How do you balance it?

[William Novotny]

So it seems almost immediately after getting back in a yak, I also started a new job that has me working 60 hour weeks. Im greatful for the solid work and overtime but am starting to feel like my addiction to this sport is going to be put on the far back burner for awhile so I can focus on the new job. I even considered selling the yak just to get it in someones hands that will put it to use. Sundays are traditionally family day for me and im torn between quality time with my daughter and getting on the water. Anyone else in a similar situation? Previously working from home gave me the freedom to set my own hours. Guess im not used to punching a clock, I feel all caged up. Thanks for reading my rant. Sorry no fish porn....i guess my only consolation is that the fishing has been crap and im not missin much, or so im told

[J3FFro]

60hours/week? I'm guessing saturdays as well?

I clock in about ~45hrs/week 2nd shift, have 2 young boys (not your typical calm ones) that I have to take to school/pick up from school --the normal deal. I try to swap around saturday - sunday, depending on my wife's work schedule.

You should tell your wife, "I've been working too hard, you need to relax, take a few sundays here n there to ....

[Rhynik]

I average 56-62 hours a week right now, working nights. Most people's usual fishing time is my sleeping time. Unfortunately I only get to average 1-2 trips a month right now.

[Caffeind]

Hey Will, glad to hear you got some steady cabbage comin' in...you'll only benefit from that, now and in the long run. Bummer the tat thing can't be full time, you're very talented from what I've seen.
Keep the yak handy, man...and try to stay in "pounce mode" with your gear.
I've been frustrated by the same feeling before...but in the end I kept my head straight with some realizations...
Fishing is a life long passion and your time for it will come and go. It shouldn't be an all or nothing situation. The key is to look for those windows.
Don't stress about the right tides, fishing reports, etc. and just go whenever you can, even if its a few hours in the harbor for a bass session or taking your daughter to a park lake.
Yah, you'll still be dreaming of the trophy fish and seeing the greener grass of those who seem to fish daily, but in the end you know you're doing what's right for you and your family...and face it, fishing is 2nd or 3rd...accept that and be OK with it.
Good luck in the new job...hopefully this helps or you're able to make whatever changes you need to be happier.

[William Novotny]

Originally Posted by Caffeind

Hey Will, glad to hear you got some steady cabbage comin' in...you'll only benefit from that, now and in the long run. Bummer the tat thing can't be full time, you're very talented from what I've seen.
Keep the yak handy, man...and try to stay in "pounce mode" with your gear.
I've been frustrated by the same feeling before...but in the end I kept my head straight with some realizations...
Fishing is a life long passion and your time for it will come and go. It shouldn't be an all or nothing situation. The key is to look for those windows.
Don't stress about the right tides, fishing reports, etc. and just go whenever you can, even if its a few hours in the harbor for a bass session or taking your daughter to a park lake.
Yah, you'll still be dreaming of the trophy fish and seeing the greener grass of those who seem to fish daily, but in the end you know you're doing what's right for you and your family...and face it, fishing is 2nd or 3rd...accept that and be OK with it.
Good luck in the new job...hopefully this helps or you're able to make whatever changes you need to be happier.

Dude, thats exactly what I needed to hear ands thank you on the compliments. Im still tattooing, just not as much. I get up at 4am and get home around 4 pm now, 6 days a week making aerospace parts. Its not my passion by a long shot but the benifits im getting make it worth it to my family and I. I know ill be back on the water as soon as I can shuffle things around. Im just missing the freedom I had ti just "up and go".

Thanks guys. Just miss been out there. The yak is safely put away

[ChefT]

will.

This is the same tragedy i face... new job 60 plus hrs a week.... stuck in a kitchen doing what i love ... but that addiction, it drives me crazy. the good news amigo .. day light fishing time.!.. night time rodeo's ....
Pack it up, take it to work, hustle like hell, then to LJ
and enjoy the late afternoon with a few beers and hopefully a biscuit...
Im sure ill see you there ....

[jorluivil]

HOW DO YOU BALANCE IT?

You don't, don't even try. Just fish when you can, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out. When I go I tend to not pay attention to tides, moon phases and water temps as much as I do to the winds and surf. Can't go Saturday? Go on Sunday. Can't go Sunday? Go Monday.

Some of the guys that I fish with tend to crack jokes about me being on drugs because I work from 10pm until 530am, meet them at 630am and fish until 2pm, sometimes later. I've been fishing at least 1-2 times a week since May of 2011, this week marks approximately 47 straight weeks(+/- 2 weeks) that I've fished without missing a week.The best suggestions I can make: keep your batteries charged, keep your gear in working order, keep everything ready to get up and go and as soon as the moment comes.....

I fished this past Friday and Saturday and would have fished Sunday if it wasn't for the wind( I don't mind the rain), the minute I knew I wasn't going out on Sunday my gear was put back in the storage bin, my ff, bait tank and vhf batteries were put on the charger and by Sunday night I was ready to go. If someone called me and asked if I wanted to fish Monday I would have been ready to go.

Like I said, don't kill yourself trying to figure it out, just keep everything in order and fish when that window of opportunity opens up.

[gupppy]

It helps if you were near the water. The travel time really prevents me from being able to take advantage of the childless life.

[bus kid]

Jorge is right, don't even try. I put in 68 hours last week mon-sat and went out sunday. Its that time of year that the aerospace industry picks up. Happy for all the OT but I would like some more time OTW.

