truly obsessed - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

caumsett · 10-15-2007, 09:45 AM

I know that this is not exactly an original statement, especially said here on this board, but I truly believe I am totally obsessed with surf fishing.

OK, you say: Who isn’t!! Yes, I will give you that. I guess we ALL really love this sport so much that it consumes us. However, for the last few months I have really found it difficult to concentrate on work.

Take for example what I am doing right now. I’m in the office and have a lot of work to do, I have to prepare for a one-day business trip to Rhode Island, yet here I am, browsing this website, reading anything and everything relating to surf fishing for striped bass.

I have been at this sport for over 30 years and it is not getting more boring as the years go on – instead, I am getting more and more excited about it each day.

I cannot spend one day at home without walking outside, walking into my truck camper and just looking at all my surf bags, belts, wetsuits, tops, etc. all “locked and loaded” for the next run.

I find it impossible to spend more than minutes each day without daydreaming about being far away on a distant rock, in the middle of the night, slinging a plug into the dark blackness, hoping and praying for a cow.

Sometimes while I’m listening to a client in a meeting I find myself momentarily drifting off to think about the last good trip.

My wife has even made observation of this. She thinks all I do is “think fish”. Well, she’s partially right

I guess my real problem stems from not being able to get out to fish as often as I could. I can only get out perhaps 1-2 times a week. It’s sort of like sex – if you have it very often you don’t daydream about it too much, but when you’re not gettin’ any, it’s all you can think of.

How do I stop this obsession? I have work to do!!!

FishNH · 10-15-2007, 09:52 AM

Just give in to it

EricM · 10-15-2007, 09:58 AM

Fish as much as you can until it stops...

caumsett · 10-15-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tunafish4me

Just give in to it

That's the problem!

It really is SOO easy to give in to it, but I pay the price the next day in the form of constant yawning and feeling totally wiped at my desk.

How do the ones who burn the candle at both ends do it?

Sure, once in a while I'll put in a long night during the week but that's rare. Usually it's one night during the week, always home "early" (i.e., before say 11PM, which is around what time I usually go to bed anyway). Once in a while during a long night I'll bump into someone at 3-4AM who will say something like "Well, it's home for me now, gotta get showered and ready for work!" How the hell does he DO that? I cannot imagine sitting in a long technical meeting or in a meeting with a company while on a short business trip with the head-bobs. I wish I could, but I can't - and I'm only 46

Coffee doesn't help either (well, for a little while).

Any tips/tricks from the diehards in this group who fish all night and still manage to work all day? PS - I forgot to mention that we have twin 5 year old boys

GonnaCatchABig1 · 10-15-2007, 10:05 AM

welcome to my world.. i eat, sleep and poop fishing. this winter might kill me if i don't get a lathe.

caumsett · 10-15-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricM

Fish as much as you can until it stops...

Like it just might!

The Iceman 6 · 10-15-2007, 10:14 AM

Welcome to the show....

caumsett · 10-15-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Iceman 6

Welcome to the show....

Yes, and the show is getting more and more obsessive each and every year I do it!

caumsett · 10-15-2007, 10:31 AM

OK, let me ask you something:

For the guys who have a fairly steady job requirement (i.e., craft, contracting etc.) where your jobs are very consistent from day to day it probably doesn't apply. But for those of you who work in an office (i.e., sales, professional, executive etc.) you may have some very easy days, but then some very mentally grueling days that wear your mind (and to some degree your body) out. When you know you are going to have a day like that on, say, a Thursday, do you decide to NOT go fishing the night before, or do you just say f this and go anyway?

nightfighter · 10-15-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caumsett

OK, let me ask you something:

For the guys who have a fairly steady job requirement (i.e., craft, contracting etc.) where your jobs are very consistent from day to day it probably doesn't apply.

Wrong on two counts. It does apply. And more importantly, how is it you think what we do is consistent from day to day?????

I'm doing bids today, but my mind is on the birds I see working.....

caumsett · 10-15-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Wrong on two counts. It does apply. And more importantly, how is it you think what we do is consistent from day to day?????

I'm doing bids today, but my mind is on the birds I see working.....

My apologies. I stand corrected. However, it seems that you are in more of a managerial role so your job does entail some bidding, negotiating etc. That requires a clear head and I am sure you put your all into your work, but I can imagine being up in Marblehead and seeing birds working, that must drive you insane.

doc · 10-15-2007, 06:15 PM

try getting text messages that say " the birds are going nuts, fish are busting"...or "there is an epic blitz going on"...only trouble is that i am about to go into a procedure on a patient...now that takes all the concentration in the world to keep that out of my mind...i just fish as much as i can when i am not in work...keep my pager under my waders....and sometimes things can get so crazy where i have even resorted to taking the kids (ages 3 and 6), as ross can attest to, with me to one of these epic fall blitzes (they actually had a blast)...now, my wife on the other hand couldnt have winter come faster...

but i think if one were to look up the definition of obsess "to haunt or excessively preoccupy the mind"...we are all clearly obsessed!!!!!

