Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

[ngt]

Not having a fishing buddy sucks! All of my friends either work on the weekend or have 1-2 kids. I'll have a kid in February, so I'm trying to get out as much as possible, but I have nobody to go with. Sitting here at home with a boat ready to go, bait ready, rods ready, lures, crab pots, whatever I need, ready to go. Motor running like a champ! But I am sitting here by myself at 7am on a beautiful day on my computer because I don't have a fishing buddy that can get away without making arrangements 2 weeks ahead of time and even then, plans can fall through at any time if something else comes up. I need to find some retired fisherman who can show me how to troll, some better spots, and is ready to go on a day or two notice. Finding a buddy online is kinda sketchy though, after seeing the craigslist add murder thing on the news the other day. So how do you get someone to fish with when all your friends are ALWAYS busy and want to find a new fishing buddy that won't kill you while you're out in the middle of nowhere??

Just venting...

 

[mommicked]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Are there any local fishing forums or websites in your area. Several on our coast I believe, maybe you could find a new fishing friend that way? Or speak to the folks at local tackle shops thay may know of someone who would love to tag along and share their knowledge.

 

[Lodge Creek Kent]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Maybe I am a loner but I like to go fishing by myself.

I agree with the above poster though. Around here we have alot of small fishing clubs and I have taken guys out who don't own a boat but belong to the club.

 

[ngt]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

How do you go about bringing in a big striper by yourself while trolling a river with turns, bridges, and other boats? That's my question/worry about going out alone. I get a bite, pole bends, motor is running, and....

Maybe I just don't fish like that alone? Just go out and find a spot and anchor up?


Also, most local forums are lake bass fishing. I haven't found anything that focuses on river/bay fishing that's possible with a 12ft Sea King.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Not all bass fisherman only fish for bass. Alot of fishermen enjoy all types of fishing w or w/o a boat, I know I do!! I hate fishing alone on my boat when the bite is good and nobody but me to enjoy it bass fishing.

 

[JB]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

I have found fishing buddies by going to places where people fish from shore or a dock and striking up conversation with one or two. Found a great old guy that way on Lake Grapevine fishing in one of the boat houses (he didn't know my boat was newly berthed there). Learned a lot about catching crappies from him, and so did my son.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

I have found fishing buddies by going to places where people fish from shore or a dock and striking up conversation with one or two. Found a great old guy that way on Lake Grapevine fishing in one of the boat houses (he didn't know my boat was newly berthed there). Learned a lot about catching crappies from him, and so did my son.

That's what I was thinking. In Texas I launch at the marina where people pay to fish. I'd strike up a conversation there and possibly offer a fishing trip away from the marina fishing house.

 

[coFLounder]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Hit the local craigslist with an add that reads. "Have boat, need fishing buddy"

 

[Lodge Creek Kent]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

How do you go about bringing in a big striper by yourself while trolling a river with turns, bridges, and other boats? That's my question/worry about going out alone. I get a bite, pole bends, motor is running, and....

Maybe I just don't fish like that alone? Just go out and find a spot and anchor up?


Also, most local forums are lake bass fishing. I haven't found anything that focuses on river/bay fishing that's possible with a 12ft Sea King.

I normally cut down on the rods I have out and troll one on each side and a giant mojo right off the back, straight down. No Stretches! Don't ask me how I know.:facepalm: When the rod goes down put her in neutral or slow it down if the boat will run straight (no wind/tide etc). I have pulled in many a 40+ inch rockfish doing this. Have tangled some lines on occasion too. Of course bottom fishing is easy by yourself. Anyway, good luck to you.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

It takes experience to drive the boat, troll, fight, and land the fish... and experience is something you get right after you need it!

I fish by myself 99% of the time and do a lot of trolling, and have caught and landed some very big fish. The first time you hookup with a big fish by yourself you'll run around the boat like a chicken with it's head chopped off, after doing that a couple of times it'll get better, but not a lot... but you can do it and you get a great feeling of satisfaction when you land the big boy.

It'll be quite a bit easier if you just fish one rod, and after you get the hang of it you can fish 2 or more.

Heck, even if you lose a few fish... it's still better than sitting cooped in the house at the 'puter wishing you were fishing.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

If your gonna troll alone, fix the rod holders so you can grab the rods, or loosen the drag while holding the wheel if possible. It makes it alot more successful IMO and you can fight and steer/shift if you need to w/o runnin round the boat.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

It takes experience to drive the boat, troll, fight, and land the fish... and experience is something you get right after you need it!

I fish by myself 99% of the time and do a lot of trolling, and have caught and landed some very big fish. The first time you hookup with a big fish by yourself you'll run around the boat like a chicken with it's head chopped off, after doing that a couple of times it'll get better, but not a lot... but you can do it and you get a great feeling of satisfaction when you land the big boy.

It'll be quite a bit easier if you just fish one rod, and after you get the hang of it you can fish 2 or more.

Heck, even if you lose a few fish... it's still better than sitting cooped in the house at the 'puter wishing you were fishing.

I agree entirely! Sometimes when I hang onto a 3' carp I just cut the line if I'm by myself. No point in trying to land it solo and get the lure out... it's a goner.

