For those that fish everyday...How happy are you? :)

[clemsondds]

I'm not sure which thread this should be in...but just wanted to get your deep thoughts.  I am currently a middle aged working dad who longs for quiet, peaceful days on the water.  But unfortunately those don't happen too often.  I often find myself looking forward to retirement and being able to fish alot more.  But it got me thinking that will I be happy and satisfied when I get to fish everyday.  I know there are lots of other factors that go into this (family/relationships, spiritual fulfillment, financial peace...) but just looking at the fishing aspect of it, at what point have you received the most fun out of fishing?  Is it fishing every day, fishing tournaments, fishing random weekends when you were working...?  Just curious how it feels when you are retired and get to fish alot more.  I assume it's heaven on earth    And please don't make this too serious and negative...I'm not looking for life lessons.  I treasure the days I have right now with my kids and love the stage of life I am at...but I still wish I could fish a little more   Tight Lines

[Koz]

I am not retired but until I moved last year I had the ability to fish every day if I wanted to do that and usually fished 4-6 days a week. I bank fished and literally had thousands of lagoons to choose from and the fishing was usually great.

 

For me it was a great way to decompress. For the most part there were no "deep thoughts". In fact, my mind usually went blank and I just enjoyed the outdoors, the flora and fauna, walking the banks, and biking from lagoon to lagoon.

 

Sometimes I fished alone and sometimes with my son or friends. But in each case it just allowed me to clear my mind. I guess that's why I enjoyed it so much. Everything going on in my life melted away and I could truly relax and not worry about or think about anything. I could use some of that right now!

[TnRiver46]

I don’t fish everyday but I fish a whole lot. I can’t imagine it any other way but you’ve got to be happy everyday no matter what happens 

[Tizi]

I am nearing retirement and am wanting to do the same.  Fish every day possible!  This includes traveling to those lakes I always read about as a kid (think southern latitude).

[RichF]

I had a pretty good gig for a few years.  Had a good job in NNY where I'm from.  Worked 4 days a week and fished 3.  My GF at the time (now wife) was attending law school out of state and I stayed back, continued to work, and supported her while she was there.  I fished a ton of tournaments with my dad and was able to visit her for a long weekend every month. After the GF/wife finished school I was able to find a job in the DC area and moved to be with her.  The fishing suffered for sure but I still made several trips back to fish with my Pops. Fast forward to now and we have our first kid and still live in the DC area.  Fishing is kind of an afterthought now, unfortunately.  I'm planning a couple short trips back home to fish with my dad but it won't be anything like the days of old.  I would love to be on the water like I used to but also wouldn't trade anything in the world for my wife and daughter.  If I could have my family on the boat with me everyday, it would be a dream!  

[skekoam]

I'm not even close to retirement, but if fishing was convenient and I was catching, I would love to fish everyday for an hour or so.  I've always dreamed of living somewhere with my own pond, but the way things are going that will never happen.  Right now, Its hard to find 30 minutes to myself as I have 4 young kids.  Right now, going to work is my sanctuary and time to decompress.  I do fish during lunch sometimes knowing full well that the odds of getting skunked are super high.  I still enjoy it though.

I'm not even close to retirement, but if fishing was convenient and I was catching, I would love to fish everyday for an hour or so.  I've always dreamed of living somewhere with my own pond, but the way things are going that will never happen.  Right now, Its hard to find 30 minutes to myself as I have 4 young kids.  Right now, going to work is my sanctuary and time to decompress.  I do fish during lunch sometimes knowing full well that the odds of getting skunked are super high.  I still enjoy it though.

[Tennessee Boy]

Work/Life/Fishing balance can get complicated.  If you’re like me,  you’re on this site right now because you’re thinking about fishing but life is keeping you off the water.  So bassresource.com is the next best thing.

[A-Jay]

I am retired.

I fish when I can and it's not everyday.

Perhaps imagine if you woke up tomorrow morning and most everyone in your life that you love and care about was dead or gone, but you could fish everyday.  Would you be 'happier' then or now ?

#perspective

A-Jay 

[WRB]

I fished more before I retired. Retirement from age means your health isn't what it was when you were younger in the prime of earning a living. When you are working you plan more for mental health days on the water and vacations fishing with the family. Retirement means you can choose the days more spontaneous and you get picky not wanting brave cold windy rainy weather you did as a younger angler.

Ideally you are in a financial position to retire at a younger healthier age, most of use wait to we are older and more financially secure but our health isn't up to the demands of fishing as often as we thought we would.

Tom

[jimmyjoe]

   I'm retired, and I fish 6 days a week when the weather allows. It's great! I love the peace and quiet.

   But let me tell you something that I found out long ago: peace and quiet doesn't come from the outside. It comes from within. If you have problems that you can't deal with, fishing isn't gonna change that. Only you can change that, by fixing the problems. Then you can enjoy fishing.

   Nobody on earth can run fast enough to run away from their problems.        jj

[Bird]

I am retired and can't think of a better way to spend it than being on the water. 

 

4-5 days a week is plenty and can be taxing at that, fishing all day ain't easy. Lol

 

Fishing is very rewarding and enjoyable but shouldn't be the endorphin that produces personal happiness but rather an event that brings joy. 

