Drinking and fishing ???

[Fish Chris]

I know I lot of guys consider drinking alcohol to be an important part of their fishing trips. {I don't drink at all}.

I'm just curious as to how they manage this responsibly ? I mean, do they drink for the first 3 hours, then not drink another drop for the next 6, so they can drive home legally ? (personally speaking, I'd feel like crap an hour after I stopped drinking, and the rest of my trip would be miserable) ? Or, do they sit there and drink their arse off, while their buddy drinks gatoraide, then he can drive them home ?

I dunno..... the whole thing just sounds like a major PITA to plan around, to me.

And I sure as hell hope they don't drive with even so much as, what they might call "just a buzz"  :-X

Drugs suck, and alcohol is one of the worst of them.

Fish

[FordNFishinLover]

Im with yah man. Im only 17, but ive seen what drugs/alcohol does to you. An i have no reason at all to drink it.

Im also very anti-smoking, others can do it, but please dont do it around me.

I can have plently of fun without all of that so why do it!

[BrianinMD]

Personally, I don't drink at all while fishing, except I am night fishing from the bank and stop well before its time to leave the next day.

There is no excuse for drinking and driving, period. If anyone thinks its okay if they only have a "buzz" or they are somehow super human and can have a couple and still drink needs to be on the scene of a fatal wreck caused by someone who only had a couple. The image doesn't leave your mind....

[Fishing Rhino]

I'd bet most of those who drink a lot while fishing, also drink a lot period.

Personally, I think the link with fishing and drinking going hand in hand is like the same involving golf.  Exaggerated.

The guys who take a case of beer with them, will take that case of beer to tailgate parties before any entertainment event.

The "outings" are just an excuse/opportunity to drink.  If they weren't fishing, golfing or tailgating, they'd be drinking in front of the tv at home, or at the local pub.

Home is the best place to get a snoot full.  At least the drinker doesn't have to get behind the wheel to get home.

[BassnMan Mike]

When I go fishing I drink Gatorade or water. If I'm staying the night I might have a beer or 2 at night.

I do have friends who's impression of fishing is taking a few cases of beer and drink till they pass out, but they are not what I consider real fishermen. They are ones that might go fishing 2-3 times a year.

Bassnman Mike

[Jig Man]

Fishing and doing a good job of it takes all the concentration that one can muster without being impaired by alcohol.  I'll drink a beer with you but not in the boat.

[bigfruits]

when i go out for a few hrs i rarely drink. canoe camping, thats a different story.

[Branuss04]

I'm guilty of drinking while fishing, but it's on very rare occasion.  

*I don't like drinking when it's hot.  100+ degree's plus alcohol+boat=MAJOR dehydration/headache.  

*I don't like drinking when the fishing is good.  It's too much trouble to deal with drinking when I should be worrying about fishing.

*I will sometimes drink at the beginning of a long night fishing trip.  

* When I think the fishing is going to be tuff, I'll buy a couple just in case  

*Anytime when fishing with 4bizz

with that said, I NEVER drink to the point of getting a buzz.  I think the most I ever drank on a trip was 3 over a 8 hour period.  I think certain fisherman put a bad rap on drinking+fishing and give fisherman drinking beer a bad name.  It's just like anything else - moderation and responsibility.

[fourbizz]

I drink a couple beers on the boat pretty regularly. And I mean 1-3, not 8.

I have developed a ridiculously high tolerance for alcohol, so I have yet to feel any of the ffects while on the water. I just like beer.

All things in moderation my friends.

[FD.]

I never have any alcohol on the boat, but, we frequently camp at the lake so the evenings by the fire are a different story.

[fatbass]

I will admit there was a time before bass fishing when I imbibed a little too much.  That time has passed.  Now, with bass fishing I keep too busy throwing baits and the like.  I still have 1-2 beers with my lunch maybe 1-2 later in the day.  Not the twelve like back then.

[RAINCLOUD36]

Much as I love beer I never take any on my boat. Only water or soda.

[Tom H.]

It all depends -

Bass or Panfish no

Catfishing late at night yep , you bet ya , then again when I'm catfishing I've got a good spot and a place to stay.

[MaineBassMan]

I drink beer when I'm fishing for fun, but I don't drink to get hammered. I take 2 - 3 beers with me pack a nice lunch and bring a bottle of water and Gator Aid. I'm usually on the water by 6-7 am, I will not have a beer before I catch a fish, (bad Carma). I nurse my beers and whether I drink all 3 or not I'm done drinking at Noon. From there I eat my lunch and drink nothing but water and Gator aid. I'm off the water by 5:30 pm. I take my bottles home to, I hate seeing all the cans and bottles on the bottom of the lake.

