|
|
Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | Just wondering what the comfort level is out there in terms of intensity. I watched a redfish tourney recently where one guy was berating the other for a bad net job. In other instances I have seen partners arguing or having a heated discussion. If this makes for more successful fishing, is it ok in your boat? A
OR
Fishing, no matter what the stakes, should be enjoyable. There is no room in my boat for anything other than positive thoughts. B
If you chose the second option, how do you settle on differences of opinion on locations, techniques etc?
Examples?
This might apply in tourneys, at the end of slow vacations, or if you are fishing with a nob, etc.
I have my own opinion, but I want to see what others out there have to say. This is intended for anyone who has ever struggled to find fish over a long period of time.
hj
|
|
| |
|
| You always want postitive thoughts anytime your on the water. Sometimes hearing what your fishing partner thinks about certain topics can allow you to get to know that person and hear their beliefs on topics. Such as fishing spots, baits, politics, etc... Everyone loves a heated conversation in the boat every now and then. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | I haven't fished to many pressure tournaments but my partners and I all have a good time when were fishing in the boat. I myself have had problems with the net so I wouldn't scream at sommeone else for the same problem.
Hang loose and have fun....life is to short,
Netman |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | If The Dude sees this, he needs to post the "ninja" picture. That will give you a great idea of how we are in the boat. I'm out there to have a good time, and show others a thing or two along the way. I think that most that have fished with me will say we have a good time. It's a fish, I'm not working, I may win some money, I may catch a few fish, but I will have a great time. Can't wait to get my little one in the boat this year. That's gonna ROCK!!
It's not worth it to beat yourself up about small stuff. TheDude and I mastered the playpen this fall in a tourney. We got 6 fish that day, and managed to not have a single one of them make the legal size. DOH!!! We still had a great time though. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 20253
Location: oswego, il | I am out to have a good time too but also catch fish. I do my best, fish hard and have fun. I don't get upset but I will suggest things to my partner doing so in a manner that will insight agreement or discussion but not arguement. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1168
| When fishing a tournament, if partner has a fish hit at his feet, doesn't let the fish run, reels his line up tight and sits down on a boat seat with fish hanging completely out of the water making wicked headshakes while you and other partner are scrambling to get the net it is definately ok to raise your voice ever so slightly in order for guy with fish attached to his line to get that thing in the water so it can't make such violent headshakes. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | Intensity in ten Cities? (so you see a garage, there's one up ahead and the #*^@ thing's open!)
Sorry. Uncle Ted runs through my viens.
Intensity is high on Priapism, but tends to wane after 6-7 hours of no fish or follows. Thankfully (knock on wood) all bad net jobs were saved through fast acting on the net man's (or woman's) part. No bad net jobs on the new boat, because I took the time to educate my partners on netting. Old boat? HELL yeah!
No friendship is worth losing over a bad net job. Him not doing a #*^@ thing to keep from getting a HUGE scratch in the side of your Brand freakin new boat on the dock when his kid says " Daddy, I GOTTA GO POTTY NOW", yup. |
|
| |
|
| Fish hard and have fun, that's what it's all about! Most people who musky fish are obsessive/compulsive and very intense by nature. You need that intensity to stay focused and to stay positive  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 336
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Tuffdaddy is right...we always seem to have a great time in the boat. Unlucky for him, I have the pictures to prove just how far he will go to get a laugh out of everyone. One of my favorite things about chasing these fish around is how quickly a lighthearted conversation can turn insanely intense as soon as a good fish shows up at the boat. Laughing and cracking jokes turns to dead silence and no motion at all...aside from the "holy s^&*, look at the head on that thing" that someone usually whispers. Ive only fished one tournament and it was basically the same thing...thedude and I having a good time on the water. When I first started off, I just shut my mouth and would fish with any lure at any spot that we would venture to. As I have learned a few things, Ive started to throw out spot and lure ideas. I don't always get listened to but I feel like I am at least trying to apply what I have learned. Sometimes people you are fishing with can forget a spot or specific conditions that turned a spot on during a previous trip...by saying something, you can remind them of something that they taught you earlier but may have forgotten about. The more I fish, the more I feel like I am a part of the team effort...that has given me a lot of confidence for days where I am on the water by myself. I guess Ill see how much Ive learned when I make my move to CO in June and have to do it all by myself. The day it stops being fun is the day that I will quit fishing.
