What's The Most Challenging Thing You Find About Fishing 2024
coderforlife22 reply :
Hey guys,
I have a big project I am working on and wanted to get your opinion on somethings.
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing?
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing?(Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?)
I would love to hear your opinion.
Troy
Catt reply :
The Hunt 
EricTheAngler reply :
I find places to fish is the most challenging, and most exciting part is buying fishing stuff it is like a rush or something.
BrianinMD reply :
The most challenging, not finding fish where you gameplan was set for. Trying to find them after that is difficult.
The most exciting, anticipation of getting out again.
wisconsin heat reply :
The most challenging thing is figuring out the fish (where they are, their mood, what they will bite, how fast to work the lure to make them bite, etc)
The most exciting part is when you have a hunch, and you were right.
ww2farmer reply :
Winning tournaments. My partners and I cash or come in 2nd place more than almost everyone else combined in the circles we fish in, but for some reason, we only seem to win one or two a year. Yeah, we're consistent and don't stink out the joint much, but man.....some of these 2nd place finishes some day have got to start turning into W's. In the last two seasons alone we have eleven 2nd's compared to only 2 wins (1 in each season). I guess it's a nice problem to have. But in a lot of these tournaments we are finishing 2nd to the same handful of guys, guys who if they are not winning are not doing jack squat. I guess we don't swing for the fences hard enough.
Big C reply :
The Bait Monkey! AAAHHHH!
A-Jay reply :
The most challenging aspect I find about fishing revolves around all the correct decisions & successful execution it takes to get a strike.
The most fun and exciting part of it is ~ actually getting one.
A-Jay
Rick Howard reply :
Sometimes the hardest part is just having the time to get out. I spent a few years without fishing due to work obligations.
Finding fish is the most challenging part. Sometimes its easy though. Other times its not. On a consistent basis, this is the biggest challenge for me.
Obviously the most rewarding part is catching fish. It means everything came together perfectly at that moment.
The most satisfying part is being out fishing. Forming plan, reacting to changes in that plan. The anticipation of each cast. The natural world around you. The learning that takes place is what passes the time between catching fish, for me.
baxtervol reply :
Most challenging is finding fish. Sometimes it is even choosing the right place to fish. I have zeroed or caught very little at times while friends have done well at other lakes using similar techniques.
Outside of catching a good fish, the most exciting for me is the preparation for a day of fishing. Buying a new bait or two to try, making a plan and rigging your rods, getting boat ready, the coffee at four thirty in the morning, and the quiet and scenic drive to the lake. Can't wait for the morning!
WRB reply :
1. Getting out of bed at O dark 30 when it's cold. 2. Everything working after launching the boat.
Tom
Sam reply :
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing? - Finding the pattern of the day or hour.
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing?(Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?) - Not exciting. Just relaxing and enjoying the beauty of nature.
Senko lover reply :
Fishing in tough conditions is really mentally and physically challenging.
Catching a huge bass is probably the most exciting for me. Hasn't gotten old yet That would be closely followed by seeing a TW package on the front door......
wytstang reply :
1) Paitence
2) Since I do nothing but early morning fishing, the fun and exciting part for me is watching, hearing, and seeing nature wake up.
Oregon Native reply :
1. Finding fish
2. Hooking that big-un in a tourney
Ohio Archer reply :
Challenging: figuring out a new lake or one that I haven't been on in a few years. Figuring out how to get the fish I see on the sonar to hit. Trying to not think about work or other life problems and just relax.
Exciting part: being on the lake, in the outdoors. Seeing eagles and ospreys flying. A hook-up once in a while. A smile on a friend's face after a day out on the lake. The excitement of taking a young person out for the first time.
scaleface reply :
The most challenging thing to me is catching a limit . I dont fish tourneys now days but still push myself to catch a limit .
The most satisfying is when its been a tough day fishing but in the end I have a working pattern going .
Diggy reply :
Not spending money, honestly.
Mike L reply :
Challenging? Everything....
Depth, bait, color, size, speed, action etc etc
Mike
everythingthatswims reply :
The most fun for me is finding a really solid pattern, catching fish where fish "aren't supposed to be" according to the locals, and catching bass in really tough conditions.
Most challenging is keeping my head screwed on straight in a tournament.
BrownBear reply :
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing?
Besides fitting in more time to fish, I would say that it would be that it’s a constant learning process with ever changing conditions (weather, water, temperature, etc.).
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing? (Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?)
The planning, preparing, finding the fish, identify what they are biting on. I also enjoy the environment, sunrises, sunsets, and the bait fish popping the top of the water!
BigSkyBasser reply :
Challenging for me:Fishing and catching fish with rigs that's weren't designed to be fished where we live.
Exciting and fun: Catching a slab of a smallmouth and getting a picture of it for temporary bragging rights (my yearly bests don't usually top the group for long!)
soflabasser reply :
Having enough time to fish as much as I want.
68camaro reply :
On 12/12/2015 at 11:46 AM, A-Jay said:The most challenging aspect I find about fishing revolves around all the correct decisions & successful execution it takes to get a strike.
The most fun and exciting part of it is ~ actually getting one.
