Do you know anyone who quit fishing? 2024
The Maestro reply :
Once in a while I'll see someone selling all their fishing gear citing quitting fishing as the reason. I'm not talking about quitting because it's become too difficult due to age or physical issues. I'm talking about someone who was a serious angler just up and deciding they don't like fishing anymore. Have you ever known someone who did this?
A-Jay reply :
Interesting - I'd have to say No.
BTW - if I'm lucky, this may be what the day after I stop fishing looks like.
#itsinmydna
A-Jay
slonezp reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:10 AM, A-Jay said:Interesting - I'd have to say No.
BTW - if I'm lucky, this may be what the day after I stop fishing looks like.
#itsinmydna
A-Jay
You're aware they make boat coffins?
A-Jay reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:19 AM, slonezp said:You're aware they make boat coffins?
Oh - That has my name written All Over It !
A-Jay
MartinTheFisherman reply :
I don't know why anybody would ever quit fishing, it is literally the best thing to do. They might just quit cause they don't catch anything or they don't like being outside. I don't really know anyone that has quit fishing, but I once went to a yard sale with a guy in his mid 70's which was selling his stuff because he was now too old to fish.
Log Catcher reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:20 AM, A-Jay said:Oh - That has my name written All Over It !
A-Jay
I guess with this you won't worry about no out board motor, trolling motor, or depth finders.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:42 AM, Log Catcher said:I guess with this you won't worry about no out board motor, trolling motor, or depth finders.
I guess the depth finder would only need to be able to read to 6 feet under.
A-Jay
jimmyjoe reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:42 AM, Log Catcher said:I guess with this you won't worry about no out board motor, trolling motor, or depth finders.
At least we certainly hope no depth finders!
Whoops! Beat me to it! jj
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
My Dad did it. We moved from Central Fla, the Bass capitol of USA. Well we moved to South Ga, home of no Bass lakes/resevoirs.
Only a few rivers and ponds. Well my dad said no where to fish I guess, sold his boat, 25ish rods, and all his tackle. After a few years I showed him Bass fishing our local rivers.
Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Ohoopee, Satilla, etc.. Well after that he's bought another boat, new rods, and building new tackle back up.
scaleface reply :
I know a few . Bass were not as easy to catch as they thought they were going to be and they got bored with it . Our sport is not for everyone .
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
It was definitely a huge learning curve going from lakes to rivers.
When he sold his boat, it went with all his tackle from 40yrs of fishing. I was bummed but I didn't know where to fish either till some friends showed me where to go, then I showed him.
flatcreek reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:48 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:My Dad did it. We moved from Central Fla, the Bass capitol of USA. Well we moved to South Ga, home of no Bass lakes/resevoirs.
Only a few rivers and ponds. Well my dad said no where to fish I guess, sold his boat, 25ish rods, and all his tackle. After a few years I showed him Bass fishing our local rivers.
Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Ohoopee, Satilla, etc.. Well after that he's bought another boat, new rods, and building new tackle back up.
Y'all should go fish lake Seminole in Southwest Ga.Full of pigs
slonezp reply :
I've known some people who get married and have a litter of kids and fishing takes a back seat to family.
The Maestro reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 8:04 AM, slonezp said:I've known some people who get married and have a litter of kids and fishing takes a back seat to family.
I've heard of this. These guys often pick it back up when the kids get a bit older and the baseball and hockey games and practices are over.
DHP reply :
I quit for a while. When I was a teenager I loved bass fishing, but I also loved deer hunting. This worked well because I could hunt in the fall and fish the rest of the time, but my buddy, who’s dad owned the boat we would use, decided he could care less about fishing and wanted to focus on hunting. Then I lost the ability to fish all the private ponds I used to fish, so I kinda gave up on it and focused on hunting too. Now the deer hunting really sucks here, and my oldest son(5 at the time) started showing an interest in fishing, I got back into it in the last couple years. Now I can almost care less about hunting lol.
CrankFate reply :
Anyone that quit fishing was never really a fisherman.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
@CrankFate I politely disagree my friend. Certain circumstances can dictate things in life. ????
Manly Studson reply :
I didn’t quit, but I had to take time off. I fished from childhood through college. Then grad school, work, and having children made me stop for a while. As soon as my kids could cast a rod, I put one in their hands. Now I fish once a week, and my kids often go with me. If I had to do it over, I wouldn’t have let fishing go.
greentrout reply :
started a business ... full devotion to its success ... right thing to do ... fishing never left me ... just a pause ..
good fishing ...
GreenPig reply :
I had to stop for 2 full years. Forty hours of classes a week along with 60 hours on two jobs. 100 hours a week for 104 weeks was tough but now I fish when I want as long as I want.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I know of a couple. I don't understand it but I don't question somebodies decision. Usually they just become more interested in another hobby.
813basstard reply :
Marriage and offspring made me fish more.
We playing monopoly ever night? Before that happened there was a lot of bars between home and work..
To answer your question, if you really want to do it, it’s a lot of work. The fishing never made anyone quit, it’s the work in between, that makes folks retire the rod. Wake up at 4, drag the boat 2 hrs, catch one fish, find a $50 hotel, charge the batteries, call home, re-rig, study maps with the local news on weather forecast, set your alarm for day 2, finish 32nd and the whole drive home..thinking about getting back out there. If your not ready for that, you’ll hang’em up.
Glenn reply :
Yup, I've seen it. My fishing buddy and tournament partner of 4 years...we went at it hard core. Every weekend, sat and sun, March through Oct, for 4 years.
