Page 1 of 1

Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:18 am
by jemoon27
It doesn't matter what you fish for -even though it should be bass ... :) I am writing a research paper on the topic of why people fish? If anyone could just write a sentence or two about what fishing means to them or why they fish, I am really interested to know! example - I fish because it's an easy way to relieve stress, and explore the outdoors without getting poison oak (AND I'm still working on that double digit bass!)

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:24 am
by calworks
I fish because: When I'm on the lake, the world dosen't exist, I don't think of anything else except how to catch that next fish. I am in a peaceful environment that removes the stress of daily life. It is my link with nature.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:42 am
by WackySenko
Ditto with above. when I am on the water I do not think about work, bills, honey-dos or anything. It is very relaxing. Sometimes it feels like the day lasts forever. Could be why I am always back about 2+ hours later than I planned. And the wife sometimes wets a line with me, so she understands and expects me to be late.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:54 am
by Chaozu
calworks wrote:I fish because: When I'm on the lake, the world dosen't exist, I don't think of anything else except how to catch that next fish. I am in a peaceful environment that removes the stress of daily life. It is my link with nature.
Pretty much said it all. Feeling that bite and then setting the hook is good times..... the hunt for a giant always keeps me coming back for more!

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:54 am
by tunaman
I FISH, THEREFORE I AM...

Roger

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:59 am
by mark poulson
calworks wrote:I fish because: When I'm on the lake, the world dosen't exist, I don't think of anything else except how to catch that next fish. I am in a peaceful environment that removes the stress of daily life. It is my link with nature.
+1

It is also a continuous thread that runs through my life, back to my childhood fishing Santa Monica Bay, and the Sierras, in the '50s.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:00 am
by JustinD
I'm not sure you can put into words why we all fish......We all have different reasons. For me its the connection with nature and the allure of catching and releasing a wild animal not to mention the serene, beautiful landscapes.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:04 am
by meach
If fish because: its the only sport you can still do well drunk...lol. j/k its a stress reliever for me, even if my line snaps in the middle of the fight w a fish, it just makes me laugh and think ill get em next time, its one of the few things in life that you can do where even if you dont catch anything or you fill the boat, you just feel happy that you were out there. It really becomes a passion as every time you go out there you are honing your skills and trying to improve constantly its a never ending learning experinece.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:10 am
by mac (Doyle McEwen)
Simply put, for the pure enjoyment of it..It makes little difference if I catch anything, fishing is still fun..Of course as with most fun things to do, it is more fun if you are successful and actually catch some fish..The day it no longer is fun to fish, will be my last day doing so..

mac

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:02 am
by offduty
calworks wrote:I fish because: When I'm on the lake, the world dosen't exist, I don't think of anything else except how to catch that next fish. I am in a peaceful environment that removes the stress of daily life. It is my link with nature.
+1, I cant improve on that.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:20 am
by buddy brown
Bluegill spleens are going for 4.35 each in swaziland. They are an aphrodisiac. As I hoist my bountiful stringer of bluegill toward the sky with a beastial wail, I know that I have satisfied an innate need, as a former hunter/gatherer. It is a genetic predisposition.. no one can change that...

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:41 am
by biteme
calworks wrote:I fish because: When I'm on the lake, the world dosen't exist, I don't think of anything else except how to catch that next fish. I am in a peaceful environment that removes the stress of daily life. It is my link with nature.
Yes sir. This is why I dont fish Tournaments. I fished a Tournament about a year ago in a pro am. My pro told me he doesnt fish for fun he does it to make money. It was after that event I learned Tournaments are just not cut out for me. I like to have that peace that comes when Im on the water.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:48 am
by Melones_IS_Mine
I fish for a multitude of reasons. It is something I can do by myself. If my girl doesn't feel like going, or no buddies are available, I can still go fishing and have a great time.

I HATE the rat race and dealing with knuckleheads in my city(Crackton), so I head out east the second I'm able to. So that's my respite.

I also enjoy the nature aspect. I always experience something when fishing, and sometimes they are rare once in a lifetime occurrances.

