Golf vs. Fishing (from a boat)

[Golfbit2X]

I'm a long-time angler (10 years) and a second-life (3 years+) golfer. This is my first year that I haven't taken out my boat so I'm starting this thread to make myself feel less guilty. 

 

I'd also like to share the Pros and Cons of both hobbies and possibly get some input from other WRXers who may also share the same hobbies. 

 

Fishing - Pros:

  1. Adrenalin rush

  2. Family time

  3. WOT

  4. Exercise

Fishing - Cons:

   1. Time consuming - Prep and clean time: 8+ hours

   2. No trophies

   3. Flesh-eating bacteria

   4. Exhausting 

   5. Maintenence

   6. Wake-up early

   7. Expensive

   8. Lightning

   9. Sharks

  10. Bad weather

  11. Cleaning fish

  12. Retrieving anchor

 

Note: I have an 18 foot center console. 

 

Golf - Pros:

  1. Trophies

  2. Hole in one

  3. Prep/Clean-up time: 30 minutes (electric push cart)

  4. No sharks (except for one course in Australia that has bull sharks in the lake...)

  5. Exercise

  6. Skins

  7. Nearest the Pin

  8. Pars

  9. Birdies

 10. Eagles

Golf - Cons:

   1. Boring

   2. Frustrating

   3. Expensive

   4. Sand baggers

   5. Lightning

   6. Time-consuming

   7.  Bad weather

   8. No adrenalin rush

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Golfbit2X

[ApostateDrive]

Sort of similar boat as you (pun intended). I haven't fished once this year, instead I have been pouring all my free time into golf. It's fall now, so I best get out there and catch some fall bass before it's too late. 

[Hstead]

I go through streaks, fish a bunch and then golf a bunch.  I try to do both though at least once a week.  I fish mostly out of a kayak and fish skinny water rivers in TN.  I love both to be honest and am not sure which I prefer.  I am getting ready to buy a bass boat soon.  

 

 

[Golfbit2X]

39 minutes ago, Hstead said:

I go through streaks, fish a bunch and then golf a bunch.  I try to do both though at least once a week.  I fish mostly out of a kayak and fish skinny water rivers in TN.  I love both to be honest and am not sure which I prefer.  I am getting ready to buy a bass boat soon.  

 

 

It's all about the trade-offs, with a kayak, it doesn't take much time and effort to get ready and launch it plus you can sneak up to the fish but the trade-off is the comfort level. 

[mshills]

I love both, but there's a good reason you don't see too many fisherman who are good players or vice versa.  Not enough time in anyone's month and not enough funds in my budget.

 

When I lived in South FL I basically didn't play golf.  Golf in Miami-Dade sucks unless you're a member at Riviera so my hobby became nearshore fishing and the occasional offshore trip.  Offshore is work.  Loved it for the 3y I lived there -- split the ownership of a robust and very simple boat, and learned that just the upkeep in saltwater is a full-time activity!

 

Freshwater fishing is fun, but just doesn't have the same appeal.  I like to fish because I like to eat fish, so when I lived down there I killed a lot of what I caught (100% legal) and ate every ounce of what I killed.  Other than walleye, freshwater fish aren't the same table fare IMO.

[Golfbit2X]

3 hours ago, mshills said:

I love both, but there's a good reason you don't see too many fisherman who are good players or vice versa.  Not enough time in anyone's month and not enough funds in my budget.

 

When I lived in South FL I basically didn't play golf.  Golf in Miami-Dade sucks unless you're a member at Riviera so my hobby became nearshore fishing and the occasional offshore trip.  Offshore is work.  Loved it for the 3y I lived there -- split the ownership of a robust and very simple boat, and learned that just the upkeep in saltwater is a full-time activity!

 

Freshwater fishing is fun, but just doesn't have the same appeal.  I like to fish because I like to eat fish, so when I lived down there I killed a lot of what I caught (100% legal) and ate every ounce of what I killed.  Other than walleye, freshwater fish aren't the same table fare IMO.