His wife divorced him, and he changed focus to his career. When he retired, he went after trout, with a little bit of bass fishing thrown in. Although, to be fair, he had a major issue with tennis elbow that made it difficult for him to go bass fishing all day (too much casting).
Me, personally? I went through a stint where I fished the same lake 3-4 days a week for a full year, just to learn the seasonal and conditional patterns of bass first hand. After that year, I was burned out. So I backed off for awhile.
It happens to all of us. Too much of one thing will do that.
Glaucus reply :
No, but I do have a buddy who has slowed way down in recent years. He hasn't even gone out this year. I don't really know what's up.
I could see a tournament angler quitting because they only did it for money and didn't find pleasure in it anymore. In fact, I watched some educational videos last year that were from like 5~ years ago, and it turns out he was a tournament angler who quit. I believe it was something about what the sport has become or something. I can't remember his name, but I guess he doesn't fish at all anymore.
I personally can't see myself ever quitting as long as I remain able bodied. I literally love it and I'm literally addicted.
The only thing that would stop me prematurely is the fact that every body of water is becoming freakin' private if it isn't already, and river access is becoming increasingly difficult because of construction and private land.
On 5/29/2019 at 7:54 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:It was definitely a huge learning curve going from lakes to rivers.
When he sold his boat, it went with all his tackle from 40yrs of fishing. I was bummed but I didn't know where to fish either till some friends showed me where to go, then I showed him.
Kickin' Their Bass TV is located in Georgia and that kid is always catching hogs in ponds and lakes there.
HTNFSH reply :
I have a picture of myself holding a nice walleye when I was 5. I can remember my dad talking about big eyes on Lake Erie and watching him leave the house at 6am with a buddy or uncle.
Ironically, there are only a handful of memories of fishing when I was a kid. You could say I quit and had zero interest from HS through the beginning of career until I bought my first boat at 28. I started taking my dad fishing and began to realize why he enjoyed it and the outdoors so much. I was shopping for a little bigger more comfortable boat for us and some family friends when he died from cancer in 2007 at 57.
Since then, hunting and fishing has taken a new meaning. I was fishing last May over Memorial day weekend when I got the news my mom lost her struggle with cancer at 68. The sport has more meaning to me than ever. Life is so short...grab a rod and hold on.
CrankFate reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 10:10 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:@CrankFate I politely disagree my friend. Certain circumstances can dictate things in life. ????
Maybe. I didn’t do much fishing for a good 4-5 years because of work and school and then again when my kids were born, but most people never completely quit forever. There are some guys that get into a hobby go crazy and become enthusiasts for a few years, then quit, sell all their stuff and take up a new hobby every 2-3 years. Those guys aren’t really fishermen. If you find yourself busy and far from water or not leaving your wife home with the kids all day every weekend, it’s not really quitting.
TOXIC reply :
My mentor and the one who introduced me to fishing, my Grandfather passed away waaaaay too early (he was 51 and I was a teen) and I couldn't handle the memories every time I picked up a rod. I quit fishing for a number of years and concentrated on my career. When I moved to Virginia 25 years ago, I had 2 neighbors that got me back on the water and I had an epiphany wade fishing the Shenandoah River where I felt his presence right there with me and I got the passion back 10 fold. So much so, I ended up guiding for a number of years.
I do know of some hard core anglers both recreational and competitive that just "burned out" after many years of fishing. Sometimes it just happens. Some ease back into it and some never get the drive again.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
@Glaucusive watched kickin their Bass some, his personality is kinda uh.. loud. Reminds me of flair.
He does fish the Savannah river a good bit, along with alot of private ponds.
Jigfishn10 reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:31 AM, MartinTheFisherman said:I don't know why anybody would ever quit fishing, it is literally the best thing to do. They might just quit cause they don't catch anything or they don't like being outside. I don't really know anyone that has quit fishing, but I once went to a yard sale with a guy in his mid 70's which was selling his stuff because he was now too old to fish.
I'm close to it. Don't have any time anymore. My son's baseball season is getting longer, this year his season will go into August. When it's done I have maybe 6-8 weekends at my home in Maine to relax a bit and then projects start up at one of the houses. Last year I didn't even get a fishing license.
Darn close to just getting rid of all my gear and calling it quits.
ZbestBassman reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 8:04 AM, slonezp said:I've known some people who get married and have a litter of kids and fishing takes a back seat to family.
Well I already let my Fiancee know from day one I would be fishing often for rest of my life and if she didn't like it we shouldn't get married. She is a really good girl tho I've have buddy's that aren't as lucky
diversity210 reply :
My brother quit fishing. He was raised fishing and loved it until he finished medical school and became to big for his britches and thought some how fishing was low brow after that, or maybe it could be because he moved to dry Arizona. Either way he no longer fishes. When he comes to visit. I try and get him out on the boat and it never happens. Its to bad because fishing is so relaxing, fun, who doesn't enjoy eating fresh caught fish. I sleep so well after a day of fishing. It doesn't wear me out, but it relaxes me so much that I sleep like a baby afterwards.
redmeansdistortion reply :
I took about a decade long hiatus from fishing. Not because I lost the passion but because I had all of my gear stolen. A friend of mine had a boat he kept docked at a marina on Lake St Clair and somebody stole his boat. With that, I lost every rod and reel I owned up to that time (4 combos) as well as all of my tackle, much of it irreplaceable as it was antique stuff given to me by my grandfather. On his end, he had thousands in musky, walleye, and bass gear. He and I fished very often so I figured I'd just leave my gear on his boat and never had an issue for years until that one day. I didn't pick up fishing again until about 7 years ago when he and I took up steelhead fishing and went out and bought everything we needed together. During these last 7 years, I accumulated more rods, reels, and lures than I did my entire life beforehand. Now I just take what I need when I go out fishing.