I have to admit that I do get distracted from nature and sometimes get too focused on figuring out the fish. I tend to take bass fishing really seriously, but I am to the point where I don't mind not catching a fish-as long as I learn something from the trip. If for no other reason, it was nice to get out of the house.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:10 am
by acm95301
When I was a kid, My dad and brothers fished. We lived On the San Lorenzo River in the 70's when there was a salmon run and steelhead and trout.
Since then families shatter, storms and polution destroy fishing but I still have fond memories of diging in the sand, catching crawdads and occasionally catching a trout.
somewhere around 82-84 I remembergoing fishing by myself and caught a limit out of a creek nobody fished in...it was really exciting.

So maybe why I like to fish is one part serenity, one part the joy of catching something like when we were young, and one part a proof of competence..that we can do it...we can provide, outsmart, survive..whatever.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:20 am
by TonyL
All of the above for sure , plus , I enjoy the hunt mostly , I think As men we're all genetically engineered , from way back in the caveman days , we just need to hunt ! :twisted:
biteme wrote:
calworks wrote:I fish because: When I'm on the lake, the world dosen't exist, I don't think of anything else except how to catch that next fish. I am in a peaceful environment that removes the stress of daily life. It is my link with nature.
Yes sir. This is why I dont fish Tournaments. I fished a Tournament about a year ago in a pro am. My pro told me he doesnt fish for fun he does it to make money. It was after that event I learned Tournaments are just not cut out for me. I like to have that peace that comes when Im on the water.
I agree with this , although I fish tourneys at a club level , and startin amatuer level because I believe the pressure of competition forces us to do better.If it wasn't for tourneys or prefishin , I'd prolly go out every weekend , liesurely enjoy the fun fishin even if the quality fish weren't there ! :lol: One last thing-I HAVE TOO MUCH INVESTED TO QUIT NOW !! :wink:

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:28 am
by fishinman
Its about relaxing and connecting with a unknown world. The movement of the bait, the bite and the reaction of the fish. It can be very exciting!

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:39 am
by Bill K
I fish and hunt as it is in my genes. My forefathers did so and so must I. I enjoy the fresh and natural food it provides and I really enjoy the outdoor world. Smells, sights and fish and fowl life is just great and provided by our creator for us to enjoy and benefit from.
It also is a healthy life style to follow, just plain good for the body and soul. Bill K :)

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:54 am
by Dom
I fish becuase: It's the adrinalin rush I get when I set the hook, you never know what you might have then if its a big ol hawg the excitment really gets going.... IT IS A RUSH FOR ME! :D :D :D


PS I fish for alot more reasons but if I had to pick one thats it the pure excitment!

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:03 pm
by Bayou Boy
Hate! I hate fish so much I want catch 'em all.........

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:07 pm
by jfross
For me its all about the hunt, which includes a to z. But the best part of the hunt is that beautifull Green fish we all love so much simply, goes back home. That makes it all so perfect. We all love our home and so do they. Catch and Release. Jross

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:21 pm
by bigbass111
I fish for the girls, Ahh wait, I'm Married. :lol: :lol:

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:43 pm
by Dom
I am no writer and my spelling aint never been all that hot and I know you said a few sentences but I had to give you the longer version of why I fish.





Delta, it's 6:00am on a warmming morning in May, You back the boat into the water and climb aboard and fire the big motor. As you idle out of the marina you feel a slight breeze and see the baitfish flickering on top of a slightly rippled water surface. The tide is dropping, the birds are chirpping, off to the left you see the ducks up close to the weed line swimming and feeding. As you turn your attention back to the front of the boat you see the 5mph bouy you check your life jacket, then the kill switch. you get settled in feeling as if your in a rocket ship getting ready to blast off into the unknown. As you pass the bouy you give one last look in either direction looking for traffic, clear for take off!

