Fishing way too much

[Ryan N]

After having a full fishing day, I say to myself, "Okay I should really take a break."

Next day, I'm tying on a new rig or lure in my garage, putting my rod back and saying, "Yeah maybe I'll test it out for an hour".

1 hours pass, 2 then 3 and finally 4.

Sometimes I'd even skip breakfast to get in on the morning topwater bites.

I realize all of this sounds rather childish, and the simple solution is to just take a break... But the entire day I'd just think about getting that hook set in, trying new lures, and feeling the weight of my catch as I land it.

I also feel this causes environmental concerns as well. I fish this one lake everyday, and I feel like I need to give these bass a break. One measly man with an obsession is pressuring this entire pond haha. Also in the back of my mind, my neighbors are thinking "Ah he's here again!?"

 

Do you guys fish as much as I do? I know those with boats probably go around 6 hours at a time, since the amount of effort to dock and stuff.

[TnRiver46]

6 hours??? I prefer 14

[T-Billy]

Around 100 days a year. 8 hours minimum. Usually 10-12. I feel like I don't get to fish enough.

[Ryan N]

@T-Billy Well occasionally you do have full fishing days. The problem with my case is I'm fishing every day. It's just something I look forward to as soon as I wake up. And this does cause concerns from family members saying I'm fishing too much, and how tan I've gotten even though I'm wearing SPF clothing.

Perhaps I should only fish on high-chance days shown on Bass Forecast or Solunar theory, as controversial as those "fish activity forecasts" are, it'll be a baseline on when to fish.

[TnRiver46]

I’d fish every second I wasn’t asleep if it was possible 

[Susky River Rat]

I do not fish the 10-12 hour days like I used to every chance I get. I fish 4-6 hours about 4-5 times a month. I love fishing but, I have been down the road with it where it feels more like a job than a hobby for fun. 

[fin]

You mean you only fish in the daytime? What are the fish supposed to do for entertainment at night?

[Ryan N]

3 hours ago, fin said:

You mean you only fish in the daytime? What are the fish supposed to do for entertainment at night?

I’m worried about everything trying to kill me at night lol. Snakes, gators, humans, etc. I’m a bank angler by the way 

[fin]

I bank fish probably about 350 days a year. I rarely fish less than two hours or more than three, but when the weather is really nice or the fish are biting good, I'll go five hours or so. Due to some injuries my back is saying, "Let's go home" after standing for a couple hours. If I can sit and rest my back somewhere for a while, then I can go a lot longer.

 

I've fished with a lot of other regulars at the lake, and then one day they don't show up, and you never see them again. Get it while you can.

[king fisher]

Do you have too much money? Are you too healthy? Does your favorite football team win too much?  You can’t fish too much!

[Ryan N]

1 hour ago, fin said:

I bank fish probably about 350 days a year. I rarely fish less than two hours or more than three, but when the weather is really nice or the fish are biting good, I'll go five hours or so. Due to some injuries my back is saying, "Let's go home" after standing for a couple hours. If I can sit and rest my back somewhere for a while, then I can go a lot longer.

 

I've fished with a lot of other regulars at the lake, and then one day they don't show up, and you never see them again. Get it while you can.

That's funny because I have mild-severe scoliosis but my back never complains when I'm fishing for 3+ hours. I used to work as a waiter, and I couldn't go more than 2 hours standing up because of the pinching disks. But with fishing, I don't know maybe it's better posture or I'm always on the move.

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, fin said:

I bank fish probably about 350 days a year. I rarely fish less than two hours or more than three, but when the weather is really nice or the fish are biting good, I'll go five hours or so. Due to some injuries my back is saying, "Let's go home" after standing for a couple hours. If I can sit and rest my back somewhere for a while, then I can go a lot longer.

 

I've fished with a lot of other regulars at the lake, and then one day they don't show up, and you never see them again. Get it while you can.

350? I want to be like you when I grow up 

[fin]

2 hours ago, Ryan N said:

But with fishing, I don't know maybe it's better posture or I'm always on the move.

