Fishing Alone

[Deleted account]

I don't go fishing for camaraderie, to enjoy the outdoors, to marvel at sunsets, or other miracles of nature. I go fishing to catch fish, so no one or no thing that hinders that comes along.

[Bubba 460]

Hmm, I don't always fish alone, but when I do, I fish by myself.

 

I like this post because I have always been a loner and fish by myself most of the time. Yes, I have a couple of good friends I fish with at times. Either I in their boat or them in mine or we all take our own boats.  Especially in this last horrible year of, "The Plague".

 

You can just do more serious fishing when you're alone, quiet and concentrating. But I also enjoy a day on the water with a good friend, lots of laughs and sharing adventures together. Whether being accused of  trying to knock their bass off the hook while netting it,  patching up a musky ripped finger or just witnessing an awesome top water hit together. Plus the big bucks that changes hands ($5) for the biggest bass of the day. So whether alone or with a good friend any day on the water is better than "almost" anything. But being with or even around the wrong people... yeah, that could be a burner.

[Mobasser]

My grandson Aiden was and still is my fishing partner. Now, he's working after school and most weekends, so I fish alone much of the time. I don't mind it, but I do miss having him along sometimes. I've known a few guys over the years that I wouldn't want to fish with anymore. I do have an older friend who still goes with me sometimes. I like getting him out there when he's able to go, but that's not often. So, if you see an older guy in an old aluminum boat, or a canoe, or bank fishing in the evenings by himself, that's me these days. Most times I'm fishing alone. It's all good.

[NavyVet1204]

I do enjoy the company of my wife on fishing trips a lot. I feel very fortunate that my spouse loves to fish too and sharing that feeling of hooking a 1lb monster never gets old especially with that look on her face every time lol. She is however seven months pregnant at the moment so she hasn’t been fishing with me the last few months. My son will one day be joining me on our fishing trips and I honestly cannot wait.

[gim]

I fish about half the time alone (or just with the dog).  That is generally because the 3 or 4 people I have invited are unable to go with.  I do enjoy the solitude sometimes, just like sitting in the deer stand or turkey blind.

 

The people I'm with are not rookies.  They can take care of themselves, they have their own gear, and I don't have to babysit them in any way.  If I did, they would not be coming with.  Its not a chat fest or happy hour - that is what ice fishing is for.  We fish and they understand that.  My Father is 70 this July and I've learned to realize the last few years that he is not going to be around for another 20 years (and if he is, he probably won't be physically able to fish on his own).  I think he likes coming with because he really doesn't have to hardly do anything other than fish.  He took me a lot when I was younger and did all the work, so now I can return the favor.

 

The worst part about fishing alone is when I catch a big fish.  I don't do selfies, the dog doesn't have thumbs, and I'm not mounting a camera to broadcast it.  The problem is that if there's no photographic evidence, it didn't really happen.  The best I can do is take a photo of the fish on a measuring board in this case.

[Randy Price]

I'm like many others.  I enjoy fishing alone just for the peace and to clear my head.  However, if I'm musky fishing I really enjoy/need a partner!

[HaydenS]

2 hours ago, GRiver said:

When I bought a new bait, I got two.... one for him and he did the same. 
So now I fish alone 

Two Vision 110's... Check

Two Roman Made Glide Baits... Check

Two Packs of MaxScent Power Worms... Check

 

[Choporoz]

One thing I like about kayak fishing is that even when I go out with others, I can fish alone

[huZZah]

9 hours ago, schplurg said:

He always leaves when he runs out of beer anyways, and I don't drink when I fish so I don't have that problem.

In “A River Runs Through It,” he explains that (in Montana), drinking beer isn’t really drinking. ? Preachers kids that sink beer bottles in the Blackfoot River so they’ll be cold when they fish back to where they started. 

[TnRiver46]

I only fish alone when everyone else is busy. I would much rather share almost any life experiences with other humans. It may be an Appalachia thing, all we’ve ever had is each other 

 

give me good times with old friends or even total strangers over solitude, I’ve met some great people along the waterways

[newriverfisherman1953]

I’ve lost two great fishing partners. When they died, I asked for a fishing plug from their tackle boxes. Now, every year, I use those lures to catch a fish on, just to remember the good times and good friendships we had. You can fish alone all you want, but treasure a good fishing friend!

[Fishlegs]

There are times when I want to sneak out to a pond or riverbank to enjoy the solitude, but the best/most memorable fishing trips I've had were almost always with someone else. Maybe I'm just lucky to get to fish with good folks.

[the reel ess]

Same. I fish for my mental health and to recharge my batteries. I can't do that if I'm concerned about somebody with me. I'm my favorite fishing buddy. I have two kayaks so I can take a buddy. But when people ask me to take them and I tell them they'll have to use a kayak, they usually change their minds.

[Bankc]

I prefer to fish alone, but I also enjoy fishing with other people.  I think it helps that I don't do it that often, and when I'm fishing with someone else, I set the rules ahead of time.  That way they know what to expect.  And I let them know there won't be exceptions to the rules and there's a high chance that they'll hate it and want to go home, but that's not gonna happen.  I let them know I take this stuff seriously and it's not gonna be fun.  And no drinking.  We're going to fish, not socialize.  

