Horrified!!!!! - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Flaptail · 05-26-2009, 09:54 AM

So I have a long weekend and reports are coming in thick and fast about how a certain stretch of water that connects Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod Bay is alive with fish, and big fish at that. Normally I would have been all over that situation but for some reason, I don't really care. Didn't fish for bass at all all weekend and could care less.

Can it really get boring after a while? I mean year after year beating yourself to death to catch a striped bass? Can you reach a point where you have done it so long, where it has dominated your life in so many ways that finally it just isn't that exciting anymore?

I live 20 minutes from the canal, on Cape Cod. My God! What's happening to me?

I had to push myself to get the skiff ready this year, finally did that on Saturday, I go on two weeks vacation this friday, and I am not that excited about it. Man, I never thought I could ever feel this way.

Very strange, my wife is worried that I have a girl friend or something, no no girlfriend just not enthused as I normally am.

ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

BigFish · 05-26-2009, 10:03 AM

I have dibbs on all your plugs!

BigFish · 05-26-2009, 10:06 AM

Flap.....I have had a tough time getting going this year! Went out at 3:00am this morning and I had all I could do not to turn the truck around and go back to bed! Then I get to my destination and I really had a hard time getting motivated.......but then they showed up.....and I am raring to go! Maybe challenge yourself with a different method of fishing?? Get a kayak?? Wetsuit?? Or maybe you are ready for a lounge chair and a white bucket on the beach???

numbskull · 05-26-2009, 10:21 AM

You're over-worked, over-stressed, and depressed. Duh. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself, come to the canal and watch me try to cast........THAT would cheer anyone up.

Flaptail · 05-26-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

You're over-worked, over-stressed, and depressed. Duh. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself, come to the canal and watch me try to cast........THAT would cheer anyone up.

Yeah, if anything or anyone could cheer me up it would be you casting (if you can call it that) on breaking fish on the canal. I should borrow a video camera and put you on YouTube.

eastendlu · 05-26-2009, 10:37 AM

I get in those types of ruts once in a while also.My remedy is to take some time off and go up to the cape and fish with some good friends and have fun and laugh my arse off at all the shenanigans and goings on during the trip.Since you seem to be unmotivated you have just made me decide to go up to your hunting grounds for a few days of fishing and laughs.I will be up on the 5th for a few days Flap hope to be able to fish with you and George and some others.

numbskull · 05-26-2009, 10:43 AM

You guys are wimps. Big fish, long casts.........bah that's nothing! Lets see you land fish with these hazards......the dog is bad enough but fishing next to this loser.........well enough said.

Swimmer · 05-27-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

You guys are wimps. Big fish, long casts.........bah that's nothing! Lets see you land fish with these hazards......the dog is bad enough but fishing next to this loser.........well enough said.

So Numbskull that was you across the way with your Golden today.

Chuckwood · 05-27-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

You guys are wimps. Big fish, long casts.........bah that's nothing! Lets see you land fish with these hazards......the dog is bad enough but fishing next to this loser.........well enough said.

Dude, that's Swine Flu Charlie and his superpup Sars. Any luck?

flyvice11787 · 05-27-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

You guys are wimps. Big fish, long casts.........bah that's nothing! Lets see you land fish with these hazards......the dog is bad enough but fishing next to this loser.........well enough said.

Surf ninja???

Back Beach · 05-26-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

come to the canal and watch me try to cast........THAT would cheer anyone up.

Let me know what pole number you'll be at and I'll bring the coffee along with plenty of film.

RIJIMMY · 05-26-2009, 10:25 AM

viagra

Back Beach · 05-26-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Normally I would have been all over that situation but for some reason, I don't really care. Didn't fish for bass at all all weekend and could care less.

This descibes my weekend activities and attitude too. For me, I didn't enter any contests this year and also let my commercial license go.(no more unnecessary stress for me anymore) The license was no biggie as I haven't landed sellable numbers of fish in eons, but the no contest thing makes a difference for me. Believe it or not, I battled and dropped a real large fish at my feet this morning and started laughing. I was on my way home from fishing when a good friend called me over to where he was and I hooked up on the fish shortly after arriving. Its become much more fun now with nothing on the line and I'm having a great season as a result.

You're not losing it Flap, you're simply not allowing it to consume you, at least not yet. Its a Zen thing....

The Dad Fisherman · 05-26-2009, 10:48 AM

I haven't made it out yet this year either......gotta do a couple of trips just to get the motivation up myself.

Been to busy w/ other stuff recently.....haven't even gotten the gear ready yet

Raven · 05-26-2009, 10:59 AM

it's only a phase....and you'll grow out of it...

eventually you'll discover some new facet that
will astound you ...or a new approach just by
accident.... and it then becomes Fun again to try
it specifically with that new method.

that's how it is for me....anyway's

hell, i'm still friggan mowing ....

i had a great memorial day weekend this year
had too...to make up for last years disaster.