Edited by esoxlazer 2/8/2007 1:30 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| I fish muskies for fun, and to relax. I know Theedz, Tuffdaddy, Extreme, Dude, Jason, Mark H., and a few more have pointed out a following fish as I was too busy BSing, and not paying attention to my retrieve. hehehe You gotta have fun while fishing, or what's the point. I did throw out a pretty good F-Bomb last fall in the MI tourney on Green Bay, when we lost a fish at the boat. Most of the field heard it. I still blame Wade for a lousy net job, even though the fish was still 8 feet from the boat! hehehe |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | He's obviously different when he fishes with Eric or The Dude, because Joel always hollers at me and calls me names like Sally, Mary, Nancy, and Margaret. He's like Dr. Cox in Scrubs.
Actually everybody that has taken me fishing has been laid back and accepting of my limitations. Especially Slamr. He's the most mellow guy I think I've ever met, in the boat and out. I think he drinks so much coffee that a caffeine saturation point is attained, resulting in reverse chemical reactions which produce periods of great calm and acceptance. He's like a monk on a mountain top.
As for Koepp, he's just chatty.
I've seen Shep get pretty angry in a boat; while talking about his son's baseball coach. Watching the serene way he reeled in a fish taught me to tone down my own excitability.
Lambeau and Sorno were pretty intense. Very intimidating, especially Sorno. I think it's the constant smile on his large head that keeps a guy on edge.
Me? I talk a lot. If it's bothered anyone, they've been polite and not said anything. I can't imagine getting angry at someone in a boat, though there were a couple frustrating days on Eagle when I might have stopped talking.
I think fishing should be a social activity, filled with laughs, stories, and personalities. If I want to get angry, I can always throw my clubs in the trunk and head to the golf course.
Kevin
A dog on my head, a cat around my neck, and a monkey on my back. That's how I keep warm.
Edited by MuskyHopeful 2/8/2007 8:17 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | Hey Kevin,
How do you get treated if you forget the promised sandwiches? 
I can't get too wound up about it I guess. Sure I love to get fish in the boat, but just having the chance to get out is great too. I try to mimic the level of intensity of my boat partner, that seems to work well. There's always time to be super serious and somewhat frivolous, depending on the situation, during a full day on the water. When I'm on new water, I've noticed that I'm generally not paying close enough attention to the actual act of angling as I should if I was truly serious about getting fish. I take in the scenery, watch the eagles, check out the weeds (which are actually a bit of a novelty to me), see what I really like in the layout of my partner's boat, try lures that I normally wouldn't use out here, etc.
S. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | I swear to God, not a day goes by I don't think about that cooler full of cold cuts sitting in my room. Very embarrassing. Give me another chance. Please, Mike. I'll bring extra sandwiches, fancy ones. I did try and make up for it by buying some extra beers that night, but it didn't erase the hollow feeling of our empty bellies that afternoon.  At least fishing with Mike, you know you could survive in the wilderness in the event of an emergency. Three guys could feed on that seven pound sucker for at least a couple days.
Kevin
It's the cows. Eat more beef.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 8834
| I'm too intense on the boat. I'll talk your ear off in the bar, in the truck, at the launch, anywhere else, but on the boat I'm all business, and probably not much fun. Most of the guys I have fished with probably walk away thinking "man, that dude's got the personality of a wet sock.." (anybody got an open seat on opening day? )
I think it's just because I grew up fishing alone. 99% of the fishing I've done in my life has been in situations where there was nobody around. Just me, and the fish. So while it seems like I don't like you, or just don't talk, or whatever, I'm really having fun off in my own little world where it's just me and the fish. That's why I like to fish with guys who talk a lot, or have music playing sometimes -- reminds me that there's more to fishing than just me and the fish. |
|
| |
|
| I've been called intense by a few of my fishing partners ... I can be laid back too...just depends on the situation/the fishing etc...
If fish are on, or I'm on big fish waters where the next cast could be big bertha, I'm intense 100% of the time...I don't talk a ton, some of my buddies like Dan O will talk all day and I can just sit there and nod with the occasional 'yah sure Dan'....
