on shore. The good news is there are a bunch of places to fish up where I live, the bad news is they are diminishing. It seems home owners on lakes will do just about anything to keep you off "their" lake shores. Just last weekend I was pulling my Kayak off the water of a small canoe/kayak only access lake and a Sheriff came up and asked me if I knew how to get on another small lake nearby. Apparently one of the home owners on the lake called and complained that a boat was on "their" lake. You see, that lake is kayak and canoe only as well and this boat had a motor. What a crime (that's sarcasm). I also get sick of the no parking signs that seem to crop up next to bridges. I get that folks shouldn't be parking half on the road but geez. Is is such a big deal on a rural gravel road to have to slow down a bit. 

 

I know people here say to buy a kayak etc and that's a great idea if you can afford it. If not, the Google Earth idea is great. I would ask you to look at the cost of a Kayak v the cost of gas to make those trips to out of the way areas. It may make more sense to invest a bit in a way to get on the water. I love my Kayak. I finally bought an aluminum bass boat this year but I still fish out of my Kayak on a regular basis. 

 

Good luck with the family. I didn't do much fishing for about 6 years when mine were little but the investment is worth it. When they do get old enough to go with you, it's priceless!

 

Yea I'm looking forward to taking her out fishing. She may be too little yet, but I think I caught her eyeing the Snow White fishing pole kit at Wal-mart the other day.

[*Hootie]

This post isn't about me being upset I can't buy a $60K Stratos, nor having problems finding time to fish, it's about the fact that little can be done about diminished areas to bank fish.....let's keep on topic

From reading lot of the posts, I was starting to think you came here for financial counseling....lol.

Had to re-read your original post.

Hootie

[Preytorien]

From reading lot of the posts, I was starting to think you came here for financial counseling....lol.

Had to re-read your original post.

Hootie

 

Hah, Hootie, you're right.

 

It's less about a boat, and more about places to fish, or say the lack therof.

 

I did however last night have a pretty nice conversation with an HOA president. He actually "caught" me picking up some trash from some kids that left just after I got there. He thanked me. He asked where I lived and I admitted I wasn't from the neighborhood, but that it was very close to home and was a nice place to throw a quick line in the water. He said that as long as I wasn't damaging anything and continued to do my part to keep things cleaned up he didn't see a problem with it and if anyone questioned it to have them talk to him, but insisted I was the ONLY exception to the rule.

 

Of course I thanked him profusely. That guy might get a Christmas card this year.

[GoneFishi'n]

Hah, Hootie, you're right.

It's less about a boat, and more about places to fish, or say the lack therof.

I did however last night have a pretty nice conversation with an HOA president. He actually "caught" me picking up some trash from some kids that left just after I got there. He thanked me. He asked where I lived and I admitted I wasn't from the neighborhood, but that it was very close to home and was a nice place to throw a quick line in the water. He said that as long as I wasn't damaging anything and continued to do my part to keep things cleaned up he didn't see a problem with it and if anyone questioned it to have them talk to him, but insisted I was the ONLY exception to the rule.

Of course I thanked him profusely. That guy might get a Christmas card this year.

Thats awesome man!

[KyakR]

PSN81, gotta tell you that although your access is (sadly) limited by homeowners who aren't neighborly, your love of fishing will be a true gift to your daughter. My father gave me my first rod and reel when I was 7 and we went out in his boat often. To this day every time I'm out on the water in my kayak I'm grateful to him. Whether or not your daughter ever fishes I think the memory of your grin as you haul up that hawg will be precious to her.

Oh, and once in a blue moon if you ask enough people around the lake for permission to fish on their land you'll get a yes

[roadwarrior]

I think you will be surprised...With a little effort you will almost always get permission.

[Preytorien]

PSN81, gotta tell you that although your access is (sadly) limited by homeowners who aren't neighborly, your love of fishing will be a true gift to your daughter. My father gave me my first rod and reel when I was 7 and we went out in his boat often. To this day every time I'm out on the water in my kayak I'm grateful to him. Whether or not your daughter ever fishes I think the memory of your grin as you haul up that hawg will be precious to her.

Oh, and once in a blue moon if you ask enough people around the lake for permission to fish on their land you'll get a yes

 

Believe me I'm looking forward to it! My memories aren't of my father, but of my grandfather. Those will never go away, he's responsible for getting me hooked on fishing. I can still hear him tell me "....wind's out of the west, fishin's best"

 

I like to take her for walks through the woods, she perks her little head up and looks around when she hears the birds calling. Hopefully she's the outdoorsy type, I know those kinds of girls are getting fewer, but my guess is she's going to be like her momma and like camping and fishing and such.

 

Darned it, I always seem to get dust in my eye when I watch this video.....must be the ceiling fan in my living room....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IheODRwalEw

[Master Bait'r]

So here's my rant. Maybe I'm justified, but I've noted that most people seeking justification actually aren't.

 

I don't own a boat. Unfortunately. My wife and I just had a child, and she stopped working. I don't make any kind of major salary. I say that to make the point that I won't be getting a boat anytime soon. Between the cost of the boat, the fact I'd have to get another vehicle to tow it, and the launch fees......I'm not in any position to make that decision anytime in the next several years.