PaulS · 05-26-2009, 11:01 AM

I have the same issue w/biking long distances. Take some time off and don't get obsessive when you start fishing again. Also, sometimes if you force yourself to go, you'll find that after actually being out there brings back the feeling that causes you to love the sport.

ProfessorM · 05-26-2009, 11:14 AM

Sorry I missed you this morning George but I think I was on the other side and I was too late.

Steve once you get out in your tin during the weekday at your favorite spot and no one else is around, well maybe some dip %$%$%$%$ fishing a spook and laughing, and the fish are cooperative I think you will be fine. You know how relaxing it is out there floating along.
I actually had fun at the canal the last couple days and I didn't catch squat among all the guys catching large fish. It was just nice to put the tin boat away and do something different. Too much of a good thing gets old fast for me nowadays. So I'll look for a tall lanky guy in a small boat on Monday morning, June 1st.

Backbeach Jake · 05-26-2009, 11:21 AM

Same thing here, Flap. So far I have a grand total of 20 minutes flipping plugs. I know that I'm missing some prime time but I don't give a rat's patoot. Of course the wisdom tooth that's kicking my ass might have something to do with my bout of malaise...

DZ · 05-26-2009, 11:45 AM

Steve,
I'm feeling the same way the last few seasons and I'm sure age/experience has much to do with it. It seems I have that "Been there, done that"; "I really do have a life" attitude. Maybe because I've grown to appreciate just the atmosphere of getting out and enjoying what I like to do with no pressure. I guess it's all relative when you consider everything else that life throws at you.

On occasion I still get the "pangs" to get out and help educate Roccus on what not to strike, be it plug or eel. Then I go out, release a few, and I'm whole again.

Enjoy life's changes.

DZ

Slipknot · 05-26-2009, 11:47 AM

Horrified

??? what are you horrified of? that you are bored, unmotivated? So What! Just get the hell going and pick yourself up and go, once you get out and have fun you'll feel better. Try some new places, some other challenges, go fish for salmon with stifftip if that's what it takes to get your blood flowing again. It can't be all that bad Flap. See you out there Sat. AM or sooner. Turn a new howdy and try it out , that'll work. If you need a kick in the arse, my size 14's can get that done

Slingah · 05-26-2009, 12:05 PM

I was going to post a similar thread a few weeks ago Steve...I am having a hard time getting going here too...I landed a couple nic e fish this a.m. and it got the junkie in me going but plan on fishing less all around....low drive this year....
dont worry or be horrified....just take a break...or take the season off...you dont HAVE to fish..

2na · 05-26-2009, 12:08 PM

You don't fool me

Adam_777 · 05-26-2009, 05:10 PM

Your obviously depressed and miserable.Welcome to the club.

justplugit · 05-26-2009, 05:29 PM

Flap, have Slip move this thread over to Grumpy Old Pharts forum,
your gettin old, take Clamah's advice, he's the oldest member on S/B.

Raven · 05-26-2009, 06:03 PM

he came over on the mayflower.....

and he was the one yelling Clams ho

Joe · 05-26-2009, 06:22 PM

You need to ask yourself how satisfied you are with respect to the rest of your life.
Fishing, for a lot of people, fills up empty spaces in thier lives - but it does not fill them permanantly.

striprman · 05-26-2009, 06:35 PM

The last few years I find myself more often at the fish market buying a piece of haddock some steamers and a dozen oysters instead of getting up at 3:00 AM and spending the money to drive to the canal.

What is wrong with me ?

Jenn · 05-27-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

You need to ask yourself how satisfied you are with respect to the rest of your life.
Fishing, for a lot of people, fills up empty spaces in thier lives - but it does not fill them permanantly.

Thats pretty good......

There was a time where all I wanted to do was fish. Now, not as much. I still love it but I had a period where it just became almost like a burden to go sometimes.

Dont worry Flap its nothing to be horrified over. I think everyone goes through it at some point (even if they dont admit it, or they have not gone through it yet) Dont let it burden you, only go if and when you KNOW you will enjoy it. Maybe you just need to look at it in a different light???

Mr. Sandman · 05-27-2009, 11:56 AM

My boat is still in my Driveway...it is nearly ready, I had a really hard time getting going on it and even a harder time writing a check for the slip. (which the guy raised 20% this year..) Then had the usual boaters problems with "stuff" that needed attn..so it took me a loong time to get motivated. It is pretty much done now, paid for and everything is working but I feel your pain.

As for surf fishing, I still enjoy it and like to go frequently...but only like to go for a couple hours and don't want to fish till I can't function anymore. There was a time that is what I did. My motto is...if your not enjoying yourself, STOP and do something that you do enjoy...fast, Life is too short to do something that you don't like. For some reason these days I am only fishing with some of my weird looking plugs and having fun with that and not hunting for best my personal best each time I go out, just catch a few fish and enjoy your surroundings.

Tagger · 05-27-2009, 06:14 PM

Steve,, I can help ... The past years you've been living like a kid in a candy store .. Your jaded .. I suggest house swap .. I spend the season living in Falmouth .. You and your family enjoy my house in Brockton .. Next season you'll be good as new and raring to go ...