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Alone or with somebody
I like going fishing solo, and I like fishing with a friend.
Yes, that pretty much covers all the bases. My fishing trips are either/or situations. So I’m either alone in the BassCat or I’ve got company.
Both have their upsides.
Singular fishing trips are great. I can travel light and enjoy plenty of room and the opportunity to move by my own whim. I need worry about no other lures whipping near me and never have to backtrack to someone else’s snag.
It’s me versus the fish when I’m out there by myself and me alone to decide where to travel and when to come home.
I like it out there just me and the water. I can daydream, stop for a sandwich, soak in the sights – whatever I want. I can watch an eagle soar, a deer drink and a turkey trot. I can take my time picking apart the best fishing spots without a second thought whether my guest is having fun.
Some of my best days on the water have been when it’s just me, myself and I out there.
But before you judge me as someone with a personal-space hang-up, let me say I also enjoy the days when I share the boat with a fishing friend.
There’s plenty of room on my boat. The front deck is roomy and the back deck is just the perfect distance away to avoid casting confusion. The under-deck cooler has lots of room for water and ice and sandwiches for two.
This year has seen a number of fishermen jump aboard.
Longtime friend Ron Learn of Mecca was my first guest, followed by Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries administrator Rich Carter of Columbus. Both were great fun as we explored Mosquito Creek Reservoir early in the season.
Soon I was joined by others. Ricky White of Canton, Vindicator Assistant General Manager Ted Suffolk, Harry Emmerling of East Liverpool, my journalist (and public relations) colleague Steve Luttner and, most recently, fellow Penguin Jeff Grope, president of the Youngstown State University intercollegiate bass fishing team.
No two trips were even remotely similar. The anglers themselves represent a diverse set of fishing styles and experiences. The waters we fished were as far-flung as one can get in Ohio – from Lake Erie to the Ohio River with stops at Mosquito, Pymatuning, Evans and Pine lakes.
Every trip resulted in catches – some far better than others. We had hot days and cold, sunny and overcast, and we fished just about every kind of tactic that is known to yield bass in this part of the country.
Each trip, best of all, was an opportunity to learn and to have fun. Those are two of the absolute best outcomes. Even when the catching is disappointing, the fishing itself can save the day.
I always pay attention to my friends on the back deck. Whether they are seasoned veterans or once-a-year hobbyists, they all do something that I can file away in the knowledge bank where I can retrieve it sometime in the future to trick another fish.
What bait were they tossing? How fast were they fishing? Were they shallow or deep? There are dozens of variables. Each is a clue – whether that day or next year.
So it’s great when a friend is able to join me. Jokes fly and knowledge is shared.
But the day is not a write-off when it’s just me and the fish. They are days spent in sharp focus with opportunities to explore and expand.