Are you a social angler or prefer to be on your own? and why?

[BoldBear]

Have you ever fished a water where catching loads of the same old fish every time you fish there gets a bit boring? and fishing becomes a lot less enjoyable and challenging because each fish you catch is just a clone of the last one you caught?.

Well that’s how I feel when I fish the usual Commercial fishery; Its OK, but only in very small doses.
They are the sort of place I would go if I wanted to get a new angler into a decent fish which will put a bend in his or her rod, or for when I needed a confidence trip after spending a lot of time chasing specimens on a slightly harder water; or for fishing the occasional club team match.

However some anglers fish Commercials 90% of the time and have done it for many years, and they still look forward to their next trips, and it isn’t because they are any less of an angler because some of them are brilliant at their fishing.

So why is it that a lot of anglers still fish commercials? Surely it can't be because fishing a stream or river isn’t productive as I know several stretches of stream or river where a blank is almost unknown and the fish are of a respectable size and where you can use your watercraft to catch large fish in crystal clear water right under your nose carrying just a minimum of tackle.

Or is it simply because there are no other decent waters other than commercials to fish anywhere in your area? or you don't have any transport?

Or maybe it's because the modern angler has become a bit spoilt; and nowerdays prefers to fish a water where he doesn’t need to walk very far carrying all his heavy tackle on his trolley, with a handy toilet, shop and café nearby? And where he is almost guaranteed a few fish? And where there are other like minded anglers like him or her to talk to?.

What sort of environment do you like to fish in? are you a social angler or do you prefer to have a stretch of river or lake virtually to yourself? and why? Let us know what you think.

[Ish The Fish]

Enviroment is Beach/Pier fishing.
It's all local to me, which is handy being a non-driver.
But is known to have an 45min - 1hr walk home with *FULL* 2 Rod kit loaded on my back (Rods/Reels/Tackle/Bivvy/Flask) after a solo night fish.
Wouldn't mind getting out on a boat some time though.

Facilities wise, I'm on the beach... as long as it's discreet who knows.

Happy to fish socially on trip with peeps or solo, will always ask after anyone I pass on way to wherever the feeling takes me to pitch camp.
Can't beat finding out what you about to get in to, also the majority of peeps (like myself) seem to quite often enjoy a random chat, even more so if it's been a trip so far.

Not sure any of the above really fits in, but it at least gets the ball rolling.

[northern eye]

An interesting post and I am sure there will be a nation of different responses.

Personally I like to mix it up and it usually depends on various things as to where I go, and even who I go with. Finances, mood, season, time, what I want to catch and many other factors always come into it.

I choose commercials if plans have been made with the lads or if there's a match I want to enter. The day is laid out for you already and everything is there that you need for an easy day on the bank. With the lads, its usualy me who picks the venue, being the one with the transport. I like this because I've been able introduce them to new venues I have discovered and tried out myself a few weeks before to make sure it's worth going back. Its all about the day out when we do this, catching fish and having good banter! The same when fishing a match with the club lads, always a good day out with gauranteed fishing and laughs throughout. These days are normally in summer as most of the lads are part timers and wont fish in the cold and I usualy only fish matches in summer.

I always reserve sessions for me though, especially on summer evenings after work or in winter when days are short and time is our enemy. Like little indulgences I suss out new venues on-line or wherever I can, find new stretches of river or secluded ponds, hidden away, natural lakes and ponds or perhaps they are man-made but far from commercial. I love these outings, and making the plans and deciding on the tactics I would use when I return to fish the venue.
Often I will keep the gems to myself and enjoy my fishing in secluded tranquillity with just the wildlife and the fishing to keep me amused. If I discover a real gem it is hard not to introduce my mate and long suffering fishing companion Mark to the place. He's the most experienced angler of my mates so he usualy gets a look in on the really good spots.

I could sit for hours by the water without a bite or a care, walk for miles in pursuit of a certain species or to get to a secluded spot on a river. Happiness, for me can found on virtually any water where a line can be wetted. A deep slow river, feeder fishing for chub and barbel or deadbaiting for pike without a soul in sight. A fast running dale stream casting a fly and walking the banks, spotting trout on a summer evening. An old pit, fishing for specimin carp or pike is always a challenge. A club pond, winkling out roach, perch and F1's on a pole. Large commercials with all the trimmings always give a good day or weekend of fun fishing and the little hidden farm or estate ponds, sometimes rarely fished but never busy if they are, often hold great secrets like large tench, crucians or specimin rudd stocked years ago and allowed to mature without pressure.

If I can get on the bank with a rod in my hand then I am a happy and contented man.

[geejayy]

More often than not i prefer my own company.
when i fish i seek tranquility, that need to escape the madding crowd.
just me and my rods in search of a fish while enjoying the enviroment.

[Rob M]

I love a social but 70% of the time I fish on my own. For me, I've always said that it's like a natural anti-depressant, I need it to cope with the stresses in life. Even if a blank, I always come back from a session feeling better than when I left. If I fish a commercial for carp I tend to do overnighters just to be away from the crowds. It's not a reflection on me as a person as I'm a very sociable guy but fishing is my 'me' time as people like to say these days.

[Dubbed Squirrel]

I normally fish on a Friday afternoon/evening on the river, with my mate after work and have done for almost 10 years now. Something we both look forward to, but I also like to get up and be on the river myself at 5am(ish) when I can, that`s when fishing takes second place,to watching the river and wildlife waking up. Seen some amazing sights fishing, that otherwise would have been missed. I also have a couple of favourite fisheries that I visit from time to time, that have great panoramic views.



Peter

[Dadwood]

Originally Posted by geejayy

More often than not i prefer my own company.
when i fish i seek tranquility, that need to escape the madding crowd.
just me and my rods in search of a fish while enjoying the enviroment.

That's me described to a tee. I suppose I prefer the 'loner' approach because I live such a stressful and ridiculously busy life for most of the time. Kind regards.

[chazyboi]

only on fishing partner for me my youngest girl my old fishing partner ended up in bosnia and afgan and went loopy couldnt replace him so just me and lulu lol , i keep options open so i dont get bored river fishing,lakes pike carp, local canal and we have loads in brum ,and i like to wet a fly and sea not tried boat yet but will

[Banana Steve]

I would have to say that, I enjoy the fishing I do and tend to make the best out of the situation i am in. I find that i tend to enjoy the enviroment i am in rather than the type of fishing. I have been to venues that fish well but look and feel like a dump. Where as i have fished where the grounds are kept up-together and the fishing can be hard. There is nothing worse than turning up to find someone else rubbish in your swim. However, i dont leave it there i tend to pick it up and take it home.

But to answer the question I tend to lean toward the Social side of fishing maybe at least 65% of my fishing. However they tend to be more friends than strangers.

[crutchley]

Me persoanlly I fish 90%. Of my time solo, and the other 10% odd evening session with 2 or 3 lads I bump itno on the banks but I prefer to fish alone on the severn as its peacefull tranquaill no hassle 80% of the time noone else around to keep talking and disturb your fishing time I just enjoy being on the banks with the birds the water and the elements! Woudlnt have it any other way