How old is to old? (Page 3): I'm 85 and I still fish several time a week. Given, i live on a lake and don't need to launch a boat. I sold my skiff two years ago and now fish regularly...

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

I'm 85 and I still fish several time a week. Given, i live on a lake and don't need to launch a boat. I sold my skiff two years ago and now fish regularly with my pontoon. I have to fish different but still catch a lot of fish. More important, I'm on the water regularly. I'm not sure I would be comfortable using a Kayak, the pontoon gives me plenty of room to move around and I find that I'm more comfortable when I can take another angler along with me to do the heavy lifting if necessary.

NH trout Loc: West central NH

I Agree it’s how good you feel and are able to move about. I have a friend who is 88 and still hunts, and he shot an eight point buck last fall, had to call his grandson to help drag it out. Hang in there.

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

FixorFish wrote:

Like Saw, I am almost 68. Sold my whitewater kayak... (show quote)

Love that line Fix "how old would you be....." I'm 77 (calendar) but still do the stuff I did at 35 . still work hard, play golf with 40year olds, take the canoe out on both the ponds and the river (alone) yes sometimes I over exert and it takes a couple of days to recover (example tagging Stripers for the Dept of fisheries, 7 hours of fishing and pulling in 50 to 80 stripers is work ....and fun but I pay for it the next couple of days. Listen to what your body has to say then decide how much you are willing to pay to play. Tite lines

FishermanLeeSonoma

Make a list, get a fishing buddy or two to give you a hand. Never hurts to have a buddy fishing with you and there is no shame in getting a little help to keep you on the water, if that's what you want to keep doing.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Hu Jerry. I'm 74 and after a lifetime of farming and construction work I've got a few week spots. I went to harbor freight and bought a 2500 lb winch with both wired and remote control to assist in loading my boat. I'm going to fish as long as i can. Winch will help.

woodNfish Loc: Laconia, New Hampshire

Kayaks are not very stable and getting in and out of sit in kayaks is especially difficult. Have you considered a recumbant pontoon boat? They are stable, you can put a trolling motor on some of them and they have a regular chair as a seat. Much better for us old farts.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

saw1 wrote:

Fortunately that's never happened to me. However, ... (show quote)

There ya go...I’ve got the little swim deck with the two flip over steps that’s bolted to the transom next to the motor. It works well in the water, as well as when it’s on the trailer....🐟on

Rcl101845-

Go for it. You will always find a way. Take your time.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

I don’t think anybody is trying to discourage anyone from doing what they love. My point is to consider your abilities and proceed safely in what ever you do. Whether it be working, fishing or what ever. I think, at least for us( seasoned) fellers... we’re not as good as we once was....🐟on

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

DozerDave wrote:

I don’t think anybody is trying to discourage anyone from doing what they love. My point is to consider your abilities and proceed safely in what ever you do. Whether it be working, fishing or what ever. I think, at least for us( seasoned) fellers... we’re not as good as we once was....🐟on

But I'm as good once as I ever was.

Yeah right. We wish.

NewFisher Loc: Sam Rayburn TX

I’m 73 my wife 68. We just bought a boat and love it. Several people have it right. It not a number. We have two flat water kayaks and enjoy the calm waters. The question is, which type. Sit in requires you to be agile enough to tuck yourself in the hole. Sit on is easy to mount but you are more likely to get wet. Not good in cold weather. Good boating to you.

MrE Loc: Big Rapids MI

Very good advice/response!

Harris T. Fudpucker Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

DozerDave wrote:

I don’t think anybody is trying to discourage anyone from doing what they love. My point is to consider your abilities and proceed safely in what ever you do. Whether it be working, fishing or what ever. I think, at least for us( seasoned) fellers... we’re not as good as we once was....🐟on

As the saying goes, 'it takes me all night, to do what I use to do, all night'. But I still do it!! But I limit how much fishing at night. As we get older, it only means to be more careful, NOT to stop. I love to fish and hunt. I climb trees, up to my stand, and although I don't hunt for 6hrs, I still hunt. I have a smaller boat, and just put in a new Tohatsu 40hp motor, well the dealer did. But I did take off the 40 Yamaha that was there. I have since added a new depth finder, and a tachometer. I plan on going out this Sunday, depending on the weather, then again Tuesday and Wednesday. I do most things by myself, and I have a few friends that ask it they can help. I turn them down, on help. Not because I think they will screw up, but because, I know if they do help, I will have to push myself harder, and that might be a problem. Take things at your own pace, and enjoy what ever you do. Stay safe!

Brownsville Tony Loc: Brownsville - Laguna Madre

I gave up kayak fishing about 5 years ago when I was 78 and went back to boat fishing. Kayaks take a lot out of you even when you're feeling great. Now I admit I have the best of all worlds the way it is now, but it costs $$. I have a 20' tunnel boat that I keep in a dry storage marina. ($185 a month). When I want to go out I call before I leave home and they put it in the water for me. I can fuel up at a dock side bait shop just around the corner of the channel. I fish for three hours or so and then dock my boat back at the marina. They lift it out with a fork lift, wash it down, flush the engine and put her back to bed along with about 150 of her sisters. Granted, I'm limited to fishing the Laguna Madre area around South Padre Island, but that is akin to telling a kid in a candy store he is limited to the front of the store. My wife gets all antsy when I fish alone and I have trouble finding partners during the week, but that too is not a real problem. You can't kayak alone either if you have any sense of being even minimally safe. If there is a will there is a way. I have no plans to stop any time soon.

kfsrmn Loc: Lake Havasu AZ

I will be 81 in another month. My wife just turned 83. We both still paddle 6-8 miles 3 days a week. Her boat is 16' long and 19" wide. My touring kayak is 17'7" and 22" wide. My fishing kayak is a sit on 15' long and 24" wide. We use a trailer to transport the kayaks. This way I don't have to load and unload when we want to use them or park the car in the garage.
If you want to fish from a kayak there are a lot of different ones available. Some you paddle and some you peddle. Some even have electric motors. There are very good seats available now with good back support. Electronics are easy if you want them.
Inflatables have come a long way and Sea Eagle has some good ones. Kayaks and boats. Check them out.
5 years ago my wife was having some health issues so I bought a 12' Port A Bote and a 6hp engine. I was able to load and unload the boat from the roof rack on my Chevy Tracker by myself and it is just under 100 lbs. Again a trailer is a lot easier. Very stable boat but not very fast. We could cruise at 10 mph.