FishinBuck07 reply :
Not anymore!????
N Florida Mike reply :
I’ve known a few. One of my old friends was one of the best I ever fished with. He was “ the man “ on one of our local creeks and the river. He went off into the turkey hunting twilight zone, never to be seen again.
Another one used to fish tournaments for years, and had a membership at a privately run series of lakes. He just up and quit, sold his bass boat and took up golf. He called a couple weeks ago and we went fishing for the first time in 5 years. Looks like he’s starting to come around.
ww2farmer reply :
No, but I have threatened the birds, the trees, a frog, docks, and other random things that I'm going to quit, sink the boat and set my clothes on fire after a long day of bad fishing.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 8:34 PM, NittyGrittyBoy said:@Glaucusive watched kickin their Bass some, his personality is kinda uh.. loud. Reminds me of flair.
He does fish the Savannah river a good bit, along with alot of private ponds.
That loud part comes from his Dad.
If you ever seen his folks on his vids he has a New York Dad and a Georgia Mom.
the reel ess reply :
I knew a guy who was fanatical about fishing. In fact, he taught me everything I knew about largemouth at that point. Then he discovered golf. It was on then! He sold his boat and his house at the lake and as far as I know he never fished again. He became a golf fanatic. That's why I stay away from golf.
The Maestro reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 2:00 AM, the reel ess said:I knew a guy who was fanatical about fishing. In fact, he taught me everything I knew about largemouth at that point. Then he discovered golf. It was on then! He sold his boat and his house at the lake and as far as I know he never fished again. He became a golf fanatic. That's why I stay away from golf.
How anyone can find golf to be more fun than fishing is beyond me. Can you get an adrenaline rush from golf? My ex-brother in-law was big into golf until I introduced him to fishing. He slowly quit golfing altogether.
the reel ess reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 2:18 AM, The Maestro said:How anyone can find golf to be more fun than fishing is beyond me. Can you get an adrenaline rush from golf? My ex-brother in-law was big into golf until I introduced him to fishing. He slowly quit golfing altogether.
Some people can. I'd just feel guilty for wasting a good day or I'd want to fish the water on the course.
Loomis13 reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 2:23 AM, the reel ess said:Some people can. I'd just feel guilty for wasting a good day or I'd want to fish the water on the course.
This is my battle, I have spent a lot of beautiful days on the golf course. I don't regret a second of it. However, I know that now I try and balance the two more than I used too. It's just a lot simpler to throw the clubs in the trunk than it is to get the boat in and out of our garage.
Also, to the guy about adrenaline and golf. Absolutely. If you enjoy it that is. Seeing a ball rolling towards the cup from ~150 yards and dropping is a phenomenal feeling. Similar to setting the hook fishing. Except setting the hook on a fish happens a little more than hitting it really close in golf!
the reel ess reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 2:38 AM, Loomis13 said:This is my battle, I have spent a lot of beautiful days on the golf course. I don't regret a second of it. However, I know that now I try and balance the two more than I used too. It's just a lot simpler to throw the clubs in the trunk than it is to get the boat in and out of our garage.
Also, to the guy about adrenaline and golf. Absolutely. If you enjoy it that is. Seeing a ball rolling towards the cup from ~150 yards and dropping is a phenomenal feeling. Similar to setting the hook fishing. Except setting the hook on a fish happens a little more than hitting it really close in golf!
That's the main reason I got into kayak fishing. And I have no fewer than 5 places within 10 miles that I can fish. I can get loaded up and to the nearest spot in 10 minutes.
The Maestro reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 2:38 AM, Loomis13 said:This is my battle, I have spent a lot of beautiful days on the golf course. I don't regret a second of it. However, I know that now I try and balance the two more than I used too. It's just a lot simpler to throw the clubs in the trunk than it is to get the boat in and out of our garage.
Also, to the guy about adrenaline and golf. Absolutely. If you enjoy it that is. Seeing a ball rolling towards the cup from ~150 yards and dropping is a phenomenal feeling. Similar to setting the hook fishing. Except setting the hook on a fish happens a little more than hitting it really close in golf!
I've tried golf enough times to know that I'll never like it. Fishing on the other hand....that very first time sitting in a tin can aluminum boat and seeing my friends bobber get pulled under at his cottage when I was 8 or 9 years old. I knew right then and there that fishing was for me.
redmexican5081 reply :
Flat out quitting fishing would be a hard thing to do for anyone who had anything more than a fleeting interest. Taking a break is more likely what happens. I would consider it truly quitting when you have the ability to drive by any body of water and not check to see if there is a boat out there fishing or wonder what kind of fish might be in it. Even the guys who have to give it up for home/health/other reasons, I'd bet they still wonder and if they do, they haven't quit.
Tennessee Boy reply :
I’ve known a couple of guys that quit who fished at an intense level, in big tournaments, with high end boats. They burned out and don’t enjoy it at a slower level. Another guy with a similar story that gave up bass fishing but still enjoys catfish and crappie fishing.
soflabasser reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:23 PM, CrankFate said:There are some guys that get into a hobby go crazy and become enthusiasts for a few years, then quit, sell all their stuff and take up a new hobby every 2-3 years. Those guys aren’t really fishermen. If you find yourself busy and far from water or not leaving your wife home with the kids all day every weekend, it’s not really quitting.