As you press the throttle down you feel the acceleration alittle more throttle and trim up alittle more throttle and trim up.....Your head racing with thoughts which spot should I start at? What lure should I throw? Whats the water temp there? in no time your running 60mph skipping the surface of the water as if you were a stone just thrown across the top of the water. Your headed for a break back behind quinby island your head races with thought as you continue to evaluate the conditions.

You see the spot coming up so you gently pull the throttle back and the boat comes to an abrupt slowing slide till it stops. You jump up looking around and thinking there is alittle more wind here the current is good(not to much) the water is stained. You put the trolling motor down and you hear a big splash and think ok there chasing bait! You pick up your rod and reel that you have the 9" white lunker Punker tied on you get settled in and troll into position you fire that bait out pass and over the break. You know there is a toad using that break she just came off the spawn and shes hungry but wants a big easy meal becuase she wore out. The Lure hits the water and you just let it sit there for a min. then you give it one sharp yank and the lure darts to the right, again you let it sit there, then give it another yank the lure starts to go left......... BAM! You see the fish just destroy your lure you reel down and set the hook the fish dives and tries to head back to deep water you loosen the drag and gently pull up on the rod the fish wants free and you want it in the boat. Your thinking this is a toad, your blood is pumping and your heart is racing, You think its a 4 no feels bigger then that maybe a 5 all of a sudden you see your line headed for the top of the water the fish is coming up to jump and shake the lure free so you get on your knees and dip your rod in the water as you pull and reel to get the fish to go back down, it works!

the fight does not last that long the fish tires but your blood is still pumping and she surfaces beside the boat and you see it and its a bigun! You reach down to lip it and victory is yours. Your still shaking but you manage to get the scale, she goes 7lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a quick photo you thank her and release her thinking man when she was full of eggs she would have went 9lbs or better . You are filled with so much emotion Happy,proud,excited all rolled into one and you think .........There is a bigger one there and the quest begins all over again.
Man who wouldn't want to live that over and over again and this is why I fish!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:03 pm
by Burke
Dom,

You described it perfectly (except for the smoking).

My wife knows that this is my time away from the serious issues (e.g., family, financial, job, etc.) in our lives that all of us have to deal with on an every day basis. When I'm on the water, these are my some of my issues: "How can I outsmart that bass (or striper)?"; "When does the tide change?"; "Damn, my line broke and I another lure. I 'll have to stop by the tackle shop on the way home to buy a few more".

If I'm able to catch a fish, I'm happy. If I don't catch a fish, I'm happy.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:09 pm
by jemoon27
I think why I fish was answered in about every way possible in these responses. I think I'll also add: I continue to fish because, even though my dad taught me to fish, he still can't judge how to sneak up on a good spot, and never closes the compartments quietly.

"Come on dad there's a hawg right next to the boat"

Response - "How is it last time I brought 10 pairs of clippers in the boat and I now they're all gone! Its like they grew legs and jumped into the water!"

I fish for these moments lol

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:15 pm
by bassinDerek
i agree with calworks thats the same reason i fish and its fun to

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:17 pm
by Guy Williams
It's my church.
Guy Williams

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:12 pm
by 14tommyd
I've fished and hunted for 50 years. I no longer hunt, the pleasure attained by watching my adversary swim off, so we can possibly do it again, overrides everything.

I find it sad that so many of the tourney fishermen, the one's that cut you off and dare you to say anything, will never understand the true quality of a day of bass fishing for what it is.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:37 pm
by g-man
I fish cause you never know whats gonna come up on the other end of the line! Sure I target bass, but we all know odd stuff shows up on your line often!

Its the thrill of figuring out how to make them bite. Its the thrill of catching a DD! Its relaxing, and exciting!! Plus it helped me stay outta trouble.. :lol:

And I love fishing tourneys, I love the competition.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:53 pm
by Fishitifyoucan
Simple.......

FISH=FISHING IS SIMPLY HEAVEN!

End of story. :D

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:56 pm
by allbelac
Why???
As long as I can remember, I fished...My dad taught me to fish, trout mostly. I am teaching my kids to fish. It helps put into perspective what its all about, teachable and memorable moments.

