What doors has bass fishing opened for you? 2025
flbassmaster reply :
Has bass fishing put you in contact with a new friend that ended up helping you land a job? or did you meet your wife? make a lifelong friend?
Brew City Bass reply :
Definitely met some awesome people because of it. There were a of people I "knew" but never hungout or talked to. Once I found out a few of them fished, we became good friends.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
Yeah, anger management!
Glaucus reply :
Fishing has been the best form of therapy for my PTSD, anxiety (including the OCD form), and depression.
Fishing has made me a best friend. A guy that I was only ever acquaintances with at best has developed into a brother to me through our shared passion.
Pro Logcatcher reply :
Well, it's certainly taken a bunch of my money ????
NYWayfarer reply :
It has opened the door to the poor house for me. 
OCdockskipper reply :
Because of bass fishing, I now have a full head of hair, more energy and a 22 year old wife...and the side effects are minimal if you don't count this growth under my arm...
padon reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 1:54 AM, NYWayfarer said:It has opened the door to the poor house for me.
amen brother
scaleface reply :
I have a lot of friends because of our shared passion for fishing in general . The best man at my wedding and me his , we met while bass fishing . We were both camping out alone at a small lake , talked that night and fished together the next day .
Gundog reply :
The door it opened for me was the front door. It gets me out of the house when otherwise I wouldn't. It also gives me something to look forward to during those cold, bitter winters we have in PA.
islandbass reply :
None of my friends fish. For nearly 14 years no one really cared to join me of if they did couldn't on any regular basis. It's almost always an inability to have schedules coincide to fish.
It has opened up other ways to think and improve. I made a device young kids or clumsy relatives could use to ensure they don't accidentally throw your curado into the drink, I created a multiple rod carrier that I call a rod quiver, and I figured out how to make a variety of artificial lures from poppers to inline spinners and crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Loving the entire fishing experience.
Only drawback? You unleash something that was always there but dormant.... the bait monkey and is myriad of cousins. boat monkey, bait ape, just to name a couple.
Logan S reply :
All of my closest friends are people that I fish with/against locally. Our families all know each other and we see each other outside of fishing events, all that good stuff. Obviously wouldn't have these people in my life without fishing.
The guys I talk to and/or hang with every day are people I know from fishing. I have no idea what my life would be like if I didn't fish...Other than I'd be spending a ton of money on something else 
.
HeyCoach reply :
I’m new to this area, don’t know anybody, and don’t know where good parts of the lake are.
Tracker22 reply :
No, but it sure helped me lose a wife!
DogBone_384 reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 1:53 AM, Pro Logcatcher said:Well, it's certainly taken a bunch of my money ????
AMEN to that !!!
greentrout reply :
Some of the finest men I've met were/are LMB fishermen. Whether from a Bass fishing club or striking up a conversation in the fishing section of a BassPro or Academy. Benefits: a new friend and sometimes access to private lakes...and awesome fishing...
good fishing...
flbassmaster reply :
I love these answers!
Oregon Native reply :
Many years ago I went to a local lake with friends perch fishing for filet's for the freezer. There was a ton of noise early that morning on the lake that sounded like a boat race. Went up to the marina's/campground office and asked what had gone on....oh....a bass tourney she says.....oh....I say. Went back to my buddies and said .... I gotta do that. During the many years that followed I joined a local bass club and traveled for the state team out west for BASS and it was truly an adventure for both me and my wife and opened so many doors to new adventures. One of the best was getting my pic on the front of a BASS magazine. It's a silhouette shot down in Florida of a sunrise and the cameraman came up to me at a later time and told me he had taken this shot and sent me a couple of the magazines. We had become friends and I believe he is long since retired. Still meeting people and am very thankful. So many memories...gosh.
If it wasn't for BASS at that time I wouldn't have seen as many places that I had. I traveled all over the states from coast to coast. Those Wrangler Nationals were the best.
Topwaterdude reply :
The door I think fishing has opened for all of us is becoming part of nature.
Darren. reply :
I'm with everyone who says it opened the door to let our money out.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
The door to divorce court for some.
WRB reply :
Met lots of friends through bass fishing but nothing career enhancing.
Tom
Russ E reply :
Mental health.
Before retiring I had a long hour, high stress job.
Short fishing trips after work, would always put life back into perspective.
Now that I am retired, my constant quest to catch a new personal best bass, keeps my mind working.
Retiring healthy and with the means to pursue my goals, also helps.
Ksam1234 reply :
I have met good people and good friends , something to relax and relieve stress and enjoy he outdoors and mostly open the doors to my bank .. ????.