A-Jay
My answer also, the hunt is most challenging, getting a strike, especially a blow-up, is most fun and exciting.
ward131 reply :
On 12/12/2015 at 9:49 AM, coderforlife22 said:Hey guys,
I have a big project I am working on and wanted to get your opinion on somethings.
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing?
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing?(Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?)
I would love to hear your opinion.
Troy
The Cast. The challenging to get the bait right where you want it. I like to fish brush, trees and the bottom. it's all about the cast and a bad one can ruin a perfect spot.
The Cast. It's exciting to get the bait right where you want it. After the cast you can swim, jig, spin, drop shot, etc. all day long.
Bankbeater reply :
The most challenging thing for me is the weather. On calm days it's pretty easy going, but sometimes when a front moves through I find myself watching the sky more than the water.
lo n slo reply :
On 12/12/2015 at 10:39 AM, wisconsin heat said:The most challenging thing is figuring out the fish (where they are, their mood, what they will bite, how fast to work the lure to make them bite, etc)
The most exciting part is when you have a hunch, and you were right.
Pretty much sums it up
coderforlife22 reply :
Thanks guys! Your responses have been awesome.
As a fisher myself(Been fishing since I was about 14). I find the aspect of nature to be the most exciting thing for me. Being out on the lake, pond or river with nothing but you, maybe a colleague, and nature. So peaceful.
The next thing is hooking a fiery crappie that fights like a 5lb bass, only to be a tiny little crappy. LOL
The most challenging part for me is finding and hitting the right spot...Knowing the patterns by the time of day for certain types of fish, etc.
Thanks for the responses so far! Keep em coming! Also, if you are interested in the project I am working on, you can check it out here: Facebook Page I would love to connect with you all on the page and talk more so be sure to "Like".
Anyway, looking forward to hearing from more of you!
Troy
Felix77 reply :
1. Stopping around Oct/Nov each season until ice.
2. The peacefulness.
clh121787 reply :
Loading a boat in 40 mph cross winds and white caps.
Fin Stalker reply :
Not fishing. I use it for an excuse to get out of just about everything.
Starchalopakis reply :
Not spending a lot of money on fishing is challenging! Why does fishing stuff have to be so fun to buy?
DogBone_384 reply :
C'mon ... What's the most challenging thing about fishing? Talk about a layup - keeping the tackle monkey out of your wallet, your wife/significant other off your back, AND CATCHING BIGGER FISH EVERY TIME YOU GO OUT!
And what's the most exciting thing about fishing ? Keeping the tackle monkey out of your wallet, your wife/ significant other off your back, AND CATCHING BIGGER FISH EVERY TIME YOU GO OUT!
NoahWatts reply :
Most challenging fishing through extreme heat or cold
Most exciting when you get that bite and swing on it and the rod just stops
Montanaro reply :
Finding time to go!
Retired@176 reply :
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing?
Learning and then having success with a new technique.
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing?(Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?)
The most fun I have is teaching and fishing with my grandchildren and sharing in their excitement when they catch a fish.
RAMBLER reply :
Most challenging; Finding time to go out.
Most exciting; Knowing exactly where a bass should be, making the perfect cast, pulling a bass out of that spot.
FrogFreak reply :
1) The most challenging part of fishing is figuring them out. Others have said it better than I could here. When I have to work to find a pattern, it's very satisfying when I get it right.
2) Besides the obvious (catching), the thing I find exciting is the drive to the lake. The anticipation of the day and what it may bring still makes me feel like a little kid on Christmas morning!
I absolutely positively love fishing for bass! When I'm not fishing, I'm thinking about it. I fall asleep every night thinking about how I'm going to fish in certain conditions on certain lakes. I'm full on addicted and I'm very ok with it.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Most challenging? It is sustaining the enthusiasm to justify the time, psychic and physical energy, and expense I've poured into the sport. When things are going well-the fish are biting okay, the weather isn't too uncooperative, etc., it's easy to feel good about the money I've poured into the boat, the SUV (for pulling the boat), the equipment, the early mornings and the too often long drives, etc. but sometimes (usually in the heat of summer and during the too loooooong winters), I find myself asking "Is it really worth it?" And then I'll have a respectable trip and I answer yes... Until another long dry spell. Sigh.
Most exciting? When I hit the "mother load" and I have to get behind a tree just to bait the hook.
desmobob reply :
I guess the only challenging part for me is having time off and reasonable weather at the same time.
As far as the fishing goes, I don't want to feel challenged. I'm out there to have fun, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
I like to learn, and I think of the fishing more as an education than a challenge... a fun, unstructured education where there are no tests, no grades, no deadlines, and I can put in as much or as little effort as my mood dictates. If the bass are being tight-lipped, I can concentrate and work hard at solving the problem or I can just get out the ultralight and play with the panfish or maybe watch the birds, look for driftwood or just go for a boat ride.
The fun and exciting parts to me are when a really big fish catches me off guard, or I get some kind of large and surprising bi-catch, or see something rare or unusual in nature, or have one of those days where it seems like you catch a decent fish on every other cast no matter what you're throwing.
Fishing is like pizza or sex... it's all good, sometimes it's really good.
