Have you had to choose a life in the woods or on the saltwater?

[NEmike92]

First post by the way. Surprised it took me this long.

Basically, I'm torn. I grew up in AZ. All my exploring, hunting, off-roading started in the desert. I then moved to the Idaho Panhandle. Continued everything i loved. Spent every moment i had deep in the woods. Rough terrain nonetheless. But then life set in,

For a job that I no longer have got me to move to New England. CT to be exact. I lost everything i enjoyed back west. But I have become an exteme saltwater fisherman. In 5 years I have had a few boats, go out 3+ times a week and even became a part-time/fill-in mate on a charter. Often 40 miles off shore.

But that lifestyle is taking a toll on me. Mentally and financially. It just seems unsustainable. Everything about a 25' boat at a marina is big bucks and we're not talking deer.

But my love for the outdoors is too strong. If I dont have that here, I'll have nothing here. I am debating if moving back west is in my cards.

Of course if anyone is familiar with the Panhandle, there are 3 massive lakes for fishing. Some of those fish can be bigger than the fish I'll get out here. But I never got to involved in fishing there, I had enough going between hunting, hiking, shooting, exploring in the sxs, ect.


Has anyone else had to make similar decisions/sacrifices? Thanks.

 

[JeffRaines]

While I can’t say I’m in your position, I can tell you there’s nothing that would get me to move back to the east coast or south from the mountain west.

We have saltwater fishing over here, albeit different. Maybe move back and look into getting a boat you can trailer to the coast(OR or WA) to get your fishing fix when you want.

 

[gbflyer]

Southeast Alaska. We have both.

 

[TreeDux]

Kind of. I have a lot to be thankful for in eastern NC. We have everything from farm ponds to the Gulf Stream with a broad spectrum in between. Private land is tough to access for hunting but clubs have openings, leasing comes available, and good public land opportunities exist for a solid range of species. But I do love the west and all the opportunities to explore an hunt amazing country and actually be able to get away from people ( sometimes). I never made that jump but I certainly understand the conundrum. You’re not alone is my message, I suppose.

Your comment on the unsustainable nature of your current pursuit seems pretty accurate also. Nothing about offshore fishing is cheap or even reasonably priced. Nothing. I love it but it’s something to do when I get an invite or charter a boat occasionally with friends. That reality will not change. There are certainly better places to get your salt fix than CT, but It’s hard to think of another pursuit currently more susceptible to the laws of diminishing returns than saltwater fishing. Unfortunately western big game hunting is in that category as well.

If you truly have the opportunity to go in either direction that’s great, and somewhat enviable. Only you can figure out what will make you happier.

 

[bigbassin]

Not quite the same as New England vs the West, but I had a choice between North Georgia and Tampa.

Lived in Tampa and hated every minute of it. Enjoyed being able to catch snook off the beach, could catch a 5 pound bass weekly, and the availability to duck hunt. But otherwise couldn’t stand the place.

Moved to Georgia and am loving every minute of it. Deer hunting is night and day better, endless amounts of public land (at least compared to Florida), hiking and backpacking, can fish for bass in the rivers (not nearly as big as Florida, but feels more adventurous to hike to a river and wade all day), trout fishing, driving distance to skiing in NC for the day, etc. I just feel there’s way more variety up here.

I do miss duck hunting and fly fishing for snook, but otherwise don’t care if I ever see the coast again.

 

[Loper]

What about off shore fishing appeals to you? Is it types or variety of fish? The size of the fish? Being on the water? Being outdoors? The whole process?

I ask because there’s plenty of saltwater fishing that can be done that does not involve big boats and going 40 miles out, just depends on where you live.

 

[TreeDux]

Lived in Tampa and hated every minute of it.

I’ve spent a decent amount of time in Florida. Really liked a lot of places throughout the state. Tampa does NOT make that list.

 

[NEmike92]

What about off shore fishing appeals to you? Is it types or variety of fish? The size of the fish? Being on the water? Being outdoors? The whole process?

I ask because there’s plenty of saltwater fishing that can be done that does not involve big boats and going 40 miles out, just depends on where you live.

I go way off shore maybe 5 times on ny boat but frequently on others boats or the charter I help on. Otherwise I'm 1-10 miles catching striped bass, flounder or just enjoying a boat ride.

I recently made a reddit post explaining what all 3 places have in common (AZ desert, deep ID terrain, and the ocean), its the inherent danger and the isolation each one had on its own in a unique way. I think the fishing comes as a bonus - plus, there is an undeniable decline in the quality of fishing this year - including tuna. It closed after just a few weeks. Ruined some charter guys.

