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Posts: 568
Location: Lake St Clair | I really can’t believe I’m typing this but I’ve gotten to the point of not wanting to own a boat/ go fishing anymore. Not really sure where it stems from but I’m thinking it’s because my season has been so crappy. I’ve been out 20x so far this year and the last 10x I haven’t enjoyed it one bit. Am I just burnt out? Is this a short phase? I came really close to listing but something is telling me not to.
WTH do I do?!?! |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Give it a break for a bit.
You will be fine. I've had stretches like that as well. |
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Posts: 222
| I would give it completely up if I were you. And I would be willing to take all your muskie equipment from you so you would have no thoughts of returning to this brutal sport.  Seriously the desire will come back and that one encounter with that big one will get you back to having fun instantly. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | expand your interests and play more games outdoors. different species, river, creek, ice etc..., go hunt upland birds, get a kayak, go wild ricing. single focus is something that can bring that on. i totally understand ... |
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Posts: 152
| Been there. Never to fully recover and don't mind. Still do enjoy it but to a lesser degree
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Posts: 20183
Location: oswego, il | As Sled said expand your interests. If it is just fishing, find a rebound fish and good waters to fish them. Easy to burn out on a singular focus.
Edited by ToddM 10/22/2018 11:18 AM
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Posts: 136
| Get married, have some kids, then it’s all you’ll think about. |
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Posts: 158
| That started to hit me last season, this year I really could care less and haven’t missed it one bit. Tired of driving an hour to go fish every time I go. Saved a ton of $$ this year and haven’t cared one bit about what the weather is doing! I got back into bowhunting and forgot how much I loved it. |
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Posts: 1000
| seems like you've timed burnout just right for hard water season. my goal every year is to reach a point in November where I'm relieved that I can't put the boat in the water. If I'm burned out enough, I can usually make it until March before cabin fever really kicks in. |
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Posts: 1676
| Stay off the internet, it's information over-load. When you hit the lake you spend all your time thinking and trying what you read on-line instead of just having fun fishing. Besides that, everybody thinks they are good at fishing. They put to much pressure on themselves just to catch a fish. News flash............some people suck at fishing and will never be good. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the time on the water. |
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Posts: 52
| Try different things. I bowhunt a lot too and fish for other species. Also traveling to fish different places helps too. |
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Posts: 1209
| I was burning out a couple years ago, did some bass tournaments and wow the excitement of a 4-5+ pound bass came back so hard! That distracted me and now when I get to musky fish it's much more enjoyable |
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Posts: 441
| I know the feeling! Been fishing Lake Vermilion hard, for the last ten years. I got very discouraged this year, around the middle of August. I started fishing walleyes and bass, instead. I slowed down and started enjoying being out on the water, and catching fish. I fished several lakes, and enjoyed figuring each one, out. I probably will not fish muskies, like an obsessed maniac, anymore. I'll pick and choose, my days, according to the weather, when fishing them. That doesn't mean I won't fish almost every day, for bass and walleyes, depending on the weather. So go out, relax and enjoy fishing again. |
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Posts: 612
| 1st year these thoughts occurred to me as well. 4 one worse year in ~ 20 years and not one big one to boot. Also knee replacement and pending back surgery made it so I can only cast my 6" - 9" baits for a bit. Still I must admit it's nice to be on the water. Put the Lund in storage, hope next years better. On the other hand with extreme temps this year the pool, grill, and warm eve with a cocktail helped considerably. |
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Posts: 8732
| I went 17 consecutive days without a fish some years back. I was MAD. Many trips to Eagle where I was ready to call the week early and just go the F home. The next day we put 6 in the boat, 3 of which were over 45". It helps to stop worrying about catching them and start enjoying fishing for them.
I've done much better when I'm out there to enjoy fishing. I've also learned that when the muskies just aren't moving a few hours of walleye/pike/smallmouth fishing helps. I've also learned that it's okay to park somewhere, put your feet up, and enjoy lunch instead of eating it in between spots. I'm still as hardcore as ever when there are fish moving. But the rest of the time, I've learned to enjoy fishing like I used to.
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Posts: 668
Location: mercer wi | Ive had that issue this year bad. This had been the toughest year I've had in like 10 years. I started taking a spinning rod with a couple bass lures and did well with smallies for a break.
Then this happens. 48" super fat. So back to square 1. Sorry no bump board pic hahaha
Edited by upnortdave 10/22/2018 5:01 PM
(20181022_140612-480x640.jpg)
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Posts: 3136
| Upland bird Hunting provides a nice opposite to musky fishing,,In fishing most of the time the fish is in control and decides when it's active or if it's going to bite or you never know if it's even in that part of the lake. In hunting YOU force the action by making the prey move despite what mood Or moon phase is in play and your in a harvest mood. No electronics, no figure eighting anything it's "boom" it just is a nice simpler pursuit.
