Ready to give up

[90nitro]

2022 was my year from hell, February 28, 2022, I was admitted the hospital with a serious lower leg tissue and bone infection. I underwent surgery to remove my little toe and bone structure behind it plus infected tissue all the way up my calf on two sides. The surgery went well but the healing process deformed my left foot due to tendon removal and ruined any chance of ever walking again as I could not put any weight on the left deformed foot. Numerous surgeons and specialists gave me no viable fix to correct the foot. Finally in October 2022 I opted for a below the knee amputation of my left leg. I now have been fitted with a new prosthetic and am in process of learning literally how to walk again. My biggest concern is going to be my balance and ability to stand on the front of my boat and bass fish with the prosthetic.
So, my bass fishing days may be over. Does anyone know of anybody successfully bass fishing with prosthetics because my balance is not so great right now and it is a big concern? 
Thanks in advance, may be having a huge tackle clearance sale soon.

[Jeff Hahn]

A buddy of mine, who passed last year, lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident when he was just out of high school. Then, a few years later he lost two and one half fingers on his right hand when trying to repair a lawn mower. He had the worst luck of any person that I ever knew. But, he was a very good tournament fisherman for many years. He started his own tackle company, Ohio Pro Lure, and ran it successfully for many years. His right leg was amputated all the way up to his hip. I knew him for more than 30 years, but never knew if he ever had a prosthetic because he always used crutches. He had his Suburban rigged so that he could use his left foot for the accelerator. For years he used a hand control trolling motor with an on/off button mounted under his butt seat. He balanced on his one leg while leaning against his butt seat and could hop back to the driver's seat, have his lifejacket on, and be ready to take off before his co-angler could get his rods put away. Once the Ultrex came out, he used the remote to steer. He did very well in local events, winning some events on the major trails in our area. He also fished BFL and some Everstarts as a pro and cashed checks there, too.

I know that it must be depressing to be in your situation. But, know that you have lots of options to continue fishing. It will just take some adjustments. for your recovery.

[Axkiker]

Cant fish with a butt seat or pedestal seat ? Getting up and down might be a trick but I dont think you are done fishing by any stretch. People do way tougher things with prostetics. Where there is a will there is a way.

[hatcreek]

[Topwater All Day]

There was a guy in my club a few years back named Dan who had a pretty serious handicap - he could walk but he had a lot of balance issues and you could tell one leg was bad. He had a 2012 Triton and he had it rigged with some of the bars you see in handicapped showers. It really allowed him the freedom to move about his boat and still fish for quite a few years. Having a trolling motor with spot lock and a hand held remote really helps too.

There was also a guy named Sean who had a prosthetic leg who fished with us as well. He was a great fisherman and won quite a few tournaments. He told me once that he just had to train himself to move slower than his brain wanted him to go! Seemed to work for him!

Prayers for you for sure and just know that others have done it before you. You can still fish and run a boat, just might have to do it a little differently now!

[Tigercat]

I’ve seen several at the state level, but don’t know them personally. Jim Hardy was a touring pro a few years back - was paralyzed i believe and used a wheelchair.

[Cbbassin]

Without a doubt you can get back into fishing after a BKA. Work your tail off in PT and be sure to let your therapist know that's your goal. Once your stability and confidence with walking returns, being able to fish again will be right around the corner. Stay positive!

[greg88]

If you want to fish again you will the good lord will see to it.

[jc2bg]

One lesson I think I have learned from cases of lower extremity damage/paralysis is that we can do more than we suspect if we increase strength in our upper body to offset. The outcome may never be “normal,” but normal is mostly a state of mind. Stay positive, and may blessings come your way.

[BigFishSteve]

Of corse you can fish again. You may start out using a regular seat on the deck but you can fish anyway you like from it. As you get stronger and better balanced you can progress to butt seat or leaning post as you see fit. I’ve been using a seat the last couple years because my feet hurt. I fish just fine. You will too.

[mattmann7]

Very sorry for what your going through. No sin in reaching out for help like you have started here. Where there are men of good will there are answers.. Guy in the clubs I have fished for over 30 years had his knees replaced in his 70s. He struggles with strength and balance. He had some bars installed so he could get onto the front deck last season. Not sure what he ended up doing to the front deck. Hes mid 80s now and still uses his boat. Obviously he doesnt go solo anymore.

Research and watch videos on youtube about the veterans who deal with prosthetic life issues to get understanding about how they overcome the disability to have the most normal life possible. Same for the Ukranian people. There are teams of physicians from around the world caring for the wounded citizens and soldiers with prosthetic needs there. Its incredibly inspiring to anyone living with permanant arms and legs disabilities.

[99R93S]

Very sorry for all your dealing with. I concur with all the above. It’s probably going to be hard work and frustrating at times but I believe you will be able to do it also. Fight for it, and train for it. You can always mod the boat a little as needs to make things easier also if you need to. Might be hard at times but fight thru it, think about enjoying those warm sunny days on the water and soon you will be.

[yatesville88fan]

Sorry this happened to you. Find a seat you can use and go after it.

[RonCat]

I hope you have not already defeated yourself.

A friend of mine is in a wheelchair and will outfish me 7 days a week! Sure, he needs help getting his boat hooked to his truck and launched. He has a wheelchair locked down to the front pedestal, can get from the drivers seat into his chair, and the fishes slow.

There is no rule that you have to standup to fish, adapt your casts, techniques, and enjoy being out on the water.

[billnorman1]

I'm luckier than you so far, just old age and a bad left knee with no cartilage but I did put a 4 foot pole amidships to help me get onto the front deck. You will probably need some kind of railing on the deck. Good luck.

[1stindoor]

Do yourself a favor and do a Google search for "Nick Lavery." You won't be disappointed, and should get a good idea of what belief in one's self can accomplish.

[MichAngler]

The first year is the worst and there’s not much others can say that will help

But if you follow these three rules you will be back fishing soon
Don’t push people away
Don’t dwell on what was
Don’t ever say you can’t do it

It may take longer to do
It may take help to do it
but there is nothing you can’t do just don’t expect to do it exactly the same way

I’m a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair since 1975 and I’m 62 now and still fishing tournaments every weekend on Lake St Clair and I’m still competitive.

I can’t say it enough, focus on what’s in front of you and not what’s behind you and you will accomplish anything.

Hang in there buddy!

[Big J Mac]

^^^^ wow great post

[ericm]

Hang in!! Once you get the prosthetic, go into PT and they’ll get you up and running. I’ve seen several runners at both the Boston and New York City marathons running on prosthetics. They didn’t have any balance issues. One guy I talked to said his biggest issue was irritation at the connection point but that was after 26 miles of hard running. He said normal activities were no issue. These were average people that had accidents etc and worked their way back to running. You’ll get there!

[Fishshooter]

Best wishes to you & your recovery. A few years back i encountered an angler on Kentucky lake who had a prostetic for his lower right leg & was fishing without any front seat of any kind. He was wearing shorts so pretty obvious of what his situation was. Had the usual conversation about the fishing as most of us do. I asked him if he had lost his leg in our country's service . He said " No, but i think my Bullet is slighty faster now." We had a good laugh & i continued on my way. Don't remember his name but remember our encounter to this day. He didn't think of himself as "limited" & hope you can do the same. Good luck on your journey !