Fishing Alone or With a Buddy

[Avalonjohn44]

Some of my most memorable times fishing are when I was with a buddy or my brother or dad.  The older I get, I'm pushing 40, I find I prefer to fish alone.  I can fish as aggressively or lazily as I want, I can stay late or pack it in early without worrying about somebody else's 'curfew', I can definitely concentrate more, and analyze situations better.  My wife says it's because I'm becoming a grumpy old man, but I think of it as a more serious fisherman...

[Little Luey]

I have a one man pontoon so I can't take anyone with me on the water, so I fish mostly by myself, but the few times I gone out with someone either on their boat or bank fishing I enjoy it too.

Like you said, the nice thing about being by yourself is that you are the only one deciding what, when, and how you do your fishing, not having to wait for someone and compromise with what someone wants to do.

Ont the other hand, I ussually forget my camera, so I need a witness when I catch my 10lbr fish. ;D ;D

[BassinBoy]

I agree, I can focus so much more and not worry about the other person.  Its sometimes nice though to fish with my dad.

[Bass XL]

Well my vote is both. You could say I fish with/without a buddy

[-HAWK-]

This is a tough question because both scenarios have there pros and cons. But i will say when im serious about catching fish i fish alone. When i want to have a good time and dont care how many fish i catch, ill fish with a buddy.

[Jig Man]

I prefer fishing alone though I don't get to very often.

[Zephus]

I don't really have fishing buddies, other than my wife. On occasion my wife will come out with me, and I always love seeing her haul in a bass, but she likes to fish worms and lizards.....and I usually fish spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and such.

But more than 90% of the time I fish alone, and I do kind of like being in total control without worrying what anyone else wants to do, or where to position the boat in regards to another person. However, when my wife is willing, I'm happy to make the outing to her liking, knowing I will have MANY more on my own.

[roadwarrior]

George Thorogood:

"Ya know when I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself."

8-)

[BadKarma42]

Fishing alone can be theraputic.

Fishing with a buddy creates good times and memories.

[SissySticks]

I like fishing with a buddy if he's also a good fisherman.  Fishing with amateurs (unless they are kids) is just more work than fun.

[brgbassmaster]

i put alone but it also depends on who i am with. if i am with my best friend then i love fishing with him we always have alot of laughs and catch alot of fish. but thers some people where i would rather fish by myself.

[Little Luey]

Fishing with amateurs (unless they are kids) is just more work than fun.

for some time I was always taking my kids with me when I went bank fishing, and I would bring the dogs along. I always end up not doing much fishing and more watching, sometimes my kids, some times the dogs, it was more trouble than relaxing. Now my son likes to go only occasionally and that is fine with me. I don't take the dogs anymore.

[Joel W]

For several years I fished mostly alone. I found it mentally tough to stay focused for 8+ hours at a time.  Once I hooked up with a partner for our reservoir boats, I've become addicted to fishing with a buddy or a guest.  Besides the social aspects, fishing with others, especially those who are more advanced, often lends itself to learning new techniques, etc.

[Brian_Reeves]

I like fishing with a buddy.  It passes time when the fish aren't biting and it helps establish a pattern.  I just enjoy spending time with friends or family in the water.

[Big-O]

I vote for fishing with a friend or a kid. I too am older and have had a world of fishing adventure behind me. So now, I kind of like sharing these times with others with hopes that they to will have some of these fun times to remember as well. You young people will get here too, just wait and see.

You'll have as much fun or more watching some one else catch their first 5 pounder, wilt in disgust because they missed the big one,  catch more fish than they've ever caught before, fighting the waves in a 40 mph wind on the way back to the ramp, scream at the top of their lungs "Now That's What I'm Talkin' About", get soaked to the core during a driving rain, catching the biggest fish of the trip, You get the hint. Our memories are intact, theirs are just now being realized and we get to relive it all over again. "Aint life Grand"

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[key chain bass guy]

Alone.  It's quiet time.

[Catt]

I prefer fishing with my brother, one of my 6 kids, or a buddy but I'll fish alone if I can't get anyone to go.

So I guess that's both  

[mostbass]

I like both, but prefer to go with a friend.  Helps pass those 10+ hour saturdays.  Also, my fishing buddies and i are really competitive with each other so it helps keep me motivated to get the bigger fish

[rondef]

I like fishing with the best fishing partner I could hope for, my son. In a couple of years I can also fish with my first grandson, he is due to arrive in September. I can hardly wait to take him out fishing to.

[Joel W]

I like fishing with the best fishing partner I could hope for, my son.

Me too. But once my son discovered girls, he dumped me. No time to fish as it interferes with his social life right now.  

[btcprince]

i have no problem fishing alone, but given a choice i would take my son(new to the sport) or my dad, or some of my old fishing buddies, but most of them were here for college then finished and went home. sometimes a buddy can get you on a lake you couldnt get to otherwise. i like going either way, but good company can make up for a bad day fishing

[farmpond1]

The answer to this varies with situation/location/person.  If I'm on a new lake, or the wind is strong, for safety reasons I definately prefer to be with somebody.  If the only person I can dredge up is a weenie, than I'll go it alone.  But it's fun to have a buddy along when/if it's possible.  As luck would have it, my best buddy's work schedule picks up as the weather get's nicer-often at the expense of some prime fishing time.

[Popeye]

Since I have a hard time finding someone to go out with most of the time, I voted for ALONE. However, I'd like to "second" what Big-O said in his great post! I prefer to have someone along to enjoy the experience with BUT I won't let not having someone stop me from going.

[ventureboat]

I prefer alone, especially in tournaments. But will go with a buddy or family member to the local lakes.  I have a teenage stepson that doesn't like to fish, but all of his buddies love it. So, when I am at the local lake by myself, I usually run into some of them bank fishing, so they climb aboard with me. Gets them out on the water, and I enjoy showing them what I can to help em out. (had to start carrying extra lifejackets though)

[shocker1310]

I prefer going with a buddy, but I will go alone if I have to.  I get too impatient when I'm by myself.  When I'm with my best friend I get just as excited when he catches a fish as I do when I catch one, sometimes I'll take a break and just watch and root for him and he'll do the same.  Plus I'm terrible at making descisions so it's nice to have a second opinion.  Also we can cover more water and try more techniques/baits, if he's in a good spot I'll join him or if what I'm doing is working then he'll switch to that.  We thrive on each others success, it's been that way since we were kids, although we're new to bass fishing, we've shared many other hobbies from playing guitar to skateboarding, and we're always on the same "team".  

It's kind of sad when I catch a fish by myself and turn to give a high five and no one is there.  I'll take the comradery over concentration any day, but then again, I fish for fun...