The perfect vacation for me is vermilion in the fall where you switch each day between hunting and fishing,a vicious wind day on the water is a nice calm shooting gallery in the pines in the forests. |
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Posts: 157
Location: West Central WI | Do you fish alone? Having a partner helps with just having someone to talk to during those days of no fish. While I usually fish with a partner, I had a year like that. Wasn't seeing a thing and always fishing the same lake. After sitting home for three weeks and feeling sorry for myself, I called my late friend, Jim Bunch, and explained my feelings about being burned out and really not enjoying my time on the water. He gave me advice that was so simple, I remind myself about it whenever I get into a funk. After I finished my sob story, Jim was quiet for about 15 seconds and then said, "Two words; new water." With that, I realized I was more tired of fishing the same spots and coming up empty, than being tired of fishing. Long story short, I spent a few days on a couple other lakes and was refreshed. We all have stretches like that. Take some time off and consider another lake just to refresh yourself. You'll get through this. |
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Posts: 390
| This should help....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4mp2HrvFwQ&t=226s
If you would rather change it up and come fish the bay end of november we could do that too.
Edited by bbeaupre 10/24/2018 3:23 PM
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | upnortdave - 10/22/2018 4:57 PM
Ive had that issue this year bad. This had been the toughest year I've had in like 10 years. I started taking a spinning rod with a couple bass lures and did well with smallies for a break.
Then this happens. 48" super fat. So back to square 1. Sorry no bump board pic hahaha
Awesome fish.
Those northern sconny 4'ers don't come easy... |
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Posts: 568
Location: Lake St Clair | Thanks for the input guys |
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Posts: 171
Location: indiana | Sounds like you miss bbeaupre! |
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Posts: 267
| This was me about 10-12 years ago. haven't missed the obsession years at all really. Plus, my body can't really take the long days anymore. More into bowhunting, fishing with my youngest son for other stuff, and youth baseball take up my time. When I do go with my obsessed buddy, it is harder for me. He's driven way too much for me now. But I still try to go with him once a year for a few day trip. I'm happy doing a 5 hour trip locally and calling it good. When I retire, hopefully I'll get some of the drive back. |
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Posts: 101
| Sell it all, but PM me before you do.
Honestly, I love not catching Ski's for a few days... maybe my DNA is a lil different-however, not catching fish for a stint motivates me and forces me to refocus.. re-load per se.
This year has been a series of setback's the latest left my partner and I stranded up on the Ottawa floating with engine troubles (only maybe 20 hrs on the big girl). We limped her to shore and re-loaded, drove home 3 hrs each way and swapped boats, still managed 4 hrs of fishing- didn't see nah-ting- just one innocent top water boil at dusk. Few rounds of Pepe's cough medicine, some of Americas best chew- and were back at it 7am in 32 degree weather, winds at 15MPH. Worst 2 days to date. Boats still in the shop. On the way home we couldn't wait to get back on the water... just the way we function- our baseline isn't normal.
Next week we'll be back at it, all in. That's what separates us "Ski" men... eventually your fortunes will change, if not and need funds for other adventures....let me know. |
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Posts: 11
| About 5 years ago I hit a wall in June - I grew up fishing walleye and it's the primary species that I target. By the end of that June I had fished 5 local tournaments with a buddy - he was going through issues and his head wasn't in the game. Unfortunately he had the bigger boat so we fished out of his boat and his gear NEVER worked on tournament day. We wasted some great starts to the day because he didn't charge his batteries or he forgot to fill his oil tank and we ran out of oil etc. That last tournament was a freaking disaster - I didn't fish a single day the rest of that year.
The next year I joined a local fishing league which not only helped keep my interest (new people to talk fishing with), but it forced me to expand the species I fish for since we have different species double points days each month.
This year I had a great start to the year fishing eyes, but by late summer we couldn't buy a bite - it started to get a little tedious so my partner suggested we try for pike and he's been trying to get me to go muskie fishing with him for a few years. I bought some gear and we fished pike the last month and a half of the season and then I went on my first muskie trip this fall - I was hooked after my first follow!
Long story short - get some variety in there - learning to fish another species will make you a better fisherman and when you get to that wall you have something to switch to. Hell getting out and catching panfish for a day is sometimes all it takes. Gives your brain/body a break - forces you to think about something else. If you still want a big fish rush target cats or sturgeon.
