The Physical Demands of Bass Fishing

As spring approaches and the fishing continues to get better the thought that enters my mind every year is will my body hold up allowing me to fish every day. Eight hours on the water day in and out requires me to try to strengthen parts of my body every year to hold up under the physical and mental stress.


Being well into my 60’s in age forces me to pick my body parts that I feel needs some conditioning to continue a daily fishing routine. I suggest you all do the same, but picking what needs a little strength and conditioning requires you to understand what body parts need the work. Most folks don’t realize that your hands, arms and shoulders probably take most the brunt of being on the water every day. Sure you have to be able to keep your legs strong but the real pain falls on your hands, arms and shoulders.


My routine of strengthening is very simple, I take and work my hands with those hand conditioning spring loaded exercise gripers; these grip strengtheners are very simple to use and is something you can use while sitting and watching TV and purchase very cheaply. If you spend a little time analyzing what this little spring loaded griper affects you will realize that it works everything in your hands, arms and shoulders, if you push your limits enough to strain yourself. I work both hands in sets of a hundred and do it 10 to 15 times with each hand on a daily bases. Those gripers will strain you from your hands to your shoulders giving those areas quite the workout and after you have done nearly 1500 with each hand on a daily bases you really feel the results.


Although fishing is a recreational sport that is suppose to require just a little time to create some fun; the results you get can many times depend on physical ability to enjoy your time on the water. If your hands and forearms are cramping up on you after a few hours of fishing it certainly can take the fun out of a planned fun day of fishing. Very little money, a little time and some commitment to