To be a successful fisherman, you’ve got to be casting a lot, using different types of fishing tackle and taking some pounding boat rides. Over time, you’re going to develop aches and pains from arthritis and other ailments that don’t go away.

I’ve had a lot of problems with my joints through the years, especially in cold, wet weather, and I’ve tried just about everything there is to relieve the pain and stiffness. Some things work better than others, but I haven’t found anything that works completely. And because of that, it’s made me do some things differently.

For instance, I use spinning tackle a lot more than I use to and I do more pitching and flipping when it makes sense. If you can’t throw a big deep-diving crankbait all day, find alternate ways to catch fish on jigs or soft plastics that don’t require as much wear and tear on your joints.

Wearing clothes and shoes that support joints and feet properly helps too. Do what you have to do to perform and still catch fish. You don’t have to stop fishing; just take it easy any way you can so you can still be effective.

—- Chevy pro Larry Nixon, Bee Branch, Ark.