Is this normal ? Or, am I just getting old ?

[32251]

Being outside and connecting with the surroundings is part...or rather SHOULD be a part of the whole fishing experience. I find myself stopping a lot's of times and just looking around at how wonderful the water is and the trees and the whole thing. It is a package deal.

[J Francho]

I'm generally centered around catching fish, but I take time to smell the roses, occasionally.

[Alumabass]

I know how you feel, and I will be 43 next Monday.  I used to get in the boat and this competetive nature would take over and I would just cast and cast and fish hard.  Last year I found out that my wife likes to fish too, and now she has become my fishing partner.  Seems the competetive part has drifted away a little and I will find myself sitting in the seat not fishing at all, just looking around, taking it easy, relaxing, and then I will here her "are you going to fish, or just sit there" LOL ;D

[Brush Hog20]

That's how I have always thought about fishing.  Its much much more than catching fish for me.  Quite honestly I have never much understood the tournament angler mentality.  Everything else in life is competitive and for the money...Why can't fishing remain pure??  The way my Grandpa taught me...

[osbornj2]

Like most of us that are on this forum, I enjoy going out and actually catching fish. And heaven knows, I've invested a ton of money on gear, lures, gas for the boat, etc. trying to do it!

However, at the end of the day, what pleases me most is just simply to be able to thank God for the ability to get out and enjoy His awesome creation...to feel the coolness of the water, to breathe the fresh, clean air, to watch the deer, hawks, and otters play.

Chris, I am not quite as "matured" as you are yet (trying to think of a nice way of saying that I am younger than you are, but getting close!!), but I have felt this way for a long time. Now that my daughter is getting to the age where she likes to go with Daddy, I will try to instill the same appreciation in her.

I love fishing for bass; yet, I also enjoy fishing for a lot of other species as well - stripers in the reservoir, muskies on the river, pike in Canada, huge smallies at a small, alpine-like, lake that will continue remain nameless 8-). There are places in Canada that haunt my thoughts and dreams all year long. Secret places where you feel like you are the only human being that has ever seen this place...

The point is, is that while many of us naturally like to be rewarded by actually catching our quarry, I think that the true prize is a simple appreciation for something bigger than we are. To know that there are places of such incomprehensible beauty (such as the mountain lake that was posted on here). To feel the sunshine on your face and the breeze around you....that is why I go fishing...

[BigEbass]

A day on the water is always a good time definately no matter what the outcome in fishing

However for me a day on the water catching fish is way better - but I never feel pressured and never greatly remorsed if it doesn't happen - because there will be a next time!

[Luke at Gouldsboro]

I don't know what it is about being on a lake. I feel the same way. There's nothing that can calm you like sitting on a boat in a beautiful place. It's a great stress reliever. Just the quietness and the surroundings is amazing.

[Raul]

I find myself thinking about this, and repeating it more and more.....

But it just seems like, as each year goes by, I am caring less and less about whether I catch anything, and more and more about just being out there, floating on beautiful clear lake, under a blue sky, surrounded by nature.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy catching a fish.... esapecially a BIG fish

But let me put it this way; I went out last Tuesday, for my first Bass fishing trip of the year, and I had such a great time ! The lake was just as beautiful as ever. The weather was awesome ! The birds, and other wildlife were active ! It all just made me feel so good (and blessed) to be alive.

Oh, so I did end up catching 1 fish. It was a beautiful, pre-spawn, 8.5 lb Northern strain football, of a bass. Nice fish, right ?

But honestly, given the choice of fishing for the 1 minute it took to catch that fish, OR the same exact full day I had, without the 8 1/2 lb'er, I'd take the latter.

I'm 45 years old, and in a lot of ways, I'm still just a big kid

But I'm thinking that some of you that are my age, or older, might be able to relate to what I'm talking about here.....

Anybody ?

Peace,

Fish

Well, I 'm your age and I know what you are talking about, it 's been a while since I no longer care if I catch anything.

Actually I 'm now more in tune of caring to find places where Lil Raul can catch something. Last weekend I took him fishing and believe it or not I didn 't make a single cast in more than three hours. 

[b.Lee]

I don't think you could have said it any better.  I love just being out there even for an hour, as long as my line is wet and I am out enjoying the nice weather it is better than being indoors.

[Bass_Akwards]

Chris, I'm 41 and I have to admit, it still ticks me off when I don't catch anything. I love being out there on a beautiful day, I really do, but I HATE being skunked.

Maybe "ticks me off" is a little too harsh, but if I bass fish for any amount of time, and don't catch a bass, the competitor in me is 100% disappointed, even though I might have had beautiful day on a beautiful lake.

To answer your question, I don't think "normal" has anything to do with it. Nor does your age. The "not caring if you catch anything or not" is one of those "to each his/her own" deals. It comepletely depends on the individual in my opinion.

Some people are going to have the attitude you have now where, as each year goes by, they care less and less about whether they catch anything, and more and more about just being out there, floating on beautiful clear lake, under a blue sky, surrounded by nature. But they're going to have that attitude at age 25, whereas it took you 40+ years to acquire.

