Why do you fish?

[fisherpal2k]

Just a thought as I was sitting here, I was looking back at some pictures of the past few years of fishing from all over the country. I was looking at the many different species of fish I had caught or that was caught while someone else was in the boat or on the same trip with me. I just got to looking at what and where I had been and wondered, Why do I fish?</p>

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After many hours of deliberation, I finally came to the conclusion that I again fish for fun. There was the years that as I was growing up that I fished for fun and for food. Then there was the years I went thru that I fished tournies for the competition. Wasn't for the money cause the good Lord knows I wasn't getting rich at it. Then I fished for the comradery and friendships that it brought. As I grew older and along came our kid, I found that I fished with her to share something that I loved. The great outdoors, the wonderment of watching my child as she caught a fish and then asked many many questions about it.</p>

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I started out trout fishing and wading the many creeks in the mountains that I used to call home. There wasn't a creek anywhere that you could go to and not catch a trout in. Then I spent years trying to catch panfish and pike. Then I got into bass fishing and it almost ruined me. Now years later, I am back to fishing for whatever bites and being content with just being able to spend time out in God's wonders. Sharing time with my daughter or whoever I happen to be with and just fellowship with them and nature. So yup. I am guilty of being sorry. I have quit fishing for food, tho the way the economy is I may have to start that again. I have just started fishing for whatever is biting, whether it be bass or bream or crappie or catfish. Don't seem to matter much anymore. I just love fishing.</p>

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Now whats your excuse????</p>

 

[DoubleB]

I fish because while on the water all my troubles fall away. Once I'm past that, Then the conversations about life start, with my dad if he is there, with my Father if I'm alone. I don't really know how to describe it, but fishing gives me peace of mind.

 

[fishinvol]

I am a bass fisherman at heart, but also love to crappie fish and absolutely love to striper fish. I have fished as far back as I can remember . Used to love wading banks with rooster tails and just catching whatever, but then Bass Masters came along and I fell in love with bass fishing. Crappie fishing has always something my dad enjoyed so that is still something I like to do with him when we get a chance. Striper fishing started back in the high school days. I would skip school and go for stripers in the spring. After you catch one good one, your hooked !!
I like to fish tournaments too, I've always been competitive and that kind of helps feed that desire. All in all I just like being on the lake. Ever since my daughter was diagnosed with cancer, I've enjoyed it even more. That's where I go to relax and just get away from reality for a bit.

 

[rsimms]

I fish (and hunt) because I'm a "Hunter/Gatherer" at heart. It's a primal thing... really inexplicable. As I've written before, some folks have evolved to the point that they are happy to let others do their killing for them (i.e. Bi-Lo).

Obviously I do that too... but I am driven to do some of my own hunting/gathering. I guess I just haven't evolved as far as others.... and I'm GLAD of it.

Of course that was the first 50 years of my life... I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't admit that for the last three years, I've started fishing/guiding for money.

But that's not really the reason I started guiding. The money is important... but the #1 reason was to share the wonderful and bountiful resources with those who may not otherwise have a chance to enjoy, and learn about them. It is a very good feeling, when I'm successful.

 

[fish4thepeck]

My Daddy took me on the River when I was 4 years old and the excitement I got from catching my first fish has stayed with me. When I lose that feeling I will quit. My first love is smallmouths but I love to feel the peck of a crappie,shellcracker,largemouth, etc. I can wrap this question up in three words ... I love it.

 

[mallardecho]

fish4thepeck - 11/21/2008 10:02 AM

My Daddy took me on the River when I was 4 years old and the excitement I got from catching my first fish has stayed with me. When I lose that feeling I will quit. My first love is smallmouths but I love to feel the peck of a crappie,shellcracker,largemouth, etc. I can wrap this question up in three words ... I love it.

Peck,
You forgot to mention, that you love teaching others as well. And I want to Thank you for that....

 

[gobigorange]

Because every hour fishing adds a day to your life at least that is what the magnet on my frig says

 

[puddle jumper]

Man that's a great question,,

Why do I fish,,
I fish so that I can teach my little "not so little" Peanut, a love, for the things that are not indoors the things that God has given us to to be amazed by that we don't get to slow down and look at often enough..because I know that in the not so distance future she will be going on to do her own thing, friends, boys, marriage and kids.. A day well lived makes a day that will be remembered for a life time.. Time well spent..

I fish to unwind and let all the things that trouble me day to day disappear for a short time,, to re-fresh myself for the time that folows, To spend time with old friends and new ones "not often enough" and have time to get to know them better..

I fish for the unknowing and excitment that comes when there is a bite on the other end of the line, to do battle with a fish, win or loose? Small, big or really big.. The hopes of a trophy fish will make it into the boat. To gather what nature has to offer..

Its very important for me to be still and quiet from time to time, and more often than not it allows me to here what God is trying to tell me that I am to busy to here otherwise..

Puddle

 

[G-MAN]

I fish, because there is nothing else like it. Just getting out on the water and the fellowship with others. It's definitely not a competition thing with me, but I did enjoy the few dog fights I have fished.

It's awesome when you find something else that works after you've been throwing your usual arsenal. I love trying something different that I've read about on the post (especially when I catch one on it).

I look forward to going out each time. At times I have a hard time sleeping at night when I know I'm going the next day.

There is so much that I still want to learn- slow rolling a spinner bait, drop shot fishing, cat fishing with cut bait, etc.. I don't think I'll ever tire of fishing. I'm like a lot of people that have had hobbies come and go, but fishing has never ceased to be fun.

