Getting Old 2024
papajoe222 reply :
A word to the wise for you younger anglers. Among eyesight, reflexes, balance and a number of other issues you’ll be facing as you get older, stamina is one that doesn’t need to be affected. I’ve seen a marked decrease in the amount of time I spend on the water on any given day. The reason isn’t my age, it’s lack of daily exercise. Even at 65, I was very active, between walking, playing ball with the grandson, bike rides with the Mrs. etc. I had no problem being on the water for eight hours or more. Sadly those activities are no longer a part of my lifestyle and it’s become a chore to spend more than four hours of serious fishing time on the water.
So, stay active. You’ll not only enjoy more time on the water, but likely more time on this side of the grass.
Catt reply :
I've found it hurts a lot less when they're biting ????
Rahlow reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 4:22 AM, Catt said:I've found it hurts a lot less when they're biting ????
Lol, yes seriously,
The Bassman reply :
Just turned 64 and have noticed a marked change in the past five years. My trade (painting) has a lot to do with it. Repetitive movement for 44 yrs. and arthritis really is putting a kink in my mobility. But probably the biggest obstacle is weight. It wears out knees and feet. My advice to younger folks is not to think you'll always be a 34 waist. I wish I had been more proactive sooner.
lo n slo reply :
i’m good while i’m fishing but the ride back to the house gets me all stoved up in my back. my wife just shakes her head.
A-Jay reply :
I'm only 58 so this is still super easy . . .
A-Jay
jbmaine reply :
When you are young you think you have the world by the tail.
Middle age you still thing you have the world by the tail, but you feel it fighting back a bit.
One day you wake up and realize that for the most part, you're just along for the ride.
My health issues have forced me into early retirement, and to keep fishing we had to get a more comfortable boat. I can still have fun fishing all day but I am sitting down for most of it.
WRB reply :
Jon Roffoni of Shell Beach caught a 362 lb yellowfin tuna aboard the Apollo long range charter sportfishing boat in May...Jon is 85 years old! This stand up fishing, no chairs!
Don't make excuses for getting old, you are only as old as you feel.
It's not easy getting up at 0 dark 30 when it's cold, going though some strecthing exercises so you can put on shoes. The alternative is getting older and stiffer before it's your time. Get going!
Tom
ww2farmer reply :
At my previous job I was getting laid off in the winter months. The first few years in my mid 30's didn't really effect my spring/summer/fall fishing stamina. Then once i got into my late 30's it seemed to take weeks to get so I wasn't sore and tired coming out of winter. Then when I hit 40, the soreness and tiredness lasted all season.
At my job I started a little over a year ago, I am more active, work year round, and I feel great this spring. I have eliminated soda and some bad foods (not all, still working on it) from my diet, lost a few lbs....I am down to 335 from 360 that I was when I walked out the door at my old job, PLUS I bought arch supports for my boots/shoes. Knee, back and foot pain have all but gone away, and I can now fish hard, comfortably 8-12 hours like I did 10 years ago. Last season, a lot of my tournament spin outs when they were not biting good, was also because I felt like crap, this year is worlds better. But it didn't happen over night, even though I was working my butt off last summer at work, it seemed like it took a few more months to get the "wind back in my sails". I feel better at 42, than I have in years....and the anglers I fish against are on notice.....I plan on winning them all, or at least go down swinging this year.
NHBull reply :
The timing of this is great as I just made a resolution to drop 20lbs by Aug. Additionally I keep a foam roller on the boat so I can help reduce sciatica and keep a scoliosis from flaring up.
the reel ess reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 5:55 AM, WRB said:Don't make excuses for getting old, you are only as old as you feel.
I think that's the issue
scaleface reply :
The heat gets me . I went today and fished a few minutes then stopped . It wasnt worth it .
Rahlow reply :
Say what ya want about age and how it effects you. Lifestyle has much to do with how you feel at whatever age, sports injuries ruined my knees n legs in general, arthritis has taken a toll on my hands, I’m sure it’s because my hands have earned my living,, your health is mostly taken for granted,,
bagofdonuts reply :
I’m suffering from a bad case of trolling motor hip pain right now. Standing on one leg all day hurts a lot more than it use to.
Rahlow reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 8:40 AM, bagofdonuts said:I’m suffering from a bad case of trolling motor hip pain right now. Standing on one leg all day hurts a lot more than it use to.
If I had to stand, my days bass fishin would be over,,,,
greentrout reply :
Retired...ain't what I used to be...my fishing is a couple of times a week on some beautiful locations...spend 3 to 4 hrs. doing some serious fishing...I like to catch bass...every day I fish I thank the good Lord for giving me the opportunity...
Walk 1.5 to 2 miles 4 to 5 times a week and try to eat right...don't always do it...
"A man's got to know his limitations".