There is nothing wrong with having a couple of beers while fishing just be responsible about it and police up after yourself.

[Fish Chris]

Right on guys. I was afraid I might get hammered a little for this post.

I agree with what BassMan Mike said

I do have friends who's impression of fishing is taking a few cases of beer and drink till they pass out, but they are not what I consider real fishermen.

Exactly. I've mentioned fishing to a LOT of guys in the past, who replied.... "Yea ! We can get a case or two and....." Beeeep. Wrong answer.

My high comes from catching a freaking pig ! It's better than crack, + it's legal, and not physically harmful to you ;-)  LOL

It doesn't sound like any of you have a serious problem with alcohol, and that's a good thing. My father, and best long time friend were both alcoholics. And for them, alcohol was no different than crack, heroin, or methamphetamines.

It still blows me away that alcahol is legal, and pot is not. I don't do that, nor recommend it either, but I do believe its considerably less dangerous than alcahol, on many different levels.

Just be safe, and responsible out there. Their are too many big fish waiting for you, to screw it up with drugs or alcahol ;-)

Peace,

Fish

[BrianinMD]

The people that concern me are the ones on monday morning you ask how there weekend was and the first response is, great we got so trashed....or something along those lines.

If you life is such crap you have to use how much you had to drink to show how "good" it was you need a real life.

[Sam]

No alcohol in the boat.

Period.

No ifs, ands or buts.

Being on the water is dangerous by itself without some idiot having their facilities impaired.  >

[Hammer 4]

Don't drink, use to drink socially" about 20 yrs ago..Although I'm not on the water everyday, I have never seen anyone tippin a beer or anything else. I did run across a drunk at a local fishery a long time ago, the dude reeked of beer.

So no, no acohol for us..

[flechero]

Chris,

Those who drink responsibly, in any setting will most likely be responsible while fishing.  Those who are out to get 'trashed" don't need an excuse, like going fishing.

[Btech]

I drink - Not alot but ill drink while fishing from a boat or shore. However my buddy that is with me doesnt - so if he feels i have had too much to drive he takes the keys and drives. Most of the time ill stop drinking a few hours before leaving, and be sure im sober before driving.

 If its just a day trip ill drink Gatoraide to stay hydrated and wait until that night to drink. I think as long as you do it responcible like you would have to at a bar its the same thing fishing. If you give yourself an hour for every beer you drink (or shot) you should be sobered up.

[Calcutta]

I have seen people bank fishing here in georgia so drunk they couldnt stand up but I have never even seen a beer in any boat that I can recall.One day my son and I left the boat ramp and there was a drunk settin on a cooler drinking and casting.We returned 7 or 8 hours later and he was passed out lying in a pile of beer cans and he was sunburnt to a crisp!

[Eddie Munster]

Chris,

Those who drink responsibly, in any setting will most likely be responsible while fishing. Those who are out to get 'trashed" don't need an excuse, like going fishing.

Good posting right there. Although I will say that people that want to get drunk will use ANYTHING as an excuse to do it.

I stopped drinking 6 years ago because I felt I was setting a poor example for my kids. I wasn't getting hammered and was a mellow fellow while holding a buzz. I also let my kids know why I quit too.

[ROCbass]

It still blows me away that alcahol is legal, and pot is not. I don't do that, nor recommend it either, but I do believe its considerably less dangerous than alcahol, on many different levels.

Peace,

Fish

I agree with you about it being less dangerous, but it does not surprise me at all that alcohol is legal and pot isn't. The government wants their cut of everything. Alcohol is legal because it can be taxed. They could try to legalize and tax marijuana, but it would probably not be very effective because it is relatively easy to grow your own, compared to a home brewing or distilling operation. So what do they do to get their cut? Keep it illegal and then fine those who are caught using/ possessing it.

Back on the original topic, I don't see anything wrong with enjoying a drink or two out on the water if the person is of legal drinking age and makes sure they regulate their consumption so they will not become impaired. Personally I would rather not take the risk of having anything at all, especially if I am the one driving the boat..

[Christop73]

I don't allow any liquor of any kind on my rig. Like others have stated if you need to get buzzed/drunk to have a good time you need help.

[6pointbuck2003]

Deffinatly not cool to drink and drive. I can understand drinking a few but if your buzzed it aint worth the risk of hurting yourself or an inocent person.