 

I might slide on some or even all of the rules, depending on how the day goes.  I'm not a tyrant.  I just try to make it sound like I am one so I don't get stuck with someone who thought it was going to be something else entirely and is immediately disappointed.  

 

It's a trick I learned from my grandfather.  He always said that fishing was about patience and taught us to love the act of fishing, not just catching fish.  He always made it known ahead of time that this was serious business and we were not going to have a good time, and he always made sure we had a good time anyway.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I prefer to fish with a friend. I’m pretty social and I assume my friends still enjoy my company as well.  I’ll be saddened when I become a loner.   More sad if my friends prefer not to fish with me.  My friends are never a burden or hassle.  It’s my definition of friendship. 
 

There is one guy in our kayak community that says he is a loner.  But he is full of S. He talks so much that nobody stays around him.  I’ll leave fish and paddle to a dead spot to get out of ear shot. I think he just says he’s a lone-wolf to compensate to the fact that he’s difficult to be with. 
 

as a kayaker it’s best to fish with a buddy anyways. 
 

[HaydenS]

I go out with my buddies, they take the boat I take the yak.  I can't keep up and fish with them since they have a trolling motor, and I have a paddle. They go off and I fish for an hour or two, they come check on me and we talk about what we've seen and caught, then they leave again and the cycle repeats.  It's nice to have that time to fish by yourself, and then nice to have someone to compare experience with and brag to!  

[geo g]

I love fishing with others and have for the past 40 years.  This pandemic has force me to fish alone for quite some time.  We are back now, and love the experience.  Nothing better than sharing the experience with another friend in the boat.  

[DitchPanda]

I'm primarily a bank fisherman and normally fish alone. I have one bass fishing buddy I always enjoy fishing with him but we only get out a handful of times a year. The other two fishing buddies I have dont bass fish..1 is a bank buddy 1 is a boat\ice fishing buddy...we normally target pan fish with occasional trips for catfish or walleye. I enjoy fishing with those guys to but pan fishing is much more laid back and less competitive then bass fishing so that probably contributes.

[David 7]

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

I fish about half the time alone (or just with the dog).  That is generally because the 3 or 4 people I have invited are unable to go with.  I do enjoy the solitude sometimes, just like sitting in the deer stand or turkey blind.

 

The people I'm with are not rookies.  They can take care of themselves, they have their own gear, and I don't have to babysit them in any way.  If I did, they would not be coming with.  Its not a chat fest or happy hour - that is what ice fishing is for.  We fish and they understand that.  My Father is 70 this July and I've learned to realize the last few years that he is not going to be around for another 20 years (and if he is, he probably won't be physically able to fish on his own).  I think he likes coming with because he really doesn't have to hardly do anything other than fish.  He took me a lot when I was younger and did all the work, so now I can return the favor.

 

The worst part about fishing alone is when I catch a big fish.  I don't do selfies, the dog doesn't have thumbs, and I'm not mounting a camera to broadcast it.  The problem is that if there's no photographic evidence, it didn't really happen.  The best I can do is take a photo of the fish on a measuring board in this case.

 

Good point here. I do take the selfies when alone, but it's always a hassle and not what I want to have to concern myself with after landing a catch. It always takes a few moments (seconds) more than I would like. Perhaps it's time for me to get a selfie stick? Nah, couldn't bring myself to do that ha.

[soflabasser]

I prefer fishing with my Wife and family than fish by myself.

[gim]

15 minutes ago, David 7 said:

Good point here.

 

I just think they look terrible.  I'd honestly rather take a photo of the fish on a scale or board instead of trying to hold it and take an awkward photo of myself with a fish.

[David 7]

9 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

I just think they look terrible.  I'd honestly rather take a photo of the fish on a scale or board instead of trying to hold it and take an awkward photo of myself with a fish.

 

True, but if it's a PB or near PB I really want to get my mug in there!

[gunsinger]

Like others, I have a couple guys I fish with.  Some I used to fish with more than others.  Then they got their own boat, and like me, they prefer to fish out of their own boat so they have all the stuff they need.  

 

I enjoy taking the wife and daughter out but, when I do, I know it'll be a short trip because they're not as into it as me.

 

I have one buddy that I enjoy fishing with because I know it'll be good conversation and I know he'll sense when I'm not in the mood to talk.

 

But, more and more, I find myself fishing alone .... and I like it.  I don't have to worry about putting my boat partner on fish.  I don't have to worry which direction or what location I go to.  I can fish close to the bank and pitch or get farther out and not worry about how it impacts their fishing plan.  I can go as early (or as late) as I want to go. 

 

I'm still open to back boaters but I'm not upset when nobody can go.

[Bubba 460]

1 hour ago, David 7 said:

 

True, but if it's a PB or near PB I really want to get my mug in there!

 

Yeah, but if you do that, how do you tell who's who?

[cheezyridr]

like many others, i bank fish and usually alone.  i have a couple buddies who occasionally come along, but i usually prefer to be by myself. matter of fact, i think i'll throw a rod in the car, and go to the crick for a couple hours, right now!