upstateSCbassin Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Hi, uh my grandpa has always been a fisherman, he got me started when I was very young. Now his wife is gone he's 88 and he does nothing but sit around the house and sleep/watch tv. Its so difficult finding a place where he can safely make it to the water and actually catch bass. Wishing I had a bass boat but does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how to make him happy with fishing.. Any answers will be appreciated thanks, Jonathan 3 Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 If at all possible I would fish the day before and make sure you have some productive spots and baits marked out. Stick with the basics and go from there. Good luck! 1 Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 I can't get my grandfather into a boat anymore, so I do the next best thing. I talk to him about fishing. Every time I talk to him. We reminisce about times we fished together...or fishing trips from his youth. He sent me to his basement and had me take some old lures and rods, etc. I fished his old cranks -- I took pics of the bass that I caught with them and took him the pictures. He can't even see them, I don't think, but it makes his week! If you can get him to a public pier all the better, but I bet talking to him about fishing would be nearly as good. 4 Quote
Super User Grizzn N Bassin Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Find a pond or spot on a lake that is easily accessibly. Not sure if he's able to walk or not but be sure to bring one of those Coleman fold up chairs or something he can comfortably sit in/ stand up from. Around me there are plenty of lakes that have coves where the public can go to hang out/ fish. Picnic tables there. so drag one of those over and let him sit on that . IF he wants be adventurous find a lake that rents out pedal boats, you pedal !! haha Quote
Preytorien Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I agree with much of what's been said above. Reminisce with him. Talk to him about your adventures, and listen to his. Ask him for advice, grandpas LOVE to give advice. Show him your gear, almost every man on the planet likes new fancy gear. Take pictures of your catches and give him details about how you caught it, to him it'll almost be like he was there. My grandpa's eyes light up when I tell him fishing stories. Fish places he's fished so you can tell him about "that place you told me about grandpa", he'd get a kick out of that. If you can get him out, take him to a easily accessible place, like a neighborhood retention pond. They almost always hold good numbers of fish, the banks are clean and only a slight slope. Bring along live bait to catch bluegills if the bass aren't fired up. Do a lot of letting him show you where he'd fish, kind of let him be your guide. Those guys can usually light it up, I know my grandpa can. Take pictures so you two can look back in a couple weeks/months and talk about how fun it was. Lastly, be sure to thank him for taking you. I know, you took him, but to him taking his grandson fishing is the best day of his month, possibly his year. Treat him to a burger on the way home. Enjoy the time, grandpas are wonderful. 4 Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Handicap fishing accesses would be a good idea if he has a hard time getting around. I used to take my grandmother every know and then up until she was 73. She had a blast catching fish on a senko ! 1 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 i agree about just talking to him about it any chance you get. also, if you can get your hands on any vintage books or magazines about fishing he may enjoy a trip to the past. also, some charity groups will take people fishing if they do not have a boat, you might look into that as well. my grandfather just passed away in November and he was a die hard trout fisher. We were taking him fishing right up until about the last 2 months where he just couldn't take it anymore. but all the way until has last moments, we talked about fishing and that was just about as good as the real thing for him. i applaud your efforts, most only realize what they had when it's gone.... do the best to make some memories while you still can. 2 Quote
blackmax135 Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Hi, uh my grandpa has always been a fisherman, he got me started when I was very young. Now his wife is gone he's 88 and he does nothing but sit around the house and sleep/watch tv. Its so difficult finding a place where he can safely make it to the water and actually catch bass. Wishing I had a bass boat but does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how to make him happy with fishing.. Any answers will be appreciated thanks, Jonathan Do you have a boat? Quote
jbw252 Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Google your town & surrounding areas for "fishing with handicap access". Many places have covered fishing docks or platforms for the handicapped. Check with your county park system, too. I'm glad to see you take an interest. Have fun. Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Jonathan, try these: 1. Live bait. Minnows or Nightcrawlers. Guaranteed to catch something. 2. Any pier or dock will suffice as long as you bring a beach chair for him to sit while fishing. 3. Senkos rigged wacky and smeared with MegaStrike. 4. Shaky head with Zoom trick worm smeared with MegaStrike. I am sure, catch something or not, he will love the time with you. You are a super grandson to do this for your grandfather. 1 Quote