Slipknot · 10-15-2007, 07:07 PM

Seek professional help fast.

We can only relate here, we have no answers , only the same obsessions so we can only offer support.

go wet a line
the surf is calling you

Finaddict · 10-15-2007, 08:21 PM

Pursue what you love and the rest will work itself out ... granted, life always looks greener when someone else is going through the pains of sleepless nights and struggling through work ... we all face it, so just accept it and do what you love, as much as possible.

Do what you can to take advantage of it at every moment ... just try to keep the wife happy as best you can.

Cheers

MarshCappa · 10-15-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finaddict

Pursue what you love and the rest will work itself out ... granted, life always looks greener when someone else is going through the pains of sleepless nights and struggling through work ... we all face it, so just accept it and do what you love, as much as possible.

Do what you can to take advantage of it at every moment ... just try to keep the wife happy as best you can.

Cheers

Sat night I paid a little extra attention to the wifey, if you know what I mean

......Sunday afternoon 3 hours to myself rock hopping trying to find anything. Plus I got an hour long nap in before the Pats game! Unheard of! Skunked but I'll take the alone time anytime. Not to rob the thread but man it seemed over to me where I am fishing from. I may need to make a visit to my RI relatives!

Brother Brian · 10-15-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

I'm doing bids today, but my mind is on the birds I see working.....

God, I wish I could see birds while I'm doing bids

hyefisherman2 · 10-15-2007, 09:05 PM

it only gets worse. even at your stage lol

Spanish Fly · 10-15-2007, 09:05 PM

Take a pill, grab your gear and just.....GO FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HESH2 · 10-16-2007, 06:52 AM

try and go every day,see the birds,fish crashing the surf hoping i can get my popper into them for a hook up.hook up and hear the drag screaming.recently ran into 2 fly guys with small kids in car who told me if they see blitzs they put the kids in back packs and head out on the flats.

caumsett · 10-16-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc

try getting text messages that say " the birds are going nuts, fish are busting"...or "there is an epic blitz going on"...only trouble is that i am about to go into a procedure on a patient...now that takes all the concentration in the world to keep that out of my mind...i just fish as much as i can when i am not in work...keep my pager under my waders....and sometimes things can get so crazy where i have even resorted to taking the kids (ages 3 and 6), as ross can attest to, with me to one of these epic fall blitzes (they actually had a blast)...now, my wife on the other hand couldnt have winter come faster...

but i think if one were to look up the definition of obsess "to haunt or excessively preoccupy the mind"...we are all clearly obsessed!!!!!

Thanks, but I gotta say - I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOT MY DOCTOR

caumsett · 10-16-2007, 10:00 AM

To ALL

Thanks very much for the "support". I needed to read how others deal with this problem we all have

Last night was one of those nights that, if it were last year, I would have just said f this, I'm too freakin' tired. A long night with the wifey before

made for a sleepy Monday morning. Then a tough day at work. THEN it took forever to get the boys to bed (how many times can a 5 year old have to pee?) Anyway, I'm lying on the couch in the family room, wanting to go fishing but at the same time I am WIPED OUT from the day with all the insanity. So, my wife says, "I thought you were going fishing?" to which I reply "Nah, I really do wanna go but I'm beat". She then says "Just get up and go! Don't over-analyze it! Just get up. What, you have to just throw waders, a bag, belt, hat and rod in the car, right? How long could that take"? I was amazed

! So, I got off my sorry arse, went to the camper and grabbed my gear, loaded it into my "sneak car" (didn't need a truck last night) and just went. In minutes after leaving home I felt refreshed and alert. I arrived at my spot feeling good that I went. The fishing wasn't that great (only 3 shorts) but it beat sitting at home feeling sorry for myself!

Spanish Fly · 10-17-2007, 07:19 AM

Nice Job!!!!!!

GonnaCatchABig1 · 10-17-2007, 07:40 AM

my last job... had a back river right behind it. i would bring my gear to work.. and when i went out for a "smoke break" i would be back there fishing till i finished my smoke.. took a lot of smoke breaks at high tide.. if i was workin alone on a slow night i could manage to fish between costumers, cause i could cast from about 15 ft back and still the front of the store..

what a gig that was..

doc · 10-18-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caumsett

Thanks, but I gotta say - I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOT MY DOCTOR

sometimes i wouldnt want me as a doctor either...much better to see me during the winter months!!