Increasing Time On The Water

[HoosierHawgs]

After reading Bill Heavey's ending note "Do More With Less" in Field and Stream I'm intrigued with the idea of only giving 85% effort at work, lol. I could also use a buddy with a boat haha. But in all seriousness, those who read it, what are your thoughts? And for everyone, what are your tips for getting more time hunting or on the water, or maximizing the time you do have?

[Team9nine]

I didn't know anybody still read Field & Stream. With nearly 70 views and no responses yet, you might be the only one.  Any chance there is an online link to the story? Hard to comment without having read the piece in question.

 

-T9

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Your 16, getting time shouldn't be to tough if that is really what you want to do.  If you have chores/obligations at home get them done so that isn't standing in your way and the powers that be are satisfied.   To maximize your time, just make sure your equipment is ready and can be quickly accessed, so when the time comes you can go.

[stkbassn]

Yeah ,I'd love to know how to get more time on the water and less time at work and still afford to live.....million dollar question right there! LOL. I do play the lottery...so far, still working and wishing instead of fishing the majority of the time. It's sad but true.

[HoosierHawgs]

I didn't know anybody still read Field & Stream. With nearly 70 views and no responses yet, you might be the only one. Any chance there is an online link to the story? Hard to comment without having read the piece in question.

-T9

Haha, I can not find a link unfortunately!

[HoosierHawgs]

Your 16, getting time shouldn't be to tough if that is really what you want to do. If you have chores/obligations at home get them done so that isn't standing in your way and the powers that be are satisfied. To maximize your time, just make sure your equipment is ready and can be quickly accessed, so when the time comes you can go.

True.. My biggest problem is work and swimming. If I didn't have to pay for car insurance... Ahhh

[danno054]

It boils down to priorities. And most of the time it stinks. But it's part of life. You have to give something up to get more time on the water. When I was 16 I could have fished more if I hadn't of played sports. My uncle tells about mike McClellan quiting his baseball team when he was a little younger than you to fish more. You just have to decide what you want to give up. There's not really a right answer. I don't get to fish as much because I have a 15 month old little boy. I'm not giving that time up. But you know we'll be going when he's old enough!!

[HoosierHawgs]

It boils down to priorities. And most of the time it stinks. But it's part of life. You have to give something up to get more time on the water. When I was 16 I could have fished more if I hadn't of played sports. My uncle tells about mike McClellan quiting his baseball team when he was a little younger than you to fish more. You just have to decide what you want to give up. There's not really a right answer. I don't get to fish as much because I have a 15 month old little boy. I'm not giving that time up. But you know we'll be going when he's old enough!!

Honestly teaching others is one of the best parts of this sport. But that is an interesting anecdote about McClellan. I'm not the best swimmer, but I really love it as well. It would be different if I had a boat and was fishing tournaments seriously, but I don't. My mom doesn't seem to care for my obsessions with fishing or swimming lol

[CRANKENSTIEN]

It boils down to priorities. And most of the time it stinks. But it's part of life. You have to give something up to get more time on the water. When I was 16 I could have fished more if I hadn't of played sports. My uncle tells about mike McClellan quiting his baseball team when he was a little younger than you to fish more. You just have to decide what you want to give up. There's not really a right answer. I don't get to fish as much because I have a 15 month old little boy. I'm not giving that time up. But you know we'll be going when he's old enough!!

 

agree.  It seems like there is always a trade off, for you it must be swimming ( Great exercise and if you are on a team now will most likely be your only chance for that ).  Around here guys either seem to fish or golf and if someone is doing a lot of both it seems to me like they traded something else for that time. 

[Choporoz]

....or maximizing the time you do have?

I haven't read the article, but.....this last question is HUGE.  Not just in fishing.  VERY few people that I've known are really good at maximizing their time and efforts at anything 'productive'.  If you can develop and hone that sort of 'good' focus, you'll go far

[SPEEDBEAD.]

If more time on the water is your goal, two things will remove more of your time than anything else:

 

Don't get married. Don't have kids.

[a1712]

If more time on the water is your goal, two things will remove more of your time than anything else:

 

Don't get married. Don't have kids.

They'll remove a bunch from the wallet too. Brian.

[Senko lover]

Yeah I've probably started fishing about 3 times less now that I'm working a summer job. AKA, I only fish about once every three days.

[HoosierHawgs]

Yeah I've probably started fishing about 3 times less now that I'm working a summer job. AKA, I only fish about once every three days.

Same here... Gotta pay for the car and fishing gear, among other things

[yugrac]

Yeah, that @#$% job thing, 50 hours a week , plus the yard, cars, dogs ,wife, camper, sure cuts into fishing time. I go when I can, and sometimes when I should be doing other things, but hey, at 55 who knows when your last time out may be, or even at 16. Guys complain about only getting out 3 or 4 times a week, I am lucky to get out 3 or 4 times a month. Closest lake to me is 45 min away, work till 6pm does not leave much. 