Being on the water is fun, whether I'm intense or laid back...Kind of like what EA said, just cuz I'm not super chatty doesn't mean I don't like you..
|
|
| |
|
| I think it's like anything else in life, you have guys who can focus, be aware and on their game and function normally, and then there are guys who can't. I don't think it's that big of a stretch to do something well and remain in your normal state of mind, speak and act as you would normally. You see it all the time in the gym, guys who huff and puff, drop the weights from 18" off the floor etc (don't worry bud, we see you), then there are guys who just go in, get it done without any of tyhe theatrics. I'm sure its a personality thing that carries over into many aspects of their lives. My personal feeling is that you're at your best being relaxed, enjoying what you're doing. |
|
| |
|
| I'm not sure I agree with your "you're at your best being relaxed enjoying what you're doing" statement...
Ever watch some of the best pro's in any sport with the game on the line...you think they look relaxed?
How about some of the best pro fishermen...in tourneys when it's the final hour do you think they are out there jokin around just relaxed and having fun...?
Being intense doesn't mean you are not having fun, or somehow a jerk to others in your boat...it just means you are focused on everything that is going on....being intense for some is fun! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | ulbian - 2/7/2007 10:11 PM
When fishing a tournament, if partner has a fish hit at his feet, doesn't let the fish run, reels his line up tight and sits down on a boat seat with fish hanging completely out of the water making wicked headshakes while you and other partner are scrambling to get the net it is definately ok to raise your voice ever so slightly in order for guy with fish attached to his line to get that thing in the water so it can't make such violent headshakes.
Agreed. People like that should be reemed out! LOL! |
|
| |
|
| I guess what I mean is just that people all have different ways of doing things and it reflects differently from one to the next. Million bucks on a bass tournament would definitely have my attention, but compare the Iaconnelli's of the world with guys who are a little more understated. I'm sure they're both pretty intense, but just different way of handling it. We have a forward who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs who's very intense and runs all over the place, yaps etc he wears #16. In Calgary, there's a sophmore defencman who'll win the Norris this season who wears #3 and is like a coiled spring at all times but stone-faced and just gets it done quietly. Insensity is something guys all handle in different ways, I guess. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8834
| Doing something well and being in your normal state of mind is one thing. Missing fish because you were too busy talking and not paying attention is another. We've all done it -- you're talking about the girl in the other boat, making jokes, laughing, and you look down, and there's a fish. You took your eyes off your bait, didn't do a good figure 8 or whatever. Sure its kinda funny, and you laugh about it, but the truth is your lack of focus probably cost you a fish. Where I usually fish, that might be your only shot at a fish all day. Sounds weird, but on those particular lakes, fish follow once and you never see them again, so being focused is pretty important.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 317
| I am pretty cool as long as my boat partner isn't a motor mouth. I am mentally intense, but if a partner offers a suggestion, I am glad to hear it. My tourney partner is from WI, so I do get the occasional "Hey, do you IL boys always drift over the spot like this" but, that's the extent of it. I'm no boat Nazi.
Edited by MuskyStalker 2/8/2007 12:18 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3912
| "Especially Slamr. He's the most mellow guy I think I've ever met, in the boat and out."
Really?
I try to be focused and intent from the first to the last cast, even if they are 16 hours apart. I have patience with guests on board, because, as stated above, life is short. I take guests out maybe 5% of the time, the rest is me and the dog. He's the best boat pard I've found so far, though I enjoy the company of my friends, too. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 476
Location: WI | yah sure Brad.............
Have fun, Catch some fish... Team Horseshoe Motto
GotOne |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | Where is Donnie Hunt on this one??
Donnie???
Cory |
|
| |
|
Posts: 827
Location: Minneapolis,Minnesota | I'm intense about every important thing in my life.
It's fishing....relax |
|
| |
|
Posts: 556
| something like this happened 4 weeks ago but in the fish house. just me and one of my friends out there catching sunnies and tip ups out. Then i felt a big hit and said big hit and told my friend to pull out the transducer (sp?) but this fish wrapped araound the cord at least 5 times and my friend got it unwrapped while i fought the fish. It was a 3 pound bass. Funny ,afterwards i said big fish again and he istantly pulled the transducer cord out of the water. that fish was a 28 inch northern, fun day. Fishing is the greatest thing ever to me, it has to be fun and relaxed. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 137
| Depends on who I'm fishing with. I take it easy with my friends and just try to have a good time out on the water and let the fish come when they may. But with my brother, who is my regular fishing partner, it can run the gammut. We have no problems being intensely honest with eachother to the point of screaming our fool heads off at times. That's just how we are. But then again, the most fun I have fishing is with my brother as well. Interesting thing is that we do better with finding, catching and landing fish when we fish together, but with others, not so much. Maybe because we can be open and honest and argue about what we think we should be doing on the water, rather than being polite and wasting time fishing in an unproductive manner. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 101
Location: Northern Illinois | You've got to maintain some intensity and vigilance in a sport as unpredictable as muskie fishing. How many times have you caught yourself daydreaming after pounding the water into a froth for several hours, only to miss your only shot at a fish when it surprises the hell out of you. My philosophy has always been to sit down and take a break for about 10 minutes, have something to eat or drink, maybe study the lake map. Change your lures often and don't give up when it's slow.
