Re: Does anyone else go out alone? I've just about had it with my friends...
I've always preferred to go out alone with a few exceptions, which I'll mention later.
I only go in order to fish and relax. No water skiing or other recreational boating that others enjoy so much. Nothing against it, it's just not my thing.
I guess I'm selfish, but when I go out, I like to do what I want to do and fish the way I want to fish. I don't want to have to wait until someone else is ready to go out, or come in when they want to come in. Or troll because they want to troll when I want to cast the banks. Or vice versa.
And, of course, there's the issue of financial and physical help. The last time I took someone else with me he assured me that he had his own equipment. He showed up at my house on time with one old rod and a reel that the pawl and guide was worn out on. He had a few old battered up plugs and nothing else. He ended up borrowing one of my good rod and reels and used my plugs for the most part because he didn't have anything of the "right color".
I have to say he didn't do any damage to my equipment or plugs so that's a point in his favor. And, he did catch some of the fish. But, he spent almost as much time untangling backlashes as he did fishing. That was OK because it was time to change the line on that reel anyhow.
We filled up with gas on the way and he conveniently went to the restroom while I paid for the gas and some munchies to supplement our lunch. At least he did bring his own lunch.
The bass didn't start hitting until almost one in the afternoon and at one fifteen he announced that he thought maybe we should start home pretty soon since he had told his wife he would be home by about three and we were an hour and a half from home. Needless to say we didn't start home until I got ready - almost five o'clock.
We got to my house and he grabbed his half of the fish and took off for home mumbling about his wife being mad at him. Didn't even say thanks to me.
I backed the boat in and unloaded everything. Which, in this case, included batteries and trolling motor as well as tackle and tackle boxes.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: He stood by and watched while I launched the boat and took it out by myself at the end of the day.
Next time I saw him he mentioned going again. I assured him we would go again - sometime. And, we probably will. As soon as hell freezes over.
Now for the exceptions: My wife, who is a fantastic fishing partner. She does her share of the work and then some. My two grandsons. One sixteen and one eighteen. Good partners either separately or together. My dog, who is content to lay down in the bottom of the boat all day and all he asks is an occasional chance to frolic in the water. His only bad point is his propensity for rolling in dead fish or anything else equally repugnant. That I can put up with, for the sake of his companionship.
i was on a mission though. i'd over heated in my driveway on the hose last night. wanted to be sure nothing was wrong with her... she purred like a kitten... i am referring to the boat now of course.. 