Tight lines,
Bob
MidwestF1sh reply :
Most challenging part
1) finding time to go
2) affording the cost of fishing
The most exciting
I think tournament fishing is. Weather its just "blasting off" early morning with a ton of boats or the feeling when you get bit knowing it could mean so much if you land the fish.
geo g reply :
By far adjusting to environment changes is always the toughest part of the game.
The most injoyable part is just being out there with nature.
coderforlife22 reply :
Nice! Thanks for the responses guys!
Reading through them has been very informative and helpful!
Jd_Phillips_Fishin reply :
For me it is challenging to keep focused when I haven't gotten bit in 3-4 hours
iabass8 reply :
1. Keeping up on organization
2. Buying new stuff over the winter
bigfruits reply :
1. finding the fish
2. working different lures with nice gear
bigbassin' reply :
1. Finding the fish
2. Finding the fish
BassMaster17 reply :
Most challenging: going to a spot where you almost know you'll catch something and getting skunked. most exiting: just knowing that your PB is swimming around in the lake somewhere, waiting to be caught.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Wind. (And current)
I live near the coast here in central Florida and I am always doing battle with the wind.
Trying to keep the boat where I want it while making the perfect cast is probably the biggest battle. Nothing worse than making a cast and watching a gust of wind carry the lure 10 feet off the mark- or more! Who knows, maybe there is a fish waiting there too! Had that happen more times than I can count.
The rest is just fun!
Added: Exciting? Finding a spot in the St. Johns river where the bass are boiling on bait fish for 4 hours straight every day from mid June through mid August. Arrive at 3pm and anchor up in one spot with clear casting up and down the river, and watch in amazement as bass jump out of the water chasing bait fish actively in one small area of the river every day until near sundown. And then catching as many bass as I can cast to and hook up with. I had a 4 day stretch this summer with over 150 bass caught and just as many missed and could have caught many more had I had 6 arms with 6 rods and reels.
The bass in my avatar was caught in there this summer.
I just happened upon this spot cruising up the river when I happened to look up into a side channel and saw fish jumping out of the water up in there. So I throttled down, circled back around, shut down the outboard, dropped in the trolling motor and slowly and quietly went up inside the mouth of that channel and found bass fishing nirvana for 8 weeks! I told one buddy of mine about it and we both had a blast there.
We did not have to look for fish. Those bass were boiling the water of the river in front of us and all around us every few minutes in different spots, sometimes boiling the water in 3 or more spots at the same time. It came down to trying to decided which boil was the best opportunity at any given second trying to judge where the biggest bass was actively feeding and cast to it. It was amazing!
stkbassn reply :
On 12/12/2015 at 9:49 AM, coderforlife22 said:Hey guys,
I have a big project I am working on and wanted to get your opinion on somethings.
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing?
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing?(Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?)
I would love to hear your opinion.
Troy
For me it's just catching fish consistently and especially on big water. Fishing local tourney's it's always demoralizing coming back to the ramp and having a tough night when other boats have 5 good one's and then you hear they caught a bunch...here we were lucky to catch a few all night. Frustrating but then again I do know those guys have brush and other spots they know that consistently hold fish. I have only been in one tournament with a guy who had a ton of brush piles and knew exactly where they were. Surprise, I caught fish! Also, when I still had my boat I did have memory of where a few of those piles were and could always go back there and catch fish on those spots.
So, the most exciting thing for me or was the most exciting was when I had my own boat and had the freedom to go when I wanted to go. Nothing is better than being able to say, yep, I'm going...hook up the boat and go...best feeling in fishing for me!!
roadwarrior reply :
I think Rick Clunn summed it up years ago and his statement still rings true:
Catching bass is easy, the challenge is finding them.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 12/14/2015 at 11:49 PM, roadwarrior said:I think Rick Clunn summed it up years ago and his statement still rings true:
Catching bass is easy, the challenge is finding them.
Not to contradict, but to jump off from...
I fish a lot of small waters, and "finding the bass" isn't the issue there, unless we use the term loosely. They are right in front of me. But they aren't always "happy" or "active" or... appreciating what I'm trying to feed them. Sometimes "finding them" is as much about matching method and technique to water, conditions, and fish, about stealth, about timing, as it is about their actual whereabouts.
Most challenging for me: Finding time to fish, and staying focused when the bite is tough.
Most rewarding: Gosh... all of it. Still love the strike! And figuring something out. That always feels good.
roadwarrior reply :
Well, I fish a lot of small water locally and am not always successful. However, I believe the main
reason for poor results is simply not being able to reach the fish from the bank, especially this
time of year. The bass may be shallow occasionally, so that could be attributed to "timing", but
for the most part the bass are simply deeper.
For a specific example, yesterday I fished a Keitech Swing Fat on a 1/2 ounce jig head. With a
strong wind behind me (think gale force). I was able to cast out maybe 50-60 yards to where
the pond floor rises dramatically. I caught a couple of fish that were so pale they were almost
white. Generally, I just can't get there.
Now to a point you made that we have all experienced, sometimes we can find inactive fish.
My observation is that these fish, much the same as suspending fish, are for the most part
uncatchable. However, sometimes this is EXACTLY where The Rig comes into play. In this
region and at Pickwick specifically, more double digit bass have been caught in the last four
years than the cumulative total in the history of the lake. I believe most of these fish have
never been caught and are basically "uncatchable" using convention lures. Enter The Rig
and everything has changed.
