Fishing alone

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Brew City Bass said:

Isn't that weird? I've got people hitting me up weekly to go out in the boat, but they always flake last minute. I am more than happy to just go boating and chill with friends. For whatever reason it's like they didn't really mean it so when you're at the launch and text them they respond "Oh sorry, something came up!".

I get that a lot with my friend's who like the idea of fishing more than the actual fact of getting up early on a saturday to actually go.  I know just assume whatever friend I am supposed to go with is going to flake and plan my day accordingly.  

[Brew City Bass]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I didn't realize there were so many people on here that fished alone most of the time.  I usually take another person in my boat 75% of the time.  A lot of my friends that like to fish simply don't have their own boat so they jump at the opportunity.  The problem with fishing alone is that there's no one to take a photo.  I don't have a go pro camera and I don't do selfies because they look terrible.  Also, its easier to load and unload the boat when you have 2 people rather than one.  I will admit that it can be more peaceful and you only have to worry about your own schedule.

See, I find it easier to load / unload by myself. Usually a friend trying to be helpful just messes up something I have to fix. Last friend put the transom saver on wrong, put the boat tie downs on twisted (ripped one) and then he started hosing down the inside of the boat all while I was at the portajohn. DUDE, OUTSIDE ONLY! 

I can be loaded / unloaded in 3-5 minutes by myself and on the road if there isn't anyone taking out in front of me. 

[The Maestro]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I didn't realize there were so many people on here that fished alone most of the time.  I usually take another person in my boat 75% of the time.  A lot of my friends that like to fish simply don't have their own boat so they jump at the opportunity.  The problem with fishing alone is that there's no one to take a photo.  I don't have a go pro camera and I don't do selfies because they look terrible.  Also, its easier to load and unload the boat when you have 2 people rather than one.  I will admit that it can be more peaceful and you only have to worry about your own schedule.

I agree selfies look lame.  We all love good fish pictures.  I use a tripod to take pics when I'm solo.  I'll admit it's a bit of a pain and can eat up precious fishing time....you need to take a bunch to make sure you get a good one.  I'll only do it when it's a truly BIG fish but for those times I have no regets about spending the time to get a nice picture.  My big fish album has some really nice pictures of some great memories.

[Black Hawk Basser]

There's a pretty good mixture of fishing alone and with a partner for me.  I'd say I do fish alone the majority of the time, because I often go on a whim without anything preconceived.  Usually some spicy looking weather draws me out.

 

I also go to some places deep into the sticks where a lot of my casual fisherman friends aren't too keen about.

 

It's nice to have a friend there with another bait in the water to figure out a pattern; but with the limited time I have in my busy schedule, it's hard to coordinate with others who are also busy.

[MIbassyaker]

I almost always fish alone. I spend most every other hour of life interacting with people in some other capacity, and people stress me out.  So fishing is the mechanism by which I extract myself from social activity as much as possible (for about 5 months of the year up here, at least.).  

 

When I fish, I specifically go where and when I am least likely to be around more than a few other people. This means small, out-of-the-way waters that are difficult to find, or require effort to get to, and usually in the early morning.

[islandbass]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

I didn't realize there were so many people on here that fished alone most of the time.  I usually take another person in my boat 75% of the time.  A lot of my friends that like to fish simply don't have their own boat so they jump at the opportunity.  The problem with fishing alone is that there's no one to take a photo.  I don't have a go pro camera and I don't do selfies because they look terrible.  Also, its easier to load and unload the boat when you have 2 people rather than one.  I will admit that it can be more peaceful and you only have to worry about your own schedule.

So true about taking photos! Results in almost all my photos are pics of me holding the fish with an extended arm. I refrain from taking selfies but because I think taking them is just plain odd if not stupid... and I am too photogenic for my own good. ? I’m just not vain like that. 

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, The Maestro said:

I agree selfies look lame.  We all love good fish pictures.  I use a tripod to take pics when I'm solo.  I'll admit it's a bit of a pain and can eat up precious fishing time....you need to take a bunch to make sure you get a good one.  I'll only do it when it's a truly BIG fish but for those times I have no regets about spending the time to get a nice picture.  My big fish album has some really nice pictures of some great memories.

 Not to Hi-Jack the thread But - Get a GoPro (or other action video camera) & a Clamp mount - shoot a few second of video of yourself holding your catch.  Then you can go back and select pictures out of the video - it's very easy. 

This allows you to go frame by frame  - you can really dial it in - even action shots. 

Most every pic I post is done this way.

I fish too long & hard not to take the few extra steps needed to get a decent pic of what I worked for. 

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

A-Jay

 

[Brew City Bass]

16 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Get a GoPro (or other action video camera) & a Clamp mount - shoot a few second of video of yourself holding your catch.  Then you can go back and select pictures out of the video - it's very easy. 

This allows you to go frame by frame  - you can really dial it is - even actin shots. 

Most every pic I post is done this way 

A-Jay

 

Stunning pictures, beautiful fish!

[Spankey]

14 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I fish by myself the vast majority of the time and I'm OK with it.

Capturing (& then sharing) video makes it 'seem'  - like I not really alone.

A-Jay

 

Very cool!

[813basstard]

Forgot to mention..offspring (in the 7+ range) are awesome. Kids are the most optimistic people I know. We’ve gone 11 hours without a bite and he’s ticked we’re headed back to the boat ramp. That’s positive attitude right there. 

[JustJames]

I always fish alone since my work schedule is not regular and I only fish a couple hour each trip. my old fishing buddy staying with us for now, but still I only fish with him once or twice other than that I fish by myself morning and he fish by himself all day on my boat and my fishing gear. He did pretty good though, a lot better than me.