LakeCountyBass reply :
Bass fishing has been an active part of my life since I can remember. I met my wife when she was 15 years old. We are both 71 now. We grew up in South Florida and fished together before and after school. We fished together our entire lives. When our son was born, we carried his play pen with us in the car and fished from the bank. When bass tournaments first started in the sixties, I fished everyone I could enter. I have great memories of those years. We fished together as a family until my son got married and had his own kids. He fishes to this day. I can not think of a better family activity. When you are on the lake, it's you, the fish and your troubles are far away. I'm too old to fish now. Those years of bouncing around Lake Okeechobee have taken a toll on my back. Take your family fishing. Get your kids away from the computer and teach them to appreciate a day on the water with their Dad. You won't regret it.
Spankey reply :
I fish alone for the most part. Family says I'm a bit anal. But over the years people (men and women) have approached me about my bass fishing and wanted to know what it was about (I think they just wanted to see what my obsession was about), most have been green as grass to fishing let alone bass fishing, I've taken them out and act as a personal guide, made it all about them to catch smallies. All they have to do is show up and don't have to bring a thing. I had these people catching bass on lures only. No need for live bait to their surprise. These people have never lipped a bass before. They loved the time on the water, I feel like a better man just extending myself to them.
flbassmaster reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 3:38 AM, LakeCountyBass said:Bass fishing has been an active part of my life since I can remember. I met my wife when she was 15 years old. We are both 71 now. We grew up in South Florida and fished together before and after school. We fished together our entire lives. When our son was born, we carried his play pen with us in the car and fished from the bank. When bass tournaments first started in the sixties, I fished everyone I could enter. I have great memories of those years. We fished together as a family until my son got married and had his own kids. He fishes to this day. I can not think of a better family activity. When you are on the lake, it's you, the fish and your troubles are far away. I'm too old to fish now. Those years of bouncing around Lake Okeechobee have taken a toll on my back. Take your family fishing. Get your kids away from the computer and teach them to appreciate a day on the water with their Dad. You won't regret it.
Very well said. I hope you still fish from time to time. Fishing and being out in nature is amazing. One of my favorite things besides actually catching a fish!
Bluebasser86 reply :
It's my stress relief. Addiction and mental health are big issues in my family. You're either a raging alcoholic or suffer from crippling depression. I enjoy a drink occasionally, and I get down once in awhile, but fishing doesn't leave me enough time to waste with either.
I've met a lot of friends, almost all of my regular fishing buddies are guys I've met off of the forums, and I'm always looking forward to fishing with others I haven't yet. Lots of folks I consider friends that I've never met, just because I've interacted with them on here so much.
It opened the door to me being a mod on this forum, which has been a pretty cool experience.
Spankey reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 1:43 PM, Bluebasser86 said:It's my stress relief. Addiction and mental health are big issues in my family. You're either a raging alcoholic or suffer from crippling depression. I enjoy a drink occasionally, and I get down once in awhile, but fishing doesn't leave me enough time to waste with either.
I've met a lot of friends, almost all of my regular fishing buddies are guys I've met off of the forums, and I'm always looking forward to fishing with others I haven't yet. Lots of folks I consider friends that I've never met, just because I've interacted with them on here so much.
It opened the door to me being a mod on this forum, which has been a pretty cool experience.
God bless you, hang tough.
Oregon Native reply :
We all have holes where the money goes.....some .....not so good.....some not so bad. I mean....this is why we work and save to have our hobby's and pursuits. Fresh air....peace of mind...nature....a big tug.....hmmmm....not a bad hobby.
Spankey reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 10:25 PM, Topwaterdude said:The door I think fishing has opened for all of us is becoming part of nature.
I could write a book on some of the things I've seen in nature while fishing. Some unreal. I fish suburban areas for the most part. We all have experienced these odd things. I've had birds, various types fly onto my back casting deck and seat on several occasions. Go along for a drift. Maybe its not that unusual, but a wood duck, I'll never forget that morning.
CrankFate reply :
No. Fishing has not opened any doors for me at all. Except for the doors of the sporting goods stores.
islandbass reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 4:09 AM, Spankey said:I fish alone for the most part. Family says I'm a bit anal. But over the years people (men and women) have approached me about my bass fishing and wanted to know what it was about (I think they just wanted to see what my obsession was about), most have been green as grass to fishing let alone bass fishing, I've taken them out and act as a personal guide, made it all about them to catch smallies. All they have to do is show up and don't have to bring a thing. I had these people catching bass on lures only. No need for live bait to their surprise. These people have never lipped a bass before. They loved the time on the water, I feel like a better man just extending myself to them.
This is THE attitude. Sharing our passion with others, to me, is like planting seeds. Some seeds will be bound to grow and prosper and the legacy continues.
Smalls reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 1:43 PM, Bluebasser86 said:It's my stress relief. Addiction and mental health are big issues in my family. You're either a raging alcoholic or suffer from crippling depression. I enjoy a drink occasionally, and I get down once in awhile, but fishing doesn't leave me enough time to waste with either.
I’m in the exact same boat, brother. If I’m completely immersed in something (like figuring out the bite), then my mind doesn’t have time for negativity to creep in.
I’ve done a decent job keeping the depression at bay most my life, but last winter it got bad. My wife tried bribing me with a steak dinner and a trip to BPS to get me out of bed one day and I told her “nah, I’m just gonna stay here”.
