Late Start in Life

[Silver/MI]

I fished when I was a kid just a handfull of times, just for bluegills, creek chubs or whatever. I never got serious into fishing till I was about 23 and done with school when introduced to bass fishing by co-workers. I quickly became fascinated by it, and turned to walleye fishing about 5 years ago. I'm 32 now. I've learned everything about fishing basically from magazines, TV shows, Walleye Central, and of course as much time on the water as I'm allowed by my family of 5 and my job. I just wonder if I'll ever "catch up" to the guys who fished gamefish in their growing years. I've had my 14 foot boat in the water about 15 times since May 1st, but it seems like the real good fishermen hit the water 100 to 200 times a year. My kids are not old enough to take out, so until then I'm lucky to get out once a week. I learn more every season. I was wondering how many of you people also got his kind of late start, or if this is the typical way people get into fishing.

[Ness]

If you're learning new things every season, Silver, than I wouldn't worry about any late start, I'd say you're doing just fine. And you're
not alone in not getting out on the water as much
as you'd like to. I expect most people here have
the same problem :-(

["COMA"]

Same here once a week if I'm lucky. Still learn more every time I go. I have become more proficient and productive over time. It is fun and always exciting. thats what I love about the out doors. I still have tough days and learn from them. If you knocked em out every time then it would not be much of a challenge and would take away the fun of it. Enjoy it when you can! "COMA"

[Nofish]

Hey Silver,

Welcome to walleye fishing! If as you say, you are learning, you'll be fine. The day you stop learning should be they day yo are called home......

Have fun........R

[Stever]

Silver,

I was lucky enough to have a dad who taught me what I know about fishing. I was out on the water when I was 5 and it didn't end until I was 18, just before I went to college. Obviously, college prevented me from getting on the water as much and in addition, dad had to sell the boat to help put me through college. I got married at age 25 (to a women who shares my passion for fishing and being up north MN) and now at age 31, I have two boys and one in the oven. But ever since college, there has been something missing in my life...fishing. Oh sure, I have been out once a year at a resort, but this hasn't satisfied my hunger for fishing.

In addition, my dad is getting up in years now and he hasn't been fishing much either in the past 13 year since I went to college. He recently commented to me that he didn't know if he'll ever be able to go fishing like we once did (every spare moment). Those comments made me sad, but they also made me that much more determined to purchase a boat, hopefully within the next year (obviously, I could rent a boat, but its just not the same; with your own boat, you have the freedom to go when you want and where you want, you're not limited to one lake).

So Silver, in a way, I know what you are going through. Now that I'm 31, I want to be able to learn everytime I go out - whether it's drift speed, presentation, structure, etc. But I also hope to be able to share and create memories with dad once again now that he is in his twilight years.

Best Regards,

Stever

[WAeyes]

As long as you are still learning, then you are constantly being challenged. To me, the challenge is the funnest part about fishing. If you know everything, the challenge is over and then, so is my fishing. Fishing is one sport you don't have to begin as a small child to become good at.

[Nodak7mm]

C'mon Now. The important times are just beginning. I too grew up in the Nort part of the state, left to start a career and raise a family. I am back in the state am lucky to get out 4 times a year by myself. But I take the kids pond fishing every chance I get. Thats what counts, the kids.... Ya take them every chance you get and pass on the desire to them, cherish those moments (such as trying to talk them out of keeping a 5" fish). You'll get your chance, ya got to grow them future fishing partners right so when YOU do have the time, you will have someone to go with.

I felt the same for awhile, but fishing with the kids made me realize I am really just starting. I am 36, think about it... Lake of the woods will always be there..........

Rod

[Silver/MI]

Didn't want to leave you with the wrong impression. I take my 2 & 5 year olds at least once a week, some times 2 or 3 times a week. As a matter of fact I was loading the poles into my truck tonight when the wife stated she didn't want to spend the evening alone with the baby again, so we went for a drive instead. My folks live on a small lake now, so I even take them ice fishing a couple times a year. My daughter picked out 5 of her own lures this year. The next day she hooked a carp with the spoon (in the mouth) she picked out. The dragless kiddy pole was at the mercy of that fish and the line broke just as we got the fish to shore as I reached to grab it. The fish stole her new lure. She cried and cried and I reminded her of the commercial where the guy is throwing everything off his boat and they say "big fish just don't break your line, they break your heart". She now has a pole with a drag. Believe it or not these 2 routinely ask me on Saturday mornings if there are any fishing shows on they can watch. Heres one more for you I loved. My wife asked my daughter if she wanted to be a cheerleader and my daughter responded "No, I want to be a fisherman".
Anyway, I'm just anxious to get them in the boat with me, and I'll love the day when I can go fishing and instead of leaving the wife strapped down with 3 kids, leave her some free time to do some of her favorite things. I just want this old man to be able to pass down as much fishing knowledge as possible.

Regards.

[Fritz]

The main thing is to go fishing! I enjoy fishing from shore. While I have a nice boat, I sometimes get jealous of those shore fishermen. For them everything is simple. I have to worry about banging up the prop (have had it rebuilt three times during the first year), fighting crowds at the landing, finding a parking spot and running out gas.

As far as getting a boat, I have had a boat available since I was about 12. But my biggest regret is not upgrading sooner. (Yes, fishing out of the boat is fun.) I waited until I had the money for a used boat in cash. My wife said I could get what I wanted, so I ended up redoing the 2nd mortgage and buying a new boat. I wish I would of upgraded several years ago when my daughter still was interested in doing stuff with dad. A used boat would of got the job done. Several years ago we had refinanced the house, another $2000 and we would of been fishing!

Something else to think about, while my father-in-law enjoyed fishing, he had a hard time getting around in the old three bench seater. By the time I got my new boat last year, he had cancer and two months to live. Unfortunately he never made it into the boat or fished with his grandson. If I would of bought a boat a year earlier, my son would of had memories of fishing with his grandfather.

Sorry about the length of this post, and the fact I started writing about don't worry about not having a boat and it ended up being an arguement to morgage the house and maximize your debt to get a boat. I really didn't mean to, but that is the way the words came out! Be reasonable, but if you can afford a used boat, you will get enjoyment out of it. Good used boats are available with flat floors, pedestal seats and with motors big enough to plain off.

Regardless of if you get one or not, go fishing. I just wonder why I am not up north now?

Fritz

[Terry/JNR]

Sounds like you've got it better than some guys I know. My best fishing years were when I was teaching my kids and their freinds.