Why We Fish 2024
CDMeyer reply :
I am writing a paper for school on bass fishing, and I need help on my last paragraph. I would like to explain to the reader the reason I fish (spend countless hours of research, learning and practice all in a dream to become a BASSMASTER ELTE SERIES ANGLER). So far I have I fish because fishing is me.
I know we all share A Deep love for Fishing, so can you help me out and explain why we fish, be creative at first it seems easy but when you think about it, it is actually not that easy. Thank you for your help.
AK-Jax86 reply :
I fish to catch fish....
It is a hobby that I love and am passionate about. There are so many "temptations" when you are young so fishing is a good way to avoid them... or you can fish before or after you indulge in these "temptations" lol
michang5 reply :
I heard this on a Bass Edge podcast. Sums it up for me.
"[Fishing is] a giant unsolvable puzzle that nobody can ever master… And that's what keeps us all going and doing this." - Mark Zona
I keep trying to solve that problem. Sometimes I can make 1 + 1 equal 2, but tomorrow it might equal 43.
Brian Needham reply :
Fish for the thrill........the primal competition between man and nature, to make that perfect cast to the perfect spot...... to feel the thump of that kicker fish, to see the new personal best break the water for the first time, to be able to grab it by the lip and show it a little sunlight for the first time.
It goes deeper, this manly ritual of fishing. It brings us back to the roots of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. It is one thing to enjoy the sport, yet another to feel the pride that belongs to the capture of a wild animal simply by using ones wit and skill, to bring back this trophy to the tribe. Either to eat for survival, or by photo to the message board.
we fish to feel the community, not around the stoned fire of 1000s of years ago, but to feel the bond and beauty of nature, yes, but also your best friend, Father, or son. to revel and jeer, to laugh and cry, and to simply be.......... this is why we fish.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
For the one that got away......
Scott F reply :
I fish to get away from the daily pressures of life. I am never more relaxed than when I'm fishing. No stress, no pressure.
Loop_Dad reply :
Fishing is both my re-charging station and the treat.
bigbill reply :
I started fishing, well my older brother took me at 6yo in the pouring rain in my school yellow hooded rain coat. We walked to Bogarts pond in Westwood, Nj. I was hooked o fishing just watching him. As I grew up dropped what ever we were doing to fish every opening day for trout. We fished every weekend till the trout season calmed down. Then we fished at a lake that had boat rentals. We fished for trout at 7am and at 9am we moved the boat and went after bass. It was our excuse to spend and enjoy time together fishing like we did as younger kids. We always had that bond of a lifetime in fishing together. My brother, my mentor passed away 15 years ago and I still miss him.
Now me and my two sons carry the family fishing torch now. As they became more aware how to fish for trout, we kind of went after bass more since we had some awesome local hot spots to fish at. Then my youngest son broke his leg with his dirtbike while practicing at the track. Rather than sit home board we got him a lounge chair and set him up on the shoreline fishing. We all had a blast together just fishing for anything to tug the line. But the bass bug bit us again. We bought live minnows and targeted bass and pickerel. We bonded even more while bass fishing. Everyone jumped at the chance to go fishing. Now as time went on the cost of live bait was $50+ per week. We were fishing just about every night. I started reading about bass fishing and using lures more and more. I found myself using two rod setups one with live bait and one throwing lures. Soon after the lure rod was out fishing the live bait rod. This meant my live bait money could be spent on lures.
What really hooked us on lures. We were fishing one night with live bait when reeling it in I had a strike. I said to myself you want something moving? The fish told me they want the bait moving. At the sametime rain was due in two hours. Now we're fishing in a swamp with open water and stumps. This is an unfished place. I put on a mepps #3 Anglia and caught three bass back to back when my youngest son hollers over and asks if I had extra lures like the one I'm using. I threw him one and we had doubles after doubles till it got dark. We had a blast that night during this bass feeding frenzy. That was the end of using live bait for good.
The more I purchased lures the more I found out they worked and the more fish we caught. I found myself broke most of the time with feeding my lure habit. I just had to purchase more New different lures just to try them.