[Bigassbass]

I'm retired and I love being able to go fishing when ever I please, it is a lot of fun!  I usually fish alone but enjoy when someone goes with me that makes it a challenge since I'm competitive.  I've lived on a farm that had a pond and really the novelty somehow wears off, more fun to go somewhere different.  So, having more time to fish allows you to do it and it's fun being retired and going fishing, but no more than when I was younger and fishing, that was super fun too.

If you like to fish you'll enjoy all times you get to go!

[PhishLI]

Anyone that's had dental surgery that required a pain killer knows exactly what it feels like when the drug kicks in. It's an ahhhh moment. The stress of pain washes away and you're left in a dull glow. Total peace. That's exactly what fishing feels like to me. Each step towards the water washes everything away. Like Koz said, I go blank. I fish as much as time allows and my wife will tolerate. I don't do drugs or drink. Fishing's my shot of JD. Fishing's my opiate. 

[TnRiver46]

14 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Anyone that's had dental surgery that required a pain killer knows exactly what it feels like when the drug kicks in. It's an ahhhh moment. The stress of pain washes away and you're left in a dull glow. Total peace. That's exactly what fishing feels like to me. Each step towards the water washes everything away. Like Koz said, I go blank. I fish as much as time allows and my wife will tolerate. I don't do drugs or drink. Fishing's my shot of JD. Fishing's my opiate. 

Please please no dental work (aka wallet work). I got an all clear on my last cleaning, what a relief if only for 6 months 

[PhishLI]

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Please please no dental work (aka wallet work). I got an all clear on my last cleaning, what a relief if only for 6 months 

I'm with you! I had 3 fully impacted wisdom teeth that had to go, in two sittings. Mama mia.

[Tennessee Boy]

The OP is a dentist and you guys are sharing all your dental problems.  That should make him happy even if he can’t go fishing every day. ?

[frogflogger]

Lived on a boat in so. fla on a canal off the new river and caught a fish every day for 4 yrs on a topwater bait - usually a popper or chugger - they were jack crevalle - usually only took a few casts and I'm sure I missed a day or two but very few. It was great fun and good prep for when I started fishing the glades full time for bass.

[The Bassman]

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Please please no dental work (aka wallet work). I got an all clear on my last cleaning, what a relief if only for 6 months 

Have you ever seen the commercial of the dentist and his assistant looking at the x-ray of the patient's back pocket? Dr. comments that "it's all going to have to come out".

[DitchPanda]

Like many of you fishing has always been my stress reliever...I used to fish 5 to 6 evenings a week...now I work 12 hour days so I don't get out near as much... I will say when I got out more I didn't eat or drink near as much and was generally healthier and happier as in had a better attitude and was in a better mood most times

[clemsondds]

Thank you all for your time and thoughts.  

9 hours ago, Bigassbass said:

I'm retired and I love being able to go fishing when ever I please, it is a lot of fun!  I usually fish alone but enjoy when someone goes with me that makes it a challenge since I'm competitive.  I've lived on a farm that had a pond and really the novelty somehow wears off, more fun to go somewhere different.  So, having more time to fish allows you to do it and it's fun being retired and going fishing, but no more than when I was younger and fishing, that was super fun too.

If you like to fish you'll enjoy all times you get to go!

Interesting line and great response.  I have often dreamed of having a pond on our property...so it's interesting that you say the novelty wears off...that had never occurred to me but I bet it's true. 

 

Here's another question to everyone.  In your years of fishing, what's brought you the most joy?  Has it been being able to go out daily now that you are retired, going fishing with kids/g-kids, tournaments...no wrong answer. Just curious what everyone feels was their most joyous/fulfilling times when they look back over the years. 

[Guitarfish]

After working for 48 years I deserve to go fishing.  But our government agencies are delaying my retirement with stupid delays / screw ups.

 

Anyway, I love fishing but still won't be going everyday.  Gotta keep Momma happy too.

 

[clemsondds]

9 hours ago, Guitarfish said:

After working for 48 years I deserve to go fishing.  But our government agencies are delaying my retirement with stupid delays / screw ups.

 

Anyway, I love fishing but still won't be going everyday.  Gotta keep Momma happy too.

 

Man that stinks. Hope they get that figured out! 
 

thabk you all for your comments! Great to head wise advice! 

[Scott F]

Back several years, before I retired, I thought retirement would mean I’d be fishing or playing golf everyday.  Now that I am retired, I find that I don’t feel the same way. Physical limitations have kept me from playing any golf. And while I still love to fish, I’m not interested in doing it everyday. If you get the chance to retire and you want to fish everyday, go for it! I couldn’t be happier today being able to do whatever I please, whenever I want. Some days it’s fishing, many days it’s just keeping busy around the house. 

[Dens228]

I've been retired for four years, I work security part time afternoons at a high school, so summers off.

I am VERY happy that I can fish every day. 

 

[clemsondds]

Do most of you that fish every day, do y’all live on a lake?  How many retired to on the water, and if so, is it all you imagined it would be?  Just curious if living on a lake, the novelty “wears off” as mentioned before about ponds or it’s as great as it seems. Thanks