epiphany for an old fisherman

[catsmeow]

Came home tonight from my part time job and enjoyed two filet fish sandwiches which is my favorite way to enjoy flounder/fluke. This is out third mean from flounder purchased at Cosco for around $16. As my wife was frying up the fish I said to her I spend almost that much buying the giant killies on my way to the rumson ramp. I trailer my 17' center console and figuring per trip truck gas, boat gas I'm maybe at $40 trip which is modest by todays standard. Then the annual costs, ramp fee, registration, insurance for boat, towing insurance and then prep time and cleanup time I could have a lot of good meals without the hassle of cleaning the fish. Don't get me wrong love being out on the water, my friend how goes with me is now eating sea robins. I've been fishing party boats since the 50's and its sad that i'm really thinking of hanging up the salt water scene. Still go to Canada for a week of catch and release, but the fluke fishing which I love seems to be over. Not trying to discourage anyone but just my thoughts tonight. Wondering if anyone feels the same way.

[catsmeow]

I meant third meal.

[NJ Dave]

You couldn't pay me to fluke fish, let alone in NJ

[Ismellfishy]

I don't even care to eat most of the fish I catch all that much. I ate one piece of a fillet of flounder all season. I give most of it away either to another fisherman, friend, or to my boss for brownie points. For me it's all about the game and the hunt, I fish private boats, head boats, charter boats, from shore, or from pier. I get skunked sometimes, I have great trips sometimes, but it's still the same joy I have no matter where I fish or for what. When I lose that, it's time to get rid of all my gear all together.

[Capt Joe]

Odd, some folks like to keep going back to that same old restaurant, that mostly serves shitty food.:)

[Gerry Zagorski]

The cost and effort required to maintain a boat is hard to justify and it only gets more difficult as you get older... If you have some friends or family that enjoy it and can help with maintainence and chip in for fuel it’s worth it, if not your probably better off jumping on party and open boats.

I love being on the water catching or not and don’t really fish to eat it, its more about the social and time away from the normal grind for me, but to each his own.

[Walleyed]

I'm with you Gerry. If it were about putting food on the table, there would be no possibility to justify the expense of my boat, much less a rod & reel setup that can easily go north of $500 without even going custom.

I just like to fish. I prefer fishing on my own boat, having the ability to decide where to go and how long to stay there. It's not so much about the catching, as it is enjoying the company of my friends and just relaxing a bit.

I fish my boat, other people's boats, charters, party boats....whatever gets me on the water. Someday, having my own boat will probably be to much, but until then, I'll keep it floating.

[pectoralfin]

Sat down several years ago and tried to figure out what it cost to catch one pound of fish. The number was absolutely crazy. But it cannot buy the excitement and adventures I have had with my son and friends from fishing the Keansburg flats to the offshore canyons. I eat and share with friends the fish we catch. Being retired I can fish anytime but it is getting harder to find people to fish with. Most of my friends have quit fishing for one reason or another and its hard to find new fishing partners. I truly dread the day when I have to sell the boat.

[Fin Reaper]

With the nj lotteries where they are it’s fun to imagine “what if”. So my wife says, what kind of boat would you get? And To be honest I think I’d rather keep going on 6packs and party boats. You show up, the baits there, the mates help when needed and when your done your fish are cleaned ( if all went well). I have fished on private boats and there is a lot to be said for control over the when and where’s of it, but personally No matter how much money or free time I have it’s just nice not having the responsibility of owning.

[Fin Reaper]

P.S.
Ok, so after re reading my post let me add....if I was in my mid 20’s instead of late 50’s and hit the lottery.....I’d buy a damn boat....

[blynch]

If the goal was to fish purely for the sake of acquiring seafood at a lower price per pound than from the fish store, that was a doomed endeavor from the start...

[Capt. Debbie]

Compromise. Go in partners with someone else in the boat.


The cost and effort required to maintain a boat is hard to justify and it only gets more difficult as you get older... If you have some friends or family that enjoy it and can help with maintainence and chip in for fuel it’s worth it, if not your probably better off jumping on party and open boats.

I love being on the water catching or not and don’t really fish to eat it, its more about the social and time away from the normal grind for me, but to each his own.

[catsmeow]

Hey Guys, Thanks for the input just was wondering what everyone thought about the subject. After a good nights sleep I'm seeing a little clearer this morning. " Man with Boat" mmmmmm not a good thought. I'm 73 still working 5 days part time at a sherwin williams paint store and have off during the week. Was a long time member of the Keasby Boat Club. Haved tied rigs for B-P Tackle in the day and currently building my own poles of course tying my own rigs, saltwater flies and now doing Spro type jigs for my friend to sell at next years fishing flea market. As some of you decribe when me and my friend are out on the water we are like a couple of kids in a candy store and of course as you guys know everytrip is new adventure. We were catching some snappers for bait by the oceanic bridge and my friend told me on the way home how much fun that was. Was thinking of getting a pass again for the Sayreville ramp in addition Rumson next year and fish my old haunts in the upper bay ( the triangle, the boils off Morgan, Dental Works, Round Shoal, Keansburg and Keport Flats, Bouy 20 etc. Can't work on cars anymore but love tinkering around with my boat except for work on the engine. Hey Pectoral Fin maybe if your looking for some company and sharing expenses next year we could always hook up. Down to only one friend to fish with and he is not always available. My other fishing partner at 74 who lived in Fl half the year hooked up with a women and now stays down there full time.. LOL. Damm left me a women, thats some nerve of him. Anyway thanks for letting me air out some laundry and appreciate everyones thoughts. Yup if I had to fish just for food I might be pretty slim. Hope the winter is a mild one and looking forward to next year. Tight Lines..... Walt

[Detour66]

Owning a boat and fishing on it after awhile becomes a way of life as I am sure many of us may know. When I think about what I catch and bring home to eat I am not always happy but I always have something to look forward to being a boat owner. Some day I might say "I have had enough" until then I will continue to enjoy the life style that makes my life that much better! But I do understand where you are coming from! Tight Lines!

[catsmeow]

Wow showing my age i meant " Man without Boat" mmmmm not good !

[a-baum]

If I hit the lottery I would just keep a couple captains on retainer/speed dial and the night before I'd see who was open and go fishing the next day. They know where to go, how to fish, and at the end of the day I step off onto the dock and go home with my bag of filets.

[HDMarc]

Went on a couple of fluke trips this year on my boat which is outfitted with twin 225 Mercs, the 2 keeper fluke I caught on one trip cost me roughly $60 per pound :D, but to be on the water enjoying myself was absolutely worth it.

[RAMMFISH66]

I have been fishing since I was 5 years old with my dad. We would go to
Kensico reservoir for carp using a Penn 200 surfmaster conventional reel loaded with dacron line. Wow, that was a fun time. I've fished party boats, row boats and off of my own WOODEN 19' boat. It is all a good time. Now that I am 76 and not getting any younger or slowing down, I still get time on the PROWLER 5 with capt Scott for whatever is running. Problem with that it is getting expensive. I still enjoy a good day at Sandy Hook fishing the surf as soon as the fish cooperate.

Take it from an "old timer" there is NOTHING like a good day fishing!!!!! Either on a party boat or alone in the surf. Would not have it any other way. That is my two cents in the conversation...see ya all later, RAMMIE....

[Fin Reaper]

If I hit the lottery I would just keep a couple captains on retainer/speed dial and the night before I'd see who was open and go fishing the next day. They know where to go, how to fish, and at the end of the day I step off onto the dock and go home with my bag of filets.

Amen man.....now that there’s some thinkin!