Good Luck
Shawn
Edited by sreding 10/25/2018 4:41 PM
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Posts: 568
Location: Lake St Clair | Sooooo I ended up taking my good buddy out who’s the best I know on Clair twice this week and it seems the burn out is over. We boated 6 and lost a couple more this week so the excitement is back in full force. |
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Posts: 1082
Location: Aurora | Nothin' like a lil hair of the dog to make things right again.
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Posts: 1449
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | I used to fish literally every chance i got. If I wasn’t catching fish, I’d get grumpy and fish even more. I’d literally get anxious if I couldn’t fish for some reason. Then, last summer my 14 year old son’s music business starting taking off and every weekend he’d be booked in gigs, weddings, or private parties . Being a washed up rocker myself, I enjoy running his sound and lights and watching him do his thing. Sometimes I even join him on stage. (Edit: someone asked so here is a link to him doing his thing)
https://www.facebook.com/MaxKoepkeEntertainment/videos/9086236193199...
Anyhow, I now fish a lot less and learned something: THE WORLD DID NOT END. So I’ve kind of Lost the “addiction” and pressure I put on myself to put numbers of fish up.
I don’t think I will ever get that “edge” back and that kind of bums me out, in an odd way I used to Revel in the grind of being a hard core musky fisherman. So....now I fish less. if the alarm goes off and the weather looks crappy, I roll over, go back to sleep, and later make a big breakfast for the fam. Used to be I’d HAVE to go but now I only go when I want and GUESS what? My hours per fish has gone WAAAY down. So instead of boating 35-40 fish per season now I’m content with 15 and fish prime times, or just when things look good for a bite.
I did get out this morning for a few hours and managed this fish. Used to be I’d hammer it out until dark, but today I fished a couple more hours then Went home to rake leaves.
Edited by Cowboyhannah 11/3/2018 10:04 PM
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | It's been the same for me this year Matt. I haven't even had my boat out on the lake this year. 5 jigging trips resulted in 2 lost musky (both on the 3rd trip) & did one VERY short trip in a friends boat in late June on the lake but there was no wind & the bugs where unbearable. I haven't even caught a musky this year. I made it out once in a friends boat for walleye in the spring on the DR & got my limit & then some. Didn't even bass fish on the lake. Had nothing but bad luck with my boat all year with things breaking or flying out of the boat while trailering it on the highway. Sturgeon fishing has sucked for me as well with only a 66" & a lost one.
I'd like to get out jigging in within the next week or so but that won't be happening in my boat because I can't get it out of my garage with all the crap I have piled in it. I was in a funk like this about 16 years ago but I figured that was when my daughter was born but this year I can't explain it. I haven't had the desire to get out and fish. |
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Posts: 790
Location: North Central IL USA | pistol pete - 10/22/2018 11:20 AM
Get married, have some kids, then it’s all you’ll think about.
Indeed!
Sorry, can't relate. I can't get on the water enough! I still have new rods, reels & lures I haven't used yet. And it looks like we might get an early ice up this year. 
Edited by gregk9 11/7/2018 12:18 PM
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Posts: 213
Location: FIB land | Most of these guys surely are spoiled . Sounds like a nice “problem” to have . |
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Posts: 2283
Location: Chisholm, MN | muskie-don58 - 11/7/2018 12:32 PM
Most of these guys surely are spoiled . Sounds like a nice “problem” to have .
Agreed! Mastical, you fish St. Clair? Don't they jump in the boat over there? I bet some of you SC folks catch more fish in a season than I've caught in my life! I've been muskie fishing for 20 years now and I've been beat down and tired, but at the end of the season I can't wait for next year. Muskies for life!
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | Kirby Budrow - 11/7/2018 5:16 PM Agreed! Mastical, you fish St. Clair? Don't they jump in the boat over there? I bet some of you SC folks catch more fish in a season than I've caught in my life! I've been muskie fishing for 20 years now and I've been beat down and tired, but at the end of the season I can't wait for next year. Muskies for life! The population is a little smaller since the big die off we had last year. Seeing all those big musky washed up on shore and floating down the Detroit River when I was out walleye fishing in march & April was a sad sight to see. |
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Posts: 556
| Yep--as already said-- SWITCH SPECIES for awhile... I found out I like to fish for Walleye , Smallmouth, Crappie and Pike by burning out on the Musky Only stuff myself...… Still love to fish just Musky Lots of times--- But the Multi species stuff is Great also...… Makes it much more enjoyable..... |
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Posts: 153
| Believe it or not there are other fish species out there. Go catch some gils, crappies, bass or walleyes. You can even eat them and yes they are tasty. Mmmmmm good. Go scouting on the lakes don't even take a muskie rod along. Just enjoy the serenity.
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