Paul Roberts reply :
Yeah, finding them can certainly be an issue, esp on big waters. But in the waters I'm talking about I can cover them entirely by walking around the bank, and others by float tube. I know where they are; they just aren't having what I'm tossing. A couple examples:
I fished a couple small ponds this October. Things just felt "dead". I couldn't raise a fish in a spot I knew held fish. I cajoled with a bunch of things with not a look until I tried a wacky'd soft jerk, and by twitching it like a dying minnow just under the surface over those dying milfoil beds bass started to materialize. They wouldn't commit, but were interested and told me they were there all along. I switched to a buzzbait and got whacked by three.
The next pond (with high clarity) I'd hit twice in the day and fished a bunch of things: swim jigs (2), SB, tiny buzzer, topwaters (Zara Puppy, popper, waker), and 2 crankbaits. Zippo. Then I put on a lipless and just burned it, and got smacked 4 times in probably 10 minutes. They were there all along.
Sometimes I can catch em on what I've tied on before I left the house -knowing season and local conditions- but other times I have to play around. Both hit my challenges and rewards: love when I'm onto something, especially when I can predict it ahead of time. But it can be tough on the psyche when the fish don't cooperate.
Catt reply :
Kent & Paul, y'all totally right!
Many people are amazed by my abaility to catch on a lake the size of Toledo but there are always fish biting some where...ya just gotta find that somewhere.
In a small body of water they are right there under my nose & I still struggle!
Dogmatic reply :
1.) Finding the time to fish
2.) Topwater explosion.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 12/15/2015 at 6:45 AM, Catt said:Kent & Paul, y'all totally right!
Many people are amazed by my abaility to catch on a lake the size of Toledo but there are always fish biting some where...ya just gotta find that somewhere.
In a small body of water they are right there under my nose & I still struggle!
Sometimes I dig in and try to figure it out. Other times I throw up my hands and switch ponds altogether, looking for cooperative fish. Depends on how much challenge or reward I need right then.
Tough thing is knowing how much of it was me, the fish, or the pond. It's a hard lesson looking at tournament stats in which, almost always, someone whacks em.
Kent: Alabama or Ned? Both are pretty amazing.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/14/2015 at 9:32 AM, geo g said:By far adjusting to environment changes is always the toughest part of the game.
The most injoyable part is just being out there with nature.
I agree with you Geo that adjusting to weather changes is tough,but it's also extremely rewarding figuring out how to catch bass in these circumstances than catching bass when it's easy.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
On 12/12/2015 at 9:49 AM, coderforlife22 said:Hey guys,
I have a big project I am working on and wanted to get your opinion on somethings.
1). What is the most challenging thing you find about fishing?
2). What is the most fun and exciting part of fishing?(Obviously catching a fish ;-) But anything else you find exciting?)
I would love to hear your opinion.
Troy
1. How am I going to buy all this fishing equipment and still pay my other bills.
2. Catching a fish on a new technique.
Raul reply :
On 12/15/2015 at 10:11 AM, BaitMonkey1984 said:1. How am I going to buy all this fishing equipment and still pay my other bills.
2. Catching a fish on a new technique.
The most challenging thing about bass fishing is trying to keep you danged evil spirit off my back and your banana stinking fingers away from my wallet !
roadwarrior reply :
On 12/15/2015 at 6:56 AM, Paul Roberts said:Kent: Alabama or Ned? Both are pretty amazing.
I bought the mushroom heads and have several Ned Rigs ready to go, but I have not actually fished them yet.
The two rigs seem to represent opposite ends of the spectrum, the Ned Rig for numbers of smaller fish vs the
Alabama Rig for size.
Paul Roberts reply :
Ah, double-digits you'd said.
I just ordered some mushrooms too. Of all the jig heads I have I can't believe I'm buying more.
CarlF reply :
Most challenging aspect (for me) is finding good bass water.
Most exciting aspect is the fact that long hours of boredom and persistence can be immediately turned into an adrenaline rush...
Jaderose reply :
Challenging? Figuring out what they want.
Exciting? When you DO figure out what they want!
Actually, my most favorite thing is the toilet bowl flush of a big Momma sucking down a frog I'm dragging through some muck. *twitch* *twitch* KA-WOOOOSH!!! and the fight is on. Don't get much better than that.
FSUFish reply :
Challenge: Finding fish.
Exciting: Finding fish.
Ozark_Basser reply :
Finding fish is probably the most challenging thing on any given day. Being consistent no matter what the circumstances are isn't a walk in the park and is probably the most difficult thing about bass fishing as a whole.
coderforlife22 reply :
Thanks for all of the feedback guys! Its been awesome reading through your discussions and thoughts.
Everything has been documented and taken into play. :-)
Feel free to keep commenting!
Jake the Cake reply :
Challenge: Not spending my entire paycheck at Bass Pro or any other decent bait shop
Exciting: Finding that one new lure that really does work as well as you thought it would
coderforlife22 reply :
On 12/17/2015 at 5:35 AM, Jake the Cake said:Challenge: Not spending my entire paycheck at Bass Pro or any other decent bait shop
Story of my life!!! :-)
looking4structure reply :
Challenging for me is finding a pattern pre fishing for a tourney then to find out the pattern is no good come tourney day. We chase smallies in alot of lakes i fish here. You can catch a limit in one spot in ten minutes then the next day they are gone.
