What do you do when you stop fishing?

[mainbutter]

So whether it's because you've got a bad arm, or you're just not into ice fishing, or any other reason you take a prolonged break from fishing, what do you turn to in your free time?

Personally, I turn to TV and video games, I'm a real couch potato. Before the season opened in early '08, I was itching so bad to go bass/pike fishing that I ended up borrowing a friend's copy of some stupid Wii fishing game and playing it into the ground.

I often pick up little projects though. For instance, I'm looking into getting a pet after being pet-less for the past 4 years(they didn't allow pets in dorms), looking into glassblowing classes this winter, and have compiled an ever-growing list of books to read.

I bet you fishermen and fisherwomen out there have tons of cool hobbies, I think there's something about the fisher personality that just enjoys hobby activities.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I go fishing..........or hunting.

[101winchester]

I tie my own custom snells, but I would really like to build my own custom rods. Have several antique lures that I would like to try and replicate to use. Just wish I was handier.

[upnorth]

Stop fishing? I don't get that concept

Actually years ago when my son was playing hockey all winter, we were pretty involved with that so no ice fishing. But since then....well when things start to get to cold to take the boat out means a few trip down to do some shore casting Lake Superior, then breaking out the ice fishing gear, maybe building a few rods.

Do too much sitting on the couch already to consider not fishing.

[Sandmannd]

Who stops fishing? I fish until there is too much ice to get my boat out. I hunt as well in the fall. By then it's time for ice fishing. There's only a few weeks a year that I don't get out fishing in some form or another. If I can't then I do something with my family.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm with many others.. Fishing never ends. I do bow hunt so that eats up a bunch of my time in the fall. But on tough days, I do tie jigs, and feathered trebles. Mess with other lures and get stuff ready for the next season...

[Scott K]

Most of the winter you can fish the Mississippi, I usually go to Red Wing, for a few trips in the winter. Other then that, I ice fish, and hunt.

[Loos15]

I get depressed...that leads me to voicing too much opinion on the political forums.

[croixflats]

When I separated my shoulder earlier this summer I was out of commission for 3 weeks.

I wore a path to the boat and around it. I think there is a 1 ft deep trench around the boat where I kept circling it.

[dan z]

my seasons never quit after sept 1st its all waterfowl and after that I jump on the sled and go ice fishing, after ice fishing its early crappie fishing and then the cycle starts again and hopefully I will continue this cycle fer a long long time

[DTro]

Stop fishing????

Well, when I'm not fishing, I'll go ahead and ask my wife how she's been lately.

No not really.

ok maybe

[Shack]

When life gets just to busy to go fishing or frustration of the skunk trips takes hold , I pretty much just hang out here at FM with any spare time. If not on FM, I am doing junk around the house, some side work, but pretty much on FM

That, or doing things to upgrade my fishing experience. Some times I find it more satisfying just working on stuff for the next trip.

[Daze Off]

in about a month I'll put away the fishing tackle and not fish again until late April or May unless I get a group to go to Table Rock this year in late March.

Pretty much just watch fishing shows all winter. Don't go outside except when necessary from December - April. By April I have

This year I may try my hand at making some tackle in the interim.

[FishinChad]

If I cant fish, something is seriously wrong with me and I am probably in the hospital, thats about the only thing that will stop me from getting out on a regular basis. When I dont fish, I am doing whatever it is that is stopping me from fishing, and getting frustrated that I am not able to fish, like right now as I am at work, every time I go outside for break I admire the weather and wish I was on the lake. I think I would find a way to fish if my arm was broken, or even if I was in a wheelchair.

Other hobbies I have "in-between" fishing are reading all of these posts and adding my 2c, playing online poker, PS3 vids, watching sports(BB, FB, Hockey), betting on some horse racing, going to the casino, and hangin out with my 5 pets.

[mnhunter79]

Fishin, Camping/fishin, then hunting, ducks,geese, phesants, bow huntin, coyotes, ice fishin. REPEAT Not much couch time for me.

[Farley]

If I'm not working, fishing, hunting, golfing, commishing the F.F. Leauge, playing guitar, watching a local band (or national for that matter), I'm either having a beer watching the twins\vikes\wild game or reading articles in ESOX or Ducks Unlimited or Walleye INsider. And if I'm not doing any of those things, I'm probably fixing (or improving) something that has to do with one of those things or just plain ol' watchin the tube.

[NCLaker]

I fish year round ... any breaks I'll attack the "honey-do" list so that there is reason not to fish if the opportunity comes up.

[Sandmannd]

Most of the winter you can fish the Mississippi, I usually go to Red Wing, for a few trips in the winter. Other then that, I ice fish, and hunt.

You know, I've always wanted to give that a try in the winter. If you ever need a partner let me know.

[Down Deep]

I try to keep the boat in the water right up to the cold bitter end, but there is that time of the year when it does get too cold and windy to keep fishing and the ice safe enough for fishing. (I have some high standards for safe ice) I not very passionate about ice fishing and it is somthing that I do a several times each winter as a way to pass the time.

I have season tickets to a semi-professional football team that resides in the Metrodome and that takes up some weekends in Nov. and Dec. Then when the snow falls I hit the trails with the sled and spend some time snowshoeing in the woods with the dog. I always try to take a winter trip somewhere warm for a week and then there is always the home project that I start and try to complete in time for the open water season. In March and April I do some shorefishing on Lake Superior. The people I work with see me a lot more as well.

[Reservoir Dawg]

Usually I do most of my fishing in the winter. Then in the summer I do a lot of running, as in 5k's, 10k's, marathons etc..most of my running is trail running. This summer I have had achillies tendon problems so I've done alot more fishing.

It's going to be hard to get started running seriously again.

[ricerdude69]

I play a lot of poker in the winter.

[Rebel9921]

When one cant fish, its a good time to finish up those unfinished projects you got laying around the place... or you can always start a new hobby...

[fishinmajishin]

My free time other than fishing/hunting/sidework is spent with my boys who are 4 1/2 and one yr old(TODAY!! Happy B-day David!)

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

First I sulk around like a lost puppy.

Next I plan for next year's trips and say the same words "next year I'm going to get out more often."

Then I go into hibernation till March.

Sometime in early march I come out of hibernation and start thinking about the up coming Sport Show. It's all down hill from there!

[Northlander]

I always find a way and place to fish. If Im not fishing Im getting ready to fish. I hate TV and video games. My opinion is both are used too much especially by our youth.

Your kids dont have anything to do? Give them a mower or shovel or tel them to go play outside. Better yet spend some time with them and teach them something.