Maybe It's Time To Quit

[papajoe222]

I just got back into competition fishing at the club level and I think it was a bad idea.  Not because I don't feel I can compete, I'm leading in points without a first place finish so far.  The reason I think it was a bad idea has to do with my stamina and the way my body feels after the competition.  I can and have dealt with the exhaustion issue and don't see a problem in doing so.  What my body is telling me at the end of the day is something entirely different.

Add to those two factors the fact that I don't get the high from competing that I did when I was younger or maybe I just don't feel the need to prove myself to myself anymore and I do believe I'll be hanging up my six shooters at the end of the season. It would be nice to end up with an AOY trophy for my 65th birthday though. 

[FL Bass Abducter]

Are you going to quit fishing altogether, or just quit TX fishing?

[Weld's Largemouth]

Just don't do competitions. Simple as that, fishing is just as fun without competing 

[WRB]

Fishing should always be fun not a grueling competition. If the tournament schedule is too demanding, cut back the time on the water, get your limit and check in. The last few hours rarely upgrade limits and wear you out fast. I only fish a few night charity event anymore, gave day tournaments 20 years ago.

Tom

[G8RBob]

Several years ago I fished with a tournament fisherman.  After the day on the water, his comment was, "This is my first time fun fishing in several years."  Hell, if it isn't fun, why do it?

[Dwight Hottle]

The window opening changes as we age. If it isn't fun anymore don't do it. I'm sure you still enjoy fishing just not the grind.

[Catt]

For the last 15 years I pick & choose which tournaments I fish, none are during daylight from June-August.

There some night tournaments on Toledo Bend that are from 4-8 pm.

Day tournaments during spring are 6 hrs because the days are shorter.

[Basseditor]

I just got back into competition fishing at the club level and I think it was a bad idea.  Not because I don't feel I can compete, I'm leading in points without a first place finish so far.  The reason I think it was a bad idea has to do with my stamina and the way my body feels after the competition.  I can and have dealt with the exhaustion issue and don't see a problem in doing so.  What my body is telling me at the end of the day is something entirely different.

Add to those two factors the fact that I don't get the high from competing that I did when I was younger or maybe I just don't feel the need to prove myself to myself anymore and I do believe I'll be hanging up my six shooters at the end of the season. It would be nice to end up with an AOY trophy for my 65th birthday though. 

Sometimes I feel the same way. It seems our club tournaments are always on tough lakes and days. With limited fishing time, I'd rather go to the best lakes. It might be my last year of club fishing too.

[papajoe222]

Are you going to quit fishing altogether, or just quit TX fishing?

The only time I plan on quitting fishing altogether is when I'm looking up at the grass. Until then I plan on getting as many days on the water as the good Lord will allow.  I enjoy the fishing experience whether or not it's competition. Heck, I'm always competing with myself.  I just don't like having to pay for doing so with the aches and pains. 

I may just do as Catt does and fish only the ones that I have interest in.  Daytime competition takes the most out of me, so I figure the spring and fall ones could still be enjoyable.   Time will tell

[slimshad]

I am only 40 years old but have fished tournaments since I was 16.  The past two years my body has start to hurt after a long tournament.  I installed a recessed trolling motor tray and that has helped a great deal.  My back doesn't hurt like it did.  I hope you get that last AOY!

[jhoffman]

Fishing should always be fun not a grueling competition. If the tournament schedule is too demanding, cut back the time on the water, get your limit and check in. The last few hours rarely upgrade limits and wear you out fast. I only fish a few night charity event anymore, gave day tournaments 20 years ago.

Tom

 

The night tournaments are by far the worst for me. It ruins my entire next two days.

 

Im only 33 but with a 6" plate in my tibia it transmits right up my back. I gotta sit down now and then, only way I wont is if I am on fire.

 

I quit my club for many reasons. One of which was the fact they always had either night tournaments or tournaments when most guys have to be at work. They avoided the crowd on Saturday and Sunday which on one hand i can see. If you need to only fish during prime times when no one else can, are you really that good? The answer for me was no, but it wasnt the only reasons I gave up said club.

 

I decided that I would fish tournaments when and where I wanted and not be dictated by a schedule thats not the real "tour" mid week wasting vacations for no reason. Lots of opens out there... lots.

[Dave P]

51 and I'm starting to feel it. Usually by about hour 6 my back is killing me...And I agree 100%, if it ceases to be fun, stop doing it. Otherwise it's like work.

[BuckMaxx]

There is a geriatric bass fishing club! They only fish 10 minutes then ***** about their wives for the rest of the day. Its the GBAA!!!

