Is it me?

[cfelton]

I know how you feel. I usually get up at 4:00 when working days. Ride 45 minutes to work and go over the Chowan river and always look out wishing I was out there. Use to enjoy being out in the cold, not as much anymore. This year we bought 3 1/2 acres of land around our house to go with the 1/2 acre we had. Planted 29 bushes down the property line and a bunch of trees. I replaced the roof over the kitchen by myself. Just had a 30x40 insulated metal building with 12 x 40 sheds on each side put up. Ran 350 ft. of cable and water pipe for it and wiring it all myself. Been really busy. Haven't put the V out yet but now have it under the shed, high and dry. I'm now 65 and its kicking my but working 12 hour shifts days and nights as a mechanic in the steel mill, and trying to get my building all wired and plumbed. I really miss getting out fishing and hanging out on the water. I'll try to get chance to post some pictures of my new shop when things calm down. Been wanting this land and building for 35 years, almost too late but finally got it. Gonna call it Pop Pops shop! Hope to cook a hog and make barbeque by Christmas.

[Blue_Runner]

Great stories guys. Here's mine....

When I was younger I'd plan a fishing trip around a date. The date was whenever me and my buddies could get away for a weekend. No cell phones back then, no weather apps, etc. Hell we didn't know if it would be raining or even a tropical storm that weekend - we are going anyway.

It was get up before the sun, hit the water at first light. No idea what is biting, but we are going to give it our best all day long no matter what.

Nowadays, it is up by 7 or 8, make a nice breakfast, check tides/weather and decide when we might leave. Normally on the water around 10 (depending on tide) and we still give it our best and sometimes even stay late. We just fish a little smarter now that we are getting older.

So no just you. Things change as you get older.

[phatdaddy]

Looks like we re all in the same boat, least its a V20.

Pipe, my duck hunting days are waaaaay behind me, lotta work, but was a lotta fun.

Cfelton, congrats on the land purchase and the shop build.i m sure u will enjoy both

[steplift20]

I did it and it feels good.
I went out today out of Atlantic highlands nj .
I do have a question? Does anyone work anymore? Me, I’m retired so I’m not working. But the high lands was packed. On a Wednesday, 7am. What gives
Anyway the stripers are out and surfacing. Chasing bait. Had a great time. Then we went for blackfish and caught a few throw backs. We wound up in my favorite spot for togs and nothing, had a few bites but nothing. Mayb3 the tide had something to do with it
So we get back and while putting my boat back on the trailer,a roller wheel broke off. So now I hav3 to go back and fix it. But all in all. A great day. But dam. I’m tired now. lol

[Pipe_Dream]

Enjoying everyone's perspectives.

Fishing: My wife and I have friends who have a place in the Keys and a nice 28' center console. 6-8 can fish on it and we usually have 3-4 couples going out, sometimes just the guys. The captain is a dedicated fisherman so it's usually head out at first light and fish until we have our limit. I'm a morning person so I love it. That's where I first got my taste of blue water trolling and for me there's nothing finer. Around here it's more inlet fishing and that's not quite as much fun but still good.

Duck hunting: There's a core group of 8-12 guys and we have been hunting the same spot for years. I was beginning to lose my taste for duck until I discovered duck poppers. Even my wife and MIL enjoyed them. I enjoy the challenge and it gives me a reason to keep my Browning. I'll only hunt when the temp is below 50 and the water has been cold for a while because of the gators. I. Don't. Like. Gators. My current Lab isn't much on retrieving so he stays home and I wear waders to retrieve my ducks. Only thing is I hate when I lose one, wound it and can't find it. I might be getting to the point where I just go out and watch the other guys shoot, but not just yet . . .

Life is good.

[steplift20]

You know something pipedream what ever you happy. I get it, I could go out and watch bluefish chasing bait and breaking surface and watch stripers exploding on 5he set face and not fish for 5hem. I enjoy that too I / we had sharks a school of them swimming around the boat and I /we just watched them. I think they were dog fish or maybe brown sharks but they were sharks. I love watchin* too just being out on the water is great. So I understand how you can watch others shoot the ducks and you watch. I get it.