Time

[A-Jay]

On 6/11/2020 at 2:59 PM, 813basstard said:

Grandma used to say:

”you can have time or you can have money...you can’t have both”

 

Boy was she ever right. I’ve been having more time lately ?

However, once much of the sand has pass through the hour glass,

there comes a point where the value of time becomes incalculable.

#appreciate

A-Jay

 

 

[lo n slo]

4 hours ago, Mobasser said:

      How do you manage your fishing time? Can you go as much as you'd like to?

i was fortunate enough to be able to retire from my job with the city water dept in 2010 at the age of 52, with the full 30 years of service required by the state pension plan. i’ve done side jobs for extra cash with a friend since then but i’m about done with that now. i’ve still had plenty of time to fish but it always seems as if i’m being pulled in other directions. so i MAKE TIME for it. and i’m gonna make more.....one of these days.

[Bankbeater]

Most of the time I can only fish on Saturday or Sunday right now.  About every two months I can take a couple of days off work and get out on the water.  Every few years the job gets so hectic that I don't fish for one or two months during the season.

Hopefully I will be able to retire sometime between the next four and six years.  When I do I intend to make up for lost time.

 

[Catt]

3 ruptured disc (L3-L5) & torn ligaments forced me into retirement 10 yrs ago.

 

I do work part time but I pick & choose the jobs, I do it mostly to stay active.

 

I definitely fished more before spinal injuries, gone are the marathon 16-18 hrs days & fishing from dusk to dawn.

[N Florida Mike]

I’ll probably never retire, unless forced to.  I fish a lot, regardless of work. My desire to fish is not much different than when I was young. But now it’s mostly up to 5 hours and thats it. Lower back starts yelling its time to go home.

[BrianMDTX]

45 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

I’ll probably never retire, unless forced to.  I fish a lot, regardless of work. My desire to fish is not much different than when I was young. But now it’s mostly up to 5 hours and thats it. Lower back starts yelling its time to go home.

That’s my issue. But then again, I have a lot of a young man’s desires that I simply can’t keep up with lol. I have to bring a chair with me. Standing too long kills my back. 

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

However, once much of the sand has pass through the hour glass,

there comes a point where time becomes incalculable.

#appreciate

A-Jay

 

 

My parents told me that decades ago. Like a lot of stuff they told me I blew off until I finally realized it was true. 
 

No one cheats Father Time. Or the hangman. 

[Derek1]

What I’m getting out of this is, getting old is not for the week. 
 

I’m 41 and self employed also. I can adjust my schedule a little hear and there when it works out. 
what I find lately when I leave work early to go fishing. Is a ton of people at every available piece of shoreline. 
 

so now that I think about it. I’ve worked the last 26 days or so in a row, with several nights Mixed in. Not enough family time and probably have 3 or so hours of fishing broken up in that time. 
 

the fishing is so over pressured right now it’s almost not worth going. 
 

well there’s my half a rant. 

[NYWayfarer]

In a normal year I fish mostly weekends. If weather, and back, permits (low winds, no rain) by kayak otherwise it’s bank fishing for a 3-6 hour session. Out at sunrise, back a little after lunchtime to start the rest of my day.

 

In the long summer days I can get out after work from 5pm - 8pm for a session.

 

Early November until Early April Mother Nature locks the fishing down tight in these parts.

 

Retirement is at least a decade away and I am not rushing it. A teacher in high school once said that we are always looking forward, weekends, vacations, holidays then retirement. Than we blink and we are at the end of our days. Really hit home with me even in my teen years. I cherish each day for what it brings. 

[Manifestgtr]

I’m 36 and have my own business...retirement is one of those things that occurs to me briefly for a moment here and there, then I go “HAH...right, ok”. Luckily though, I have some good people who work for me and a schedule that still allows me to get out there a few times a week.
 

There was a stretch when I first opened my business that I worked for 7 days a week, sometimes 16 hours a day and that would go on for months at a time without a break. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is at certain points in your life. People with kids know that, people with businesses know it, almost everyone really. 
 

