Fishing for Relaxation

[Bonefish]

In the back of my mind somewhere I think I know the real reason I like to go fishing and that is for fun, relaxation and to enjoy the fellowship of the one who is fishing with me. Another reason may be to enjoy nature in all of it’s glory as long as it doesn’t get too dangerous. I have heard some people say they would enjoy just sitting fishing from the bank with a simple pole even if they don’t catch anything. I personally think they are lying because they could enjoy nature sitting there without a pole. I think everyone who has a pole in the water is there to catch a fish. If I am in my boat or on shore and I have a pole in my hands, I am serious about catching fish. That’s just the way I am. How many times have you found yourself so intense on getting your lure in the right spot and watching your line that you totally forget anything around you.

Another thing I have been thinking about lately is how the person you fish with influences how you fish. You may be like me…I can’t fish just with anyone. There are people you can’t fish with no matter what the situation. There are three people in my life I could fish with and one was my father, then there was my old lawyer friend, Charlie…rest his soul, and Sam, my brother-in-law. Even though I really enjoyed fishing with these guys, there were times I needed to change my strategy, but I knew if I did, my partner wouldn’t enjoyed fishing in that manner so I kept fishing the way I he enjoyed. So this brings me to my next question. How many of you would prefer to fish alone than have to be constantly mindful of your partner’s feelings, desires and needs? And another thing, fishing can be hard work. How many times by the time you got permission from your wife (optional), got organized, loaded the boat, drove to lake, put the boat in, parked the truck, you were too tired to fish? This brings me back to fishing for relaxation and enjoyment. Maybe ever so often just you or with your partner should fill a cooler up with your favorite drinks and sandwiches, find a pleasant place to tie up, throw out an old nightcrawler on the bottom and just enjoy the clouds, the wind and water and let the stress of life drift away. I think there are times one enjoys fishing alone, and there are times when it is very enjoyable to fish with your best fishing friend. I feel there are times when we need to take a little pressure off the drag and let the fish run.

[FlyLie]

In the back of my mind somewhere I think I know the real reason I like to go fishing and that is for fun, relaxation and to enjoy the fellowship of the one who is fishing with me. Another reason may be to enjoy nature in all of it’s glory as long as it doesn’t get too dangerous. I have heard some people say they would enjoy just sitting fishing from the bank with a simple pole even if they don’t catch anything. I personally think they are lying because they could enjoy nature sitting there without a pole. I think everyone who has a pole in the water is there to catch a fish. If I am in my boat or on shore and I have a pole in my hands, I am serious about catching fish. That’s just the way I am. How many times have you found yourself so intense on getting your lure in the right spot and watching your line that you totally forget anything around you.

Another thing I have been thinking about lately is how the person you fish with influences how you fish. You may be like me…I can’t fish just with anyone. There are people you can’t fish with no matter what the situation. There are three people in my life I could fish with and one was my father, then there was my old lawyer friend, Charlie…rest his soul, and Sam, my brother-in-law. Even though I really enjoyed fishing with these guys, there were times I needed to change my strategy, but I knew if I did, my partner wouldn’t enjoyed fishing in that manner so I kept fishing the way I he enjoyed. So this brings me to my next question. How many of you would prefer to fish alone than have to be constantly mindful of your partner’s feelings, desires and needs? And another thing, fishing can be hard work. How many times by the time you got permission from your wife (optional), got organized, loaded the boat, drove to lake, put the boat in, parked the truck, you were too tired to fish? This brings me back to fishing for relaxation and enjoyment. Maybe ever so often just you or with your partner should fill a cooler up with your favorite drinks and sandwiches, find a pleasant place to tie up, throw out an old nightcrawler on the bottom and just enjoy the clouds, the wind and water and let the stress of life drift away. I think there are times one enjoys fishing alone, and there are times when it is very enjoyable to fish with your best fishing friend. I feel there are times when we need to take a little pressure off the drag and let the fish run.

Been awhile, haven't seen any postings lately from the Dix River Poet?

[Bonefish]

It has been some time since I have posted any poems. I will see what I can do. Thanks for asking.

[JUSTINHALL]

I enjoy taking new people fishing and showing them how to do it. I would much rather go with a stranger than fish by myself just to take them fishing. I don’t mind fishing by myself I do it all the time, but if I can take someone else I will, I ask people at the dock all the time if they want to go fishing. Some people think it’s crazy but if someone is at the docks fishing or banks, I will ask them if they want to go. Heck I even offer when I am at a gas station filling up and someone comments on my boat. I have done it many times on Cumberland, Lake Erie, St Clair, Destin day and night, if I can take someone and show them a good time I will. I do fairly well most times out, so why not let someone else enjoy the fun. I have taken many people out striper fishing or deep sea that have had the time of their life because they never got to do anything like that. Peace and quiet is enjoyable but I think letting someone else have an opportunity they may have never gotten or at least that day is more fun.
Fishing is a lot of fun for me which is why I do it, just something about being on the water and catching fish.

[stripernut1]

FISHING FOR RELAXATION? WHAT IS THAT? WHAT IS THE SIZE LIMIT ON RELAXATIONS? HOW MANY CAN YOU CATCH? ARE RELAXATIONS GOOD TO EAT? HOW DO YOU CLEAN A RELAXATION?