Memorial Day 2009...My daughter and I fished a tournament the entire day fish after fish the sparkle that she had every time one went in the well, the excitement she had when she got to help carry the bag to the scales...oh yeah the ideas she had for spending her share of the winning check!

All those reasons plus many more...That is why I fish.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:28 pm
by bahlzar
i fish so i can belong to a nice pleasant forum like this one.. :D :D

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:51 pm
by ken
It is a great challenge to outsmart a green fish in their world and never gets boring. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but you always look forwards to next good time on the water.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:08 pm
by Dan Pollard
I fish for many of the same reason that have all ready been shared,
because I love Nature, being apart of it, is very important, that I can lose myself while fishing, remove myself from the problems of every day life. I like the thrill and the challenge of the chase, the thill of catching the green fish. I also like the challenge and competion of Tournament fishing. Spending quality time with family and friends, while experiencing and being a part of Nature. Of all those reasons sharred the number one reason is being one with Nature, Being a part of it, experience it and do no harm when we release that beautiful fish.

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:21 pm
by hippie
so i can rib people on western bass

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 9:42 am
by MIKE TREMONT
So I can match wits with something that has a brain the size of a pea!

They usually win.

Then I can't wait to do it all over again.

Why, very good question?

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:19 am
by Brian Linehan
Cuz it turns me on

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:41 am
by STEWART
ESCAPE FROM REALITY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:23 pm
by davet.
This question sounds familiar.....didn't you write this paper last year??

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 3:51 pm
by drrakruz
g-man wrote:I fish cause you never know whats gonna come up on the other end of the line!
Or, you know EXACTLY what is on the other end of the line, your partner is waiting to net the beast, and it gets off without any explanation (except for "USER ERROR"), like at the Clearlake WRL TOC, day 1, right? :lol: :shock: :x

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:00 am
by crazychuy
The following is an excerpt from "coochsfishing.com" with a slight alteration to apply to me. But these words best describe why I fish. Thank you COOCH for having this on your website.

I am a fisherman for life,
I will always be a fisherman
It is not something I do,
It is who I am
Fishing is not an escape,
It is where I belong,
Where I am supposed to be
It is not a place,
But a lifelong journey
It is a passage my Father showed me,
And one that I will show others.
Keep A Tight Line!


Thanks,
CHUY

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:49 am
by Oldschool
Intriging quesion.
For me it's the quest of catching fish. I enjoy being outdoors and have always appreciated natures gifts, but that is not the reason I fish. Relaxation doesn't come close to why I fish. It doesn't matter if I'm fly fishing for golden's or marlin fishing in Mexico. I'm usually intense in my quest to catch fish.
Bass fishing combines the desire to catch bass with the state of the art toys to achieve that goal.
Over 60 years ago a cane pole and a bobber satified the goal of catching fish under my parents dock for about a day. Born to fish? For me it's more like driven to catch fish and still enjoy the quest every time out on the water.
Tom

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:55 pm
by Gumpa
For me it's relaxing from life's stress. And the compatition! Every time I look at the plaque's on the wall. It remined's me that on that day, I was the best at what I love to do. Fish!

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:11 pm
by snapitoff2002
I fish because I like to compete...

And I also fish cause I like to be broke all the time. :(

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:59 am
by LimitedOut
There's nothing quite like fishing...

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:26 pm
by sTony
I fish because I can. I fish because it's part of my nature to do so. I turn into a different person when I haven't fished recently. I fish because I feel good when I do. I haven't found many things that make me feel as alive as when I'm fishing. Fishing is a part of me I can't deny.

sTony

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:41 pm
by basstrophy
To me Fishing is free time, the good Lord does not take fishing time as used time from this world.

"A Fisherman's Prayer"

God, grant that I may live to fish until my dying day.
And when it come to my last cast
I then most humbly pray.
When in the Lord's safe landing net.
I'm peacefully asleep.
That in His mercy I be judged as big enough to keep


John

Re: Why Do you fish?

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:54 pm
by SPIKE
My relife from an insane world. and keeps me sane.