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....