Harry Callahan -- Dirty Harry
Koz reply :
I hear you brother! I'm in my early 50's with a 12 year old son that has been keeping me active for the most part. But this spring I opted not to coach baseball and that took away some of my regular activity. I still manage to cover a lot of ground biking and walking when we go fishing.
But last week was another story. We were biking from lagoon to lagoon to fish and while the temperature was in the low 80's the humidity was around 75%. By the end of the afternoon I thought I was going to stroke out despite drinking a ton of water throughout the day. I had to sit in the car for 20 minutes with the AC on before I felt well enough to lift the bikes onto the bike rack.
It wasn't as bad for me today, but the humidity still clobbered me as we again biked from lagoon to lagoon. In past years the humidity slowed me down, but now it's knocking me on my butt and that's no fun at all. What's happening is that I'm not even enjoying fishing at that point. Today I found myself wishing for a shaded spot, a cold bottle of water, and a chair to fish from instead of ripping around from spot to spot.
Eric J reply :
I'm 58. I was a competitive Endurance athlete for years. I no longer compete but I still ride and run and I try to Crossfit a few times a week. I also maintain my status as a fitness trainer.
"An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force."
Fight for what gives you joy....
Eric J
N Florida Mike reply :
I've lived the outdoor life since I was very young, doing a lot of fishing, some hunting, hiking, camping ,Played all kinds of sports with little precaution and have done a lot of manual labor including farming etc. I think generally its been good for me because at 57 I feel good most of the time . My left shoulder gives me fits at times, as does my right wrist, esp. After casting a bait caster for awhile ( My friend ran his dad's truck into an oak tree with me on the side that hit the tree, breaking 3 bones in my lower thumb when I was 19 )
My lower back gives me fits if I stay out fishing too long, but by the next day it's fine. Im having a little trouble getting out of the boat at the dock, mainly due to being overweight ( 275 and just under 6 ft tall )
But all things considered, I'm blessed to be as healthy as I am.
My 12 yr old G-Daughter keeps me going though. Today she had me climbing the big ol' oak tree with her out on the island in our lake.
Mobasser reply :
Ill be 61 in October. I still work as a carpenter, some days hard work too.I've slowed down a little, but still fish whenever I can. I think the physical work helps keep me going.
Oregon Native reply :
68 and still try and fish from dawn till dark. Also when I golf with wife will mostly walk when I can. Was laid up a number of years back and sat on couch for months in pain. I like being active and if I'm in a chair it's usually to read a book...will watch fishing shows though I have recorded. Have watched family lead the sedentary life style and it's so sad to watch them breath hard just to walk from car to store.
Good luck all.......
roadwarrior reply :
Getting older ain't for sissies...
My suggestions are simple: Go for a walk every day and spend 10 minutes working with MILD stretches
after you walk. I always take the dog which makes her day!
burrows reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 5:14 AM, A-Jay said:I'm only 58 so this is still super easy . . .
A-Jay
Not bad for an old timer 
YoTone reply :
I have a bank fishing spot that i go to on my lunch break so from spring till late fall i fish it for an hour or so. when it gets colder i lift weights 5 days a week during my lunch break.
you dont need that much to get into shape. i just have a bench and some dumbbells that i use and can cover most of the muscle groups. you could even get away with 2 hours a week or 40 minutes per 3 day session.
NYWayfarer reply :
I'm 52 and this weekend's fishing trips were murder on my feet. Hiking to bank spots and fishing on uneven ground really took it's toll. I had to sit out Sunday to recover.
For the most part I combat age by keeping my weight in check (staying under 200lbs), using my smartwatch to track my 10,000 steps a day goal and doing 22 pushups a night.
Columbia Craw reply :
I just had my boat wrapped with my non endemic sponsor, DEPENDS.
Dwight Hottle reply :
Getting old isn't the issue. At 70 I am old. Guys my age complain about having to fish for 8 hours straight & not going in to take breaks. The fire doesn't burn as hot as it use to. It's bittersweet. But I still enjoy it.
TOXIC reply :
I'm a month short of 61 and just got back from a solid 7 days on lake St Clair fishing from sun up to sun down. I had one day where the wind/waves were large enough that I cut my feet from bracing in my fishing shoes (Shimano Evairs). Other than some stiffness I wasn't in any real discomfort. I fished with a buddy that had a sit down chair on his back deck and just for giggles, I tried to fish sitting down. Just couldn't do it. Keep in mind I was a guide for 15 years and the only time I sat down in my boat all day was to occasionally eat lunch. I am a firm believer that fishing works different muscle groups from different angles than what most people are used to and are hard to replicate through workout routines. Stretching seems to be the best.
RPreeb reply :
71 here.... I don't do marathon fishing. If I had to stand when fishing, I'd do it even less, but in my Old Town canoe, that's not really an option. I fish only as long as I feel like it. Sometimes I take a break - just sit and drift, doing nothing but enjoying being there.
Just as I don't play 100 rounds of golf a year now either (more like 30 now).
