They say age is just a number and that’s probably true. When we were young in our 20’s and 30’s, we grew up thinking that people in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s were old. Then the closer I got to each of these demographic age groups, they didn’t seem so old anymore. But when anglers you’re competing against start addressing you with the word “sir” included, that’s when it’s time to recognize the date of birth on your driver’s license.
In the tournament bass fishing world, anyone over the age of 50 is considered old. For years I never even thought about my age, but for some unforeseen reason turning 64 this year has hit me a little harder than other birthdays. This year for the first time, I’ve noticed I need stronger reading glasses, my balance is a little off and it requires a lot more effort to get up from my boat seat.
Younger anglers are now asking me if I need help launching my boat. When this first started taking place towards the end of last season, I was caught off guard and kind of offended. I mean, does it look like I need help? I thought maybe I need someone to video me launching my boat so I can see firsthand if I look old and unsure of myself.
I have noticed this year that it does take more effort for me to climb onto the back of my truck, step down onto my boat trailer, unhook the boat strap, climb over into the boat and back the boat off the trailer. I used to hop around with ease like a jungle monkey going from tree to tree. But not anymore, as the muscles in my body don’t respond with the strength and quickness I once possessed.
Even getting around in the boat is more of a challenge! I used to jump from the front deck to the back deck in single bond like Superman leaping over tall buildings. Today, it’s basically a Texas two-step with one more step added to get from the front deck to the back deck, with a high possibility that we might hang a toe and fall flat on our face.
Another area that’s becoming a difficult challenge is running the trolling motor especially in rough water. At one time in my younger days, I had the balance of a cat walking on the top bar of a chain-link fence. But today, I need the pedestal butt seat in position up front so I can have something to lean on in order to stabilize myself.
Currently, I feel like I’m only a couple of years away from needing a walker to navigate around my boat! While I haven’t fallen into the lake in years, I know that day is coming again really soon, and it will all be due to my inability to control the trolling motor, especially when it’s on high. This is why I always keep a complete change of clothes in the boat, just in case I decide to take an unexpected swim.
Just like any other sport, there comes a time when you start to wonder if your time as a tournament angler is up. Is it time to load the boat for the last time and drive away? Tournament bass fishing has and will always be a young man’s sport. The energy, time and commitment required to compete at a high level is designed for younger anglers.
But for me, I still have that burning desire to compete! While I don’t practice 8 to 10 hours a day for an event like I used to, technology like forward-facing sonar has allowed me to be more efficient when scouting, saving me a lot of wasted time searching for bass.
While I know my days of possibly winning an event are slim, now I’m trying to be reasonable with my expectations and hoping for top 10 finishes. This younger generation of anglers coming up are really good, especially when it comes to using their electronics.
I guess that now I’m the old guy on the tournament trail, maybe I’ve earned the right to allow these younger anglers to help an old man in need! I might accept a little assistance when I’m trying to load or unload my boat. But I hope they don’t take my need for help as a weakness as a competitor…because I’ll still kick their butts every chance I get!
