Health and fishing

[Topwaterdude]

I was curious if any health issues changed how you fish? Reason I ask is got a bad knee and I love to standup and fish throwing a variety of moving baits and slower baits,but recently my knee pain has gotten so bad I've had to sit and fish,been worm fishing more than normal,that technique seems to be easier for me to sit and fish and be productive.

[The Bassman]

For many years creek wading was my favorite technique. An ankle injury has for the most part kept me from that. A bigger matter in the long term is arthritis in my thumbs. It makes baitcasting painful sometimes. I'm OK with spinning for now.

[Topwaterdude]

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

For many years creek wading was my favorite technique. An ankle injury has for the most part kept me from that. A bigger matter in the long term is arthritis in my thumbs. It makes baitcasting painful sometimes. I'm OK with spinning for now.

I just turned 51 got a very physical job been doing it for 30 years starting to really feel it,before I could stand all day on boat deck just throw and throw now it's become more sit down throw worm out there and work it slow,all that said I'm very happy I can still physically do my job and still be able to fish and enjoy being on the water.

[Oregon Native]

Arthritis is a "pain" to be sure and in the hands it's not fun...well anywhere it's not fun.  I've been using some "DMSO" for a couple years now and it has helped...a cure....no...not for me but it keeps me golfing and fishing.  Older we get it seems like you have to put up with some pain.  After my pancreatitis I now keep a p-seat in the front of boat for some reason.  During that time I fished and was very unsteady....now....just not taking any chances...it's there if I need it. 

[jbmaine]

Back and foot issues mandate I sit to fish 95% of the time. My wife has hand issues and can only fish for short periods of time. We ended up buying a multi species boat so we can both be more comfortable on the water.

[Deleted account]

when at 40, I heard "60 is the new 40" I thought that might be a a load of crap, now 3 years from 60, I'm convinced of it. Everyone's body will react to aging and a lifetime of use and abuse differently, but all of us will have to adapt to our increasing physical limitations as time goes on, time and tide, you know...

[The Bassman]

13 minutes ago, Oregon Native said:

Arthritis is a "pain" to be sure and in the hands it's not fun...well anywhere it's not fun.  I've been using some "DMSO" for a couple years now and it has helped...a cure....no...not for me but it keeps me golfing and fishing.  Older we get it seems like you have to put up with some pain.  After my pancreatitis I now keep a p-seat in the front of boat for some reason.  During that time I fished and was very unsteady....now....just not taking any chances...it's there if I need it. 

Thanks for reminding me about DMSO. Tried it but didn't really give it a chance. 

[Gundog]

A chronic bad back and arthritis limit the time I can sit and paddle my canoe but I try not to let it spoil my fun. I'm happy when I can get out and enjoy the outdoors. 

[TOXIC]

Guiding for 15 years has helped me in my "advanced" years....  I'm 61.  I have always said that hardcore fishing works a whole set of muscle groups that you don't normally use and unless you tailor a workout routine to specifically address those groups, you can be really surprised on how someone can be in good shape and a day of "combat" fishing will tear them up.  I've seen it hundreds of times on guide trips where clients are tuckered out and sitting down after 5 hours into an 8 hour trip.  I  may look fluffy and out of shape but I can still hardcore fish for 12 hours in any conditions.  Yes, my back feels it a little more nowadays (losing some of my fluff would help with that) but otherwise, I'm good to go.  Spending a lot of days on big water when it is rocking and not just fishing when conditions are perfect helps keep my balance sharp and me in what we call "fishing shape".  After the winter lazyies, we make a very concerted effort to get in a couple of weeks of hardcore marathon fishing to get in fishing shape for our annual trip to St Clair.  As anybody who fishes hardcore knows, a full week of sunup to sundown fishing on big water, no matter the conditions, will flat out tear you up if you are not ready for it.  I don't ever want to let my body think that there is any other way to fish and barring a major injury or health problem, I have no plans to slow down.   

[JWall14]

I’m still healthy and in high school but play basketball so I get pretty banged up from that. Feels good to get some time on the water after a hard season. The season has perfect timing! Starts when it gets in the 30s and ends last week of February right when the water opens back up!

[NYWayfarer]

Back and shoulder issues from a fall have kept me out of the kayak for most of the 2018 fishing season.

 

My father is 80 years old and he said to me his body gave out long before his desire to fish did.

[BassNJake]

I have a couple of surgeries planned for early next year.

Both issues happened early this spring but I fended them off until the winter as I wasn't going to miss pre spawn, spawn or post spawn.

We'll see how much that will cost me physically next year.

[A-Jay]

Have had my share of 'injuries' over the years.