fisherrw Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 If at all possible I would fish the day before and make sure you have some productive spots and baits marked out. Stick with the basics and go from there. Good luck! x2 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Better "fishing" option: Take him on a guided trout fishing float. My dad's last outing was on the White River below Bull Shoals. He hooked up with the fish of a lifetime! With the right guide this will be perfect. If trout are not an option, crappie or white bass will work. The point is , drift don't make him cast. This kind of fishing is all about catching. Too young or too old, I guarantee this is the solution. 2 Quote
sprint61 Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Get him some wax worms, bobbors, and an ultralight and let him go to work. Have a good time and becareful I'm sure he will love it. Quote
Djman72 Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Not sure if this was mentioned.... but if you have any type of guide service/charter service this might be a great option. Back when my grandfather was alive we were throwing around the idea of taking him out on Lake Michigan for a Salmon Charter. Obviously, some people don't have this type of service available but its affordable, convenient and nearly guaranteed fish. As long as you think he can safely make it onto the boat and to a spot on deck you should be a okay! Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 11, 2015 Super User Posted February 11, 2015 What I did was take my pa anywhere he didn't have to walk far and I'd bring a fold up chair. I had a little honeyhole on the Chicago River that held bass and crappie and bluegill. We'd fish with live bait and never got skunked. The joy it brought him was heartwarming. He had lost 100lbs to cancer and as bad as he wanted to go on my dads boat he was just too weak. His ashes rode around in my dads boat for 7 years until my grandma passed. 2 Quote
blackmax135 Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Hi, uh my grandpa has always been a fisherman, he got me started when I was very young. Now his wife is gone he's 88 and he does nothing but sit around the house and sleep/watch tv. Its so difficult finding a place where he can safely make it to the water and actually catch bass. Wishing I had a bass boat but does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how to make him happy with fishing.. Any answers will be appreciated thanks, Jonathan Let him take you fishing. Let him tell you what to do and were to do it even if you know were the best spots are I know my dad loves being in charge when we go fishing I guess its a since of pride and makes him feel good, he knows more that me anyways. I just wish I still had my grandparents around I was to young to really do anything with them when they were alive. 2 Quote
upstateSCbassin Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 I sure don't :/ hopefully in a few years I will Do you have a boat? Quote
upstateSCbassin Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 Blackmax135 yeah I know what you mean man.. I never got to see my father side of the family except when I was like 2. Quote
Super User Oregon Native Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 My dad and I never really did to many father/son trips. Usually had company. Last trip was to Canada for salmon...then Dementia set it. Was rough. Since moving to Tennessee I've seen quite a few chairs and bobbers by ramps and parks. It's the time we share together that's important. Doesn't have to be fancy....we all need to follow through more often. Tight Lines 2 Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 What kind of limitations does he have? Some folks his age are still quite agile in body & mind. You just have to give him a chance. And I agree with blackmax135 in that if you put him in charge, your outing together will be much more enjoyable. And ask him questions about what to do and how to do it. It will make him feel great. The biggest problem I had taking my older brother fishing at 80 was having to tie knots for him, due to his arthritis in his hands. But the outings were always very enjoyable. Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 I never had an opportunity to fish with grandparents. Some of my most treasured fishing memories are the last couple of times I went with my father. Because of his physical condition, our last trip was to a little pond owned by a friend. All we could catch were small bluegill. We could not have had a better time. I cleaned and fried those little fish for my parents, and will never forget the joy we had that day. All that to say this: It is the doing, not the catching that matters. I would give much to sit by my dad and watch a float again. Good luck. 1 Quote
Super User geo g Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 You know that just made his day. Those days you will never forget, fond memories! 1 Quote
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