Exciting for me is of course seeing my line jump or having one knock slack in it. I fish some lakes in the Arbuckle mountains and it's not uncommon to see a bald or golden eagle time to time. I've seen an osprey grab a 12inch smallie one time and fly off.
Spankey reply :
Early season finding them the pre-spawn thing all wrapped up in one. For me it isn't easy on the river. I have to work pretty hard at it. I struggle early.
My like. Being free, total stress relief, I'm in my own world, and just try to suck in what god put on this green earth. I'm not a real religious guy but I appreciate him putting these bass down here us.
fishballer06 reply :
Challenging: finding fish in new water or big water
Rewarding: Trying out new techniques and being successful
Choporoz reply :
Lots of challenges....well documented above.
For me the most exciting is probably a big topwater explosion.
But most rewarding for me is when I sight that laydown a ways away; pick out exactly where I think that bass is holding, make a perfect cast and the line jumps. Boating a fish that I felt I earned or deserved or whatever is much more rewarding than most. I can still remember many hits on 'perfect' pitches and flips.
Brent Christian reply :
Hardest thing about it would have to be finding the time to go.
Most exciting would have to be for me seeing other people catching fish
reb67 reply :
Being new to tournament fishing
challenging : putting a limit in the live well
exciting : culling the fish you have in the live well
MFBAB reply :
For me, as others have stated, the lists of challenging/exciting are basically the same.
There are dozens of examples:
Finding the fish
Maintaining your equipment, boat, tow vehicle, electronics, tackle, how are those bearings holding up on the old trailer? probably better find some time this w/end to slap some grease on there...
The expense
Staying informed
Finding the time and balancing the fishing addiction with your other responsibilities, work, family-and justifying it to yourself
Being organized/efficient and getting the most out of your time on the water
etc....
But at the end of the day, all of the things you are challenged by are what really make it interesting and rewarding when you do collide with success. Like most addictions, it's a love/hate deal. Ask any gambler or alcoholic what they love about their addiction, and if they are being honest, many will say that it is finding "rock bottom", not "winning" or just "getting drunk". In other words, the worst day of fishing, the day where everything breaks and the fish don't bite, you get soaking wet and catch a cold, maybe lose something valuable, make your wife mad at you for going that day in the first place, you name it, you're supposed to HATE that day, but you really LOVE that day.... because that day is what makes you appreciate the really special days where everything goes right! That day provides context!! If it went right every day, most of us would get bored and find another more challenging "hobby/addiction".
I would suggest golf for the truly masochistic among us. There's a saying "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it". but I think if it was really easy, no one would be doing it. I think most of us humans find more motivation in failure than we do in success.
JustinU1X reply :
1. As a beginner the most difficult thing for me is learning the seasonal patterns of bass and the structure they relate to.
2. When you're not paying attention while fishing a topwater and a bass explodes on it.
steverowbotham reply :
1. The most challenging thing is staying tuned with the fish. I struggled for years to find the "right" fish. At this point, I feel like I am very good at finding the right ones. Fish move, fish feed, then dont. Pinpointing small details is the most difficult thing. It's also the most exciting.
that_ryan_kid_7 reply :
Most frustrating: local lake because it's super pressured, and does not have that many bass.
Most exciting: Watching/getting topwater strikes
the reel ess reply :
1) Finding time to do it
2) Working at it and figuring something out that gets bites in one trip. Or tuning my technique to get more bites. Trying something for the first time with success!!!
Buckeye Ron reply :
1) Finding the time to devote to serious fishing like I used to do. I have found that the corporate ladder can put a major dent in enough free time to pursue "worthwhile" activities.
2) The most fun thing about fishing is being outdoors away from the stress of life and just focusing on finding and catching fish. Even if I catch nothing I still come away with a sense of joy for just spending time with nature.
Mosster47 reply :
1. Boat positioning.
2. Trying to find an unconventional way to catch fish when the bite is off. Living in Oregon that is almost always.
Darren. reply :
So many answers I agree with!
For me, finding the fish (the hunt), and then
getting them to strike my offerings.
Fun part. Just getting out on the water, hearing
and seeing nature, wild animals, otters, beavers,
turkeys, snakes, etc.
mbtharp1 reply :
Most challenging thing - Putting together a pattern on a tough day
Most rewarding- When your idea works on a tough day 
TbendAngler reply :
Battling for time with other obligations is always a pain.
The most rewarding feeling in the world is tracking fish and throwing that one bait that they love at that particular moment, it is an addiction.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
On 12/20/2015 at 1:18 AM, MFBAB said:For me, as others have stated, the lists of challenging/exciting are basically the same.
There are dozens of examples:
Finding the fish
Maintaining your equipment, boat, tow vehicle, electronics, tackle, how are those bearings holding up on the old trailer? probably better find some time this w/end to slap some grease on there...
The expense
Staying informed
Finding the time and balancing the fishing addiction with your other responsibilities, work, family-and justifying it to yourself
Being organized/efficient and getting the most out of your time on the water
etc....