Yes, 100% agree with you on the upkeep.

 

I've probably replaced almost everything on my boat on my own from bilge pumps, wirings, steering cable, wheel hubs (trailer), bearings, navigation lights, VHF radio, gauges, tilt button, battery, fuse box, helm seats, flooring, fuel tank, anodes, spark plugs, anchor, etc. so the time and elbow grease I've invested is substantial to keep it ship-shape so I feel a little bit sad not being able to use it at all this year.

Edited September 26, 2023 by Golfbit2X

[dugue4]

I enjoy both.  I'm much better at fishing, and if it was just fishing I would only do that.  But, like in the OP, fishing has the pre fishing trip setup, hauling the boat to the ramp early in the morning, hauling it back and all the cleanup.  Depending on how you are from the water, setup, drive time and cleanup can be 5-6 hours.

Edited September 26, 2023 by dugue4

[dugue4]

4 hours ago, mshills said:

Other than walleye, freshwater fish aren't the same table fare IMO.

have you tried crappie?

[mshills]

24 minutes ago, Golfbit2X said:

I've probably replaced almost everything on my boat on my own from bilge pumps, wirings, steering cable, wheel hubs (trailer), bearings, navigation lights, VHF radio, gauges, tilt button, battery, fuse box, helm seats, flooring, fuel tank, anodes, spark plugs, anchor, etc. so the time and elbow grease I've invested is substantial to keep it ship-shape so I feel a little bit sad not being able to use it at all this year.

 

Trailer maintenance is what I don't enjoy at all.  Thankfully I've never had a trailer failure or breakdown en route, which would be a really rough experience.

 

@dugue4 I have not, and I understand I'm missing out!

[kmay__]

I've unfortunately strayed from both due to the constant disappointment and frustration.

[dugue4]

25 minutes ago, mshills said:

I have not, and I understand I'm missing out!

You are indeed

[mshills]

Some crossover between fishing and golf....anyone remember Salty cork putter grips?  A B to install, but once on they were great.  Very little cushion (as I prefer), so much feedback, and felt better and better the more you used them....just like your favorite fishing rod.

 

Haven't been able to find them for a long time, think they're done for and no good alternative.

[kekoa]

Personally I'd love to fish more.  I'm not an ocean guy due to sea sickness so I love going for LMB.  Only issue is it is hard to get on fish without a boat so everytime we go out, we hire a local guide who charges $500/day.  This has made me less of a fisher and more of a golfer although I do love both. 

[HalfShell]

5 hours ago, mshills said:

I love both, but there's a good reason you don't see too many fisherman who are good players or vice versa.  Not enough time in anyone's month and not enough funds in my budget.

 

When I lived in South FL I basically didn't play golf.  Golf in Miami-Dade sucks unless you're a member at Riviera so my hobby became nearshore fishing and the occasional offshore trip.  Offshore is work.  Loved it for the 3y I lived there -- split the ownership of a robust and very simple boat, and learned that just the upkeep in saltwater is a full-time activity!

 

You and me both. I quit playing golf when I moved from TX to Broward County in 2015.  Part of that was due to back pain but the fishing in the Keys and the courses in south FL led to all my time being spent on the water.

 

Not enough days off work to do enough of both. If I lived on the water then I wouldn't have a new set of golf clubs in my garage, but after 8 years of trailering the boat, I see more golf in future.

 

One advantage to golf... fishing is a 12+ hour day for me, golf is about 6 including driving to the course.

 

 

Edited September 26, 2023 by HalfShell

[HalfShell]

30 minutes ago, mshills said:

Some crossover between fishing and golf....anyone remember Salty cork putter grips?  A B to install, but once on they were great.  Very little cushion (as I prefer), so much feedback, and felt better and better the more you used them....just like your favorite fishing rod.

 

Haven't been able to find them for a long time, think they're done for and no good alternative.