I have known many people that fit the description you said, they are not true fishermen and just people following whatever current fad hobby they have at that time in their life. Those same people seem to put too much emphasis on what gear they own, too much emphasis on fishing tournaments, and not enough emphasis on the actual catching bass and relaxing in the outdoors part which is by far more important. I have had many moments in my life when I was extremely busy and still found time to fish, even if it means fishing for only 30-60 minutes at a time every once in a while.
On 5/29/2019 at 7:54 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:It was definitely a huge learning curve going from lakes to rivers.
When he sold his boat, it went with all his tackle from 40yrs of fishing. I was bummed but I didn't know where to fish either till some friends showed me where to go, then I showed him.
I found it easy to learn how to fish rivers but it might be since I have lots of experience fishing South Florida canal systems, spillways, and inlets which is more difficult to fish than rivers.
On 5/30/2019 at 9:08 AM, Tennessee Boy said:I’ve known a couple of guys that quit who fished at an intense level, in big tournaments, with high end boats. They burned out and don’t enjoy it at a slower level. Another guy with a similar story that gave up bass fishing but still enjoys catfish and crappie fishing.
Some people seem to enjoy competing against others more than actually catching fish so it is no surprise those type of people burnout at a quicker rate than someone who just fishes for fun.
WRB reply :
I know several who quit bass fishing sold their boats and all the tackle, they just got fed up with tournaments, traffic and bass fishing in general. 2 did it to save their marriages.
Another went back to golfing. One of the best bass anglers I knew was national skeet champion and a excellent tournament angler change to fly fishing trout streams.
I guit tournament bass fishing and only fish a few charity night events with my son.
My sons health is dire with stage 4 renal cancel so all my efforts are trying to save him.
I may quit and sell everything depending on how the future plays out.
Tom
scaleface reply :
Girls , work and partying couldnt keep me away from fishing . I always managed to juggle it and if the party was by a body of water , I left the party and went fishing .
I had a party van , with rod racks .
Armtx77 reply :
I have known a couple. Both due to serious illnesses of loved ones.
One even emptied out about 60 firearms and probably 70k worth of boat/gear. To this day, he had not hunted or fished, despite our best efforts
Sadly, the money could not buy the life, just some time.
Hook2Jaw reply :
Momma ain't raise no quitter.
Bankbeater reply :
After I got out of college I was working 2 jobs and I had a fiancé. My fishing went from 1 or 2 times a week to 1 or 2 times a year. Then kids and a new job. 15 years later I finally got to a point where I could start fishing again not only for fun, but for relaxation.
J.Vincent reply :
Actually yes, I quit my job and quit fishing tournaments in 2005, gave thousands of dollars of gear away then moved to Louisiana to work as a Hurricane Katrina Construction Volunteer. I eventually didn’t know what to do with myself in the evening after my construction shifts and in 2007 I bought one rod/reel and started fishing for Louisiana bass and Monster Gar. When I moved back to Michigan in 2008, I kid you not , it was like someone flipped a switch , because not only was my time away from the sport sort of a rebirth for me mentally, but when I started fishing again I was better able to prioritize and put things in perspective. Ultimately I grew a lot as a person during my hiatus in Louisiana and returned to Michigan as a man not a boy and my decision making became better in every area of my life , including fishing ! So if you ask me, everyone should quit fishing at least once in their life : )
Glaucus reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 12:22 PM, J.Vincent said:So if you ask me, everyone should quit fishing at least once in their life
Josh Smith reply :
Dad. He's 68 and active in other ways. They (Mom and Dad) camp a lot, and work out every morning. He says he just doesn't enjoy it like he used to, but got his lifetime fishing license. He's not been in years and keeps talking about going.
He says "no" whenever I invite him, though.
It's friggin irritating.
Regards,
Josh
Dangerfield reply :
I quit every November 30th and pick it back up the 4th Saturday in June.
Choporoz reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 11:50 PM, Dangerfield said:I quit every November 30th and pick it back up the 4th Saturday in June.
I'm sorry....
Dangerfield reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 11:55 PM, Choporoz said:I'm sorry....
me too, it's hard reading/watching/listening to this board for 1/2 the year when the ice is hard or I can't target bass. It's the law, there's only 1 zone in Ontario where bass is open all year.
Choporoz reply :
I grew up in WI and fished regularly in WI, MN, Ont....so I get it....but I would never subject myself to it again. Year round fishing is not something I'll go without ever again
GReb reply :
I took about a 8 year break while in college and traveling for my first job. Spent my fishing time playing golf. Finally moved back to my hometown and got back into it thanks to my wife and father. For a few years I was completely apathetic towards it though. There were several occasions where I’d go pond hopping with friends and wouldn’t even wet a line. Growing up on a lake I fished everyday until college though
hoosierbass07 reply :
I'm slowly fishing less and less since I picked up recurve archery. I can shoot my recurve before work, in the winter, on windy days, on days and seasons I can't go fishing. I mostly fish clear water strip pits that are tough to fish. Only going to catch one to two really giant bass a year and that's with fishing a lot, every weekend. So, do I go fishing and strike out again or keep trying to perfect my form and shoot the perfect arrow over and over and over and over? My recurve bow has moved to my number one hobby/sport. Still, I do go bass fishing.
