So my wife and I are discussing my fishing future. I'm 36 years old and had open heart surgery about 4 weeks ago to fix a freak issue that we had no idea was there. I do have to take anti-coagulants the rest of my life because of my new heart valve. Prior to all this I was in excellent health and there is no reason to think I can't or won't return there.
I USED to go fishing by myself before all this occurred. She always thought it was dangerous but when I'm by myself I'm less likely to do dumb stuff because there is no one there to rescue me. Her concern now is the fact if I get hurt somehow when I'm out by myself that I wouldn't be able to get help. I don't really fear the medications and what they are for, I just know that I have to be more careful and that I need a WELL equipped first aid kit on the boat for possible excess bleeding.
Of course this is all once I get the OK from the doctor to fish and drive the boat. I already told her that if she never wants me fishing by myself for fear that something will happen that I might as well sell the boat. I have no way of counting on friends, nephews, brother or anyone else to be able to fish when I can. Especially since I live so close to Eagle Mountain and Worth. Spur of the moment after work trips happened all the time. What do you all think?

Brother, that's a tough one. But you have to live life. You can't let this keep you sitting on the couch for the rest of life. Go for it.

I think you'll be fine. The same stuff that's bad for your body is bad for everyone elses. Two major things you have to worry about with blood thinners, head trauma and massive abdominal trauma. Any cut you may get while in the boat should be fairly easy to manage. I'm in the medical field and very rarely see anyone who takes blood thinners have serious issues with them. Having said that, 95% on the time I fish alone.

Wife has same concerns. I wear the inflatable vest just in case.

This is good to know. I think she was worried about clot time but I know as long as the meds are in range that it just takes a little longer to clot and stop, it's not a matter of it won't. As far as head or abdominal trauma, I think if you're on a boat and it happens to ANYONE then you're in trouble, period.
I think if I keep my longer trips away from the house planned with a partner and spur of the moment trips to lakes close to home and medical facilities then I will be ok. Anyone else want to weigh in?

I had a heart attack at 43 and had 3 stents inserted. Have gone back twice now with chest pain and now have 7 stents. I recently took a vacation to E. Texas and got a cabin by myself on the lake. Never thought twice about it but someone at work asked if I thought it safe to take a vacation by myself "with my medical condition". It never occurred to me to not go fishing, drive or anything else. You got one life and I've yet to meet a Dr that wants you to sit on the couch and grow old. They will all tell you they do what they do so you can live a full life.

My blood thinners mean if I scrape my arm it takes longer to get it to stop bleeding. So keep a first aid kit in the truck and boat and get after it!

Heck, I can't swim worth a hoot either but that doesn't keep me from fishing, whether in a float tube or a boat. I take precautions and don't let it slow me down.

As a sign of good faith, take someone the first couple of times for your 'check-out trips'. If everything is fine, go on about living your life. The likely truth is, it is less likely that fishing will be the end of it as you will do other things regularly like commuting to work that have more or just as much risk.

If it's your time to go while you're fishin, atleast you're going out doing something you love. Just my 2 cents

Smart Advice!

Personal emergency locators are under $300 now. US subscriptions are as low as $10/month. If she won't ease up, that's a valid thing to get as a compromise solution. They do not depend on cellular coverage - satellite based.

I fish alone at least 90% of the time. I have no medical issues but I hope I would never let that stop me.

Nevertheless I would encourage you to also try to understand your wife's concerns. This is all really new to her and she has no doubt been traumatized by the whole situation. Maybe give her some time to heal too.

Glad you are feeling well enough to already be thinking about getting back out there. May your recovery be quick and complete!

I fish by myself most of the time. At 65 I find myself thinking about stuff I never even considered as a younger man(no longer indestructible) like:

What if I fall out of my boat when fishing alone so I installed a transom ladder that is much easier to use than the OEM provided.

I always wear my inflatable life vest whenever I am on the boat. I am so used to it now that I feel naked without it.

I always use the safety lanyard when the boat is under way.

I have a Minn Kota iPilot trolling motor and the remote hangs around my neck so if I fall off the boat there is a decent chance I can call the boat to me without having to chase it.

I always let my wife and a friend know what lake I am going to and where I will launch(text message) and then text them as I am heading home.

If I fish long enough something unforeseen will probably happen and that's just life. At least I was out there doing what I love and not sitting on the couch fretting over something I have little control over.

Keep you cell phone charged and get on out there, fish are waiting and times a wasting.

Hey Haulin,

I will go fishing with you. I have an 03 Skeeter 190, live at Colleyville/Beford border and work in Fort Worth. I cant fish Eagle for my life but Im always willing to learn from someone better on that lake than I am. Ive never been on Worth

Hit me up if you wanna

I had serious heart issues when I was 27. Took me a lot of years getting that out of my head to move on with things I used to do. Finally realized it was out of my control anyways so figured needed to stop worrying and start fishing and hunting again.

I fish alone 90% of the time. I prefer it actually. When someone else is in my boat I worry too much about picking good areas, setting them up in the back where they can have good access and if they like fishing my style which is slow and spot locking areas to fish them well. If I am in someone else's boat, it is rare that they fish the same speed as me.

There is a section in the forums for people looking for a partner on trips. Try that for a while and let her get comfortable with you being out again. Use the cell and check in with her letting you know you are ok. You could get hurt running to the grocery store just as easily