But at the end of the day, all of the things you are challenged by are what really make it interesting and rewarding when you do collide with success. Like most addictions, it's a love/hate deal. Ask any gambler or alcoholic what they love about their addiction, and if they are being honest, many will say that it is finding "rock bottom", not "winning" or just "getting drunk". In other words, the worst day of fishing, the day where everything breaks and the fish don't bite, you get soaking wet and catch a cold, maybe lose something valuable, make your wife mad at you for going that day in the first place, you name it, you're supposed to HATE that day, but you really LOVE that day.... because that day is what makes you appreciate the really special days where everything goes right! That day provides context!! If it went right every day, most of us would get bored and find another more challenging "hobby/addiction".
I would suggest golf for the truly masochistic among us. There's a saying "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it". but I think if it was really easy, no one would be doing it. I think most of us humans find more motivation in failure than we do in success.
This is perfect in so many ways. The expense is challenging even to those who make more than a good living. It becomes addictive, I cannot tell you the last week I didn't blow $100+ on something fishing/boat related in the past year.
Also, those bad days. Man, everyones had them. I fish with my old man a lot. I am on the water four days a week but when I go with my Dad, usually on Sundays I spend hours retying leaders, changing out baits, oiling the reels, putting line conditioner on the line, swapping out hooks, spraying scent onto baits, cleaning the boat, waxing the boat, packing a cooler. I literally sit in the boat in the driveway for hours just tinkering. Then you go out, lose a $15 bait here, a $9 there, a $6 there, bounce the skeg off a rock, snap a rod. And then, I just turn the radio up a few clicks, crack a beverage and realize this is till a good day out on the lake, fishing with my Dad in this great Country. I also realize that I am certifiably crazy.
hawgenvy reply :
Landing a bass over ten pounds.
Nitrofreak reply :
The most challenging thing is myself, breaking the molds of fishing visual objects or once productive areas, forcing myself to move away from things that I know will work to explore something that I know may very well not produce results, do I want to catch some fish? or do I want to expand my horizons and learn more about fishing?
Every outing can be a hit or miss adventure, "they were here yesterday", "they liked this color bait yesterday" we waist a lot of time and money fishing yesterdays, for me the challenge is fishing today and becoming more open minded about knowing when to change and what to change and to what extent, it is simply a hunting trip to find the right spot that gives you the most bang for your buck, or is it...
Dwight Hottle reply :
The most callenging thing is trying to break the existing state record for PA smallmouth bass.
The most fun part is getting a new PB.
Scarborough817 reply :
the hardest part can be finding out what the fish want to eat
the most fun part is setting up your rods the night before you go out
BassThumbAddict reply :
Challenging: Trying to get a bite, find a place to fish, and the enemy of a angler WIND!!!
Rewarding: Big fish, Nature
WI_Angler1989 reply :
The most challenging part of fishing for me, and many, is finding the fish.
It's all well and good having a plan and a seasonal pattern, but when it's not working as planned you've gotta improvise. Plus, I don't have a bass boat or John boat. I have a a canoe. To be fair it's a very nice canoe, but it's not possible to gun it around and spot hop. Kinda gotta have a plan, a backup and make sure I work any promising spot thoroughly.
The most exciting part is when every thing comes together perfectly: you've got the right bait in the right spot at the right time to catch fish after fish. I had some of the best and most thrilling fishing of ny life just last year, right on the river by my house. Literally a big prespawn smallie 7 out of 10 casts. Some upwards ot 5 pounds and a small 2 pounder being plenty formidable thanks to the strong currents.
Scott F reply :
I face enough challenges at work and I fish to reduce my stress. I try and keep things as simple as I can. I don't get the chance to fish that often but when I do, I plan my time and trips to give me the best chance at success. The more challenging it becomes, the less I like it. On days when things don't go as planned, it's no big deal. Catch bass or not, I don't fret much about it. That's the big reason I'd never fish tournaments. I don't need or want any added pressure.
N Florida Mike reply :
For me,its finding the time to fish new areas.
RipzLipz reply :
For me, the list for both is a bit longer and probably matches many responses already posted and not really a response as the OP wanted but here goes.....
Consistently finding the quality fish that I know are there where I fish is close to the top of list of challenges however I know they aren't always going to feed at the exact time when I'm fishing. Another challenge is changing the game plan when things aren't working - I can be stubborn at times. Fishing when the weather gets hot and humid turns the fish completely off and getting up very early or staying very late over the weekends can be tough when you have to get up for work Monday morning. The 90 minute one way drive from home to the strip pits I fish can be tough, especially on the way home and if the fishing wasn't so great. Some of the unbelievable jerks out on the public waters. Waiting for ice out can be such a drag - never did get much out of ice fishing (odd, maybe?). Losing a good fish can be disappointing - losing a trophy can be complete agony. Trying to remind myself that this wonderful sport is supposed to be fun and not so serious is a challenge - why do my goals keep increasing (PBs) and will that ever stop; why did it have to rain/be windy on the day I was able to go fishing? Prices going up on rods, reels and tackle. Oh and let's not forget breaking a rod and/or losing a lure or worse yet, boat/equipment damage or failure. Getting hung up when you make a bad cast, especially when you knew you shouldn't have made said bad cast. Missing a fish on the hookset or losing one during the fight. How about when you were 11 or 12 and you stand up to whiz as you're tied off on a cypress tree in the middle of Reelfoot Lake on a cool March day, the wind blows a bit, the rope comes to its end and the boat jolts, the branch you're holding breaks as you try to regain your balance and the next thing you know you're completely in the water and back into the boat seat in 15 seconds flat and your dad can't help but laugh once he turns around to see what all the commotion was about? Worst part of that was getting back to the dock and unloading the boat in front of dozens of fishermen while soaking wet, thinking they're all staring at you.