Changing weather makes a lot of body parts hurt (or at least hurt more than they do every other day).
Peeing has become a stage race rather than a pit stop.
Hearing aids are expensive. You young bucks take heed and protect yourselves.
All that said, if I lived on or near a good fishing lake, I'd be out there many times more often than I am now. I'm darn sure not too old to fish a lot more than I do.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
Now we all know, who are old. LOL
Not me not in a million years. I'm still kicking.
Sam reply :
Papa Joe, it still beats the alternative.
We may be getting slower, but we are more experienced and can do more better than some of the younger guys who go faster.
It is still great to be standing in your boat or on a dock/bank, taking in the beauty of Mother Nature while holding your fishing rod even if you have not had a bite.
Just enjoying the outdoors. That is what it is about.
Mobasser reply :
Well said Sam.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 5/31/2018 at 12:29 AM, Dwight Hottle said:Getting old isn't the issue. At 70 I am old. Guys my age complain about having to fish for 8 hours straight & not going in to take breaks. The fire doesn't burn as hot as it use to. It's bittersweet. But I still enjoy it.
I'm also 70. When I visit relation in Florida, my brother-in-law...who is 3-4 years older than I am...sometimes fish from just before sunrise and head in after it gets dark. We usually do stop for lunch and that is the only time during the day I get to pee. 
Luckily I am sitting except when butt fatigue is killing me. Can't stand up long in a 14 foot dingy. Too narrow. A hook set could put you in the water.
On 5/31/2018 at 2:38 PM, RPreeb said:71 here.... I don't do marathon fishing. If I had to stand when fishing, I'd do it even less, but in my Old Town canoe, that's not really an option. I fish only as long as I feel like it. Sometimes I take a break - just sit and drift, doing nothing but enjoying being there.
Just as I don't play 100 rounds of golf a year now either (more like 30 now).
Changing weather makes a lot of body parts hurt (or at least hurt more than they do every other day).
Peeing has become a stage race rather than a pit stop.
Hearing aids are expensive. You young bucks take heed and protect yourselves.
All that said, if I lived on or near a good fishing lake, I'd be out there many times more often than I am now. I'm darn sure not too old to fish a lot more than I do.
You can tell the youngsters this all day and they won't pay attention. Guess they figure that loss of hearing can't happen to them. Can't be good when the stereo in the car next to you is making your car move to the beat.
Like you, I'd be out a lot more than I am if fishing was even half way decent in my area. I live in what has been described as "bass hell". It is also why I have about 40 more reels and 30 more rods than I need. New and new-2-me gear is about the only thing keeping me going out. I had quit for 23 years after moving to this area because fishing sucks so bad here.
In response to some of the other posters. I don't feel 70, but my body is trying to tell me otherwise. No longer have the balance I once did. No stamina. Over weight. 235 lbs. but should be about 165 lbs. at 5' 10 1/2". Don't exercise. Had back problems since 16. If I don't sit down every so often while fishing, the pain in the middle of my back is so bad I can't stand it.
I know from previous experience that working out 3-4 days a week lowers back pain by a lot. Too lazy to do it. I also work full time plus 4 days a week I work a part time job if he needs me. 12 hour work days plus a minimum of 2-1/2 hours driving a day....if traffic is good. By the weekend I am ready to lay around. Alarm goes off at 4:45 a.m. No way do I want to get up earlier so I can take a walk or work out for awhile before heading to work. When I get home at 10 p.m. or later, I just want to relax a bit before getting ready for bed. If that makes me a bad person then so be it.
Harold Scoggins reply :
Sixty something and I've been knockin' on that door my whole life...I'm not giving up without a fight!
papajoe222 reply :
Good news folks. I found the secret to power fish for eight hours at my age.
I'm not talking fishing a wacky worm or some other presentation that doesn't require a lot of energy output. I'm talking standing on the front deck, chucking and winding, fighting the wind with the sun beating down, the way I like to fish.
I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out. The secret is to split up the eight hours into two four hour sessions with a two hour power nap in between. I even add a protein packed lunch and on rare occasions, a 5hr. Energy Drink. 
WRB reply :
For decades I fished sun up to sun down about 15 hours on average.
Also put in a few hours before or after work when possible.
I retired at 72 about 3 years ago and planned to continue my 15 hour days on the water whenever I wanted, no work schedule anymore.
What happened? I fish less now then before retiring. Health isn't bad, bones aren't good. Years of wear and tear add up, joints get arthritis and surgical recuperation and rehab takes more time. Now my fishing schedule is around appointments, weather, family and travel.
I still can stand in the front operation the trolling motor and cast accurately in whatever conditions for about 8 hours, but not consecutive days. My biggest problem is I out lived my fishing buddies.
Tom
Pat33 reply :
66 years old and still fish all day. I mostly fish with my son is his boat. I have a great son who looks after me. When it gets really hot here in Florida he makes sure we have plenty of water and sports drinks. However father time has really slowed me down.
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