[Oregon Native]

18 hours ago, WRB said:

I prefer fishing with a partner fun fishing and alone trophy bass fishing. All of my fishing partners have past on now and my son works 6 days a week so I am fishing lone more now then in the past. My wife goes out with me if the weather is just right and we don't leave at o dark 30 or stay out past lunch time.

It's get more and more difficult to fish alone the older we get and I am at that stage in my life, will be 75 this week.

Tom

May you have 75 more birthdays....

[Troy85]

13 hours ago, Brew City Bass said:

Isn't that weird? I've got people hitting me up weekly to go out in the boat, but they always flake last minute. I am more than happy to just go boating and chill with friends. For whatever reason it's like they didn't really mean it so when you're at the launch and text them they respond "Oh sorry, something came up!". That's happened to me three times this year. I don't even ask for gas money or anything. I am gonna be on the lake either way so I figure why not have someone along for a bit. 

That is also part of the reason I'm picky.  I got tired of people committing to go.  Only to get to their house at the arranged time, to have them either not wake up to answer the door/phone, or have them answer only to say they were to tired.  I don't ask for any money and I would always tell them, I'm going regardless, and your extra weight isn't gonna cost me enough extra gas to matter.  

 

Or I would give them a time to meet and their response would be.  That's to early, how about 10am....I'm like dude, its summer in the south, its gonna be 105 degrees by 10am.

[Jaderose]

I always fish alone.  No cell phone.  No camera.  No radio.  I'm not antisocial, I just find too much human interactive exhausting and my fishing time is "me" time.  If I need to talk to someone, I'll shoot the breeze with one of the other old timers at the lake that's doing the same thing I am.

[moorecd3]

I mainly fish alone myself and enjoy it.  It gives me some time to think about things in a way that is not rushed as is most days.  I am able to fish on my lunch break at work for 30 minutes, and it is so worth it to just get out and deflate for a few.  I love to catch fish, but just being out there with nature is refreshing.  When I take my girls fishing (plan to this weekend) it reminds me that it isn't all about me either and I have a lot of fun just watching them catch little 'gills.  Sure it isn't a big bass but the smile on their faces and knowing that they are out actually doing something rather than just sitting inside is a good feeling and that they want to be with their Dad.

9 hours ago, 813basstard said:

Forgot to mention..offspring (in the 7+ range) are awesome. Kids are the most optimistic people I know. We’ve gone 11 hours without a bite and he’s ticked we’re headed back to the boat ramp. That’s positive attitude right there. 

Could not have said that better myself and they teach me more some days about life while fishing than I could teach them in a year.

[bhoff]

I fish alone probably 99% of the time. My friends really aren't interesting in the sport and I'd rather not drag someone out who is not going to have fun. I try and get some of my family to head out with me from time to time but that hardly ever works. I don't mind it though, I usually use fishing as relaxation after working all day.

[the reel ess]

10 hours ago, 813basstard said:

Forgot to mention..offspring (in the 7+ range) are awesome. Kids are the most optimistic people I know. We’ve gone 11 hours without a bite and he’s ticked we’re headed back to the boat ramp. That’s positive attitude right there. 

I was the same. I wore my dad out. He got where he let me run the boat and he sat back. Then he got where he sat in the back of my boat. Then he got where he didn't want to go anymore. He was getting into his late 60's then. I did get him to go to a family friend's pond and walk the bank a little about 8 months before he passed away unexpectedly. And he caught some! Then he got tired and went to sit on my tailgate and talk to our friend while I fished. I'm really glad we did that one more time. 

[Eric J]

My buddy always gives me the same answer, "Sounds like a plan." I hardly ask him any longer as I know he just ain't coming. I think we've fished a few times together this season so I passively let him know and then its up to him ...

[DubyaDee]

Am I the only one with a wife who doesn't let them out on the water alone? Granted I fish Lake St Clair mostly and it can get pretty hairy at times. 

 

Even though my fishing buddy is always 30 minutes late, he doesn't contribute to gas money, makes lousy sandwiches... I enjoy having him there. He listens to me when I tell him what to throw, and it's like I'm casting two rods at the same time. We can cover water quickly and figure them out. 

 

 

[Hez]

31 minutes ago, DubyaDee said:

Am I the only one with a wife who doesn't let them out on the water alone?

 

 

Yep...

 

Only questions my wife asks is "Aren't you going fishing" ...or..."I thought you were fishing, why haven't you left yet?".....or "you're still here?"  

[thinkingredneck]

I fish to get away from people.  I manage 50+ people- mostly women- and deal with the public...

Occasionally my wife goes or one of my kids if they are here.  My one fishing buddy is into catfish with bait lately, trying to catch a monster.  Not my cup of tea.  I can take the kayak out after work, or fish rip rap from shore.

[Tlauz]

I fish alone 90% of the time. I like being able to try new things and new spots and not have to worry about someone else catching fish.  I am lucky that I have a camper at a campground and once I put my boat in I can tie it to a dock.  I usually try to go so I can fish a night and a morning at least.  I mostly go during the week.  I also lake hop to a few area lakes.  Unloading is not an issue because most area lakes have very few boats on them so there is no hurry. If I want a pic I set the phone on my console and use the timer.  Pics are just so I can look back and remember the good days. 

[Bankbeater]

I like the peace and quiet of fishing by myself.

[Wildbillb]

On 7/11/2018 at 11:30 AM, Team9nine said:

Isn't that a George Thorogood song?

 

"I fish alone.

Yeah, with nobody else.

I fish alone.

Yeah, with nobody else.

Yeah, you know when I fish alone

I prefer to be by myself."

 

?

First thing that came to mind when I read the title of the thread.

[Maggiesmaster]

I’m retired & live on a small lake, and always have a fishing companion—my 4 yr old lab.  Many of my friends fish alone; I like partners, but I seem to mostly go on the spur of the moment.