Enough of my pseudo complaints, let's get to the good stuff...
I think it's fair to divide this into 2 parts - on the water and off the water.
On the water: Seeing the water when you get there, seeing nature do its thing, seeing the fish do theirs. Being lucky to fish clear waters and see fish moving up and bedding - watching a male bass circle the bed or see the female calmly cruise off the bed as you get too close - learning from what you're able to see. Seeing a true giant (given where you're located geographically). Oh my oh my, the chase - the hunt. Catching a fish on the first cast; catching a fish on the last cast; making a wonderful cast - better yet, catching a fish on that wonderful cast. Putting it all together. Having a tough day and finally finding some success. Running into great people on public waters (they're not ALL jerks). Sight fishing; sight fishing AND catching (there IS a difference). Seeing your line move as a fish runs with your lure; seeing your line just barely tick as your jig falls; seeing a bass inhale your lure; seeing that top water strike; seeing that top water explosion - oh sweet jesus; getting your subsurface lure completely crushed by a fish. Watching a bass come up and turn on a weightless soft plastic/slow falling lure. Setting the hook so good you know the fish isn't coming off (if you watched it, think Zona's show with Keith Combs and the shotgun sound when he set the hook); not knowing you have a good fish on and you see it the first time; knowing you have a giant on as soon as you feel the fish or see it dance on its tail; having a fish on and it takes you under the boat and you're praying for help from above to keep it from getting off; finally landing that big one; finally landing that giant AND avoiding that ONE LAST HEAD SHAKE THEY ALL MAKE (am I right?); admiring what you've caught - really look at it and take it in - the markings, the colors, the shape, the girth/width, the size of the mouth; those bright red crushers in the late winter/early spring; the fins still moving as if the fish is still in the water; letting her go for another day; fishing with your dad/mom/kid/fishing buddy; the high fives and fist bumps; watching your kid do what you taught them and finding the same success and enjoyment that you get out of fishing; opening the first/last beer; catching a dandy on a new rod/reel/lure; getting your pictures back from the outing; going back the next time.
Off the water: Getting ready to go fishing (for the day/night/week); going to the bait shop or buying stuff online; getting a new rod/reel/lure; wondering what the heck you were thinking when you bought all that crap and now you need a bigger (and new) tackle box/bag; feeling that new reel when you go outside and cast it for the first time and you know it was the right choice; the drive to the lake/river/pond/stream; getting your kids excited about going; cleaning your rods/reels; getting the boat out and tinkering with things; getting new (and sometimes very expensive) electronics; reading a good post on BassResource.com; seeing people find success with their fishing reports/pics; watching fishing shows; watching fishing shows and you actually are able to learn something; finding a new place to fish; finding a new person to go fishing with; getting into that one lake you always wanted to fish; being able to laugh when you think about an outing in the past; smile when you recall that one great day fishing; letting a teardrop roll when you remember watching your kid(s) fishing in the yard with the Snoopy rods you bought them (my youngest was lazy and brought out a plastic chair to sit on along with his rod); looking up at your trophy/trophies on the wall/mantle and remembering that/those days; not having any regrets in releasing a trophy; finding a good buy on rods/reels/lures; eating your catch (hopefully not larger bass but whatever is considered sensible - not for me to cast stones about that); cleaning your first fish; passing along some info/knowledge to a friend.
Probably not a complete list but I hope if nothing else, this long post might have made you think/remember a little bit and/or reminded you of some of the reasons we love this sport, even with all it's challenges. I'm glad my dad took the time to take me fishing and get me hooked on it when I was a kid - the joys more often than not outweigh the challenges for me, even if I'm not the best fisherman or catch the biggest fish.
jdw174 reply :
The most challenging is FINDING them. Catching them is the easy part.
Most exciting thing is being out on the water.....................
LittlePineyAngler reply :
The most complicated thing about fishing in my opinion is figuring out what the fish want. So easily i find myself trying a few things on any given day and if they don't work I end up wanting to give up and go to the house. A habit i need to get out of. Taking the time to thoroughly figure out what they want. Paying attention to the little details is something i struggle with.
the funnest thing about fishing is just being out on the water and taking it in. Even on the worst days of fishing i can still stay out for hours just because i enjoy everything about being out there. the smell, the views, the FREEDOM!
I try to never take any day of fishing for granted!
jeff25 reply :
For me it is simply finding fish. I have no boat and no electronics and only have a few small lakes in my area that get beat to death by fisherman. The biggest of these lakes is only 300 acres and I literally counted 17 boats on the half that I could see.
cgolf reply :
1.) finding fish and figuring out the mood they are in when I can only get out on the lake once every 2 or 3 weeks. Going to try and change this one this year
2.) Seeing a fish and enticing it to strike and completing the deal without freezing or pulling the bait away from the fish. Got my PB Musky this year by popping a swim jig once more at the boat to trigger her, very satisfying.