 

Man if I could get a pistol grip for my putter in the same cork as my St Croix Legend rods, I would be all over it.

Edited September 26, 2023 by HalfShell

[caniac6]

Never really been a fisherman, but that flesh eating bacteria has convinced me never to take it up.

[mshills]

7 minutes ago, HalfShell said:

 

Man if I could get a pistol grip for my putter in the same cork as my St Croix Legend rods, I would be all over it.

 

Man the Salty grip was the bomb.  Only downfall was they were zero taper and I never could find one in a pistol shape.  Maybe someone else will release something similar, I hope so.

[Golfbit2X]

1 hour ago, dugue4 said:

I enjoy both.  I'm much better at fishing, and if it was just fishing I would only do that.  But, like in the OP, fishing has the pre fishing trip setup, hauling the boat to the ramp early in the morning, hauling it back and all the cleanup.  Depending on how you are from the water, setup, drive time and cleanup can be 5-6 hours.

Don't forget to add an hour for fish cleaning...I decided to just drop it off at the neighborhood fish market when I got fed up with the mess and time cleaning the fish.

[Pepperturbo]

I have been fishing since childhood, fresh mostly, until later in life when I bought a big salt water sport fisher, but now golf more than fish.  Boat-less for many years, but intend to get another large boat. 

 

That said, never have I compared the two activities, except know fishing takes a lot more time than golf, least for those of us living in SoCA.  LOL Hell, it used to take me 45 mins to get from my slip to harbor mouth entering the channel, then another hour or two to get to my favorite fishing spots. Fly-fishing minor similarities, casting tempo, but nothing on the sea relates to golf.

Edited September 27, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[kekoa]

Fishing and golf. you literally can only be great at one.

[Golfbit2X]

1 hour ago, Pepperturbo said:

Been fishing since childhood, fresh mostly, till later in life when I bought a big salt water sport fisher, but now golf more than fish.  Boat-less for many years, but plan on getting another large boat. 

 

That said, never have I compared the two activities, except know fishing takes a lot more time than golf, least for those of us living in SoCA.  LOL Hell, it used to take me 45 mins to get from my slip to out the channel to the bay, then another hour or two to get to my favorite fishing spots. Fly-fishing minor similarities, casting tempo, but nothing on the sea relates to golf.

I agree, technically, you can't compare fishing to golf but there are certain attributes/skill set that are common to both hobbies/sport - see list below:

  1. Patience

  2. Strategy/Game plan

  3. Persistence

  4. Selecting the right equipment for the right target

 

[Golfbit2X]

17 minutes ago, kekoa said:

Fishing and golf. you literally can only be great at one.

I beg to disagree, case in point - Jack Nicklaus, who caught a grander black Marlin before winning the Australian Open.

[mshills]

6 hours ago, HalfShell said:

You and me both. I quit playing golf when I moved from TX to Broward County in 2015.  Part of that was due to back pain but the fishing in the Keys and the courses in south FL led to all my time being spent on the water.

 

Not enough days off work to do enough of both. If I lived on the water then I wouldn't have a new set of golf clubs in my garage, but after 8 years of trailering the boat, I see more golf in future.

 

One advantage to golf... fishing is a 12+ hour day for me, golf is about 6 including driving to the course.

Public golf in Dade and Broward is hurtin’!  With two exceptions. Key Biscayne is good, and Jacaranda in Plantation is really damn good. Still crowded and so forth, but did enjoy playing there. 

[tatertot]

19 hours ago, Golfbit2X said:

I'm a long-time angler (10 years) and a second-life (3 years+) golfer. This is my first year that I haven't taken out my boat so I'm starting this thread to make myself feeling less guilty. 

 

I'd also like to share the Pros and Cons of both hobbies and possibly get some input from other WRXers who may also share the same hobbies. 