RB 77 reply :
I have a different take on this. I quit surfing because of fishing. I grew up on the beaches of Southern California and have been a life long surfer since I was a youngster. High School surf team (yes, that is an actual thing. Haha), local competitions, built surfboards, worked in the industry , etc the whole nine. Then one day I called my friend to go surfing and he mentioned he was going Bass fishing. I showed some interest and he kind of brushed me off. I said I could borrow some of my pops gear and off we went. I'm not kidding when I say that day when I hooked my first Bass since I was a wee youngster it was intoxicating. Instantly hooked, game on!
Several years later I own dozens of setups, a plethora of lures, fish both fresh and salt water, work in the sportfishing industry (two different jobs actually!), build rods, make lures, etc. I still have dozens of boards and a 1/2 dozen wetsuits, but my surfing has dropped off from 200+ days in the water on average to just a single session last year. On the other hand, I try to get out on the water to fish 100+ times in a good year. Actually just did three in a row! I will always be a surfer at heart, as I will always be a fisherman, but I thought I would share a little story from the other side of the fence to show just how captivating our way of life can be.
geo g reply :
I know several friends that have sold their boat and equipment and just left the sport behind. These are guys that were die hard fisherman at one time. Health issues are the #1 reason for their decision. As we get older something is going to get you eventually. Hopefully it's later than sooner. Several of these guys just didn't have confidence to do all the things you need to handle the boat, load and unload. Bank fishing was not their thing. Sad but everyone has to make their own decisions. Enjoy every minute on the water, because you just never know what tomorrow will bring!
Alec McMillan reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:48 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Only a few rivers and ponds. Well my dad said no where to fish I guess, sold his boat, 25ish rods, and all his tackle. After a few years I showed him Bass fishing our local rivers.
Fellow south Georgian I fish Eufaula and Seminole along with some smaller lakes and ponds. Also sometimes the ol Flint River.
redmeansdistortion reply :
On 5/31/2019 at 11:58 PM, Dangerfield said:me too, it's hard reading/watching/listening to this board for 1/2 the year when the ice is hard or I can't target bass. It's the law, there's only 1 zone in Ontario where bass is open all year.
I dunno what the ON laws are, but here in SE MI when all of my fellow fishermen are out on the hard water jigging for perch, I take to the streams for steelhead. Winter steelhead is a blast. They're hungry and aggressive, and if keeping is your thing, very tasty too. The best part is the streams are largely vacant due to the ice fishermen, so I often have the stream to myself.
N Florida Mike reply :
On 5/30/2019 at 2:00 AM, the reel ess said:I knew a guy who was fanatical about fishing. In fact, he taught me everything I knew about largemouth at that point. Then he discovered golf. It was on then! He sold his boat and his house at the lake and as far as I know he never fished again. He became a golf fanatic. That's why I stay away from golf.
I played golf once with friends from work. I couldn’t quit laughing at all my miscues. For some reason they never asked me to go again !
I like it better than soccer though (but that aint saying much )
I actually seriously considered getting a golf course membership so I could fish all the ponds!????
BassThumb reply :
I know a college student who did it for a few years for financial reasons. Otherwise, the others were due to aging and health reasons. Some people have a hard time launching a boat alone in old age.
WRB reply :
What are calling old?
Tom
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
On 6/1/2019 at 6:09 AM, WRB said:What are calling old?
Tom
50+
MN Fisher reply :
On 6/1/2019 at 6:09 AM, WRB said:What are calling old?
Tom
On 6/1/2019 at 8:01 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:50+
That's it...I'm old even though my mom says I can't be. Turn 60 before the year is out.
the reel ess reply :
3On 6/1/2019 at 4:39 AM, N Florida Mike said:I played golf once with friends from work. I couldn’t quit laughing at all my miscues. For some reason they never asked me to go again !
I like it better than soccer though (but that aint saying much )
I actually seriously considered getting a golf course membership so I could fish all the ponds!????
If you have a membership you can fish? Now you're talking!
soflabasser reply :
On 6/1/2019 at 8:01 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:50+
Most people would consider that upper middle age. Anyone 65 or older is what is generally considered ''old age'' by most people. Plenty of +65 year olds that run marathons, have +1000 pound powerlifting totals, and other athletic feats so it is not how old you are but how well you take care yourself that matters most when you reach an advanced age.
On 6/1/2019 at 4:39 AM, N Florida Mike said:I actually seriously considered getting a golf course membership so I could fish all the ponds!
I do not care much for golf either and the golf course ponds is the only thing I might care about on a golf course. Even then I will never waste a penny in a golf course membership since I am surrounded by very good public water fisheries.
WRB reply :
I have a daughter 50+ don't tell her she is old.
65 is retirement age not old age, 80 is elderly....did I mention Dee Thomas is 80 and caught a 12+ lb bass flipping a few weeks ago on the Delta, he hasn't quit!
50+ is over 25 years ago for me, I have learned a few things and caught a few bass since then.
Tom
Oregon Native reply :
Well...never have quit...but have slowed down when daughter fought cancer for nine years....lot's and lots of doctor visits....lot's. Then I got acute pancreatitis and was one step from flower food for a number of months....this too slowed me down. Then the ol boat decides to be a pain ... so this is a minor slow down. But after 69 years I still have the passion and the drive. I guess I could watch sports on TV or keep a cell phone in one hand all the time but will leave that to others!!!
Tight Lines
Shimano_1 reply :
I understand family and health could dictate what one chooses to do. Even if either forced me to take a step back I wouldn't think of selling my gear or quitting. I also dont judge people so if someone doesnt feel like fishing anymore who am I to question it.
