There must be something wrong with me

[fin]

I semi-subconsciously used work as an excuse for a lot of things. Eating poorly and ignoring my health were a couple of those things. Those things catch up with you, and you can’t fix them later.

[Junk Fisherman]

On 8/16/2022 at 3:22 PM, BustedSwimbait said:

There have been days where I'd wake up and "not feel like going" but as soon as I actually get out of the house and on the water, I'm happy I got out. 

 

This is the case with me all the time.  I wake up very early and tired and don't really want to deal with the hassle of hooking up the boat, driving 45 minutes to the lake, and dealing with a crowded lake especially in the spring.  But then, once I get there I am always happy.  There have been times when I went back to bed and then later I really regretted the decision especially when I am faced with a week of work before I can get out again.  I am aware of this now so I pretty much just ignore those thoughts when I wake up and always go.  That fear of regret and not being able to go for a week always gets me out of bed.  

 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

9 hours ago, Koz said:

Too long ago except for COVID testing. I'm due for a check up, eye exam and PSA test.

 

It's hard to do that with my hotel schedule and on top of that I serve on 4 boards here in town. It would be easier if I could find an experienced Assistant GM.

 

Venting here has been cathartic. I do see a distant light at the end of the tunnel.

yea.  it could be an underlying medical condition.

 

hell, (hate to say it) even mild depression will make you lose interest in things you find enjoyable.  

 

I think a first best step is to eliminate any possible med causes.  

[Koz]

16 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

yea.  it could be an underlying medical condition.

 

hell, (hate to say it) even mild depression will make you lose interest in things you find enjoyable.  

 

I think a first best step is to eliminate any possible med causes.  

It’s mostly lack of sleep because of my chaotic schedule. Under normal conditions I’m in bed by 10 and up 5-6. Now I might not get home until midnight and be back at work by 6:45 am.

 

This was no big deal when I was younger, but it takes a toll now. Thankfully, I have a great core crew and they look out for me. For example, my full time night auditor volunteered and picked up tonight’s overnight shift so I don’t have to do it. Other associates picked up extra days next week so I can have a day off. I love my crew!

[Junk Fisherman]

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

hell, (hate to say it) even mild depression will make you lose interest in things you find enjoyable.  

 

 

100%

 

Back when I went through a divorce, I didn't fish for nearly 2 months.  Lost total interest.  This summer when I had a major mechanical issue with my motor and was faced with a huge repair bill and a lot of uncertainty as to whether Yamaha was going to support me even though the motor was slightly out of warranty, I became depressed and lost the desire to fish.  I had offers to fish with others but I had no interest.  It wasn't until the issue was resolved and the motor was being worked on that I finally started fishing with others and started visiting the fishing forums again.  Hell, for a good month I didn't even want to go in the garage and be around my boat and fishing gear.    I know from firsthand experience how depression can sap your enthusiasm to fish.   

[TnRiver46]

On 8/17/2022 at 2:30 PM, Bankc said:

A month and a half straight of almost constant 100° weather has done that to me this summer.  I can handle the heat.  It's not fun.  But I spend enough time outdoors that my body adapts pretty well.  But that heat also brings the surface water temperature up.  In some lakes, it's over 90°.  The bass won't bite when it's that hot.  Not for me, anyway.  The fishing is as tough as it is when the water temp is in the high 30's.  

 

Bass, being cold blooded, are the opposite (metabolism wise) at high 30s than in the 90s. The warmer the water, the more they must eat to survive 

[The Baron]

On 8/16/2022 at 5:56 PM, 12poundbass said:

I think that’s my issue. I haven’t had the boat wet once this year. It’s been crazy busy around home and exceptionally busy and stressful at work and I think it’s taking it’s toll on my motivation to go fishing. 

Work stress and just general mental exhaustion can really take it's toll.  I've been there.  Even today, I'm going fishing "later" - I could have certainly gone early, but a very busy work week wore me out.  That said, my best advise is carve out a day or two and just go fishing - you NEED that down time and will be more productive and better able to deal with the rest if you get it.  Sounds like right now you're maxed and just running on fumes.  Be careful and take some mental down time before your body does something to make you.

On 8/16/2022 at 3:52 PM, Koz said:

I think the problem is that my kayak and my favorite gear is stored at my hotel and I just don't want to get sucked into whatever has been going on at the property the past few days. Mercifully, my staff has (hopefully) handled anything that came up as I have only received one text message from them since yesterday. They know I've been stressed lately and their looking out for me.

 

So, have you ever found yourself lacking motivation to go fishing even though part of you really wants to get out there?

Yes, 100% I've been there.

 

People appreciate a boss/owner who's human and honest - go get the kayak and pop in to say "Hi - I really need a day on the lake, so if at all possible just deal with whatever comes up until you hear from me".  Your staff will understand that you've gotta unplug now and then.

[Clumsy fisherman]

On 8/16/2022 at 3:52 PM, Koz said:

I've had only a few days off the past 2+ months, but I managed to take off Monday and Tuesday (today) this week. Monday was catching up on chores, washing the car, and just decompressing.

 

I set my alarm to go off at 4:30 am on Tuesday to head out on my kayak and do some fishing. By 4:50 am I was back in bed. I decided to catch up on some sleep instead. Fast forward to this afternoon, and it's an overcast day with temps only in the low 80's instead of blazing summer heat. For summertime in GA, it's actually a pretty good day to get out there. School has started and the boat traffic should be minimal. 

 

The problem? I'm just not motivated to go even though a part of me really wants to fish today.

