Accommodations made by an aging fisherman...

[Mobasser]

Whenever this topic comes up, I'm always reminded of my friend Mike who fished with me. He'll turn 74 soon. His leg got shot up in Vietnam and he's had a limp since 1970. Sometimes he's just too tired to go. But he still loves fishing, and tells me he'll fish until he just can't do it anymore.                                    He's in pretty good shape for his age, considering everything. He's also one of the toughest guys Ive ever known. He has a non quitter attitude about everything, and this is how he keeps going.

[Bankbeater]

I always tell someone where I am heading, and I always call and say that I am on my way home. 

[volzfan59]

I’m 65, had a few concussions (3 I think) so my balance isn’t great anymore. Not stumbling around like a drunk, but I probably can’t pass the field sobriety tests I used to give.

 

Accommodations, I only fish small bodies of water now, rarely fish alone, always let someone know where I’m going and I’m only good for four or five hours now.

[Alex from GA]

Last January I got  sick and was in the hospital a couple times for almost 2 weeks and had to start over with being mobile.  Ever since my balance hasn't been worth a darn.  No more kayak fishing and have to sit in the boat all the time.  My fake shoulder failed and it hurts to cast for a long time also.    84.

[Swamp Girl]

15 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

Last January I got  sick and was in the hospital a couple times for almost 2 weeks and had to start over with being mobile.  Ever since my balance hasn't been worth a darn.  No more kayak fishing and have to sit in the boat all the time.  My fake shoulder failed and it hurts to cast for a long time also.    84.

 

[Tackleholic]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:15 PM, A-Jay said:

https://boatefx.com/

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/255015-just-ordered-a-set-of-boat-trailer-steps-~/

 

A-Jay

 

The 3 wheel trailer jack;  where did you get that?

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Tackleholic said:

The 3 wheel trailer jack;  where did you get that?

Made by ABT Lure Company,

which seems to be defuncted at this time.

https://www.facebook.com/ABTLures

A-Jay

[jbmaine]

I'm in my seventies and both the missus and I have disabilities that make fishing not as comfortable as it once was.

 As a bit of a back story, I spent decades standing in trout rivers or in a canoe. For years the missus and I fished out of a canoe. When that got too uncomfortable we bought a skiff. That worked for a number of years but finally it got to the point that after a day of fishing it took a week for my back to stop hurting and finally we bought a multi species style boat ( Lund Fury) and that for us has worked out great. We can both sit and fish, stand up and move around, be on the water all day with out hurting. We rigged it with an Ulterra so stow and deploy is the push of a button. We have a sun top to get out of the sun as needed. Comfortable chairs to sit on. As I said, for us it is perfect.

 Here's a few pics.

[Swamp Girl]

@jbmaine: You have a beautiful boat!

[OkobojiEagle]

jbmaine: color me envious!

 

oe

[Crow Horse]

I'm 69 and have most of the typical issues most people have at my age. I'll add a couple of things to the list that makes life easier for me. I have a 10' sit in yak.

 

Larger wheels for my kayak cart with premium bearings.

A travel urinal. I take care of business on the water and don't need to beach.

A choker sling to make lifting my poorly balanced yak back onto the cart easier.

I made a small tarp, a little smaller than the cockpit to use in inclement weather to keep me a little drier.

I use a coccyx cushion (Cushion Lab) that allows me 7+ hours on the water pain free.

A small tool (I don't know what you call it) that is used to open twist off caps. Those small Gatorade bottles sometimes are difficult for me to remove.

I use a Gullwing paddle. They are no longer made but they reduce shoulder strain big time.

 

[Columbia Craw]

Well I’m 71 and for the most part, still in good shape.  I use a butt seat for stability.  I have neuropathy in my feet so standing on a trolling motor for hours gets painful.  I just have to take a short break.  I just bought a new thermal vest which has some flotation built in.  I always use a pdf when running and a kill switch.  I also know I’m not 50 anymore.👍

[WRB]

I will be 82 in July and inside looking out I am 22 and still love to fish. Still can get up at O’ dark 30 and get ready to fish.

My balance isn’t what it was but I believe in my fishing skills, casting and working lures, detecting strikes.
No longer have my boat so must rely on back seating.

Tom
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p

[MN Fisher]

65 here and still in decent shape...if only this ankle would heal up. If you have morbid curiosity, here's the latest pic I have of it - I will warn you that it's not pretty... https://drive.google.com/file/d/1utnT2axOxdrU5nQYiDZ3mNo5zZdx6ym2/view?usp=sharing

 

I count myself lucky that other than loss of depth perception from the missing eye, I'm not subjected to a lot of the things other my age are. I hope to continue this trend for at least a few more years.