Then I found this internet sight here and Glenn who runs this sight gave me some pointers on using lures and spinnerbaits too. It's been totally bass fishing now for over a decade were fully into it. I been fishing since I was 6yo but not totally into bass fishing until I was 50yo and now I'm 63yo. I'm still exceited to go fishing even today. It's fun, it kept me out of trouble as a teenager up to my early twenties. Some of my buddies were doing drugs while most of us were fishing. I could of easily taken the wrong path if it wasn't for fishing back then. I owe a lot to fishing in a way.
Ok today I fish because it's a challenge to figure out which lure will the bass strike today. This is why I fish today it's the challenge.
Plus being out in nature too. Seeing freshwater otters splashing two fawns at the waters edge while they try to get a drink while the doe looks on. You can't see nature at its finest staying home. We have wild America in our own backyards if we take the time to see it. Fishing allows the time to watch wild America/nature's show too. If your not fishing your missing out on more than just fishing. Your missing out on what nature and this world has to offer us too. Just go out fishing at 4am and watch the sky light up as the sun rises. You will never see a more beautiful sight in your life. It's the story of the universe playing out before your eyes every morning. That's why I fish too. It's the life's experiences that are free if we take the time to stop and see them.
Again there's more to fishing than just fishing. We can actually see and witness what our creator has done for us.
God bless,bigbill
Btw, Have you ever seen a bass strike your topwater lure? It's a real rush for you and the bass for sure. Once you see it you want to see it again and again. I'm not sure who gets more hooked on fishing, is it us or the fish?
DocBar reply :
I started fishing because I grew up with uncles and cousins that fished. I fell in love with it at an early age. The same uncles and cousins hunted and I fell in love with hunting, too. I did both avidly as a child but stuck with fishing because I travel for a living and it's much easier and cheaper to get a fishing license and fish than a hunting license and hunt. Plus, I C&R 99% of the time, so take isn't an issue. It's damned hard to C&R something after you shoot it.
Maybe I'm weird, but I fish for both the relaxation of the sport and the rush I get from catching a fish. When I fish, I'm able to block out everything else and concentrate on fishing. I don't get bent out of shape if I'm not catching because the mere act of casting a bait with the hope and expectation of a bite thrills me. I try my best to catch fish, but I don't obsess over every little detail like what line I'm using or putting different hooks on a bait for a different presentation or anything else, really. If fish aren't biting, there's no telling what I might throw, regardless of weather, water clarity, time of year or anything else.
Fishing connects me to my family and nature. I can't count the spectacular moments I've spent on the water (or on shore) with family and friends, just enjoying the comraderie and nature. Very little in life beats seeing a hawg hit a topwater lure or feeling the lightest tug on a bait. The time spent with loved ones while looking for those bites definitely does.
I fish to nurture my connections to nature and family. And I love to outfish anybody I've ever met. 
bigbill reply :
Doc your right too. We all hunt too. I look for that one trophy buck of a lifetime. That special big rack. That 250/275lb buck of a lifetime, that 400lb+ black bear of a lifetime. We let so many smaller bears go by and give a free pass to sows with cubs. It's again the time we spend with other hunters, family and friends that makes each hunting trip different and special too. It's listening to the coyotes running the valley at night howling. Or hearing the bears hoot to each other looking for a mate because they can't dial 1 800 collect. The bears have a distinctive hoot. I can mimic it and call bears near my camp at night or get an answer from a distance away. You don't get this watching tv. Hunting isn't about killing something. It's about being out enjoying nature.
Like Doc says my uncle's we're hunters and made the trek to Vermont every November to hunt deer and bear. My cousin took me up there in 1973. I really liked it there. I hunted every year there till my cousin moved. My wife suggested that we purchase land there. We found our piece of heaven in 7 1/4 acres for $10k in 1989. That's the price of a new car I gave up buying to purchase the land. It's a hunting camp that turned into a great spot for vacations with the family too. The kids loved tubing on the spring that flowed out of the mountains. They fed the chipmunk captain crunch. They purchased a 10" tall ice cream they call a creme up there. They went for nature hikes. For just $10k the land had many uses. The bottom line is my kids learned about the wilds and nature. My land abutts the national forest on two sides. My road is a VAST trail too that's the Vermont association snow travellers. This trail system snakes thru Vermont up into Canada.