Before venturing out on water with someone, make sure you're on the same page in your expectations. Will this person lose interest and get bored after a couple hours with no action? If so, this isn't the type of fishing for them. Let them stay on the dock and catch bluegills all day if they need constant action. Muskie fishing is n't called muskie hunting for nothing.
When fishing with someone having the same intensity as yourself, take turns picking spots to fish if you can't find a pattern or structure type producing fish. Always remember, "the fishins' always good, sometimes the catching is a little slow". |
|
| |
|
Posts: 366
| I try to always keep it easy going and fun, but no matter what you do, if you do it long enough your "normal" personality will come through. There will be moments of pure laughter, and times when you can cut the tension with a knife. Usually it comes down to how you and your partner mesh. Some personalities are oil and water and some are unconditional friends for life. There are such highs and lows with muskie fishing that there is no way I could ever maintain a consistent intensity level at all times in the boat. I always try to be calm/focused and open to suggestions and ideas as well as being ready to lead the way or follow whether either seems like the right plan. I know that when a fish is on, typically more so when it's my rod, that I can become somewhat bossy or intense with my boat partners. I usually feel that until a fish is in the net, it is a serious situation that demands immediate and proper attention. Can I come off as an jerk in those seconds of controlled chaos, probably, but the rest of the day would prove otherwise.
When I first started muskie fishing, as in the first five or so years, I would always try to be serious and intense. Like so many others with very limited time on the water I wanted to make the best use of every moment on the water possible to maximize catches and be "successful". It's fairly difficult, and at times miserable to keep that going where you never want to relax and kick back and just have fun and possibly miss opportunites. I remember as a rookie that when I was out with guides and other more experienced fisherman that I would try to take in everything they were doing and focus on my own technique while trying to understand all the conditions that we were dealing with and put so much pressure on myself to make all the right moves. Especially when I'd venture out on my own and try to replicate our experience or success, and get so frustrated when they didn't. I remember thinking to myself "What gives, they seem like they're just out for an afternoon of easy fishing and can just pound'em like they're not even trying. And I go out and bust my butt and do everything like they seemed to do it and nada." There were many times of grinding it out for days on end when I'd get so filled with doubts that I'd think "why do I even enjoy this?". And to be honest I don't really know how you can enjoy it when you try and kill yourself for 14 hours straight for three follows of reward. It's almost sad to see how much pressure we put on ourselves and others to "put fish in the boat" that we so often never stop and simply enjoy the fact that we aren't at work, despite that fact that we might actually be working twice as hard as we ever do at our actual jobs. Eventually I realized "Why am I working so hard at this when others whose job this really is and are actually "working" seem to be so much more relaxed and try to enjoy themselves and aren't really doing that much better or worse in terms of "success" than I?". Just because it is work for them doesn't mean you have to make it that. Some people love the competition and the high levels of pressure that muskie fishing can provide, and that's great for them. But, in my experience the veterans who have had truly successful careers muskie fishing seem to be the ones who best know how to take things in stride and stop and admire the sunsets.
Maybe I'm way off base and you're thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about, but these days my biggest frustration usually comes from that mentality that if you loose your focus for a second and miss a fish it is a failure. Hardly! Because you can't catch them all no matter what you do so you better get used to it or maybe find something else to do. Oh well, I guess I better follow my own advise and get used to the things other people I fish with are going to do otherwise I better get used to fishing by myself or find something else to do as well.
Ryan
Edited by Fishwizard 2/10/2007 12:11 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 572
| I agree with esoxaddict that being focused is pretty important.
However, some of the most exciting hits have come at a time when I was distracted. And, think of some of the fish kids catch......were they really focused? Probalby not. I guess they were doing something different in their retrieve, like a pause or jerk, that triggered the unexpected strike. While teaching kids to me focused, it's important to remember techniques developed while being distracted.
Basically, I want my grandson to be focused on fishing, but it's more important if he is just enjoying the day.
|
|
| |