That woman’s a trooper, though. She understands why I fish so much, and comes with 90% of the time I ask.
Brushog83 reply :
It hasn't opened as many doors as it has closed. What I mean is I never did the party seen with the drugs, alcohol, and sketchy people. I was do busy fishing and still am. Hope my kids follow the same path.
flbassmaster reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 7:32 PM, Oregon Native said:We all have holes where the money goes.....some .....not so good.....some not so bad. I mean....this is why we work and save to have our hobby's and pursuits. Fresh air....peace of mind...nature....a big tug.....hmmmm....not a bad hobby.
couldn't have said it better! I already have my tackle warehouse cart with things waiting for Friday! haha
Pro Logcatcher reply :
You know what they say, you gotta open the bank to beat the bank!
soflabasser reply :
I started bass fishing over 23 years ago and now I fish for many species of fish both in freshwater and saltwater.
Ratherbfishing reply :
On 9/10/2018 at 11:08 PM, Brushog83 said:It hasn't opened as many doors as it has closed. What I mean is I never did the party seen with the drugs, alcohol, and sketchy people. I was do busy fishing and still am. Hope my kids follow the same path.
Agreed (though I can't really fathom being a "party animal" when I was young). The dorm I lived at in college had a lake ("Campus Lake") less than 50 yards from the back door and I spent many Friday and Saturday evenings fishing while many/most of my peers were hitting the bars.
Ratherbfishing reply :
The door to the poor house. ; P
Mottel reply :
On 9/8/2018 at 11:03 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:The door to divorce court for some.
Is that really true?
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 9/13/2018 at 3:36 PM, Mottel said:Is that really true?
It's why my ex and I split. I fished so much she was positive I was cheating on her. 1 woman is headache enough, I don't need more than that.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
On 9/13/2018 at 3:36 PM, Mottel said:Is that really true?
Not for me. But I have a couple buddies who had to choose between the lake or the wife.
They say they really miss those women ????
TOXIC reply :
Fishing gives my life purpose.
In addition, it has given me many, many friends that are like brothers.
Fishing is a universal language.
Fishing makes you learn and use what you learn.
Fishing is rewarding even if your not catching.
Fishing is the closest many of us will ever get to a "Zen" experience.
Fishing can be done when you are 5 or 95.
I have approached fishing from all angles. Casual weekender, as a profession, as a retailer, and as a sponsored representative. I have never lost my passion and I have never failed to be rewarded as a result.
volzfan59 reply :
Fishing has done a lot for me.
1. Before retiring from a law enforcement career, it gave me peace. Helped me to forget stuff for a while, helped me to deal with things. Still helps with it when some of the bad memories creep up.
2. Time spent with my wife and boys out in God's beautiful creation.
3. I can't begin to tell you how many good friends I have met and grown close to. Same with people I have "met" on the internet, like A-Jay on this board. My son is in the Coast Guard, dealing with Hurricane Florence. A-Jay has been great calming a worried dad.
4. As I have been fishing since I was 5, I'm now 58, I've developed a wealth of knowledge. It really helped me get my job at BPS. I'm no longer there, but it was a great place to work before the Cabela's purchase and credit card pimping.
J Francho reply :
On 9/9/2018 at 1:43 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I've met a lot of friends, almost all of my regular fishing buddies are guys I've met off of the forums, and I'm always looking forward to fishing with others I haven't yet. Lots of folks I consider friends that I've never met, just because I've interacted with them on here so much.
That's probably my biggest thing I get. Working with all the people up here, all of us with a common interest is great.
the reel ess reply :
NM
frogflogger reply :
A life long passion which gave me the skills to catch a variety of other fish (a good bass fisherman is a good marlin fisherman) That was in Marlin magazine. I got to travel to exotic locations and small local ponds. Helped me earn a meager living which was enough - and I am still excited every time I pick up a rod. What more could a person ask for?
sfpalatka reply :
It open the door for me to spend more time at the gas pumps.
NorcalBassin reply :
It's allowed me to fish with my dad anywhere from once a week to a couple times every month on average the past 12+ years, and I doubt we would have spent near as much quality time together without fishing as part of the equation. Also resets me mentally to give me the resiliency I need for long work hours and a very busy family life. Not sure how I'd be without it.
Columbia Craw reply :
My garage door.
Mottel reply :
Well fishing is leaving me confused. I love it so much I want to find a fish related career so I can be fishing all day every day, but then again, people told me fishing is not fishing when it’s your job. Advice would be appreciated.
geo g reply :
The biggest thing is a seperate group of friends I would not have without this sport.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 9/16/2018 at 1:17 PM, Mottel said:Well fishing is leaving me confused. I love it so much I want to find a fish related career so I can be fishing all day every day, but then again, people told me fishing is not fishing when it’s your job. Advice would be appreciated.
I'd say go for it. Only way to find out for sure
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