Fishing is a relaxing pastime that challenges you at the same time. You’re out in the open air, getting plenty of vitamin D and trying to reel in the biggest fish you can. Of course, fishing is a way to unwind and spend time with friends, build self-esteem, and improve your concentration. It’s good for mental well-being, ultimately.
It’s no surprise that the activity has caught on with NFL players, who are under high levels of stress out there on the gridiron, or who have retired from that and are now spending their days doing a gentler activity. Below is a look at NFL players, past and present, who have a passion for fishing, why, and what you need to fish well.
Travis Hunter
Fishing is the thing Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter most likes to do besides playing football. He’s so good at it that he could even turn pro. Hunter grew up around fishing canals and ponds in Florida and has developed strong angling skills.
Bass fishing is Hunter’s fishing passion, but he loves the peace of fishing and being out on the water. Fishing offers refuge. It’s a release from the external pressures of being a young football star and the uncertainty that comes with it.
Julio Jones
Julio Jones was one of the 21st century’s best receivers before he retired from the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year after 13 years in the NFL. Today, he lives on a lake and goes fishing whenever possible. He loves fishing for bass and goes fishing all over the USA. His most excellent catch so far is a sailfish he caught in South Carolina.
For Jones, fishing has long been an escape. In his playing days, it was an escape from the football field. Whereas some may sit and reflect while out in the quiet, he doesn’t. He focuses on fishing and thinks of nothing but enjoying himself.
JJ Watts
Wisconsin native and former Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt was a real force during his footballing heyday. In the NFL, he won Defensive Player of the Year three times and notched up 586 tackles during his career—stats you’d consider if you were betting on the NFL spreads and JJ Watts was on one of the competing sides.
Watts has long loved fishing and, off season, would wind down by seeing what he could reel in. He likes to keep things remote, having bought a cabin in northern Wisconsin, and will often head up north in search of bass, northern pike, muskie, and more. He loves fishing for prize catches, and don’t be surprised if you catch him at saltwater locations, where he’s been seen bringing in tarpon and marlin.
Trent Cole
Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Trent Cole has heavily pursued his love of fishing since he retired from the game. The formidable run stopper, pass rusher, and two-time Pro Bowler even hosts his outdoor TV series, Blitz TV.
Ohio-born Cole has been hunting, fishing, and playing football since he was a child. He transitioned to the outdoor TV program while he was still playing football hard. Cole and his team take on the program’s most challenging fishing and hunting expeditions. He especially loves competitive bass fishing.
Improving your fishing skills
Starting young is a good way to build your fishing skills, but it is not indispensable. Certain skills and attributes are great to have if you’re starting, but you can also develop them along the way as you get used to fishing.
Attention to detail
It’s easy to get distracted, either by a fish as you’re setting up or by an incoming call on your phone, and forget to push a sleeve back over a clip while casting or commit some other misdemeanor. Staying focused on what you’re doing will massively improve your fishing.
Confidence
Every time you put your bait out, you need to be confident it’ll draw something in. Attaching and organizing your bait correctly and casting the rod out exactly where you want it will give you more confidence.
Observation
Taking a walk around the lake or other fishing location can tell you a lot about the possibilities of catching anything. Look for fish or feed fish. Observe the birds. Are there any coots that will have been attracted to the bait left behind? Are there any swifts or swallows, a sign that a hatch is happening? Observe where fish are at certain times of the day. Second-guessing their movements could lead to a significant catch!
Fishing is relaxing and, for the NFL stars above, an escape from the pressures of professional football. It’s not just relaxation, though. These players and former players love fishing as much as they do football.
