Just Aint Any Fun Anymore!

Fished another weekend but the heat got the best of me. Aint it funny (sorta) how something that used to be fun enough to keep me on the water ALL DAY long now has me running for cover when the temps gets into the 80's and climbing!! A lot probably has to do with getting older but mostly from being so out of shape.:(

I fished Saturday from 6:30AM until 11AM and was killing 'em! Luckily there was enough breezes to keep me there but finally I'd had enough and called it quits even with fish biting. Woulda NEVER quit fishing back when I first learned longlining, that's for sure!

And then today.....yep, I moved to another location. Got there a tad bit earlier. Lines in water by 6:20AM and I found that I shouldn't have moved. Bite started slow but when the sun came up the bite picked up. By 7:15AM I was already sweathing.:( AND, the quality of the fish wasn't there either. I stuck it out though as I didn't wanna trailer again with it already getting hot. There was NO breezes except for all those pleasure boaters ripping and running. Geez....cant they pass by without rocking me out of the lake. I mean....the creeks are WIDE and I was only on one side! I was done with it at 10AM today. Just too hot to enjoy......

Anyhow, both days I was having fun at daylight up until the first sweats broke out. Then they were non-stop until the AC in the truck finally put an end to it all. THEN, it started up again both days after getting home until the fish were cleaned.

I guess it's more to do with getting older and being even more out of shape (fat!) but the fun for both days were lost in the wash (the never ending sweating). It sorta the same to me trying to bow hunt in Sept. I just don't go in the evenings until it cools down some. Hunting, like fishing, is fun as long as it's pleasurable but when it aint then I'm not going.

Anyway, recapping the two days fishing....Saturday I clicked 73 times for the crappie caught keeping a Ga. limit (some smaller ones kept for blue catfish bait to use later on). Sunday I caught 52 crappies and a few smaller line-sides. I kept two of them fur blue catfish bait as well (legal to use gamefish for bait in Ga.). Other than one suicide I only kept fish 12" or better. I'm sure I will occasionally still have to get "that itch Scratched" from time to time though. Here's the livewell shots for both days...

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Whew....man, I'm with you on the heat [emoji91][emoji91][emoji91]taking some of the fun out of both hunting and fishing . But I have to also agree that getting older is probably the real problem. I used to be in a stand in August or on the water all day no matter how hot it was, but Not any more. Oh well, I still thank the good Lord for the opportunity to go when I can stand it.

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Nice catch. Definitely been some hot days. I hope you will use this as inspiration to become more active to get in better shape for your health. We are the same age and while getting in better shape will not happen over night, it can happen. It all starts with the will to do so. I pray you chose to do so and find fun in fishing for many years to come.

I totally understand the heat driving you off the water, I'm 65 and can't hardly handle it anymore.

I put one of the plastic vertical rod holders behind my seat. A 7' umbrella from Lowes makes all the difference in the world and it folds up real compact too.

Nice messes of fish!!
It does take my enjoyment out of bow hunting when sweats dripping down my back.
Old enough now, if it’s not cool, I don’t go hang out in a tree.


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You old sissy!!:Rofl:Rofl LOL I'm right there with you Butch. I think it has a lot to do with age but the sun seems hotter now than when we was younger in our 20's 30's and 40's. Along with age the meds many of us take doesn't help either. For a couple of short days you put a hurting on them and some very nice looking crappie in the pics.

I feel your pain and suffering and lack of fishing and hunting will only add to misery. Maybe you need a break from the day time routine and switch to the dark side. You always have a good looking live well. Thanks! :highfive

I too have got to the point that when it’s not fun it’s time to load up. Boat traffic, wind, heat and sometimes already caught enough to satisfy. Had it this past week where I thought “catching 10-20 more will not make this trip any better. Put on the trailer got home early, fish cleaned, washed and bagged and took a nap before my wife got home. Felt so good I fished again the next day.


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As I get older the range of temperature that is comfortable gets smaller. Don't like it real cold and don't like it too hot.

Butch,

I know what you mean. I did a little spotted bass fishing yesterday and today with my stepson and his girlfriend. Yesterday was brutal heat, and no fun in spite of catching around a dozen nice fish. Today was so much nicer with overcast skies and a light breeze. Guess we need to pick and choose when we can, especially since I'm no spring chicken. But if it helps any, the kids are in their 20's and they found the heat as miserable as I did.

I always say the old grey mare aint like she used to be.

I'm not sure your problem is entirely age related. I'm just (barely) old enough to remember what life was like without air conditioning. When the best relief was being on (or in) the water, that's what you did. When it didn't matter what you were doing, it was miserable, you did what made it tolerable. Nowadays we're all sissified. Most of the year I wish we could un-invent air conditioning...