Maybe the latter, because that's what I do when my back starts bothering me - I walk and it quits bothering me for a while. Walking usually makes it better. It's part of the reason I fish in the first place - for the exercise.

 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

350? I want to be like you when I grow up 

I say 350, but I've never sat down and totaled it up. I keep logs, so I could find out if I really wanted to. I can't believe I miss as much as 30 days per year, that just doesn't sound possible. Somewhere between 15-30 I guess.

[Skunkmaster-k]

You gotta go fishing when you can , cause it’s good fer ya. 

[Bankbeater]

If the bite slows way down then I might take a break for a few days.  I've done it before.  But as long as the fish are biting I will be out there as much as possible.

[dodgeguy]

19 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Around 100 days a year. 8 hours minimum. Usually 10-12. I feel like I don't get to fish enough.

I wish. Maybe if I wasn't married.

[MIbassyaker]

I don't get to fish nearly as much as I'd like.

 

But I really couldn't handle doing it as often, or as long as many of you.  I have multiple hobbies and they all cry out for attention.

[Ryan N]

6 hours ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

You gotta go fishing when you can , cause it’s good fer ya. 

Yeah i’m just going out and getting some sunlight for 4 hours

[Sam]

Ryan, you never know when life will jump up and bite you.  It happened to me.

First, I had my right hand operated on.

Then, I had my left hand operated on.

After that, I had a lower back pinched nerve and I could not walk. Had to learn to walk all over again. Still have leg and knee pain, and I had my right knee replaced ten-years ago so no reason for it to hurt.

A pinched nerve in my neck sidelined me for a few months until I got some great physical therapy and now my neck is almost back to 100%.

Now, just diagnosed with prostrate cancer in its first stage and will be getting the X-Ray treatments to kill it off.

I am a walking medical disaster!

Fished in only one tournament for all of 2023 and 2024 as a nonboater, coming in third and I had the big fish.

So you go fish and if you feel that you are over fishing, just remember you are fishing for me, and all others with medical problems that limit their time on the water, so please post pics of your catches so we can cheer you on.

Have fun; be safe; and give some baits a try and let us know how they do.

[Bird]

I don't keep track of how many times I fish in a year but it's as much as I want.

 

[Captain Phil]

As long as fishing doesn't cause a problem in your life, fish as much as you want.  My son and I fished together for years.  We left in the dark and came back in the dark.  At my current age, I'm good for 3-4 hours max because my body won't let me fish longer.  There was a time when I would fish in any weather.  Today, it's often too hot, too cold or too something.

 

I will say fishing can cause family problems.  Winning tournaments takes a lot of time and effort.  When you see a winning bag of fish, you don't see all the effort behind it.   I once prefished 40 hours before a club tournament.   I won that tournament with three fish, one I caught previously while prefishing.  Don't let fishing take the place of your family.  One day you may call home and no one will be there to answer. 

[Swamp Girl]

@Ryan N: You are sick, sick, sick. I know because I am sick, sick, sick. 

 

P. S. - Fish for @Sam. And stay out there for @Captain Phil, who can no longer fish from dark until dark. And fish for me too, who too soon won't be able to carry my canoe anymore. 

 

20 hours ago, fin said:

I bank fish probably about 350 days a year.

 

Whoa! My hero!

[fin]

8 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Whoa! My hero!

I wouldn't recommend you try fishing 350 days a year in Maine 🥶

[gim]

Last month I went fishing back to back days for 5.5 hours each day.  I was completely wiped out.  It gave me a new found admiration for tournament anglers that do it for 8 or 9 hours/day for days on end.  Especially the kayak crowd.

 

I don't know how some of you guys can fish for 8 or 10 or 12 hours without a break.  I know I'm not out of shape and I know I'm younger.  I must be missing something.

 

I like going about once or twice a week for 3-5 hours in length.  I would probably go a little more if I was able to.  Even at the rate I am able to go now, I feel very fortunate to be able to do so.  So I won't be complaining.

[crypt]

On 6/5/2024 at 11:04 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’d fish every second I wasn’t asleep if it was possible 

this is me......