[Jeff H]

There is a geriatric bass fishing club! They only fish 10 minutes then ***** about their wives for the rest of the day. Its the GBAA!!!

Ha ha.....guess what....if you're lucky and the good Lord wills it, you'll make it that far one day yourself!  

[Zach Dunham]

Some people love that grueling schedule. I know I do. I love tough days, too. I want a day where I have to grind out 5 fish over 8 hours and have half the field come back with almost nothing. LOVE it. It is challenging.

[papajoe222]

Just an update here guys. After this week-end, I'm tied for first place with two other anglers close behind us.  The remainder of the tournaments, two next month and one in Aug. are two day events. These are the ones I dread as I can handle one day's worth of aches and pains. The second day is the killer and I'm often forced to go to slow or dead sticking presentations to get through the day.  Hopefully I can get a good lead the first day and somewhat coast on the second. I'm not concerned with winning any of them, I'd just like to stay in the running until the last one.

[jhoffman]

When you wake up, get 3 ibuprofen in you, a big glass of water and then keep adding them on as time permits.

[Catt]

I'll pray ya catch early & they are big

[Trek]

  I'm 55 years old and I gave up club fishing years ago. To me they are a joke. Some of the guys think they are fishing for 10 grand. Now I have paired up with a buddy and pick and choose open tournaments in our area. Nothing I hate worse then to drive to a lake two or more hours away, fish all day in the sun and drive home tired. To me that's no fun, even if I win. Plus every club I use to be in had some sort of drama going on all the time. Now if we think we can win we get in them, BS with a few old friends when we get there and home by 4:30. Much better way to fish.

 

  As far as your aches and pains try yoga or stretching twice a day. Sounds dumb but my wife got me into that and it's helped me more then anything.

[bighed]

Yep, starting to feel it too.  I also enjoy a grind at times but not as much as I once did.  Last weekend on Sam Rayburn it was 96 and high humidity with ZERO breeze and a poor bite after the first couple of hours.  Had me questioning why I do this.  The fisherman's friend (Aleve) helps, so does sitting and resting regularly.  A good bite or good company or both makes it much easier, at least mentally.  An older gentleman I backseated with last year in a tourney traded his Bullet on a toon.  I guess the time comes, sooner or later, for all of us.   

[CDMeyer]

I hope you can go out on top

[Dinky]

I started out Marshalling, went in to fishing the Bass Opens two years ago as a co-angler at 66 years old. Never fished in a tournament before then in my life.

I am pre diabetic and after a bad concussion a few years ago have a balancing issue that is annoying but controllable, and have lost 40% hearing in one ear.

One shoulder surgery 7 years ago; need but will not have another; normal aches and pains.

If I ever made it through the first two days and into the top 12 and into the third day of an Open none of the aches, pains or problems would be felt.

The goal is of course to win and to do well. At the same time I obviously do not, at 68, feel the need to 'prove myself'.

But it is also a journey, a learning experience and chance to fish with different professional fishermen and meet and make new friends.

I have been fortunate to actually fish with the likes of Ish Monroe, Chris Lane, Marty Robinson, and many other Elite, FLW and local pros. I have made some great contacts and learned more than you can imagine.

My point is-look at it as more than a quest for a single trophy. There may be more there than meets the eye.

I know it may be more difficult to do this in a small club where you fish with the same folks in the same area.

But maybe another different tournament each year would be a way to expand one's perspective and interest.

[EmersonFish]

I use to fish team tournaments with my dad. He would never admit it, but they were really taking a toll on him. I think he felt like if he came out and said, "I just can't do this anymore," I'd be disappointed (which I wouldn't have been). But he is prideful. So I basically told him I wasn't really interested in fishing them any more, for financial reasons (which was half true at the time). He tried to hide his relief, but I could tell he was glad. The problem is, I want to fish tournaments again. To make matters worse, the boat lives at his house. I bought an older, ugly boat that isn't really ideal for bass fishing (it's my catboat, primarily) and I'm leaning toward fishing tournaments by myself. I have social anxiety issues, so I doubt I could find another partner.

 

My dad and I are a real mess, but he has enjoyed our fishing trips a lot more lately.

[papajoe222]

We'll after day one, I am in 5th place 1lb.3oz. Behind the leader and 11oz. Behind third place. Looks like it's going to.take 17lb. To take over third and possibly 19lb. to even considerx winning this thing.

[papajoe222]

Well, I did end up in the top ten, but I didn't improve my ranking over the day one standings.  Thanks for everyone's imput and well wishes.  This site is tops in my book because of you guys.