Things To Do While Waiting To Catch Fish
When it comes to relaxing weekends, very few people will deny the instant appeal of going fishing. All it takes is a fishing pole, a well-stocked tackle box, some bait and a folding chair to get comfortable. Part of the magic is finding the perfect fishing spot. It could be a lake, a river or somewhere along the coast. It really doesn’t matter as long as the fish are biting and the weather is good.
One of the unpredictable things about fishing is waiting for the fish to bite. Some days it seems like you’ve barely cast your line and you can catch one fish after another, but other days you cast your line and find yourself waiting for an hour, or longer before you even get a sense that the fish are sniffing around your bait.
This really shouldn’t matter though because going fishing doesn’t always have to end with you coming home with a cooler full of fish. The very act of sitting close to water in blissful tranquility is relaxing and enjoyable enough, but if the fish aren’t biting you want to find an activity to help you pass the time. Here are some great activities to do while waiting to catch a fish.
Catch Up On Your Reading
You know that collection of books you have collecting dust on your bookcase? Don’t you wish you had more time to read those books? Why not pick them off the shelves one at a time and take them fishing with you? If the fish aren’t biting, you can still sit back and relax with a good book. Just set up your fishing equipment next to your chair and keep an eye on the tip of your rod for movement. If books aren’t your thing, you can always bring along your favorite sports magazine or pick up a newspaper on the way to your fishing spot. Failing that, you can just read whatever you usually read online. If you manage to catch a few fish, all the better.
Watch Those Shows You Missed
Thanks to the portability of digital devices and mobile internet you can literally watch your favorite TV shows anywhere at any time. If the fish don’t have an appetite for your bait, you can catch up on all the TV shows you normally don’t get a chance to watch. Failing that, you can simply log in to your favorite sports channel and catch a game without the usual household interruptions.
Exercise
So you didn’t make it to the gym once this week and now you’re sitting on the rocks trying to catch a fish. In between casting your line and reeling in the fish, why not do some exercises? There are dozens of workouts you can do standing up that will really focus on getting your core muscles super strong. Then you can also engage in things like Tai Chi or Yoga for a complete mind, body and soul experience. Just imagine how relaxed and toned you can get while waiting for the fish to take the bait.
Try Your Hand At Wood Carving
How many old movies have you watched with a lead character sitting in a chairwhittling wood while fishing? Have you ever thought of combining this old craft with your fishing? Whittling wood is a dying art form but one that can be very rewarding. All you need is a piece of wood, which won’t be hard to find if you’re fishing next to a river in the forest and a whittling knife or two. Sit back, relax and whittle away. It will take you a fair bit of practice, but once you get the knack of running the whittling knife over the wood, your pieces will start to take shape and you’ll be making stunning decorations for your man cave or toys for the kids.
Answer Those Neglected Emails
Our busy lifestyles often mean we don’t have the time to get everything done and if you are constantly bombarded with emails you have the choices of answering all of them, answering some of them or deleting them entirely. Sitting next to an idle fishing rod is the perfect time to go through your inbox and answer all the emails you’ve accumulated during the week. If they aren’t worthy of your time, you’ll at least be able to delete them all and clear your inbox.
Enjoy Some Human Bonding
If you’ve missed hanging out with your buddies or you can’t remember the last time you had a deep and meaningful conversation with your significant other, why not invite them to go fishing with you? Fishing is a great way to catch up with your old friends and who doesn’t like the idea of packing a few sandwiches and a six pack or two to share with your buddies. Your significant other may also appreciate being invited to your sanctuary and it’ll be a great opportunity to spend some quality time together while waiting to catch a fish.
Sneak In Some ZZZ Time
When was the last time you were able to take a nap during the day? Between work, family, friends and other activities we are constantly rushing around and finding we have less and less time to just sit back and relax. There is even less time in the modern lifestyle to take a nap during the day. If the fish don’t seem interested you can always sneak in a daytime nap or two. Get comfortable in your chair, pull your fishing hat over your eyes and take a power nap. Most daytime naps only last 15 to 20 minutes but they can be incredibly rejuvenating.
Obviously, the main purpose of going fishing is to catch some fish. Whether your intent is catch and release, or you’re hoping to catch enough for a family dinner is up to you. Fishing is a beneficial and relaxing past time and has been for centuries. Hopefully, you’ll be busy reeling them in, but if the fish aren’t cooperating, you can always help pass the time with an activity or two.