Columbia Craw reply :
Life is filled with priorities. Many change.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:10 AM, A-Jay said:BTW - if I'm lucky, this may be what the day after I stop fishing looks like.
#itsinmydna
A-Jay
Why would you stop fishing in order to become a minister or funeral director? Then again, maybe that minister is just looking at pictures of all the fish the dead guy caught.
I knew one guy who stopped fishing, Mitch Kumstein. He was good enough to go pro, until he got kicked off his college fishing team for night fishing. He was just fishing at night, with the 15 year old daughter of the dean. His roommate was Ty Webb.
Hammer 4 reply :
I'm with WRB on this topic. At 50 I was in my prime, I was roadracing motorcycles, playing golf, and guitar, all the while running my construction biz, and Not from a desk, I worked regularly 45 to 55 hrs a week up until I was 60 or so..I'll be 71 in Aug..while there are some things I can't do as well as when I was younger, I can still catch fish.
50 is not old...
Boomstick reply :
On 5/29/2019 at 7:20 AM, A-Jay said:Oh - That has my name written All Over It !
A-Jay
Correction: Now this has your name all over it. 
wcjohnson reply :
I took about a nine year break shortly after high school. Small farm town with mostly private ponds, and the two I had access to were ruined by kids I knew trespassing and throwing beer cans in the water. Bank bound and catching a dink or two in the river or creek once in a blue moon wasn't an efficient use of my time, and driving at least an hour each way for over fished public spots with more dinks wasn't overly enticing.
Moved to a new place with a pond 60-70 yards from my back door and have been back at it ever since. I don't regret taking a break because I found other new hobbies that I enjoyed and were more accessible, and once I started again, it felt relaxing instead of a grueling obligation.
stepup reply :
I sold my boat when I had my first daughter and was starting out my family. Didn't have much choice. I was married, broke, and had a baby on the way. The 10k the boat brought was used to make a downpayment on our first home and pay for the medical bills from our first daughter. I still fished from the bank I just never really enjoyed it as much. Here I am 11 years later and I have sold our first home, bought another one, and built a swimming pool for the wife and kids. I bought another bass boat in January of this year after waiting 11 years and I am the happiest I hav ebeen in a long time. I picked up some other hobbies along the way just to kill time but now I am right back where I started. I am already tournament fishing again and I am doing pretty well with that. I think people may get out of it for a personal reason or finances but I don't know anyone that truly enjoyed it that just quit fishing because they didn't like it.
Dwbassin reply :
I could understand loosing the time too, and I hate only being able to go 2x a week. I wouldn’t want a life were i couldn’t. I don’t plan on having kids though which makes it easier to have that option. I don’t want to work my life away either and not be able to enjoy it. If tournament angling grinded me down i would simply fun fish. I don’t think I could ever just quit. I can’t say I wouldn’t allow it to happen, I just simply can’t fathom not doing it. It is in my brain allllll day. I enjoy all aspects too much. I will never lose the passion even if I somehow couldn’t go
IgotWood reply :
A close family friend quit fishing. He was a real hardcore striper fisherman. In New England, almost all of the striped bass fishing is done at night. He was the type who wouldn’t come home until daybreak 5 days a week. I guess after 30 years of this he bang to develop serious heart problems, uncontrollable blood pressure, and insomnia.
One day he he sold all of his gear and he and his wife enjoyed their retirement exercising, hiking, and bike riding. He says he doesn’t miss fishing at all. He hadn’t enjoyed it much the past few years he was fishing. He just didn’t know any other way to occupy his time. About ten years later now, he is healthy as a horse and happy. Still doesn’t miss fishing one bit. He cherishes his memories, but he says he has no desire to pick up a fishing rod.
God bless him. Hope it never happens to me!
NE-KID reply :
Before my uncle passed away from end stage lung cancer he was a fisherman who loved fishing everyday he taught me a few things what to look for and what to do and not what to do. My father fished when he was younger but not so much he's finally getting over a five bypass heart surgery with laser so he took time away from fishing to recover. I use to fish a lot along time ago till I have to had stomach surgeries after one another. Recovery time sucked but it was a good cause before I even got sicker. Now my father and I are getting back to fishing now.
WRB reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 2:55 AM, twenty20frames123 said:Well it all started late one night when my wife said " I saw a guy riding a electric bike today" I never even heard of an electric bike. So I did some research, talked to my buddies on my bike team. They all said they had seen a electric bike that had fat tires, heavy duty motorcycle triple crown fork, 1000 watt hidden battery... All things that I was going to need to think about. After that I research everything and check out the website my friend paul gave me
Long story short the motor city electric bikes were the best bikes I had ever seen and I am leaving work right now to go jump on it and ride around. I can do about 20 miles and I have hit 50 mph with some light peddling.... This bike is solid and before I sat on it I had never felt a bike so gentle to ride. Big bumps were nothing anymore. Fat tires saved my life and were very safe unlike reg bike tires at 20 mph on gravel. . . : 0
Does this mean you quite fishing?
Tom
On 6/4/2019 at 9:30 AM, Boomstick said:Correction: Now this has your name all over it.
Is this boat made for Niagara fall?
Tom
JediAmoeba reply :
My dad quit fishing about 15 years ago. I have a lot of fond memories fishing with my dad and Grandpa as a kid. 15 years ago he sold his boat and gave me all his fishing stuff. Now the last few years he has been coming out with my kids for the first day of trout but otherwise I can't get him to go and he isn't into it anymore. He says he just doesn't enjoy it anymore...