“With great power comes great responsibility”. Not only did you get the chance to actually live and experience consciousness, you got to be a human! Possibly the greatest apex predator this planet has ever seen...that should NEVER be taken for granted. Between working to leave the world better and experiencing as much of it as possible in the meantime, there’s a lot to be done...

[Oregon Native]

Well as some of your know cancer bumped into my retirement .... but have good friends take fishing me sometimes.  Planning isn't all it's cracked out to be.  Wife and I retired at 65 and 69.  Bought a dream boat...truck....live down the street from grand kids....water....other relatives on west coat.........perfect.  Six months later...brain cancer....enjoy today...tomorrow has enough troubles of it's own.

[TriStateBassin106]

I'm in my early 20s and worked two part time jobs while taking my college courses. Before COVID-19 I always made sure weekends and two evenings a week were open for me to go fishing, If I could I would definitely go in the mornings, something is just different about morning fishing compared to going in the evening. With me being currently unemployed because of the pandemic I definitely have valued going in the morning more than evenings. 

[DitchPanda]

Unlike several of you in not retired or even close. In fact I just turned 37 two weeks ago so I've got a long ways to go. As far as fishing goes i work 12s...48 hrs one week 36 the next...so I can fish a lot honestly. And I've been fishing like crazy this year up until around my bday. All my days off have been 95 and humid so I haven't gone.

[Captain Phil]

I'm 73.  Fishing was always a big part of my life. I was lucky to marry a woman who enjoyed fishing as well.  I started my own business when I was 22.  I never took a vacation longer than a few days.  I fished tournaments on the weekends.  I sold my business when I was in my 50s.  Retirement didn't work for me.  It wasn't financial issues, it was the feeling of not working.   Being productive is an important part of who I am. Working only when I want, with whom I want and for how long is the best part of what I do now.

 

About ten years ago, I started having trouble standing for long periods of time.  I went to a doctor and they told me I have spinal stenosis, which is arthritis in the spine.  It started getting worse and the doctors started talking about operations.  Don't do it!   I eventually learned to deal with it.  If I end up in a wheel chair, so be it. 

 

I learned to flip sitting down.  This works well for me.  The fish don't seem to mind.  When I was young, I would go fishing in the dark and come back in the dark.  I have arthritis in my hands too.  These days I limit my fishing trips to a few hours at a time.   My boat is in a slip on Little Lake Harris, so I don't have to deal with towing and boat ramps.  I'm telling you this so you will know getting old is not as bad as you may think.  When there is the will, there is a way. 

[Oregon Native]

20 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

I'm 73.  Fishing was always a big part of my life. I was lucky to marry a woman who enjoyed fishing as well.  I started my own business when I was 22.  I never took a vacation longer than a few days.  I fished tournaments on the weekends.  I sold my business when I was in my 50s.  Retirement didn't work for me.  It wasn't financial issues, it was the feeling of not working.   Being productive is an important part of who I am. Working only when I want, with whom I want and for how long is the best part of what I do now.

 

About ten years ago, I started having trouble standing for long periods of time.  I went to a doctor and they told me I have spinal stenosis, which is arthritis in the spine.  It started getting worse and the doctors started talking about operations.  Don't do it!   I eventually learned to deal with it.  If I end up in a wheel chair, so be it. 

 

I learned to flip sitting down.  This works well for me.  The fish don't seem to mind.  When I was young, I would go fishing in the dark and come back in the dark.  I have arthritis in my hands too.  These days I limit my fishing trips to a few hours at a time.   My boat is in a slip on Little Lake Harris, so I don't have to deal with towing and boat ramps.  I'm telling you this so you will know getting old is not as bad as you may think.  When there is the will, there is a way. 

One day at a time....good for you.  Not going to try and list other doctor visits I have to make...told myself it's just reminders of krap...don't need em.  Easier said than done but we gotta have goals right!!!

