The Historical Mental Health Break for Men
When I personally think about how men prioritized their mental health over the years the first thing that comes to mind is fishing. Fishing is a great outdoor activity that can provide a sense of relaxation and enjoyment for men. It's a fun way to spend time in nature and can have a positive impact on mental health. Spending time in nature and engaging in activities like fishing can reduce stress, improve mood, and lower anxiety levels which, if you've missed the last several articles, is what we're all about at The Lockman Lounge. Like any other hobby fishing can be super frustrating if you don't have proper equipment so today, I'll suggest a few rod/reel combos to get you back out to the lake but first I'd like to share a personal fishing story to help explain why this hobby is special to me.
An Abomination of a Fishing Excursion
When I was a teenager, my dad had moved back to Tennessee, and we decided to take a trip up to KY lake and do some bass fishing. We got up early...super early for a teenager and hit the road. Dad sipped coffee and we drove for a while to get to the boat ramp where dad backed us in, and I tried to keep the boat at the ramp while he parked the truck. I held my own and dad made it into the boat. That's the majority of the positive experience when it comes to the fishing part.
We drove all over the lake, fished the channel, fished the coves, and dad caught one small mouth under a bridge that was about 1/3 of the size it needed to be to keep it. After deciding we were going to call it a day, we figured we'd open it up a little bit and at least get some adrenaline pumping for the ride back to the truck. As we were cruising on the water, we kept noticing that the boat was running super sluggish, which sucked because we were trying to have a little fun out there, and it was spitting water at us constantly from the bow. When we were sufficiently drenched, we stopped and checked out the front of the boat where we realized we had left the trolling motor down and that's what as causing all of the splashing. We put the motor up and called it a day.
As we got close to the boat ramp, we slowed down on approach but didn't see the giant rock in the middle of the lake and got the boat stuck on the rock. I was a pretty strong teen, so I figured I'd just get out, push the boat off the rock, and jump back in. After cutting my feet and slipping and falling from whatever algae was on the rock, and dad getting in the water with me, we managed to get off of the rock. A short battle with getting the boat on the trailer later and we were headed back home. From a fishing standpoint the trip was about as big of a disaster as it could have been.
Never Underestimate the Value of Your Time
The thing is, and dads I want you to hear this, it was one of the more memorable days I had with my dad as a teen and even if I griped about it then it's an incredibly valuable memory today. Now it probably could have been an equally impactful memory had we gone out, caught a ton of fish, and only had one major fiasco BUT that's not the point! The point is this: Take time with your family, take time with your friends, take time doing the things that you love to do with the people you want to do them with. Take Time!"
Product Recommendations
Now onto the products! Here are a few highly rated rod and reel combos with different price points to take fishing and hopefully catch more fish!
The Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo is a top-quality choice for anglers. The spinning rod features 3 ball bearings and a one-way clutch instant anti-reverse bearing for a smoother gear feel and instant hook sets. The machined double anodized aluminum spool is durable and the oversized bail wire improves its overall longevity. The compression bail springs are designed to increase the life span of the reel. The rod itself is a 2 piece construction and is 6 feet long, with a medium action. The reel has a 5:5:1 gear ratio and 4 bearings, and can hold up to 140/6lb of mono line.
The Penn Battle III Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo is a high-quality choice for anglers. The full metal body and sideplates make it durable and reliable, while the CNC gear technology ensures smooth performance. The HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers provide smooth and consistent drag, and the 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system adds to the overall smoothness of the reel. The rod is made of a graphite composite blank, which is strong and lightweight. This combo is a great choice for anglers looking for a reliable and performance-driven option.
The Abu Garcia Black Max Baitcasting Combo is a top-quality choice for anglers who prefer the precision and control of baitcasting reels. The Abu Custom integrated reel seat has a molded polymer comfort grip for added comfort, and the 3 ball bearings plus 1 roller bearing provide a smooth operation. The lightweight graphite body and rotor make it easy to handle, and the machined aluminum spool adds strength without adding excess weight. The Everlast bail system is designed for improved durability, making this combo a reliable and durable choice for anglers.
Lew's Fishing AHC1SHL610MH American Hero Camo Speed Spool Baitcasting Combo is a top-quality choice for fishing enthusiasts. The reel features a one-piece, lightweight, graphite frame and digital camo side plates, making it both durable and visually appealing. It also has a premium 6-bearing system with stainless steel double shielded bearings and a Zero Reverse one-way clutch bearing, ensuring smooth and reliable performance. Additionally, the reel has an externally adjustable Magnetic Control System (MCS) and an anodized aluminum spool, further enhancing its capabilities and durability. Overall, this rod and reel combo is a great choice for both novice and experienced anglers.
The Daiwa Procaster 80s Baitcasting Combo PC80HS G701MH is a high-quality choice for anglers looking for a fast and powerful reel. This combo features an 80's series high speed reel with a low profile design that is easy to palm. Its 7.5:1 gear ratio allows for 29.7" of line to be retrieved per turn, making it efficient and easy to use. The reel also has 4.4 pounds of drag, providing plenty of power to handle larger fish. The rod included in this combo is a 7' medium-heavy, 1-piece design, making it suitable for a variety of fishing situations. Overall, the Daiwa Procaster 80s Baitcasting Combo is a top-quality choice for both novice and experienced anglers.
Find Your Metaphorical (Or Literal) Fishing Gear
Fellas, at the end of the day I'd love to see us all take more time to prioritize our mental health. I personally enjoy fishing and intend to make it a more common occurrence in my life over the next year and hope to take my girls with me when they're a little older. If fishing isn't your thing find something that is. Take the time to prioritize your mental health, have fun in life, and most importantly do something positive today! Thanks for reading.
John
About the Author:
John Lockman is passionate about promoting men's mental health. Having lost a family member to suicide at an early age, he is committed to raising awareness about the disproportionate number of men affected by this devastating issue. Through his own personal experiences and his website, www.thelockmanlounge.com, John hopes to help men think differently about how to prioritize their well-being and become more comfortable acknowledging and processing their feelings in a healthy way.
In addition to his passion for mental health advocacy, John also has almost two decades of experience in the business world. Most recently, he oversaw roughly 100 million dollars of annual revenue and was responsible for managing a team of 75 employees. In this role, John had a significant impact on customer service, profitability, employee retention, and marketplace growth. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, John is a seasoned professional with valuable insights to share.
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