This is picture of my sister and I as an 8 year old catching a bass at my grandparents farm pond.
The Bassman reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 4:42 AM, JediAmoeba said:My dad quit fishing about 15 years ago. I have a lot of fond memories fishing with my dad and Grandpa as a kid. 15 years ago he sold his boat and gave me all his fishing stuff. Now the last few years he has been coming out with my kids for the first day of trout but otherwise I can't get him to go and he isn't into it anymore. He says he just doesn't enjoy it anymore...
This is picture of my sister and I as an 8 year old catching a bass at my grandparents farm pond.
Sure hope you took your shoes off when you came in.
new2BC4bass reply :
I quit fishing for 23 years. Not because I lost interest in the sport, but because the area I moved to literally sucks when it comes to fishing. Didn't sell my gear. Started visiting a relative in Florida and fishing there. After 3 years in a row of this I decided to get back into fishing locally, but wanted to try a baitcast reel. Loved them. Now I have way more rods and reels than a sane person needs. Some not used yet. Why? Because fishing still sucks in this area. 
The only thing that has kept me from quitting again has been new gear, but even that is not making it anymore. A lake within a 15-20 minute drive would help keep my interest up....even if not catching fish. I've been out fishing once this year so far. Other than my visit to Florida where I keep a few rods.
Sadly I am about to the point of quitting again. At my age it is unlikely I'd get back into it again if that happens. The only reason I haven't already quit is the thousands of dollars sitting in my basement. Ten years worth of accumulation. Would I sell my gear? Hate that idea.
I'd be in seventh heaven if I could afford to retire and live on a lake near my relation in Florida. Don't see that happening.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Unless.....
Might need a temperature gauge, too.
TheRodFather reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 7:01 AM, new2BC4bass said:I quit fishing for 23 years. Not because I lost interest in the sport, but because the area I moved to literally sucks when it comes to fishing. Didn't sell my gear. Started visiting a relative in Florida and fishing there. After 3 years in a row of this I decided to get back into fishing locally, but wanted to try a baitcast reel. Loved them. Now I have way more rods and reels than a sane person needs. Some not used yet. Why? Because fishing still sucks in this area.
The only thing that has kept me from quitting again has been new gear, but even that is not making it anymore. A lake within a 15-20 minute drive would help keep my interest up....even if not catching fish. I've been out fishing once this year so far. Other than my visit to Florida where I keep a few rods.
Sadly I am about to the point of quitting again. At my age it is unlikely I'd get back into it again if that happens. The only reason I haven't already quit is the thousands of dollars sitting in my basement. Ten years worth of accumulation. Would I sell my gear? Hate that idea.
I'd be in seventh heaven if I could afford to retire and live on a lake near my relation in Florida. Don't see that happening.
You are about an hour and a half away from some of the best river smallie action in the country........
I have a buddy that guides the Susquehanna near Harrisburg/Duncannon that will put you on the fish and get your excitement level back up. I can PM his info if you want.
I live in NC now, and I'll tell you, I miss living right near the river in Lancaster PA. Smallies are more fun to fish for if you ask me. More aggressive, fight harder per pound, etc.
redboat reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 7:01 AM, new2BC4bass said:I quit fishing for 23 years. Not because I lost interest in the sport, but because the area I moved to literally sucks when it comes to fishing. Didn't sell my gear. Started visiting a relative in Florida and fishing there. After 3 years in a row of this I decided to get back into fishing locally, but wanted to try a baitcast reel. Loved them. Now I have way more rods and reels than a sane person needs. Some not used yet. Why? Because fishing still sucks in this area.
The only thing that has kept me from quitting again has been new gear, but even that is not making it anymore. A lake within a 15-20 minute drive would help keep my interest up....even if not catching fish. I've been out fishing once this year so far. Other than my visit to Florida where I keep a few rods.
Sadly I am about to the point of quitting again. At my age it is unlikely I'd get back into it again if that happens. The only reason I haven't already quit is the thousands of dollars sitting in my basement. Ten years worth of accumulation. Would I sell my gear? Hate that idea.
I'd be in seventh heaven if I could afford to retire and live on a lake near my relation in Florida. Don't see that happening.
I'm seriously considering it. I live on Toledo Bend lake, used to be great fishing but at my current pace if I keep going two or three times a week I'll be lucky to catch five keepers this year. Sad, but they just HAD to kill the Salvinia.
Raul reply :
I haven't fished in something like 4 years, the only time I touched my rods in that time was to move them from the bathroom to the service room like a year ago when remodeling of the bathroom took place. My wife told me to sell all stuff since I'm not using it, but that ain't happening. Why ? My mother's health and my business take all my time. When will I go back ? Who knows but it don't matter, I'll be back.
JediAmoeba reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 7:01 AM, new2BC4bass said:I quit fishing for 23 years. Not because I lost interest in the sport, but because the area I moved to literally sucks when it comes to fishing. Didn't sell my gear. Started visiting a relative in Florida and fishing there. After 3 years in a row of this I decided to get back into fishing locally, but wanted to try a baitcast reel. Loved them. Now I have way more rods and reels than a sane person needs. Some not used yet. Why? Because fishing still sucks in this area.
The only thing that has kept me from quitting again has been new gear, but even that is not making it anymore. A lake within a 15-20 minute drive would help keep my interest up....even if not catching fish. I've been out fishing once this year so far. Other than my visit to Florida where I keep a few rods.
Sadly I am about to the point of quitting again. At my age it is unlikely I'd get back into it again if that happens. The only reason I haven't already quit is the thousands of dollars sitting in my basement. Ten years worth of accumulation. Would I sell my gear? Hate that idea.