 

Fishing - Pros:

  1. Adrenalin rush

  2. Family time

  3. WOT

  4. Exercise

Fishing - Cons:

   1. Time consuming - Prep and clean time: 8+ hours

   2. No trophies

   3. Flesh-eating bacteria

   4. Exhausting 

   5. Maintenence

   6. Wake-up early

   7. Expensive

   8. Lightning

   9. Sharks

  10. Bad weather

  11. Cleaning fish

  12. Retrieving anchor

 

Note: I have an 18 foot center console. 

 

Golf - Pros:

  1. Trophies

  2. Hole in one

  3. Prep/Clean-up time: 30 minutes (electric push cart)

  4. No sharks (except for one course in Australia that has bull sharks in the lake...)

  5. Exercise

  6. Skins

  7. Nearest the Pin

  8. Pars

  9. Birdies

 10. Eagles

Golf - Cons:

   1. Boring

   2. Frustrating

   3. Expensive

   4. Sand baggers

   5. Lightning

   6. Time-consuming

   7.  Bad weather

   8. No adrenalin rush

 

Hold on ... You don't get an adrenaline rush from golf? You ever come back from 4 down on the back 9?

[Baitkiller]

I simply hit balls from the yacht while keeping an eye on my spread. 

[bladehunter]

Flesh eating bacteria?!……Hellurrrrr!!!!!🤣

[Golfbit2X]

2 hours ago, tatertot said:

Hold on ... You don't get an adrenaline rush from golf? You ever come back from 4 down on the back 9?

I've had my fair share of hardware that I've collected from my golf league but there's still nothing like the adrenalin rush when I hear my reel sing and  battle it out with the fish, whether it's a Giant Trevally, Barracuda or Sailfish. 

 

With golf, we have to temper our emotions, control our excitement and keep our celebration low key for 18 holes in order to avoid mishitting any shots so letting the adrenalin flow during the game is not a good thing. 

 

On the other hand, having special memories in golf like hole-in-ones', eagle hole-outs, winning tournaments and/or skins allows me to derive a natural high that lasts for a really long time whenever I think about it or whenever I revisit it by looking at my journal/pin flag/trophies. 

[tatertot]

8 hours ago, Golfbit2X said:

I've had my fair share of hardware that I've collected from my golf league but there's still nothing like the adrenalin rush when I hear my reel sing and  battle it out with the fish, whether it's a Giant Trevally, Barracuda or Sailfish. 

 

With golf, we have to temper our emotions, control our excitement and keep our celebration low key for 18 holes in order to avoid mishitting any shots so letting the adrenalin flow during the game is not a good thing. 

 

On the other hand, having special memories in golf like hole-in-ones', eagle hole-outs, winning tournaments and/or skins allows me to derive a natural high that lasts for a really long time whenever I think about it or whenever I revisit it by looking at my journal/pin flag/trophies. 

Think of what's going through the mind of the fish on the other end of the line ... in the immortal words of the Road Warrior Hawk "WHAT A RUSH!"

[HalfShell]

Unless the old Bear had his own sportfisher in Australia and  ran the boat, then Jack didn't catch that black marlin.  The Captain picked where to troll, what to use, and hooked the fish. Then Jack just reeled it in which hardly makes him a great fisherman.

 

Btw, I know Panama and Costa Rica has some great fishing.  Dominican Republic has some great golf.  Where are some good destinations that have both world class fishing and world class golf?

Edited September 27, 2023 by HalfShell

[Golfbit2X]

16 minutes ago, HalfShell said:

Unless the old Bear had his own sportfisher in Australia and  ran the boat, then Jack didn't catch that black marlin.  The Captain picked where to troll, what to use, and hooked the fish. Then Jack just reeled it in which hardly makes him a great fisherman.

 

Btw, I know Panama and Costa Rica has some great fishing.  Dominican Republic has some great golf.  Where are some good destinations that have both world class fishing and world class golf?

I disagree, I've been in a few fishing tournaments, and the general rule is as long as only one angler fights the fish and nobody assists the angler while fighting the fish, then the angler is officially recognized as having fairly caught the fish.