Getting Old

[Columbia Craw]

I just had my boat wrapped with my non endemic sponsor, DEPENDS. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Getting old isn't the issue. At 70 I am old. Guys my age complain about having to fish for 8 hours straight & not going in to take breaks. The fire doesn't burn as hot as it use to. It's bittersweet. But I still enjoy it. 

[TOXIC]

I'm a month short of 61 and just got back from a solid 7 days on lake St Clair fishing from sun up to sun down.  I had one day where the wind/waves were large enough that I cut my feet from bracing in my fishing shoes (Shimano Evairs).  Other than some stiffness I wasn't in any real discomfort.  I fished with a buddy that had a sit down chair on his back deck and just for giggles, I tried to fish sitting down.  Just couldn't do it.  Keep in mind I was a guide for 15 years and the only time I sat down in my boat all day was to occasionally eat lunch.  I am a firm believer that fishing works different muscle groups from different angles than what most people are used to and are hard to replicate through workout routines.  Stretching seems to be the best.   

[RPreeb]

71 here.... I don't do marathon fishing.  If I had to stand when fishing, I'd do it even less, but in my Old Town canoe, that's not really an option.  I fish only as long as I feel like it.  Sometimes I take a break - just sit and drift, doing nothing but enjoying being there.

 

Just as I don't play 100 rounds of golf a year now either (more like 30 now). 

 

Changing weather makes a lot of body parts hurt (or at least hurt more than they do every other day). 

 

Peeing has become a stage race rather than a pit stop. 

 

Hearing aids are expensive.  You young bucks take heed and protect yourselves.

 

All that said, if I lived on or near a good fishing lake, I'd be out there many times more often than I am now.  I'm darn sure not too old to fish a lot more than I do.

[JustJames]

Now we all know, who are old. LOL

Not me not in a million years. I'm still kicking.

[Sam]

Papa Joe, it still beats the alternative.

 

We may be getting slower, but we are more experienced and can do more better than some of the younger guys who go faster.

 

It is still great to be standing in your boat or on a dock/bank, taking in the beauty of Mother Nature while holding your fishing rod even if you have not had a bite.

 

Just enjoying the outdoors. That is what it is about.

[Mobasser]

Well said Sam. 

[new2BC4bass]

21 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Getting old isn't the issue. At 70 I am old. Guys my age complain about having to fish for 8 hours straight & not going in to take breaks. The fire doesn't burn as hot as it use to. It's bittersweet. But I still enjoy it. 

I'm also 70.  When I visit relation in Florida, my brother-in-law...who is 3-4 years older than I am...sometimes fish from just before sunrise and head in after it gets dark.  We usually do stop for lunch and that is the only time during the day I get to pee.    Luckily I am sitting except when butt fatigue is killing me.  Can't stand up long in a 14 foot dingy.  Too narrow.  A hook set could put you in the water.

7 hours ago, RPreeb said:

71 here.... I don't do marathon fishing.  If I had to stand when fishing, I'd do it even less, but in my Old Town canoe, that's not really an option.  I fish only as long as I feel like it.  Sometimes I take a break - just sit and drift, doing nothing but enjoying being there.

 

Just as I don't play 100 rounds of golf a year now either (more like 30 now). 

 

Changing weather makes a lot of body parts hurt (or at least hurt more than they do every other day). 

 

Peeing has become a stage race rather than a pit stop. 

 

Hearing aids are expensive.  You young bucks take heed and protect yourselves.

 

All that said, if I lived on or near a good fishing lake, I'd be out there many times more often than I am now.  I'm darn sure not too old to fish a lot more than I do.

You can tell the youngsters this all day and they won't pay attention.  Guess they figure that loss of hearing can't happen to them.  Can't be good when the stereo in the car next to you is making your car move to the beat.

 

Like you, I'd be out a lot more than I am if fishing was even half way decent in my area.  I live in what has been described as "bass hell".  It is also why I have about 40 more reels and 30 more rods than I need.  New and new-2-me gear is about the only thing keeping me going out.  I had quit for 23 years after moving to this area because fishing sucks so bad here.

 

In response to some of the other posters.  I don't feel 70, but my body is trying to tell me otherwise.  No longer have the balance I once did.  No stamina.  Over weight.  235 lbs. but should be about 165 lbs. at 5' 10 1/2".  Don't exercise.  Had back problems since 16.  If I don't sit down every so often while fishing, the pain in the middle of my back is so bad I can't stand it.

 

I know from previous experience that working out 3-4 days a week lowers back pain by a lot.  Too lazy to do it.  I also work full time plus 4 days a week I work a part time job if he needs me.  12 hour work days plus a minimum of 2-1/2 hours driving a day....if traffic is good.  By the weekend I am ready to lay around.  Alarm goes off at 4:45 a.m.  No way do I want to get up earlier so I can take a walk or work out for awhile before heading to work.  When I get home at 10 p.m. or later, I just want to relax a bit before getting ready for bed.  If that makes me a bad person then so be it.

[Harold Scoggins]

Sixty something and I've been knockin' on that door my whole life...I'm not giving up without a fight!

[papajoe222]

Good news folks. I found the secret to power fish for eight hours at my age.

I'm not talking fishing a wacky worm or some other presentation that doesn't require a lot of energy output. I'm talking standing on the front deck, chucking and winding, fighting the wind with the sun beating down, the way I like to fish.

I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out. The secret is to split up the eight hours into two four hour sessions with a two hour power nap in between. I even add a protein packed lunch and on rare occasions, a 5hr. Energy Drink.

[WRB]

For decades I fished sun up to sun down about 15 hours on average. 

Also put in a few hours before or after work when possible.

I retired at 72 about 3 years ago and planned to continue my 15 hour days on the water whenever I wanted, no work schedule anymore.

What happened? I fish less now then before retiring. Health isn't bad, bones aren't good. Years of wear and tear add up, joints get arthritis and surgical recuperation and rehab takes more time. Now my fishing schedule is around appointments, weather, family and travel. 

I still can stand in the front operation the trolling motor and cast accurately in whatever conditions for about 8 hours, but not consecutive days. My biggest problem is I out lived my fishing buddies.

Tom

[Pat33]

66 years old and still fish all day. I mostly fish with my son is his boat. I have a great son who looks after me. When it gets really hot here in Florida he makes sure we have plenty of water and sports drinks.  However father time has really slowed me down.