 

I think the problem is that my kayak and my favorite gear is stored at my hotel and I just don't want to get sucked into whatever has been going on at the property the past few days. Mercifully, my staff has (hopefully) handled anything that came up as I have only received one text message from them since yesterday. They know I've been stressed lately and their looking out for me.

 

So, have you ever found yourself lacking motivation to go fishing even though part of you really wants to get out there?

For the last 3 weeks I resemble that comment.

[Koz]

3 hours ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

For the last 3 weeks I resemble that comment.

I got back at it yesterday. I only worked about 6 hours and then dragged myself and my kayak down to the lake.

 

I spent most of my time pedaling out to some new areas and working my electronics. I couldn't fins any bass, but I caught some crappie. 

 

I was about 2.5 miles out and looked back towards where I launched and saw a rain squall coming my way. Knowing thunderstorms were a few hours out, I headed back and took on the squall head on. I can tell you this - wearing glasses is no fun in heavy rain.

 

Other than getting wet, is was a good day back out on the water. It's just too bad that it's supposed to rain for the rest of the week.

[fin]

9 hours ago, Koz said:

It's just too bad that it's supposed to rain for the rest of the week.

 

It was supposed to rain all last week too, but it didn't happen like they said. You've just got to study the radar before you go. The forecast system doesn't work well with scattered rain/storms.

 

Sometimes it feels good just to get out, even if it is a bad trip. Sometimes not ?

[TnRiver46]

4 hours ago, fin said:

 

It was supposed to rain all last week too, but it didn't happen like they said. You've just got to study the radar before you go. The forecast system doesn't work well with scattered rain/storms.

 

Sometimes it feels good just to get out, even if it is a bad trip. Sometimes not ?

Weatherman is about 0 for his last 20 guesses here 

[Koz]

6 hours ago, fin said:

 

It was supposed to rain all last week too, but it didn't happen like they said. You've just got to study the radar before you go. The forecast system doesn't work well with scattered rain/storms.

 

Sometimes it feels good just to get out, even if it is a bad trip. Sometimes not ?

In this part of the south, this time of year we get popup thunderstorms all of the time no matter what the radar and forecast says. It's no fun being 2-4 miles from your launch point on a slow moving kayak and get caught in a storm. 

 

And where I am located it's almost 100% residential so if I have to shelter it's in someone's yard and not in the woods.

[Gera]

On 8/16/2022 at 3:52 PM, Koz said:

I've had only a few days off the past 2+ months, but I managed to take off Monday and Tuesday (today) this week. Monday was catching up on chores, washing the car, and just decompressing.

 

I set my alarm to go off at 4:30 am on Tuesday to head out on my kayak and do some fishing. By 4:50 am I was back in bed. I decided to catch up on some sleep instead. Fast forward to this afternoon, and it's an overcast day with temps only in the low 80's instead of blazing summer heat. For summertime in GA, it's actually a pretty good day to get out there. School has started and the boat traffic should be minimal. 

 

The problem? I'm just not motivated to go even though a part of me really wants to fish today.

 

I think the problem is that my kayak and my favorite gear is stored at my hotel and I just don't want to get sucked into whatever has been going on at the property the past few days. Mercifully, my staff has (hopefully) handled anything that came up as I have only received one text message from them since yesterday. They know I've been stressed lately and their looking out for me.

 

So, have you ever found yourself lacking motivation to go fishing even though part of you really wants to get out there?

There is nothing wrong with being in bed at 4:30am. 

[GreenPig]

On 8/22/2022 at 8:05 PM, Koz said:

I got back at it yesterday. I only worked about 6 hours and then dragged myself and my kayak down to the lake.

 

I spent most of my time pedaling out to some new areas and working my electronics. I couldn't fins any bass, but I caught some crappie. 

 

I was about 2.5 miles out and looked back towards where I launched and saw a rain squall coming my way. Knowing thunderstorms were a few hours out, I headed back and took on the squall head on. I can tell you this - wearing glasses is no fun in heavy rain.

 

Other than getting wet, is was a good day back out on the water. It's just too bad that it's supposed to rain for the rest of the week.

Fished in the rain yesterday and gonna fish in it Friday. You got two options when it's hot and raining, wet with sweat in a rain suit, or wet by the rain. Glad you got out. 

[Koz]

2 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Fished in the rain yesterday and gonna fish in it Friday. You got two options when it's hot and raining, wet with sweat in a rain suit, or wet by the rain. Glad you got out. 

I don't mind fishing in the rain at all. I just got hit with an unexpected squall and didn't have my rain gear with me.

 

One thing I did do this week is order an Onyx AM/24 life vest that will be much more comfortable to wear - especially with rain gear - instead of my bulky Onyx kayak life vest.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Koz said:

One thing I did do this week is order an Onyx AM/24 life vest that will be much more comfortable to wear - especially with rain gear - instead of my bulky Onyx kayak life vest.

I think you'll like it - I got an AM/24 last fall when I started the F-9 project. Like the mesh-vest in the canoe, I wear it the entire time I'm on the water...fairly comfy, and if I get tossed from the deck by a passing wake boat, I'm 'safe'.

[JustBassinThru]

I can relate. I think everyone ebbs and flows with their hobbies. Stress doesn't help motivation. Don't worry about not fishing...it will always be there when u r ready.

[schplurg]

13 minutes ago, JustBassinThru said:

I can relate. I think everyone ebbs and flows with their hobbies. Stress doesn't help motivation. Don't worry about not fishing...it will always be there when u r ready.

 

That's what I've been telling myself. Medical issues, hard times.....my rods are there waiting for me whenever I want them. I don't have to fish constantly to love fishing.

 

I have other things I love doing as well, and that's good because I can't fish at all right now due to arm pain, but I can hike!