I have a really weird work schedule and can sometimes get away for a day with little notice, but I have little notice to get anyone else aboard. But I'm on a few small dammed lakes with little to no current, so I can just putt out to a cove and anchor, then move around as I want to. Sometimes I bring the dog, and we'll beach and throw around a stick or something. I also like taking a small propane stove and making something to eat on or near the boat and just enjoying the calm.
I'm not a really serious fisherman, obviously, but I do enjoy the rare calm and windless days where you can see 10' into the water and annoy the bass and crappie until they take your bait. On those days, I don't need anyone with me! Usually it's so murky you're lucky to see 2' down.
I do love going out on the water with my dad. His back's only good for a couple trips a year in the rough little 14' tinny, but I know we both cherish the times there together.
OP, got any family nearby? Great way to get to know a neice or nephew or grandson or cousin or etc. really well.

 

[fortunate son fishing]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

i have a 21ft bayliner trophy, i fish lake michigan by myself some nights for salmon, went out 5 times last summer solo, and had 2 double headers, and a tripple on one trip. landed almost all of them helps if ya got a radio! ps looking for a new tournament team so if your in western michigan i have a boat, 20 rods/reals, 4 down riggers, over 200 spoons, over 150 jplugs and many flasher/divers. sick of my guys not showing up on tournament days!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Heck, just get out there fishing NGT. If your buddies can't go, oh well... I went through the same thing and finally decided to solo fish most of the time.

I fish big stripers from a small boat and the small boat is actually an advantage, easy to maneuver and reach everything in the boat. While trolling I use the boat's power to set the hook, then after the line is tight I'll grab then rod. Also, after hook-up, get clear of submerged rocks, trees, pilings, etc. The big ones are smart and will bust you you off if you give them a chance. I've lost 2 real nice ones this year after they got wrapped up in submerged trees,,, smart fish...

 

[ngt]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Heck, just get out there fishing NGT. If your buddies can't go, oh well... I went through the same thing and finally decided to solo fish most of the time.

I fish big stripers from a small boat and the small boat is actually an advantage, easy to maneuver and reach everything in the boat. While trolling I use the boat's power to set the hook, then after the line is tight I'll grab then rod. Also, after hook-up, get clear of submerged rocks, trees, pilings, etc. The big ones are smart and will bust you you off if you give them a chance. I've lost 2 real nice ones this year after they got wrapped up in submerged trees,,, smart fish...

So when trolling with your rod in the holder, when you see it bow, you gun it just for a second to set the hook?

Do you toss out the anchor to somewhat stay in one place? The Napa river flows pretty quickly sometimes and there are other boats and turns here and there. I have a 12ft aluminum boat. So possibly gun the motor to hook the lure, slow it down, flip it in neutral, toss the anchor, and grab the rod with the net next to me. Then kind of let the boat float with the river until the anchor catches while I fight the fish? Sound like a good routine? I just kind of want to get things all set up so it's quick when I need to do stuff.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Gun the electric trolling motor, yes. I wouldn't gun an outboard though, just bring up the RPM's to set the hook and take all the slack out of the line. I'm fishing for 20#+ fish and you KNOW when they hit, even the smaller 10# fish hit hard enough that the boat will start to turn a bit. Then grab the rod and start fighting the fish. Don't toss an anchor as you need to be able to maneuver the boat, if needed. I fish in canyons and often need to move the boat during the fight to clear points or get away from things the fish could try to hang up in.

Oh yeah, get some metal rod holders like DriftMasters. I've broken plastic rod holders and have heard of others doing the same.

 

[island mike]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

You do realize than when your baby is born,You wont be doing any fishing at all soon!!
We papas nowadays change diapers,cook,get up 20 times a night cos the baby is crying etc.etc.Its a job.

If I were you (if your wife agrees) I would be out there first thing in the morning to do some serious fishing,Enough to remenice when babybound..
I fish by myself 99.99% of the time too,Love it.
Regards I mike

 

[island mike]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Trolling is a very specialized way of fishing,I would read as much as you can about it,And then just do it over and over again,Even if you dont catch anything and you wonder if your doing something wrong keep on trying.
Nothing beats a singing reel,It makes my heart beat faster every time.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Throwing out an anchor is an invitation for disaster, don't do it. Your fish will end up wrapping the line around the anchor rope! Keep the motor in forward gear at idle, this will keep slack out of the line and keep the hook in the fish if you're using the outboard... but a trolling motor would be easier to control.

Aren't there other areas to fish besides the river, and other species to catch? If you sit at home waiting for someone to go fishing with you, you'll never get to go.


Tending to babies is womens work... putting fish meat on the table is the mans job, always remember this.

 

[ngt]

Re: Not having a fishing buddy sucks!

Throwing out an anchor is an invitation for disaster, don't do it. Your fish will end up wrapping the line around the anchor rope! Keep the motor in forward gear at idle, this will keep slack out of the line and keep the hook in the fish if you're using the outboard... but a trolling motor would be easier to control.

Aren't there other areas to fish besides the river, and other species to catch? If you sit at home waiting for someone to go fishing with you, you'll never get to go.


Tending to babies is womens work... putting fish meat on the table is the mans job, always remember this.

Ok, so no anchor...

Still having a hard time visualizing reeling in a big fish while the boat pulls with the fish/current and other boats are coming through etc...makes me nervous.

Around here, there's the river system for striper or sturgeon. There are lakes for large mouth, but it's winter and that's really slow. I could fish for steel head right now at a big lake along a dam, but I've never fished for steel head before. Striper is one of my favorite "eating fish" and trolling is supposed to be the a good way to catch "keepers". Plus, with a kid coming, I'm trying to save money and the bait shop is getting expensive. I have a bunch of lures already and they're reusable

As for not fishing when the baby comes. I figure that will be the case, but I have 2 months and have a 2 week vacation in there, where I will be out fishing/crabbing consistently.