Others, like me, are NEVER going to believe I had a "great fishing day" if I don't land a bass or two on my outing, not to mention 10 bass. Will I believe I had a fun, peaceful, relaxing day on the water? Absolutely!

Fishing and not catching anything is more fun than lots of things I can think of but the fact remains, that my number 1 goal when I walk out my front door to go bass fishing is.... CATCH BASS! CATCH LOTS OF BASS! Or God for bid catch a HOGZILLA of a monster of a pig of a bass!

When I'm driving to the pond or lake all I can think about is how I'm gunna trick her today. How I'm going to fool her, that pre spawning toad of a mama, onto my hook so she remains there until I can look her in the eye, hold her gently and let her know that I got her.

I almost shake at the thought of having the fight of the month, the year, or of a lifetime, when she thrashes and jumps to avoid my human touch. Then to release her back into the cool spring water, watching her slowly swim away, tricked, defeated, and wondering how that genius of an angler ever landed her in the first place. ;D

A fishless day on the water is delightful, there's no arguing that. But for me, going fishing is about FISHING, and FISHING is about catching fish. Man vs. animal, me vs. the bass.

I still care more and more about catching fish every time I go out. When I'm bass fishing, the "beautiful, clear lake, under a blue sky, surrounded by nature," only serves to enhance the amazing sport and experience of bass fishing for me but I care much more about catching fish than I do about just being out there. Is this normal? Or am I a bassoholic?

[Hammer 4]

When you get to be 62, It's a chore just to get up. But a day on the water..makes it all worth while..

[Stan Wright]

There are 5 stages in a sportmans life...

1. Lord, just let me catch one. Anything?

2. Got to get a limit.

3. Looking tor that trophy. Get that wall hanger.

4. Been there, done that.  What will make this more    challenging?

5. I get a thrill just seeing someone catch a fish.  It's like every fish you caught.... I caught.

[bear7625]

I think what happens as you get older is that you don't have as many things on your mind. Priorities change and you notice things that you used to take for granted.

[bass syco]

I'd say you are getting old.

young guys tend to have the competitve fire and need to prove themselves,

old guys tend to realize that hoisting the biggest fish ain't necessarily the zenith of life on earth.

[WRB]

With the introduction of FLMB in 1959 and catching my first giant in 1969 at Lower Otay that was 14 lbs 5 oz, a lake record for 1 week, my goal was to catch the next world record bass.

Every pre spawn I'm still very focused on that goal. Has time changed how I see the world? yes. Age tends to bring with it life experiences that make us face the reality we are mortal and live each day more fully.

I was 45 over 20 years ago when giant bass fishing was at it's peak in SoCal and by then my intensity had already changed. Today it's hard to get up at O' dark 30 to hook up the rig and get going, however once on the water my energy returns, excitement builds with expectations and the gift of having another day on the water unfolds and a chance at that elusive 20+.

Chris; good luck in your pursuit of giant bass and new found awareness.

WRB

PS; did you ever get the photos I sent you?

[Hellbenderman]

Unless interrupted by an untimely death, growing old is normal. Everything is ok. I am 63 and it is easy to fall into the "oh, isn't nature wonderful" trap, but be advised I have discovered this is just a clever trick being played on us by younger fishermen who don't want our considerable knowledge on the water...something they put in your Metamucil, I think.

[Long Mike]

I'm sixty-three and I love to catch bass. But every time I'm on the water I remind myself of a phrase by Henry David Thoreau. "Many men fish all their lives without realizing it is not the fish they are after." I firmly believe that I am one of those men who know that it is not the fish I am after.

[Big Bait Fishing]

i'm 40 , next month 41 . and i love to be outdoors AND catch fish . for me it's the thrill of the strike and hook up !!!! 

[Fish Chris]

Much thanks again to all.

Interesting to see all of the different opininions and attitudes.

Peace,

Fish

[smbrule]

I've been bass fishing for fifty years and as I've become older still enjoy a spending about 75 days a year on a lake.

I have a couple of very good life long friends and fishing partners but also probably some of most enjoyable days are being on the lake at predawn by myself and just enjoy a more laid back fishing day.

The photo was taken of my fishing partners while we were fishing in an isolated area for smallies on Lake of the Woods--no boats except our two--seen all day in this area.

It is a wonderful experience to still be able to fish in areas as awesomely beautiful when one is in his mid seventies.

[FishingBuds]

If I may add one more thing on getting older, But any older guys notice the outdoors just make you wanna use the bathroom?

20 minutes into it and wham, I gotta go ;D

[WRB]

If I may add one more thing on getting older, But any older guys notice the outdoors just make you wanna use the bathroom?

20 minutes into it and wham, I gotta go ;D

That is why I kept my LA Rams beer mug, perfect for relief.

WRB

[Hammer 4]

Ha...I have been working on that, now3 I can go a whole 1/2 hr... ;D

If I may add one more thing on getting older, But any older guys notice the outdoors just make you wanna use the bathroom?

20 minutes into it and wham, I gotta go ;D

[smbrule]

Bathroom--yes, this summer I took my daughter, wife and five year old grandson for a boat ride and some fishing.  Nature called and I used my MacDonalds cup.

My daughter told her son--that is why you should never drink out of a cup that is in a boat.