[lbsurf2ca]

Seabass season!!!!

[mtnbykr2]

Well this one hits home for me too, I am working longer and harder than I ever have in my life, I too come from my own business, didn't actually allow me anymore time off but at least I had saturdays, now it is the 60 hr 6 day a week thing for me as well...
In the economy as the government has made I know we should all be greatful that we are working, but the "yak addiction" is a strong one, maybe one of the strongest I have ever experienced to be honest, "BALANCE" , balance does not exist any longer, at least not in Calicorruption, so we do what we do, and enjoy it when we can, and be thankful that we are able...fish hard and enjoy it when ever you can

[Yakin]

I face the same problem too for working the crazy hours
I ended up breaking down and buying the wife a mini x so her and the kid can go screw around on the water on sundays while I'm getting my line wet
thankfully my wife and kid loves the water and share the same passion as me as fishing and when they don't want to fish they just play on they water
Good luck on the water
If your looking for someone to Ink up
I got some open skin

[PapaDave]

Well, my job has less hours, 8-5 daily five days a week, occasional OT, but I fall into the same predicament. I have to agree with all that has been said.

[xpresso2am]

I understand man! Long hours at work, family time, personal responsiblities take a chunk out of fishing time for me.

Family is always first, but you still need time for "you". I have the yak, but I drive far to my office almost an hour each way. So taking my Yak to the office can be done but is not the best use of my time if I want to wet some line. What I did was get into surf fly fishing, so on the way in and on the way home, I can get an hour or two (Light permiting) of some decent fishing.

My yaking is done early early when my family is asleep and a few hours after that. For now, (i have a small toddler) this is the best I can do. Wife works and so do I..thats our life!

The guys are right, bring gear, have it ready and when the window opens up, dont think about it...do it man!!

Keep going man. you're doing great! And congrats on the new job!

[Anthony179]

I'll be glad to work your guys OT so you guys can go fishing and I can make some extra money. Let me know when and where and I'll be thier. Just don't think i'll get the job done. LOL. At least you guys have OT. I only work 40hrs M-F and still cant get out. I've taken the yak out once in the last year. So enjoy your OT and try to go out on your day off. If you have to, take your family with you and do a half day on the water and the half with your family at the beach.

[GR6RR]

Work?! hA! I didn't even think any of y'all worked at all....

[William Novotny]

Hahaaa I have to agree with GR6RR, I never knew ya'll had demanding jobs as well. Now I dont feel so bad. As is I rinse my gear as soon as it comes off the water and it goes in my suv. Thats where it stays. And I live close to the water, less then a mile. Im Always ready to pounce. No question there. The proble m I have is me and my girl on 2 different work scheduals and its like a tag team handoff of my 18 month old. By the time my girl gets hom re for work its my bedtime cause I need to wake up at 4 a.m.. I've chalked my weekday expeditions as a loss. As for weekends im daddy daycare. I'll figure something out and work the addiction back into my life somehow. Im just glad there are other guys on here that arw in the same boat and making it work.

Anybody do any Saturday night fishing for ghosts? I'm not afraid of the dark but I wouldnt want to do it alone.

[xpresso2am]

Originally Posted by William Novotny

Hahaaa I have to agree with GR6RR, I never knew ya'll had demanding jobs as well. Now I dont feel so bad. As is I rinse my gear as soon as it comes off the water and it goes in my suv. Thats where it stays. And I live close to the water, less then a mile. Im Always ready to pounce. No question there. The proble m I have is me and my girl on 2 different work scheduals and its like a tag team handoff of my 18 month old. By the time my girl gets hom re for work its my bedtime cause I need to wake up at 4 a.m.. I've chalked my weekday expeditions as a loss. As for weekends im daddy daycare. I'll figure something out and work the addiction back into my life somehow. Im just glad there are other guys on here that arw in the same boat and making it work.

Anybody do any Saturday night fishing for ghosts? I'm not afraid of the dark but I wouldnt want to do it alone.

Lemme know when you want to go. I'm down! just a couple of things have to be done. one my son is asleep! and i have some to watch him!! daddy day and night care here!

[T Bone]

I would have to say for those working long hours it could be worse.As far as the fishing goes,you are not missing much(at the moment)but I feel the croakers are going to go off soon.I too am blessed with work right now,I am a finish carpenter working at Disney's California Adventure 6 - 10hr days this week.
I fished NPH last saturday,It was SO dead.Water was 55deg and macs were THICK - everywhere to be exact.I was getting false bottom readings when in deep water they were so thick.Just be ready to go and enjoy when you do.If you have more $$$ than time do a mothership trip.

[kobra]

Originally Posted by T Bone

I would have to say for those working long hours it could be worse.As far as the fishing goes,you are not missing much(at the moment)but I feel the croakers are going to go off soon.I too am blessed with work right now,I am a finish carpenter working at Disney's California Adventure 6 - 10hr days this week.
I fished NPH last saturday.Water was 55deg and macs were THICK - everywhere to be exact.I was getting false bottom readings when in deep water they were so thick.Just be ready to go and enjoy when you do.If you have more $$$ than time do a mothership trip.

Always great to hear fellow carpenters are working. The last few years have been the toughest in the construction industry that I have seen in the last 35 years. Hang onto that job for as long as you can and save as much OT money as you can. Things don't look too good for the next year or so at least.