Just when the fishing was getting right

[Terrierman]

Been down that road, have the scars to prove it. My experience: Walking for exercise helps a lot. Don't know if you struggle with weight or not but either way, getting to and keeping a healthy weight also helps a lot. Core strengthening too. A good physical therapist can help you learn how to strengthen where you need it and also improve flexibility which is also important. Hope you get to feeling better soon. None of the previous are easy, but are worth it to live without that constant burning pain.

[Clay Goforth]

Hate to hear this, man! If you need anything, I'm right down the road. Remember that!

[moguy1973]

I'm at the chiropractor right now. This is a recurring problem that started in 2009 & flares up every 6-12 months. This time I got the pain level up to a 9. There is no comfort zone.

I've got an inversion table that really helps, once I get over the hump.

Things you take for granted & can't do:

Putting on your shoes, standing up straight, walking, sleeping, picking up my child, doing laundry, dishes, taking out trash. General daily routine is totally shot.

I've been to level 9 a couple times. It's where I can't move at all, and if I do it takes my breath away it hurts so bad. I was trapped in my car once because I couldn't swing my leg out of the car to get out. Had to call my wife to come home and help me out. Back problems are no joke. My wife's chiro is great and when it gets that bad she really helps a lot.

[dtrs5kprs]

Will keep you in our prayers Charlie. Too many smallmouth to catch to spend spring hanging upside down.

[David Unnerstall]

Hopefully it is just a spasm. For me a spasm feels just like a serious back injury but goes away in days. I used to lift in powerlifting tournaments (I wasn't any good) and had surgery in '96. I was fine up until a few years ago. It failed where it was operated on. I had three days of pain and then numbness down the leg. I will take the numbness and slight weakness over the pain. I do limit what I will pick up to my own bodyweight.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Man hate to here that, hopefully a speedy recovery!

[bfishn]

I prescribe acupuncture with straightened barbless Gammies.

Seriously though, hope you get better soon.

[Guest]

Thanks y'all. Probably about 3 weeks of rehab before fishing resumes. Even then, I'm going to bank fish on windy days & go back to the basics for a while. April is a good month to drown live bait & get lucky. The boat ain't leaving the driveway unless I'm riding shotgun & sitting in the back. Might need to swap the seat for a more comfortable setup. Redefine recreational fishing. No more working for bites or running the lake. Just go leisure fishing for a change.

[Guest]

I've completed 2 sessions of spinal decompression. That unlocked my back & pelvis so I can walk without the cane. Got 3 more to go next week. Hopefully get released in 3 weeks.

I can stand or lay down, but sitting or reclining is bad news. No climbing either. Not sure that dipping in the minnow bucket is a good idea. Meds a longer net handle. Lol

Gonna bring the cane & grabber to assist in anyway.

Gonna try for crappie at Beaver tomorrow. First trip this month. I can't sit on the sidelines any longer.

The main thing is have fun & don't carry anything heavy. Will post a report.

[Ham]

I have described myself as living and dying on every hookset and that is often the sad truth. I take it way too seriously.

So I had a pseudo-epiphany on my trip down south, we had to scramble a little to find them, but in the end we caught them ok. We had a good time together which was the real point of the whole deal. If we had not been at the right place at the right time, we might not have caught much at all, but it really wouldn't have said all that much about our skill level as fisherman. I do keep coming back to the fact that catching fish is a lot more fun than not catch them.

I've never been a bass only guy. I enjoy all kinds of fish and often another guys trash fish is a treasure to me, but I'm still learning to have a good time even when the fishing is slow. I want to whack em every time out.