All the best ...

[Dminor9]

  I thought when I retired a few years, that I would have more time to fish. I actually seem to have less time to fish. A lot of people have asked me what do I do with all my free time now. Well, let's see. My wife is still working full time, so I take care of all the house chores, yard work, etc. Add in my other hobbies of being an avid chess player; a musician who composes, records, and mixes music; an amateur astronomer with an 8" Dobsonian Telescope, spending time with my 2 1/2 year old grandson, playing video games, and family time, doesn't leave too much time for fishing.

  I wouldn't have it any other way. When I do get to go fishing it is a relaxing day on the water. Catching fish or not aside, just being in nature and enjoying all the sights and sounds is relaxing and calming. I have learned to appreciate just being alive and able to enjoy another day, each and everyday. I have so much to be thankful for, that fishing for me is the icing on the cake. 

[scaleface]

On 6/12/2020 at 10:44 AM, Captain Phil said:

I learned to flip sitting down.

I havent learned that yet but I sit as much as I can . My back gets unbearable after standing for awhile . I even take the seat from my plastic boat when I fish in a jon boat . I need that break . Fished for eleven hours yesterday , sitting down for more than half of it . 

[BrianMDTX]

3 hours ago, scaleface said:

I havent learned that yet but I sit as much as I can . My back gets unbearable after standing for awhile . I even take the seat from my plastic boat when I fish in a jon boat . I need that break . Fished for eleven hours yesterday , sitting down for more than half of it . 

I fractured two vertebrae in 2015. When I fish from the bank I need to bring a foldable chair as I cannot stand for long periods of time. Is it a PITA to bring a chair? Yes. Does it limit my mobility? Yes. Is it better than NOT fishing? YES! 

 

I am not good (yet) at flipping sitting down lol. 

[Captain Phil]

Because of my back problems, I recently sold my bass boat and went to fishing from a pontoon boat.  I never thought this was workable as most pontoons are hard to control and position.  I made a few posts about this in the boating section.  Fishing from a pontoon boat has made fishing fun again.  My boat stays on a lift so I don't have to tow and launch it.   The small amount I pay the marina is well worth it.  The new smart trolling motors are like having a guide in the boat. My 18' boat has two bass seats up front with nothing between me and the fish. My wife sits in the back under a canvas top and she doesn't have to worry about sitting in the sun all day.    When you get older, it's best to take someone with you.  I hope I can keep fishing into my nineties.

[scaleface]

2 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Because of my back problems, I recently sold my bass boat and went to fishing from a pontoon boat.  I never thought this was workable as most pontoons are hard to control and position.  I made a few posts about this in the boating section.  Fishing from a pontoon boat has made fishing fun again.  My boat stays on a lift so I don't have to tow and launch it.   The small amount I pay the marina is well worth it.  The new smart trolling motors are like having a guide in the boat. My 18' boat has two bass seats up front with nothing between me and the fish. My wife sits in the back under a canvas top and she doesn't have to worry about sitting in the sun all day.    When you get older, it's best to take someone with you.  I hope I can keep fishing into my nineties.

I have a 22 foot Lowe deck boat . Two seats up front , Bimini top , huge front deck . My wife sits in the shade and reads while I fish . I never have both seats in . I bought  pedestal with a butt rest for it and switch to a seat if the back starts getting sore . 

[Goldstar225]

I retired two years ago and planed on fishing at least two days a week.  It hasn't happened.  It's amazing how you'll have one thing a day that pops up 3-4 days of the week plus weather that cuts into your plans.  I don't go on the weekends generally, preferring the weekdays.  My health is good there's that as a plus.  Still, it beats the heck out of a work schedule.

[Captain Phil]

11 hours ago, Goldstar225 said:

I don't go on the weekends generally, preferring the weekdays. 

Have you ever noticed how much better the fish bite on weekdays vs. weekends?  One of the perks of retirement. 