[Surfcaster]

An older  friend of mine loved fishing and made a dedicated effort to take the time to practice and  try to be a tournament fisherman when he was younger.  3 wives and numerous zero tournaments later he just fishes when his grandchildren want to.

[papajoe222]

I can only relate to my own experience. I worked 60hrs. a week and was still able to spend my week-ends and a few hours during the week on the water. I moved closer to my job. Yard work and 'honey do's' we done immediately when I got home. If my daughter had a game that night, I'd sacrifice an hour or two of sleep to attend. Lastly, I frequently included the family on my outings, or planned vacations that included some fishing time.  Funny thing is, now that I'm retired I don't think I'm getting much more time on the water than I did then. 

[aeb603]

After reading Bill Heavey's ending note "Do More With Less" in Field and Stream I'm intrigued with the idea of only giving 85% effort at work, lol. I could also use a buddy with a boat haha. But in all seriousness, those who read it, what are your thoughts? And for everyone, what are your tips for getting more time hunting or on the water, or maximizing the time you do have?

you're still plenty young enough I wouldnt worry too much about it especially with summer break right around the corner. if fishing is something you truly love, you'll find the time. And even if you cant make more time to fish, just enjoy the time you do get to spend fishing. I just graduated college and landed a full time job working almost 60 hrs a week. I thank my lucky stars every time i get even an hour to make a few casts

[Fishes in trees]

Since I can't get any MORE time fishing, I try to maximize the time I do have.  I fish by myself more often than not.   I'm not against fishing with a bud from time to time, but fishing by myself, I can only blame myself should I waste some time.   Next, I save time by being ready on the water, not wasting time tying knots unnecessarily.  To this end I carry 20 or so rods rigged up and ready to go for various applications.   They might or might not all get used on a given trip, but the point is that they were there ready to be used.

 

I try to have a plan for the day, based on the weather and seasonal patterns for that day.  I try to fish what I interpret as current patterns rather than fishing memories of where I caught fish before.

The easiest way to save time is to improve on your basic skills - i.e. cast where you want to accurately and don't backlash.  Pay attention to boat positioning and be lined up for the correct cast before you make it.  Don't settle for a semi-decent casting angle when given another 10 to 20 seconds you can be lined up better.

 

I never did read that article, maybe the next time I get my oil changed, my Ford dealer keeps Field & Stream in his magazine pile in his waiting area.

[lectricbassman]

I can only relate to my own experience. I worked 60hrs. a week and was still able to spend my week-ends and a few hours during the week on the water. I moved closer to my job. Yard work and 'honey do's' we done immediately when I got home. If my daughter had a game that night, I'd sacrifice an hour or two of sleep to attend. Lastly, I frequently included the family on my outings, or planned vacations that included some fishing time. Funny thing is, now that I'm retired I don't think I'm getting much more time on the water than I did then.

Great advice! Guys if you have a family, take care of them first! I work my butt off during the day, and then spend as much time as possible with the family which means getting all my chores done asap! If theres time left after all that, i try to fish even if its for 30 minutes. Many times its long after the wife and kids have gone to bed. Its hard work to balance all of this but it is possible. Finally dont forget what is most important, your marriage and kids! If fishing gets in the way of your family you should consider slowing down.

[lectricbassman]

Since I can't get any MORE time fishing, I try to maximize the time I do have. I fish by myself more often than not. I'm not against fishing with a bud from time to time, but fishing by myself, I can only blame myself should I waste some time. Next, I save time by being ready on the water, not wasting time tying knots unnecessarily. To this end I carry 20 or so rods rigged up and ready to go for various applications. They might or might not all get used on a given trip, but the point is that they were there ready to be used.

I try to have a plan for the day, based on the weather and seasonal patterns for that day. I try to fish what I interpret as current patterns rather than fishing memories of where I caught fish before.

The easiest way to save time is to improve on your basic skills - i.e. cast where you want to accurately and don't backlash. Pay attention to boat positioning and be lined up for the correct cast before you make it. Don't settle for a semi-decent casting angle when given another 10 to 20 seconds you can be lined up

I completely agree! Efficiency is key when you have little time to fish. Im ready to go at the drop b of a hat. I have a good idea of what im going to throw before i leave the house. Im also already thinking about wind, time of day, amd lighting before i reach the water. When i get there i already have a good idea of where ill need to be to present the most effective casts. Ill even check the weather a day or two before just to see what the wind and clouds will be doing just in case i get the chance to go. This to me is what makes fishing so challenging but fun! You can get alot of fishing done in a short amount of time if you put some (or a lot!) of thought into it before you even leave your house!

[HoosierHawgs]

Going to take all of this in mind. I'm gonna clear my work schedule for Memorial day weekend now that I have enough money to pay for my insurance and a few extra things... Hopefully should be able to spend the whole weekend Hawg Hunting!

[CWB]

Only way I could get more time on the water would be getting divorced, and believe me the subject has been brought up.