I'd be in seventh heaven if I could afford to retire and live on a lake near my relation in Florida. Don't see that happening.
Where are you fishing that is so terrible? I didn't think it could get much worse than Eastern Pa.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/17/2019 at 4:05 PM, JediAmoeba said:Where are you fishing that is so terrible? I didn't think it could get much worse than Eastern Pa.
That is where I am fishing. Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton area. Nearest lake to me is a 30/35 minute drive. Lake Nochamixon public fishing area sucks. Lake Minsi dam is still in repair. Public fishing areas there suck. For longer drives Beltzville Lake sucks everywhere during the day (boat or no boat). Used to live by a guy who left his apartment about 8 P.M. for Beltzville Lake and fished throughout the night. He had good luck then. Of course he is now divorced. Don't know if I should consider that as sucking or not. 
His wife was a pretty girl. I like Leaser Lake....but the areas I can reach from shore all suck. Plus Rt 22 (which I have to take to get there) is being worked on and there is often a spot going down to one lane with major backup. That sucks too so I haven't been going there this year.
Not much for fishing rivers, but have fished the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Areas I can reach from shore suck, but I've actually caught more fish out of the Lehigh River than anywhere else. Public area I've been to on the Delaware is a lure catching magnet. No fish caught there. It is where I learned how stretchy fluorocarbon line is. 
I came from northern Bradford County just south of the NY/PA border. Had good fishing up there. Company I worked for up there closed down after 102 years of being in business. That sucked too. 
Wow! Seems to be a reoccurring theme here. 
JediAmoeba reply :
On 7/17/2019 at 8:35 PM, new2BC4bass said:That is where I am fishing. Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton area. Nearest lake to me is a 30/35 minute drive. Lake Nochamixon public fishing area sucks. Lake Minsi dam is still in repair. Public fishing areas there suck. For longer drives Beltzville Lake sucks everywhere during the day (boat or no boat). Used to live by a guy who left his apartment about 8 P.M. for Beltzville Lake and fished throughout the night. He had good luck then. Of course he is now divorced. Don't know if I should consider that as sucking or not.
Not much for fishing rivers, but have fished the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Areas I can reach from shore suck, but I've actually caught more fish out of the Lehigh River than anywhere else. Public area I've been to on the Delaware is a lure catching magnet. No fish caught there. It is where I learned how stretchy fluorocarbon line is.
I came from northern Bradford County just south of the NY/PA border. Had good fishing up there. Company I worked for up there closed down after 102 years of being in business. That sucked too.
Wow, very similar story for me. I was actually born in Bradford, Pa and grew up near Titusville Pa - we had great fishing opportunities! I left the area because the family business closed shop when my great uncle died and the family sold it off.
Now I live just north of you in Albrightsville (20 minutes from Beltzville) and the fishing on this whole side of the state sucks. The people that fish around here keep everything they catch regardless of the regulations and almost everything is private due to developers and communities. It's tough fishing and pickerel are the rue of the land.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/18/2019 at 12:53 AM, JediAmoeba said:Wow, very similar story for me. I was actually born in Bradford, Pa and grew up near Titusville Pa - we had great fishing opportunities! I left the area because the family business closed shop when my great uncle died and the family sold it off.
Now I live just north of you in Albrightsville (20 minutes from Beltzville) and the fishing on this whole side of the state sucks. The people that fish around here keep everything they catch regardless of the regulations and almost everything is private due to developers and communities. It's tough fishing and pickerel are the rue of the land.
I lived in Bradford County just across the border from Elmira, NY (where I was born cuz it has the closest hospital).
Alex from GA reply :
I have a friend that sold all his stuff and quit when he had a boating accident that almost claimed his life. He's back into it somewhat again after 3 years out. I'm an old fart, late 70s, and fish several times a week either on a lake or with a kayak on local rivers. I've been fishing ever since my parents friend took me to the Santa Monica pier when I was 6.
whitwolf reply :
On 7/17/2019 at 7:15 AM, Raul said:I haven't fished in something like 4 years, the only time I touched my rods in that time was to move them from the bathroom to the service room like a year ago when remodeling of the bathroom took place. My wife told me to sell all stuff since I'm not using it, but that ain't happening. Why ? My mother's health and my business take all my time. When will I go back ? Who knows but it don't matter, I'll be back.
Good to see you around Raul!
Ratherbfishing reply :
There have been times when, if I put too much weight into the sport, it would "let me down" and I'd be tempted to hang it up for something which is more consistent (in terms of outcome) but, really, there would be a void in my life without it-and I'll be darned if someone else is going to get all my fishing gear. So, until such time as it simply doesn't appeal to me or when my body finally says, "enough", I'll keep it up.
cyclops2 reply :
The older I get. The more I want............... Just 1 more good day. ????
Randy Price reply :
Like others have said. Many of our hobbies have to take a back to seat to life at certain times. In my '30's I really got into trap shooting and had several work friends that were just getting into it also. After 3-5 years most of the guys had switched companies been fired etc... so I didn't have any friends to shoot with. I also really enjoyed turkey hunting and archery deer hunting. Did a lot of that in my 30's and 40's but now at 55 not so much.
hawgenvy reply :
Back when we were dating my wife seemed to enjoy fishing with me. After we were married she admitted she never did like fishing, that it's boring until you catch a fish -- and then it's disgusting. Obviously, she doesn't go anymore. I don't mind, really.
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