Im pumped! something else to chase and keep meticulous records on, and lay in the bed at night and frett over, oh boy the good thing is maybe there is specialized equipment involved in fishing for relaxations and i get to buy more stuff !

i am the WORLDS WORST "chillouter" , i am obsessive compulsive about everything from where the landing net sits to double, triple checking every leader, the drag and on and on and on.

i am not competitive with other fishermen, like justin hall i will pick up a hitch hiker off the side of the road if i thought they would enjoy the trip. i am very competitive with the fish however....it is extremely difficult for me to accept the phrase "well, i guess they just werent biting today".....not good enough for me, i need to know why they didnt bite, and when it will change?

the older i get the more i realize this might be why i dont have alot of company in the boat, maybe i am sucking the fun out of it ? i mean im not rude or disrepectful or anything of the sort, but maybe i dont see the subtle little clues and hints that 9hrs is long enough and maybe its time to take it to the dock ?

i do however take time for a deep breath and most days i take a picture with my cell phone of the sunrise, the sunset, odd cloud formations, eagles, bobcat kittens or whatever.

i went to a pond back in the spring to fish for bluegills , i dug some redworms and had a light spinning rod a hook and a floater.....i stood in the weeds and looke around, i had forgotten how beautiful a redwing blackbird is. and how much fun and how relaxing it is to be a kid again. i hit the reset button that day.

i am on my way in a few minutes to the hospital, my "baby girl" will be having a "baby boy" this afternoon. time to put another rod holder on the back of the boat, and buy another light rod and some floaters.

Thanks bonefish, sometimes perspective is where you least expect it....right in front of you.

[Bonefish]

Thanks for your replies. It's always good to get new recruits to fish with, especially in the family.

[Nanna]

Wish ya'll live in Louisville! I fish by myself all too!

[DJD]

I now fish to have fun but its been a journey. I been fishing since I was old enough to hold a rod and reel. Some of my first fish ever caught were sharks in the Florida Keys and as I got older I fished for anything that would bite in backwater/intracoastal saltwater.....that graduated to bass fishing and once that got me I got serious about my bass catching business! After 20 years of local, regional tournaments, pre-fishing, hotels, travel, hopes, disappointments, spending money and alot of success I decided to stop fishing them and just enjoy the outdoors again.
I enjoy bass fishing so much more when it's just me and my buddies or loved ones shooting the bull, raggin on each other, talking about old times and overall taking a deep breath of fresh air from the stress of life.
I usually tailor my fishing to my partner. I'm pretty comfortable fishing for bass using any lure or technique and always willing to learn something new. If I'm taking someone who like to flip and pitch then I'm good to go with that. If they don't have the experience doing that I mix it up and crank or toss jerkbaits so they can get their chances at catching fish their preferred way.
I still get intense when I'm struggling to figure them out or have alot on my mind and am just out there working things out in my mind...you know kinda taking a mental vacation from work and stress.
i also fish alone at times from my Kayak for the added benefit of a workout or just take my Black Lab (Maxx)with me in my boat and play with him while on the water. He is funny...he knows that if I move quick I'm setting the hook and he looks at me and then the water and back to me and then the water looking for a splash from the fish. Once he sees that he is pacing or next to me waiting to lick the fish (I don't let him) but he always licks the air trying to taste the fish! He loves the water and tries to bite any piece of grass or log/stickup we get close to. He watches birds and other animals while we fish and I know he is content just sitting there watching, sniffing and being outside with me...he's a good buddy.
So I'm pretty much into any fishing and I go to catch fish and have fun. An ice cold beer on the water is good at times as well......

[kentuckykingfisher]

Most the time I do fish alone. I enjoy it a lot just because I like getting away but when I do take friends I try getting them to buy into my techniques and if I'm not catching fish ill go their route. I'm not stubborn in my ways I'm always willing to learn some new tricks. most the time when I'm fishing with friends it turns into more of a drinking social lol. Lots of beer and very few fish. And when I take my kid it's all about the moments and memories. Catching fish or not I believe those fishing trips are the best

[JUSTINHALL]

4 friends that I graduated with all come down once a year to go striper fishing. They all live in OH in different areas, married and kids but we still manage to get together once a year down here. It’s that time a year again, they will be coming down next week and it’s always good times for 3-4 days. Although I live on the lake we usually stay down in a cabin near Jamestown and have great times. I am not as old as a lot on here but seem like every year these get togethers get a little less crazy but we still have a lot of fun together. So if fishing can still bring 4 out of state friends together once a year than fishing is good for the memories. 17 years later fishing is still the only thing that can make it happen where we all get together. Don’t get me wrong there is some arguing going on but that is half the fun. Only one of us is not married yet but he is finally getting it done next month so we will see if he makes it next year or not…….

[Colbyt]

I like in solo or with friends. Just the aspect of getting out there is quite relaxing. I love the action. I am going to C&R about 99% of the time so it is just for fun.

[bassmaster]

Well I must admit that I have "fun" every time I go fishing.....even when I don't catch any. Do I stress out on not catchin 'em....Yep! I once took my cousin out and it had been years since we had fished....back in the day we waded the creek or hopped from pond to pond and we had "fun". His dad (My Uncle) had been out with me on Cumberland a few times just before my cousin and I went. I remember my Uncle telling him, " He fishes different than us" I laughed it off and asked my Uncle, "Well did we catch any?" He said "Oh Yeah!" We had caught some nice stripers and some bass in the 4-6 pound range on a few trips out earlier. My cousin and I went out and Yep I fished "different" which turned out to be just a matter of fishing harder. We caught 'em good and some nice ones and of course we have been out several times since and caught them good sometimes and other times not. Point is.....Everyone has a different version of "Fun". I fish tourneys as well as just fishing and for me......it's all "Fun"....catchin em or not!!
bassmaster
Tim