[kingmotorboat]

At 34 I typically fish once a week. Sometimes not at all. Girlfriend lives an hour away so I try to balance all my time. And with a possible move to an hour away coming I'm going to get less time for a bit I'm sure. I'm now at the point where I analyze water less and fish the way I have fun. Heavy weights bigger baits. I realized not to long ago to fish to have fun again, and not fish to win money. Haven't fished a tournament since last August

[king fisher]

I grew up in a small town of about 500 people.  There was a lake close enough to ride my bike to that had a decent population, of large mouth, panfish, and rainbow trout.  The creek flowing out of the lake had small mouth bass, and being a local, I had shore access to anyplace I could find to cast.  There was a public access at one end of the lake, with a small dock.

      I went fishing there, almost every day of the summer.  A friend of mine lived a quarter mile away from the lake and fished with me whenever he could.  We both owned a bass plug or two, and preferred to fish for bass, but most days were spent fishing off the small dock for whatever would bite a worm dug up out of the garden.   We would usually catch our limits of trout, and maybe a few crappie. If conditions were right would walk the shore casting for bass.  We were  envious of what we called rich city fishermen.  They would launch there boats at the ramp by the dock.  They would always have more than one rod, and at least one large tackle box full of lures.  We would always ask if they would show us thier lures.  I always looked with envy, and hoped that some day I would be rich and have a huge tackle box stuffed with the best bass plugs money could buy.

     The odd thing was, when they would get back to the dock, they usually hadn't caught as many fish as my friend and I.  They didn't know the lake well, and would fish all the good spots at the wrong time of day, or when the wind was blowing the wrong direction.  We would never waste our time fishing the one shallow bay close enough to walk to when the wind wasn't blowing strong out of the west or the fish the opposite bank from the dock in the middle of the day.  A strong west wind made it worth an hour walk to the bay to cast our Mepps spinners, and the opposite bank was great in the evening for a Hulla Popper.  Any other time was better spent catching trout for dinner.  One time one of the city fishermen asked me if I would show him where the fish were.  It was a perfect day for walking down the creek for the small mouth bass.  I took him to a few of the best spots and we both caught lots of bass.  I asked him why he bothered to fish from the bank with me, when he had a boat and could fish anywhere in the lake.  He replied he had been to that lake before without much luck, and we had caught more bass from the bank than on his other trips combined.  He told me that local knowledge and time on the water was more important than nice gear and a big boat, even if the local knowledge was coming from a 13 year old farm kid.  He told me I was so lucky to have access to such great fishing and the time to take advantage of it.  Before he left he promised not to tell any one about the small mouths in the creek, and gave me a floating Rapala that was my favorite lure for many years.  He told me a nice boat and great gear, is only good if you have time to use it and I should consider myself very lucky.  I told my friend about the city angler and we both agreed that the man was right.  Fishing is more fun than having great gear but no time to use it.  Of course, I still dreamed of owning a big tackle box full of the latest and best.  Even at that young age, the Bait Monkey was trying to work his way in to my life.

        Now the situation is reversed. I have way to much gear, and very little time.  Once a year or so I get a chance to fish with that same friend.  He still brings one spinning rod, a few inline spinners, some crappie jigs, and a Jitterbug.  He fishes almost every evening and all day on the weekends.  I show up with all my gear, and constantly try to get him to try my rod, reels, lures, and modern super lines.  He laughs and out fishes me with the gear he has.  He always tells me he doesn't need any fancy gear to catch more fish than a city angler.  I try and claim that I am not a city angler, but then realize who am I kidding.

       Some days when the Bait Monkey has me on line ordering every new lure, line, or rod-reel, that I read about, I have to stop and tell myself, to spend less time reading and buying, and more time fishing. I  hope to retire some day and be a country fisherman with a city anglers tackle box.  Now to convince my wife, that the perfect place to retire is a small house, no yard, garden, or other time wasting luxury, 10 miles from a paved road, 60 miles from a shopping mall, close to a lake with big bass in it.