Many of them were self induced and usually revolved around me being a victim of my own (over) enthusiasm.

Currently working on my 60th trip around the sun.

I've tried to keep in at least 'fishing shape' for most of it.

Best way for me to be able to fish tomorrow, is to do something about it today.

A-Jay

[Log Catcher]

Like Topwaterdude I am in the same shape having bad knees. Every job I had was hard physical labor that took its toll on my body. The doctors say knee replacements are my only option. I have to sit down to fish and have to be extremely careful just trying to step up on the casting deck or stepping back down. I just turned 67 and find myself reaching for a spinning rod a little more often to give my shoulders a break. I do still throw crank baits and spinner baits at times.

[Topwaterdude]

23 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

Like Topwaterdude I am in the same shape having bad knees. Every job I had was hard physical labor that took its toll on my body. The doctors say knee replacements are my only option. I have to sit down to fish and have to be extremely careful just trying to step up on the casting deck or stepping back down. I just turned 67 and find myself reaching for a little more often to give my shoulders a break. I do still throw crank baits and spinner baits at times.

My nickname to my friends is full throttle and 30 years of manual labor will do some damage to your body,I do miss power fishing but sitting down and worm fishing has made me notice alot more things in the areas I'm fishing and slowed my presentation down and in turn producing more fish funny how things work out?

[flatcreek]

Just hung a rebuilt Merc 150 on my TV18, iv'e been rebuilt and I'm good to go.Ain't quittin till they pry my rod and reel from my cold dead hands

[slonezp]

I do the best i can with what ive got.

 

I tore the trapezoid and rhomboid muscles off my left shoulder as well as other damage. Had 3 surgeries. Prior to surgery number 3, i couldn't fish more than 2 hours without being in excruciating pain, and it took 2 days to recover from the pain. I can fish all day now and it only takes a day to recover. I've taken to multi species fishing rather than just bass and no longer fish tournaments. 

[Topwaterdude]

I think your avg person doesn't realize how physical fishing can be.

[Koz]

I have one surgically repaired knee from an old college hockey injury and the other knee has some cartilage damage. I bank fish and tend to cover a lot of ground moving from lagoon to lagoon and there are some days when the bad knee gets to me but I don't stop fishing. It's when I get back in the car for the drive home that the pain really sets in.

 

I usually try to take some Advil or Tylenol before I head out fishing, then again when I get home. Cold days are the worst. More often than not I stay home on those days.

[N Florida Mike]

I can still fish all day but it helps if they're biting !! ?

I broke my right thumb badly when I was 19. Now its hard for me to throw heavier bait casting gear very long.

I use spinning more anyway. At 58, Im good for at least 4 hrs or so before my lower back starts talkin' to me.

[Oregon Native]

21 hours ago, BassNJake said:

I have a couple of surgeries planned for early next year.

Both issues happened early this spring but I fended them off until the winter as I wasn't going to miss pre spawn, spawn or post spawn.

We'll see how much that will cost me physically next year.

Lifting....hope all goes well...hopefully there's some good stories on here to help you stay entertained.

[Catt]

On 11/9/2018 at 12:38 AM, Topwaterdude said:

I was curious if any health issues changed how you fish? 

 

Yelp! 

 

Improvise, Adapt and Overcome ?

[Oregon Native]

16 hours ago, Topwaterdude said:

I think your avg person doesn't realize how physical fishing can be.

I knowwwwwwwwwww.  This is so funny and I love it.  I don't know how many I've taken out and by 11:00 or so they're going...."What time ya heading in?!"  I say....hmmmm...sun hasn't set yet.  They say....well my wife wanted me to.........so .....we go in.....never to return.  Now it's I'll meet you at the ramp when I'm in the mood to take someone of questionable .........ummmmmm....intentions. 

Mama worries when I'm by myself but if our good Lord should take me while I'm on the water....well...not a bad place to go.  Better than looking out a window. 

At 68 I still try and fish a ten to twelve hour day.  Can do this for several days then it's read a book day as the wife gives me a nice lil lecture about "relaxing".  I don't push it as much but do love it.

[N Florida Mike]

My advice would be "Endeaver to persevere" ?

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I turned 70 this year ... had to give up my sit-in kayak for a sit-on-top; just raising the seat a few inches made all the difference in the world to getting in and out of the kayak. (The “Geezer Strap” helps immensely!). Been fortunate though; other than a loss of flexibility I seem to be doing ok.  Sounds silly, but I bought one of those Simply Fit exercise gizmos three years ago and use it all winter. Using that plus doing various squat exercises all winter have really helped me stay limber enough to keep on yakking.