Also love fishing vacations where you can pattern fish and learn how they transition when the weather changes.
RB 77 reply :
The answer is the same for both questions; figuring out the pieces of the puzzle!
RichF reply :
The most difficult aspect about it, for me, is accepting the fact that competitive fishing isn't like other competitive sports. What I mean by that is the angler with the most skill/talent doesn't always win a competition. Traditional athletes can spend endless hours practicing, fine tune their skills, to become dominant over the competition (Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, etc.). Anglers can only do that to a certain extent as luck often plays a major role in our sport. You can be the best and most accurate caster; flip, skip, and pitch better than the rest of the field, or fish any and all techniques with ease and confidence but still get beat by a competitor who stumbles across a random school of 4 pounders 30 minutes before weigh-in. Certainly the nature of our sport but a tough pill to swallow regardless.
What's most exciting to me about fishing is that it never gets old. Obviously watching or feeling a fish strike, the ensuing fight, and landing of a bass (or any other species) are all exciting to us anglers, more exciting than most things in life. What makes our sport special is that there are always new things to try. Always new things to discover on the water. Every angler learns something new almost every time they hit the water. That's something I feel no other sport has.
"hamma" reply :
question 1,...establishing a pattern on a really tough day, like a bluebird day after a strong storm front comes thru, etc
question 2,... the amazing things that you experience on the water, like watching a bald eagle swoop down and scoop up a fish from the waters surface, or a dramatic sunrise.
WPCfishing reply :
For me it's not about numbers anymore. I'm out casting for Lunkers. My goal is to catch my state record this year.
I will be fishing a hand full of tournaments this year, something I haven't done for 25 years. I'll plan, pre fish, assess and compete. If I can get a top five I'll be happy.
Fishinthefish reply :
Finding somewhere to fish without a boat, or finding someone to fish with is the hardest for me.A little conversation can make a bank worth working for an extra hour until you get a bite.
The most exciting thing for me about fishing is probably the entirety of the experience in all honesty. It can be such a beautiful thing to sit there and have a conversation full of laughs, jokes and digs about the ole lady and cut off mid sentence to say fish on. The side bets me and my one buddy usually do, 5 for the biggest, 5 for the most. The scenery at times can be absolutely astounding, views you'd never see from any other position on land. The feeling of catching that first fish, the adrenaline of catching your new personal best. The somber melodramatic exit of a lake or river before you're ready to leave but unfortunately you have to work tomorrow. The excitement of the arrival, rushing to get the boat in, or get walking down the bank side to a promising spot. I honestly can't find a moment of fishing I don't love. That's why I do it.
markinny reply :
#! biggest challenge is trying to figure out why bass will have a feeding frenzy on one day and not another, or will bite then abruptly shut down.never the same patterns.
#2 most exciting when you hook up with a good fish. keeps me coming back for more.
Last_Cast reply :
Challenging- Spending money and getting that nice fish.
Fun and Exciting- Being on the water
Kingston_Ontario_Fishing reply :
Best things about fishing for me.....a beginner bass fishing enthusiast trying to learn new stuff.
Learning something new and getting results. Recently watched a video on fishing topwater spooks. Went out and got a couple and worked on getting the action down for awhile. Last week caught a nice 3.5 lb'er that just killed it. Was such a rush. Up north here 3.5 lb'er is a decent fish..not huge but good. My wife thought it was a monster but there are lots bigger. The next best thing will be to see her catch something decent. She gives me all the time in the world to fish without grief so I am a lucky man.
Hardest part is having the patience to stick with something new till you get some results. If you never catch anything then it is hard to gain that confidence to use it when the time is right.
MassYak85 reply :
My biggest challenge is slowing down. Even if I was getting 5 fish an hour on something like a shakeyhead just slowly worked back to the boat, it pains me to fish that way, even though I can't deny the effectiveness at times. Meanwhile I could fish all day for 5 fish burning a spinnerbait by cover and I would be happy.
Further North reply :
For me, so far: Musky on a fly rod. Combination of learning a difficult fish and a difficult technique (it's nothing like throwing a mayfly imitation with a 5wt.)
N Florida Mike reply :
For me its learning new methods.I have a familiar way to catch fish( Soft plastics).I am good at it.But not so much with other methods.I am also pretty good at live bait fishing.So for years Ive caught plenty of fish this way.Its hard for me to try and fish new ways for me when I know Id catch more with my familiar methods.
But I have a couple friends who are helping me get introduced to other methods.And I am helping them ( hopefully) with soft plastics.
Buffdaddy54 reply :
Most challenging issues for me are getting up early, I don't sleep well so miss many days fishing before the sun comes up.
Another challenge is staying positive, I've only been out several times and have not gotten a bite yet!
Another challenge is working a worm other than a Senko. I've watched videos, read books, and read info here and am still having hard time figuring out if there has been a strike or not.
Though there are many challenges I love getting out and enjoying the scenery. Something about being at a lake and being the only one there that is pretty special.
I also love the promise that there just might be a fish on my next cast!
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