I hear ya' Butch. I remember thinkin' the same thing until I decided to rethink my opinion of UPF and light colored long sleeved (moisture wicking) heat protective clothing, face cover, a cooling neck gaiter, UPF gloves and a big ole' wide brimmed straw hat. I agree that it's way harder dealing with the heat in our advancing years; but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I can easily last at least 200% longer after making these changes... as opposed to how long I could last without them. It's really unbelievable what a difference it makes in the hot summer months and how much it will protect you from sunburn and excess sun exposure. I will not leave home without this stuff now.

Excellent point Special K!
If you dont have moisture wicking clothing, get you some!
Night and day difference on comfort!


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Originally Posted by Grumpa

I totally understand the heat driving you off the water, I'm 65 and can't hardly handle it anymore.

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Yeah, I'm 62 and in the summer I'm done by 9:30 AM. Oh, to be young again!

Thats some fine catching! I would hate to try to catch a crappie right now. i can barely catch them in feb and march when its supposedly good!

When it's too hot for most, it's getting just right for me! I can take the heat far better than the cold. My wife on the other hand will no longer go fishing with me. She stated I almost killed her last summer during her last fishing outing. lol Great catch Butch, looking at the box shots I'm sure the fish won't miss ya while you're away.

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Originally Posted by Inkdabber

When it's too hot for most, it's getting just right for me! I can take the heat far better than the cold. My wife on the other hand will no longer go fishing with me. She stated I almost killed her last summer during her last fishing outing. lol Great catch Butch, looking at the box shots I'm sure the fish won't miss ya while you're away.

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Nice post and thanks. Eating them in the air condition will make it right. Nice catch

Butch, I've got a bimini top you can get under anytime! Of course, while I'm keeping you in the shade, you'll have to teach me the "art" of long lining you're so awesome at!

Chris

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Originally Posted by NCkenner

Butch, I've got a bimini top you can get under anytime! Of course, while I'm keeping you in the shade, you'll have to teach me the "art" of long lining you're so awesome at!

Chris

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Alot of luck is involved and holding your mouth right Chris.;)

I feel ya and live in Ohio. It was 82 and dead calm here yesterday. I fished from noon till 7 and managed 15 Crappies, 1 nice largemouth and small catfish. Brought home 3 for a meal. I was looking for shade all day. I like Ray’s idea of a Lowe’s umbrella. Considering a millennium umbrella for the Sidekick.

Ive used umbrellas but mine has always been too big. When fishin with rods up to 14' long maybe the smaller umbrella would have it's advantages.

I fished bass tournaments with local clubs for a few years. It quit being fun. Sold the big fiberglass and bought bass tracker Pro Team 175 TXW. Now I fish for fun. I go home if its to hot or cold. I only fish for Panfish,mostly crappie and having fun again. At 71 it I'm back having so much fun again. Don't let age bother you. Only go when you feel like it. Get the fun back again.

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Originally Posted by oldmanangler

I fished bass tournaments with local clubs for a few years. It quit being fun. Sold the big fiberglass and bought bass tracker Pro Team 175 TXW. Now I fish for fun. I go home if its to hot or cold. I only fish for Panfish,mostly crappie and having fun again. At 71 it I'm back having so much fun again. Don't let age bother you. Only go when you feel like it. Get the fun back again.

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I hear ya oldmanangler. The fun hasn't ever left....just the elements takes away the fun sometimes. It's beginning to get hot (high humidity) so early in the morings now that I sometimes wonder if what all you go thru for a fishing trip is worth it for only a very few hours during the hottest months. This is the times Im talking about. The other 7-8 months I lay in there with them usually....well, the fish and the deer.;):)

BTW...welcome to the boards. :)

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Originally Posted by gabowman

Ive used umbrellas but mine has always been too big. When fishin with rods up to 14' long maybe the smaller umbrella would have it's advantages.

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Yes Lowes has a 7' one that's good to escape the sun. Actually put 2 in if a 2nd person with you. Folds up real small. Cheap too but secure it so it doesn't fly away.

I'll check those out soon Ray. And I know what you mean about securing 'em.

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Originally Posted by Ranger R61

As I get older the range of temperature that is comfortable gets smaller. Don't like it real cold and don't like it too hot.

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This^ But particularly my tolerance for cold is diminishing. Give me hot any time. I can tell you one thing without question. Dropping a few pounds and getting some exercise improves everything, the aches, the pains, the arthritis, the tolerance for hot/cold, even your mental health. But it's gotta be something you enjoy or just like a diet, it will soon be dropped and forgotten. For me it's riding a bicycle. Just love it. Started 5, 10 miles, worked up until a "normal" ride is 30-40 miles. I've not been as diligent this past year and combined with fishing this Spring, I have allowed 20 pounds to creep back. Now it's a bit of a struggle to get to 30 miles.

Anyway, *exercise...any exercise two-three times a week for an hour or so that gets the heart rate and respiration rate up will do wonders for life in general.

*Make sure with your doc you don't have some unknown underlying condition that could endanger your health before just jumping in. The leading cause of injury and death to us older guys it thinking we're still younger guys! lol!