Are You A "better" Fisherman Alone Or With Others?

[Darren.]

I mostly fish alone, so I'll vote this.

 

But I enjoy hitting the water with a buddy yak-angler when the opportunity arises.

[missouribigbass]

There's no doubt it's alone. You get to fish to your strengths and don't have to accommodate anyone else. I prefer to fish with company but I have more success alone.

[SirSnookalot]

Catch rate or quality of fish makes no difference being alone or with a companion.  My better fish are usually caught before dawn and I'm alone most of the time.  Some of these fish I can't lift or it's illegal to take them out of the water, some have to be broken off, or no around to snap a pic.  I have posted quite a few barracuda pics, catching them in daylight and being edible there is always a friend to help with the gaff.

I do my bass fishing in the afternoon usually alone.

[Bluebasser86]

I fish better by myself. I prefer fishing with someone else but when I can just pin my ears back and fish without worrying about if my buddy in the back is getting a fair shot at the fish, is he snagged, does he have a fish on, am I going to have to dodge that set of trebles again, I put a lot more fish in the boat and I'm not worried about gambling because if I don't catch anything I'm okay with it and I don't have to worry about someone else being disappointed. 

[einscodek]

Alone

noone to impress

noone to accidentally spook the fish

lets one be more patient and focus on catching fish

[nascar2428]

I'm going to have to say alone, since all of my friends and relatives fish for everything but bass. However pan fishing would be another story, the more the better.

[Lund Explorer]

For way too many years I fished alone, even when someone was sitting in the back of the boat. 

 

I consider those who play with their smart phones all day as not fishing. 

[slimshad]

Alone for me.  I feel more free to think about the task at hand.  When I fish with others I spend alot of brain power on How is my boat positioned, did I hit all the best cover, Am I going to fast, Is the boat too close to the structure.  When I am alone I feel like I can put myself in the right position and not worry or think about the boat behind me.  I can throw baits differently.  I like to hit structure from a backwards cast alot when i am alone.  I also Carolina rig and A rig more alone. I have a good way to take pictures too.  Most digital cameras have a timer.  I put the camera on the butt seat and lay the bass in the floor.  I set the 10 sec delay count in my head as I grab the bass and smile right on que! Perfect pictures every time.   

[RAMBLER]

Alone.  Fishing is my alone time. 

When fishing with someone else, if I get snagged I have to deal with it, if they get snagged, I have to deal with it.  I have passed up good places to cast into so the person in the back can have it.  He either couldn't hit the spot or wouldn't.  Therefore, neither of us fished the spot.  I finally told him I was not going to pass up anymore spots to cast into.  He doesn't go with me anymore and that is a good thing for a lot of reasons.  Not the least of which is the cost of fishing was NEVER shared.

Alone with my Maker is best.

[Maico1]

When I think about it I have spent more time on the water by myself which allows me more solitude and focus. However there is something to be said about busting your buddies balls while out on the water especially right after he loses a real nice one....

[*Hootie]

I love fishing with my Son. Otherwise, I would rather fish alone.

Hootie

[Choporoz]

Better alone.  Generally prefer alone.  However, I will never pass up an opportunity to have my wife with me in the boat.  She's a great (and patient) fisherwoman.  Isn't nearly as fanatical as I am, but never complains we stay on the water too long, etc.  I do have to sacrifice some fishing focus, drive her into primo spots first sometimes, etc.....  But having her along is time very well spent.

[Master Bait'r]

I think I'm probably a better fisherman alone but I have more fun with friends so that's pretty much a wash for me.  

[K_Mac]

As Roger said when fishing alone I can focus only on what I want to do, and don't have to worry about anyone else. I may be technically better on those days. When fishing with someone who knows what their doing, they may figure it out first making me better for the day.

 

 "Fishing" with my grandkids is not really fishing as defined by a "serious" fisherman, but I get as much joy watching/helping one of them land a small fish as I would get landing the biggest bass in the lake. I have had days alone on the water that I would not trade, and days that are better forgotten. I have lost a brother and another fishing friend over the years, and would give much spend a day on the water with either of them. Fishing with an adult who doesn't really get it can be as challenging as fishing with a very skilled partner is fun. Fishing with my wife who has some serious physical limitations at this time is work, but I would not trade our time for anything. I guess what I'm trying to say is that 'doing well' when fishing is about much more than the size and numbers of fish caught IMO.

[Felix77]

I dont know wheather im "better" alone/with someone, but I kinda enjoy fishing by myself a lot of the time..only bad part is not getting a good photo op when by myself.

x2

[porkleaker]

I do my best fishing alone. Or I just tick people off with the amount of fish I catch and they end up watching me, it becomes a spectator sport. 

[Ratherbfishing]

When I'm by myself I'm much more likely to experiement or try some things that others might consider a waste of time.  When I'm with others (or afterwards, actually) I find myself asking "what if...?"  As in "What if I'd stuck around and tried a smaller bait?"  or "what if I'd spent more time working those points, drop off's?" etc.  Of course since there's only so much time in a day, I can wind up asking myself these questions anyway but it happens more frequently after I've been out with others.

 

Disclaimer:  There's obviously no guarantee any of the additional things I might have attempted would have worked but it bugs me not knowing.  Oh, if there was only more time to fish!!!!!!!!!

[senile1]

I fish better by myself. I prefer fishing with someone else but when I can just pin my ears back and fish without worrying about if my buddy in the back is getting a fair shot at the fish, is he snagged, does he have a fish on, am I going to have to dodge that set of trebles again, I put a lot more fish in the boat and I'm not worried about gambling because if I don't catch anything I'm okay with it and I don't have to worry about someone else being disappointed. 

 

Similar to Bluebasser, I am absolutely better alone.  I find myself always trying to position the boat so that the other angler has as good a shot as I do at the fish.  Usually, this results in a less than optimal shot for both of us.    In the back, I try to be too polite and stay out of the front angler's way.  I just feel too much of a responsibility to the other angler and this divides my concentration. 

[mjseverson24]

I prefer fishing with someone else, it is a lot of fun to share a great day of fishing with someone you enjoy being with, especially my family, and close friends... I do feel though that my productivity increases when i fish alone, as i am not afraid to have a tough day, and can fish the techniques that i believe will produce the best fish... also boat positioning is also more of an issue with 2 people...

 

Mitch

[Bankbeater]

I would rather fish alone.

[Catt]

I fish at a high level intensity, if you're not NEAR, AT or ABOVE that level you will not be in my back seat...period!

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

The main thing for me is how long I will stay on the water also. I may be out for 4-6 hours with food/drink. If the bite is slow, some people will want to give up early. Or even if we are slaying them sometimes people I fished with want to head in. I have bank fished with some folk who cut out early. I stayed. Also I give a warning, I ain't turnin' back if you get bored. :-)

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

That song "I stand alone" needs to be remade into "I fish alone"

Lol

[Kevin Beachy]

Fishing alone is quite a bit quiter and i like that.

[Brian Needham]

I am better when the other guy is better.

 

I enjoy fishing with others to talk about the lake, pattern, life......

 

but sometimes I like to lone it too, which I do often.