 

[Skeeter]

I fish to get fustrated....... and man dose it work emoBang

 

[SPOON]

Fishing gives me the closest thing I've found to that Christmas morning feeling I had as a kid.

 

[beetlespin]

I just like to do it. And I'm too fat for anything else....

 

[NRG]

I fish there for I am, I fish because I must , my life depends on it ..

 

[drumking]

My Sunday school teacher took us boys fishing when I was probably 10 or 12 years old and that's when I caught the very first fish. I will never forget that experience. Later in life when I got married, I started fishing from the bank and was totally ignorant to fishing, but managed to catch a few catfish, bass, etc from shoreline. I was a golfer really. I had a membership in a club and played at least 3 or 4 times per week.

I had my fishing mentor talk me into going to Orange Lake, Florida to bass fish over longweekend in February in 1970. I had the poor judgment to catch a 9.5 pound largemouth and it ruined me forever. Came home, dropped my golf membership, and bought my first boat. The best fisherman that I know taught me to fish. He is the best that there is with any lure. I was a good student.

I fished txs up in my hometown for a couple of years, won a couple too, and placed in most of them. Just couldn't beat my mentor except for a couple of times. Did I tell you that he is the best fisherman that I have ever been in the boat with and I have been with some great guys too.

I bass fished from daylight until dark 30 on all my off days. I did a little crappie fishing alongside the bass, but the first love was bass. Years later, I wanted to catch a striper. Another bad mistake. I caught the striper fever just like Dhaun has right now after I caught my first fish. To see a 33 pounder come over the side of the boat will just about take your breath away. emoBigsmile

After a few years of catching more than my share of stripers, the new wore off that sport and I came to my love for crappie fishing. Having a chronic shoulder that just can't take the constant reeling of a bass reel has about forced me to panfish with ultralight for the rest of my life. But, I found out that I catch more fish now, catch some big fish from time to time and I also found the Chattanooga Fishing Forum. I can't thank David Haun enough for starting this forum.

After some serious consideration, I decided to start sharing what little bit that I know about crappie fishing, cause I had such a desire to know and no one to teach me anything (fishermen mostly are so scared to show anyone anything) that I just know the hunger that most guys on here have to learn. That's why I share my techniques so freely. I get critized a lot for doing so, but I don't care.

I was over at SW the other day looking for some panfish assassins in a certain color and the man working that dept. asked me if I was finding everything ok and I said no. I need some panfish assassins. "We sell those things out as fast as they come in." I told him that was probably my fault for all the reports that I post on the CFF. He told me that I shouldn't be doing that. Take someone and show them how, but don't post anything on the internet. I didn't say anything to him because I don't want to offend anyone, but that is exactly the kind of spirit that I am trying to get rid of and avoid at all costs. Selfishness personafied. This is just my opinion and if you object that's ok too, but the tighter that you hold on to a secret and won't share it with others, the more likely you are to lose it. But if you start sharing what you know, you will receive much more than you could ever learn all by your own little selfish self. There are some who read this whose blood pressure will rise just a little bit and your face will turn red and you will curse me under your breath, but you sir, are exactly who I am talking about. Don't ask me to take you anywhere.

What a great joy it has been for me to turn out great teaching fishermen like Polo-dog. The man can shoot docks better than I can. I'm so thrilled that I could take Hoggerhead and get him to the point in one trip that he can now go catch more bass than most of us can. Going to Tims Ford (the dead sea) a couple of weeks ago and showing Mallardecho and Bent Rod how to shoot docks and to see what they have caught since then has been a great pleasure to me. When I first started taking Hal, he couldn't catch a cold, but now, can not only catch crappie, but can locate them about as good as anyone else. He is thinking right now. Dr Phillip Gawthrop can just about match me fish for fish on our Tuesday AM trips now. If I start naming anymore names, I'll leave someone out, but everyone of you guys who have shared a boat with me has added to my life. This is why I fish.

Also, I have a "lake ministry" as I supply the fish for the ministry meetings that we do about 5 or 6 times per year. There are a few more folks who want to go with me and I want so much to take them out and I promise that I will get around to all you guys sooner or later. This again, is why I fish. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[rsimms]

drumking - 11/21/2008 4:41 PM - But if you start sharing what you know, you will receive much more than you could ever learn all by your own little selfish self.

Drumking... yet another reason life is good and gettin' better every day! emoWorthy

 

[beetlespin]

DK, you still owe me a striper trip from several years ago

 

[fish4thepeck]

Great post Drumking, I would sure like to sit a boat with you one day!

 

[Bprice]

I agree, Drumking and Fish4ThePeck are two of the best teachers I've shared a boat with. Thank both of you.


I fish because its a family tradition. I fish because its a great way to enjoy God's amazing creation. I fish because of the quality time spent with friends while fishing.


Matthew 4:19

 

[drumking]

beetlespin - 11/21/2008 7:22 PM

DK, you still owe me a striper trip from several years ago

Lance, let's try to get this out of the way this fall. The stripers are beginning to show up below Watts Bar and I will be ready to go in a few more days. emoGeezer

 

[Fat Albert]

<font face="comic sans ms,sand" color="#ff0033" size="4">since I have all this equipment, MY WIFE MAKES ME......... </font></p>

<font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#ff0033" size="4">seriously, it must be the task of trying to out smart that fish.......just love the fellowship in the boat.....FA</font></p>