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

[akhunter3]

PNW and Alaska have both; NC too (sort of) if your not opposed to a few hours of driving to get to one or the other.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Both. And when I retire, it will be somewhere eI can chase bonefish or tarpon with my fly rod whenever I want.

That’s exactly what I’m thinking and it’s less than three years away! May through October or maybe a little into November in Alaska, and the rest of the year through April in South Florida… or maybe even somewhere in Central America.


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[thinhorn_AK]

That’s exactly what I’m thinking and it’s less than three years away! May through October or maybe a little into November in Alaska, and the rest of the year through April in South Florida… or maybe even somewhere in Central America.


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That would be great. Keep residency in AK and just fish Florida as a non resident.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Woods for sure,I enjoy some time on the water, but give me the woods.

 

[roosiebull]

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.

Easy for me, I have worked on the ocean my whole life, and by choice, I will pick the woods every single time. I feel like just recreation based, the woods is a better environment for the soul

Fishing the ocean is fun, but I would never consider trading it for the woods.

 

[Mike Islander]

50,000 acres of public hunting land, in real woods, in CT. Less than hour drive from the coast. What's the problem?

 

[Burnsie]

I enjoy walleye and ice fishing in the Midwest, but I've never been an ocean/beach guy. Pretty much everyone I know, when you talk about vacations, their mind immediately goes to what beach they are going to next. I've done a few Cancun and Florida trips, but after a couple days I'm like meh? I can only sit around at the beach for so long. I've been out ocean fishing a couple times, all I do is get sick. Maybe I would get use to it over time, but I'm not interested in putting in the time to get there. Big woods are my jam. It doesn't necessarily even need to be in the mountains, although I love the mountains. Put me in big tracks of land where roads are few and terrain is interesting, that's where I want to be. Northwoods of Wisconsin or Minnesota or Maine work for me - the ocean doesn't do anything for me. Probably why I've never had any interest in going on a cruise.

 

[yfarm]

Knees shot? From what?

I think I'd choose salt. I've had enough mountains and the salt is new and exciting, for me.

From standing at the helm of a 31 Contender traveling 100-150 miles a day in 3-6ft seas. While my knees arent shot my body is fatigued after 35 years of it.

 

[Idaboy]

Woods, you can find different tribes

Water....that's a long time on a boat with someone

 

[Shinebox]

Born in Southwest FL, spent a good chunk of the last decade spending all my money chasing Tarpon with a fly rod (profile picture). My wife finally gave me the green light to buy a place in NW Montana (I have family up here) so I was fortunate enough to find a little house in the mountains. I love it up here, and I miss the Tarpon, but If I had to choose one or the other It would probably be the woods. End game is to sell the current house in FL and pick up a condo in Everglades City, because getting lost down there is a blast.

 

[svivian]

Places Like New Zealand give you alot of both in a short distance.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Born in Southwest FL, spent a good chunk of the last decade spending all my money chasing Tarpon with a fly rod (profile picture). My wife finally gave me the green light to buy a place in NW Montana (I have family up here) so I was fortunate enough to find a little house in the mountains. I love it up here, and I miss the Tarpon, but If I had to choose one or the other It would probably be the woods. End game is to sell the current house in FL and pick up a condo in Everglades City, because getting lost down there is a blast.

Everglades City/Chokoloskee, and Naples are the places/areas I’ve been looking at as well, but I don’t think I could do a condo. I’ve spent quite a bit of time chasing snook and baby tarpon with a fly rod in the Everglades City area, and I could definitely see myself doing that every year for 5 months or so.


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[DangerRanger]

Probably saltwater/coastal fishing for me honestly

 

[bozeman]

I grew up on 40 acres in west AL, live on 10 acres now. I do enjoy the woods and especially when the gobblers start in the spring, but, we now have a place down on the coast as well and I just can't wait to visit each time I get a chance. Something about being on the water, the waves, the motion, the salty air. Blessed to have both at the moment, but if I had to choose.....probably would be on the water.