Fishing and Other Things I Love

by Captain James Weeks

What Fishing Provides Me

I have been fishing for over three decades, and let me tell you, I’m not sick of it yet. In fact, I keep finding things to love about it more and more each day I set out on my boat and cast my line. There are so many things to love about fishing; you have the chance to spend time in nature, it’s a leisure activity that keeps you active, you bond with people you do it with, you learn a significant survival skill, and so much more! As a captain and fishing guide with Reel N Time Fishing Charters, I get to experience the benefits of fishing every time I take clients out to the abundant waters of Thomson, Georgia. I love providing enjoyable experiences to all types of anglers, whether they are just starting out or have already bagged an impressive amount of catches. That’s another reason fishing is just plain awesome. It can be fun for everyone, even the little ones!

Fishing can bring out the competitiveness in a person, and I am no exception to that. The competitive element is another part of why fishing is so much fun for me. The challenge it brings can end up making you feel so rewarded when you finally land a fish or a certain fishing goal you’ve been vying for a long time. It’s also fun to engage in a little bit of healthy competition with other anglers, especially your fishing buddies. The memories you get to make when you get competitive with your friends or family on a fishing day can end up being funny and touching! Fishing tournaments also allow you to win some titles and prizes that you can be proud of. 

Speaking of being competitive, most people don’t know that I also participate in archery tournaments. I am competitive at everything, so I have other hobbies that light that fire within me. I also love to go hunting. There are tons of places in Georgia where you can go fishing and hunting at the same time, as long as you have your licenses in order. The nearest fishing and hunting site in Thomson is the McDuffie Public Fishing Area, located just a few miles west of where I’m based. There’s also an archery range that I can use, so I get to enjoy all my beloved activities there. McDuffie’s longleaf pines and sandy soils showcase the perfect environment for catching freshwater fish like largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and redear sunfish from its many ponds and lakes. I seldomly get to target these species because my fishing charter focuses on teaching clients how to catch striped bass and crappie, which are my specialty game fish. Hunting in McDuffie is also great for those who like to target birds such as doves and waterfowl. So when I’m feeling extra amped up on a particular day, I go there to engage in all the things I love to do while being immersed in the fantastic outdoor sceneries of Georgia’s upper coastal plain. 

Another thing I love about chasing live fish is I get to do it all over the country. My family and I travel all over to pursue fishing opportunities that we otherwise would not find around Thomson. A fishing trip with my charter service would often look like clients and me going crappie and striped bass fishing in Clarks Hill Lake. So it’s nice to broaden my horizons and pursue other fish species and waterways around the country. An amazing thing about traveling to fish is that there’s always something new to learn every time I head out of the water. I know how fishing affects a certain place and how the environment helps fish and people to thrive. I improve my angling skills by experiencing different ecosystems and discovering how fish behave in those areas. I can even brag about catching a variety of native fish species from all over the nation. 

Another thing that I love about traveling and fishing with my family because I think it’s an intense bonding experience that lets us make lasting and memorable memories that will last a lifetime, and we can fondly reminisce about them. I believe fishing does make your bond with people more remarkable because when you undergo something that makes you feel the thrill of whether or not you successfully land a fish, both the sense of accomplishment and the instances of failure can supply enlightening moments that help you connect with those you’re fishing with. It is also why I love being a fishing guide and mentor to my clients. Any fishing adventure you embark on with other people can bring you closer together. 

Aside from the fulfillment fishing provides me, let’s not forget why fishing exists in the first place. Survival. Yep, that’s right. We fish because we need to eat. Fishing to eat is one of the best reasons why one should get into it. Eating fish has a ton of health benefits, and you can get creative with your recipes! Fish gives us some of the tastiest meat we can eat, cooked or raw, and you can’t say that about any other type of meat. One of my favorite fish dishes is grilled crappie. On a black stone grill, I cook a mild crappie fillet that I season with salt, pepper, lemon, and creole spices. I let it grill on butter on one side for four minutes and then flipped it and cooked it for another three minutes on the other side. It’s simple yet so delicious! Those who book with me and my charter can ask me to clean and fillet their catches if they want. 

Thinking about all the things fishing provides me strengthens my love for it. I want to share that passion for fishing with other people. So if you want to experience why fishing is so amazing, book with me and Reel N’ Time Fishing Charters next time you’re around the area. Let me share why fishing is fantastic, and maybe we can trade a couple of recipes! Check out my charter’s website and Facebook to learn more.