 

The closest lakes to me are both reservoirs on the smaller side, but have some incredibly nice homes around. Basically, the nicest homes in a 150 mile radius are all within driving distance of me on these reservoirs. The reservoirs have pretty limited access since they are almost completely surrounded by homes, which of course don't take well to fishermen walking through their perfectly manicured yards to fish the bank. Other than about 20 docks, there's no easy or feasible way to get on these lakes to fish with the exception of hoping a kind fellow fisherman with a boat will allow me to tag along.

 

The only major river, which is pretty small, in our area is not only incredibly dirty, but gets a very heavy amount of boating traffic due to a local canoe/tubing company that rents out from April to October. The number of wild and crazy people that float down it all day every day makes fishing there out of the question.

 

Then to make matters worse, most of the local neighborhoods in my area which have retention ponds have asked me to leave. I'm not a confrontational person, and I understand I have to obey the HOA kingpins so I leave without a problem. I could lie and say I live there, but I'm not that kind of guy. Even with permission in 3 of these neighborhoods from acquaintences that live there, the HOA is insisting I not fish there.

 

So, I'm increasingly more frusturated. I am watching my favorite sport disintegrating before my eyes because of more and more limited areas to fish. I can't afford a boat, my local bodies of water aren't bank-fishing-friendly, and I'm not allowed to fish neighborhoods.

 

What's a guy to do?

 

 

Who needs a boat?  One of the fishing holes I frequent has a local guy who built a raft from discarded styrafoam and plywood and the guy pulls in HOGS whilst sitting on his folding lawn chair on top of it.  You don't have to spend money to float!  If you're that sick of the state of thins, check out some google earth or find yourself some basic tools and make a makeshift boat.  Hell, Ocean state has inflatables for $20 if you're cool with being SUPER CAREFUL

 

I know it can be discouraging but theres more than one way to skin a cat my friend!  Turn that frown upside down!!  

[redboat]

 

 

What's a guy to do?

 

Well: You could have spent $50K on a bass boat; $40K on a truck; a couple thousand on equipment, 5 or 10 bucks to launch then go fish every Saturday and not catch anything over a pound and a half.

 

Welcome to NC Texas!

[coryn h. fishowl]

This is simple, buy a johnboat/ aluminum boat off ebay. My cousin has a perfectly good aluminum boat, that came with a motor that he snagged for $200

[Big Jon]

It's less about a boat, and more about places to fish, or say the lack therof.

 

I have to say that I understand. There are dozens of little holes all over the area I live, but 95% are private/restricted access. The remaining 5% leaves only a couple places that are worth throwing a line into. Most of them freeze over and only a few fish survive the winter, they aren't big enough ponds to grow any bass over 1lb. Don't get me wrong, I would catch 1 pounders all day if that was all I had. However, I know that there are bigger better bass all around. I'm just frustrated at all the private lakes that don't see more than maybe a couple boaters a weekend and they're hundreds of acres. No one is even using these bodies of water. They just have them to look pretty.

 

I have found every blue spot on google earth and wasted lots of gas and time either trying to get there or looking up whether it is public or not online. The only thing I have figured out is that water is very restricted here. I have made a lot of friends but no one has any clue what I am talking about since everyone fly fishes the rivers like it is the only type of fishing to do. Maybe they are right.

 

Even a $200 kayak is pretty far out of the question for me right now. I'll just pull my hat down tight and fish what I can where I can. I can't wait to move. Waiting on my house to sell. Maybe I can get a boat with left over money from that. (doubt it)

 

Thanks for allowing my rant as well.

[Preytorien]

I feel your pain Piscandi.

 

Heck, I even fished in the pond in front of Home Depot by my house. There were no signs, and the wife went into Kohls, so I tried it out. Caught a couple little dinks, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

 

I'm seriously looking into getting an inflatable kayak for next season (I'm not a winter fisherman). So maybe that'll open up some opportunities. I can't put a kayak on the top of my vehicle, so it'll have to be the kind that can compact.

 

Meanwhile, I have aboue 3-5 places I can fish, none of which are all that great. Like you my problem is they don't sustain a very good population of fish, although they look like they would.

 

We'll just keep at it and look at those Z-9's with ***

[powerduster]

I have four areas that I mostly fish and sometimes it gets overwhelming. I guess it's all subjective. I think your focusing too much on what you wish and not on what you already have. There is a surprising amount of public places to fish that I found on maps, but like I said I just stick with mainly four. I don't know what Idiana is like but three or five sounds good as a bank fisherman.

[McFurie]

what about wade fishing i live in florida some times a pair of board shorts and a flippin stick is all you need ive walked up and down the st johns punching holes in the eel grass just gotta watch for gators

[Big Jon]

I feel your pain Piscandi.

We'll just keep at it and look at those Z-9's with ***

Yep

[KyakR]

Just curious......why can't you put a kayak on top of your ride?

[KDW96]

work hard

take care of your wife

be the best daddy you can to your child

pay your bills

be loyal to your personal cause

 

then fish when and where you can, if you can.

 

WORDS TO LIVE BY RIGHT THERE !!