Music on the water

[Mukman]

I’m curious about people’s thoughts. I received a really nice pair of sound cancelling ear buds for Christmas. With these, I can now listen to most of my music library that resides on my phone, as well as every other piece of music via Spotify. Also available are some very entertaining and thought provoking podcasts. All of these things are available anywhere I go (cell coverage notwithstanding) and I bother no one because now these sounds are in my head and nowhere else.

When I go fishing, even if I go with friends, we are not talking because we’re a ways apart from each other. Here’s my question: does the availability of these noises detract from what I go fishing for; namely disconnecting and communing with whatever body of water I’m on, or does this availability enhance the experience? I am currently undecided. I know this is a truly personal experience with no right or wrong answer, but I’m curious about where you fall.

 

[Matt B]

By myself, I don't want to have earbuds in while I am fishing. I like letting my thoughts run wild while I'm fishing.
In a boat with friends, I'm okay with music at a volume that doesn't bother anyone else (i.e. they can't hear it).

 

[MillCreekMinnow]

I listen to "self-help" audiobooks while I fish. Only so I can hide my judgement under the guise of heartfelt advice to those who need to hear it!

 

[Buzzy]

I don't want music in my ears when I fish as I really do enjoy the sounds Ma Nature offers; on the other hand, I can see noise cancelling earbuds being useful to block out other people's blasting music, eh @Tim L ? ;-)

 

[Wetswinger]

You can do as you like as long as I don’t have to hear it.!

 

[troutstalker]

I’ve tried to listen to music quite a few times while fishing but can’t seem to enjoy it and prefer to just hear and take in my surroundings.

 

[SurfnFish]

Believe the core attraction of fly fishing is being in the moment, senses tuned, no past or future, worries or anxieties at bay, just 'here now'...what better soundtrack for that than the natural one you're in

 

[krusty]

I really don't care for listening to any music while on water or rambling through the sticks afoot.

I go there to listen to whatever sounds nature offers...including silence...and to be alone in my own thoughts.

Tried it...and know it's just not something that adds to my outdoor experience. I get more than plenty of human noise to suffice.

 

[Stonedfish]

I like to blast some good classic rock on the way to fishing, but I don’t listen to it while fishing. There are certain times though when ear plugs would be handy. Like for the guy that won’t shut up on the beach early in the morning, when a guy shows up playing a bongo drum or when a guy with a really terrible singing voice is belting out Neil Young tunes while fishing.
SF

 

[Mossback]

No music on the water for me...
Sometimes in a boat on the saltwater I've been with people who play music...it's OK while motoring to a spot, but after the fishing starts no thanks.

 

[Fourbtgait]

Music, podcasts, whatever detracts the natural world for me.
Distracts me from concentration especially dangerous wading, on the flies movement, checking trees behind me, etc.
I truly dislike hearing other’s music on a lake. Sound carries. Worse is those loud voiced guys on the cell phone while in a pontoon.
You guys know who you are. You don’t care about other people

 

[johnnyboy]

My fishing music is the birds. Gulls in the saltwater, songbirds along the river (especially in the first and last hours of daylight).

 

[clarkman]

hard NO for me. I like listening to all of the surrounding sounds of the water, wind and earth....or the random musky rolling right behind me.

I took a couple of friends musky fishing several years ago....or rather they met me out there and the two of them were in their raft and I was in my boat. They had one of those bluetooth speakers and while it wasn't all that loud (at least not loud enough to disturb other boaters, etc., I think that's part of the reason they didn't see nor did they move a single fish while I moved a half dozen and stuck 2.

Now, on my way to the lake or river? best be prepared for some metal....

 

[RCF]

The best music on the water: sound of a babbling brook, wind through the bushes, sounds of birds and animals, water rippling through rocks.

Now on the lake I live on, someone, a neighbor who also lives on the lake, plays their flute occasionally. Sound of that going through the trees and echoing/bouncing off the water ---> pure heaven...

 

[Clean Willy]

People pay top dollar for apps that play the sound of moving water. Just sayin'.

 

[Roper]

I like to blast some good classic rock on the way to fishing, but I don’t listen to it while fishing. There are certain times though when ear plugs would be handy. Like for the guy that won’t shut up on the beach early in the morning, when a guy shows up playing a bongo drum or when a guy with a really terrible singing voice is belting out Neil Young tunes while fishing.
SF

Like you, I’m fine with music in the truck on the way to the lake. Once there it’s the sound of nature…

 

[Matt B]

Related, I recently got some earbuds that I didn’t realize were noise canceling. I installed an app and can turn that shit off. I realized the noise cancelling really decreases situational awareness, like when I’m walking the dog I want to hear stuff like traffic over my podcast. I want to hear the jays screaming so I can see what about.
When I’m out in the woods I want to hear ALL that stuff.
Also, that’s when I get my best thinking done, whether I realize it (actively thinking about things) or not (taking a break and letting things process in the background). Dialogue especially just plows right over contemplation for me.

 

[Jim in Anacortes]

I've never considered listening to music while sport fishing. However, IMHO a top quality sound system is a must for any commercial boat. Basting AC DC "Highway to Hell" can magically motivate the crew......On a different note....I highly discourage anyone to wear headphones in Rattlesnake country. I was metal detecting once (with head phones on) when I noticed my girlfriend freaking out, I looked back down to the ground and noticed my metal detector coil was right over a coiled up Diamond Back. It was rattling like crazy, but I could not hear it...(or my girlfriend yelling SNAKE!) After that I never covered both ears with headphones in Rattlesnake country.

 

[Zak]

I really only listen to music in the car. Rarely at home and never in the woods or in the water.

 

[Hem]

I listen when working out, or on a job site.
I can drive 12 hours without music , my wife NEEDS road music.
I don't need distractions or motivations getting to fishing, or actually fishing.
Teen agers driving Daddys wake boat with a sound system the whole lake is forced to listen to...well that makes me think bad thoughts.