Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What's Your Time Limit For a Day's Fishing


You know we all learn something every time we venture out to one of our favorite streams or lakes. The learning curve has really increased for me over the last few of years; especially when it deals with the length of time I spend on the water. When I was younger it was a given for me to stay on the water all day regardless of the conditions, but as I get older that is not in my game plan anymore. A half day on the water is usually my trip. Research has shown that the most active feeding periods for most warm water species are early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Anything in between is an added bonus. The feeding periods for cold water species such as trout, can be somewhat different. A hatch on a given stream or tailrace could cause a feeding frenzy anytime of the day. I have seen trout feeding on mayflies at a frantic pace at 1 PM on our Sipsey Tailrace. This is why I love trout fishing so much, because I can make a two or three hour trip into something special anytime of the day. Being retired has afforded me the opportunity to tailor my fishing trips during the most active time of the day. When I was working five days a week I was only able to fish on weekends, with an occasional trip during the afternoon, holidays or summer months. Now if the barometer is high, with cloudless skies, wrong wind direction and extreme heat or cold I stay home. One thing I have learned about fishing over the years, one can’t make a fish hit if it’s not feeding. I know we all have different variables that determine how much time we spend on the water during a day’s fishing trip; is it the bite, weather conditions, time of day, or just the enjoyment of being outdoors?

25 comments:

  1. Typically, I'll spend about 3-4 hours actually on the river. Since it's usually an hour there and an hour back, I try to make it a half day trip. I'll squeeze another hour in if the catch to cast ratio is high though!

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  2. I am a slave to my 9-5 and my family. So when I can get out I will beout as long as I can. If that means from dusk to dawn without a bite so be it. I look forward to retirment when I can be more picky and avoid holiday and weekend fishing crowds.

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  3. Being a graduate student I typically can only afford to do half day trips due to academic requirements I need to complete, but if given the chance I will take an all day trip regardless of how I may do. Its about the opportunity to be in nature for me above all else.

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  4. Mornings are the best for me. I've hung around from 0800 to 2:30, but normally call it a day after 3-4 hours. By then I'm worn out and I usually have a 30 minute to 90 minute drive, depending on where I'm at.

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  5. I swear if it wasn't for that whole work thing and having a family, I could stay out for days. Time truly just disappears when I'm out there. I can't tell you how many times I have been on the water before the sun was up and all of the sudden it was six o clock in the evening before I even thought about time. Most of the time I only realize it then because the wife is calling wondering if I'll be home for dinner.

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  6. I'm generally good for 5 or 6 hours at one whack. I like the mornings, a lunch break and siesta then hit it again for a couple of hours.

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  7. My usual trips are about 4hrs but most trout trips last a whole day. It's 4-5hrs on the water and another 4hrs driving.

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  8. Interesting post, Bill, one that causes me to think a little. I used to be able to get up and go in the wee hours of morning. Sometimes be gone for the entire weekend with my family or buddies. Like you, as one ages, opportunities are still there, but the angler can be more selective. I still like fishing the morning and evening hours. Pretty much leave mid-day alone. Fish on!

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  9. For me it depends on how far I've driven to reach my fishing spot. If I drive more than an hour or so, I generally like to stay all day to justify the expense of gas. Short local trips are often only an hour or two though. It is always nice to get a short trip in and still have time to work on other things.

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  10. Bill I'm like you, retired and that gives me lots of opportunity.
    I will usually fish for about 3 hours generally.

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  11. Cory
    3 to 4 seems to be the norm--thanks for sharing

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  12. Daniel
    That sounds like me back in the day when I was working--thanks for sharing

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  13. Al
    The outdoors verses the catch--either will work for me--thanks for sharing

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  14. Mark
    Daylight hours is my favorite time to land better fish. thanks for the comment

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  15. Nick
    Like you I get lost in the trip and the time is gone--thanks for the comment

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  16. Alan
    Isn't retirement perfect for all of us guys who fish? Thanks for the comment

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  17. David
    If I make the Caney trip from Jasper then that is an all day trip for me, like you to justify the drive. If driving from Springhill then it is a half day trip. Thanks for the commnet

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  18. Lester
    Dusk to dark were my trip when I was younger, not anymore. Thanks for the comment

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  19. Mel
    Mid-day is a killer especially in the hot summer months. thanks for the comment

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  20. Kevin
    Trout fishing for me is easier than most, because I live within 20 minutes of the tailrace and an hour or two trip works well for me there. thanks for the comment

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  21. Howard
    I like your schedule, that works for me too. Thanks for the comment

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  22. I am interested in reading about fly fishing, It is an enormously inspiring post. Thanks for sharing such a nice info with us. Carry on with good continuation.
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  23. John
    Thanks for stopping by and your comment.

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  24. i fish every opportunity that the "boss" allows

    nothing more and nothing less

    fish biting or feeding, weather, none of that matters

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  25. Blake
    Well spoken for all of us, who love fishing. Thanks for the comment

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