I love the maintaining of a boat, the HP, the preparation, but similar to an engine on a ATV or my SXS - any SXS guys know how that can be. Its possible hunting comes as a bonus too and its what leads up to that is what I love and miss.

Let's not kid ourselves..CT is nothing like the west. Although not politically killed like I'd imagine some states. Private land is everywhere -heck, they owned it since the 1600! My shooting nearly got completely shut down! Most of my firearms have been in the safe for two years now except my trusty "house warming gift" as I call it.

 

[bigbassin]

Lived in Tampa and hated every minute of it.

I’ve spent a decent amount of time in Florida. Really liked a lot of places throughout the state. Tampa does NOT make that list.

Grew up in Florida so I’ve been all over. Tampa was by far my least favorite spot, but I still wouldn’t trade access to the mountains for anywhere there.

 

[dtrkyman]

I feel the same, I’m living around the mountains but have been missing the salt!

I plan to spend my time 50/50 at some point!

I told my wife years ago that had I gone saltwater fishing prior to starting to bow hunt I would have never come home!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NMNomad]

Grew up in the woods, and on the beaches of Florida. This chapter of my life has us in the southwest exploring the high desert and the mountains. You go where the money flows. I love the mountains, but I equally miss the water. Life is what you make it.

 

[JR Greenhorn]

You're going to get a lot of recommendations for specific places. However, I think if you're unsure of what you want, maybe you should spend some time traveling? Focus on places that are new to you. Maybe you'll find a place where you can scratch both the woods and fishing itch? Seems like Maine would be a good place for that, or the Great Lakes.

 

[SloppyJ]

Man thats tough. I stayed a few weeks on base with my brother and sister in law in the keys. I woke up early every day, walked 100yds to the dock and hopped in the boat. I netted bait in the bay and then went fishing a few miles off shore and was back by breakfast. That would be a sweet life but it will take a toll on you. I feel its unsustainable as you mentioned. I 100% see the allure though.

I live in the ozarks and have tons of protected country right out my back door. Thats also amazing.

We are trying to find 10-20ac that butts up to national forest to eventually build a house on. I think that lifestyle is much more approachable long term. Ive never lived in the west but can imagine its the same way. I think the salt water way of life is a young man's game. Plus the weather down there is plain brutal.

Sounds like you have options. Go with whatever your gut tells you and it sounds like that's mountain country.

 

[North of 60]

Sometimes it isn't which is the perfect choice to make, but which one overall has more pros compared to the other?

Being an alpine kind of guy, i know which one i would choose of those two choices

And i'm with gbflyer...SE Alaska is a good choice to have both.

 

[Tradchef]

I grew up in Northwoods in Vermont and moved out west 24 years ago. I love it out here but there's some great stuff back there I miss. Career wise for me it's better on either coast but lifestyle wise I couldn't deal with the politics even 30 years ago you could see it changing. I miss big lake fishing and ocean trips but I make due with mountain lake fishing here in Montana since the rivers seem to be overflowing with fly fisherman that spend too much on gear and not enough on a lesson in casting. I can scout for elk and backpack in and see no one. Take a look at NH or Maine. Both are solid places and offer good hunting and fishing and are close by. It's worth a look. That being said I wouldn't blame you for moving back to Idaho. My vote is mountains over ocean.

 

[Jon Boy]

I fight the same battle growing up in wa and missing the coast. But I’ll likely never leave Montana. Idaho steelhead 5 hours away and a guided trip or two kind of scratch the itch. Living in Idaho near the Clearwater or salmon might scratch the itch completely, and might be an option for you.

 

[bojangles808]

I can hunt and surf year-round so kinda have best of both worlds but I'd probably pick mountains over any contiguous 48 beach locale barring maybe being rich in north county san diego

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I live near Puget Sound in WA, I do both. I keep my '24 boat in a marina so it's ready to go all the time. We have also trailered it out to the ocean a couple times for bottom fish. I am kind of fortunate as our salmon and other fishing and hunting seasons do not really overlap as I don't bow hunt the early elk and deer seasons in September. I also choose fishing in the spring over turkey hunting. Plus I'm retired so I guess I'm pretty lucky with this unique combination. Fishing from early May to mid-September, hunting From end September to near the end of November (Mule deer Muzzleloader, Mule deer rifle, Rifle elk in WA, then whitetail in MO).