My little investment turned out to be a big deal. I have the white river that's well known for 20"+ Brown trout too. We don't get much for $10k today. Plus the lifetime of fun and the family bonding we did there. Again the fishing and hunting. The area in 1973 hasn't changed even today. I love the town for that. Somethings shouldn't change. Today my kids still go up there and enjoy the place. There's no phone service, no power. Just the animals and piece and quiet. You have plenty of time to just sit and think. It's all about the outdoor sports in general.
After I purchased my land my uncle told me that the land up there years ago went for $12 an acre treed and $15 an acre cleared in the late 50/60's. It's up in the mountains and as close to God as I'll ever get.
Why do we fish? Why do we hunt? Why do we just sit at home and do nothing when it's all available to us? You have to be out there to experience it.
DocBar reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 12:51 PM, bigbill said:Doc your right too. We all hunt too. I look for that one trophy buck of a lifetime. That special big rack. That 250/275lb buck of a lifetime, that 400lb+ black bear of a lifetime. We let so many smaller bears go by and give a free pass to sows with cubs. It's again the time we spend with other hunters, family and friends that makes each hunting trip different and special too. It's listening to the coyotes running the valley at night howling. Or hearing the bears hoot to each other looking for a mate because they can't dial 1 800 collect. The bears have a distinctive hoot. I can mimic it and call bears near my camp at night or get an answer from a distance away. You don't get this watching tv. Hunting isn't about killing something. It's about being out enjoying nature.
Like Doc says my uncle's we're hunters and made the trek to Vermont every November to hunt deer and bear. My cousin took me up there in 1973. I really liked it there. I hunted every year there till my cousin moved. My wife suggested that we purchase land there. We found our piece of heaven in 7 1/4 acres for $10k in 1989. That's the price of a new car I gave up buying to purchase the land. It's a hunting camp that turned into a great spot for vacations with the family too. The kids loved tubing on the spring that flowed out of the mountains. They fed the chipmunk captain crunch. They purchased a 10" tall ice cream they call a creme up there. They went for nature hikes. For just $10k the land had many uses. The bottom line is my kids learned about the wilds and nature. My land abutts the national forest on two sides. My road is a VAST trail too that's the Vermont association snow travellers. This trail system snakes thru Vermont up into Canada.
My little investment turned out to be a big deal. I have the white river that's well known for 20"+ Brown trout too. We don't get much for $10k today. Plus the lifetime of fun and the family bonding we did there. Again the fishing and hunting. The area in 1973 hasn't changed even today. I love the town for that. Somethings shouldn't change. Today my kids still go up there and enjoy the place. There's no phone service, no power. Just the animals and piece and quiet. You have plenty of time to just sit and think. It's all about the outdoor sports in general.
A doe is a 7 point to me. 2 ears, 4 teats and a tail. I've always been about the meat. I've killed lots of 10-12 point deer that are B&C qualified, but I've never been able to cook a horn down to where it's edible. I let a definite record breaker 16 pt atypical walk away just because I wanted him to keep on breeding good deer. Good stewardship of the land should be paramount
If I'm ever blessed enough to catch a 26 lb LMB, I'll take some photos and measurements, turn that big old hawg loose and let what happens happen. She needs to keep putting that DNA back into the gene pool and I won;t be the one to pee in it.
It probably helps that I don't particularly care for the taste of bass. I'd much rather have a speck or a red w/ scales down on the grill. I'm also probably one of the fer southerners that doesn't care for fried fish.
bigbill reply :
I have a monster buck in vt. Wether I pull the trigger or not when the time ever comes I'm not sure yet. Your right about the gene pool. At home I had a monster buck come thru my land with 9 does following him. He's a happy, happy guy. One night I counted 13 does with little yearnings. All probably his. In the moonlit snow.
This year I had a 350/400lb black bear eating my fruit trees. It was a monster bear.
I hunt to get away but I love the hunt, the tracking and stalking. I was ten feet from a black bear in the seven foot tall grass. When a little bird sang a tune to the bear to get away there's danger here. That bear went back into the forest went around us till he ended up behind us at his favorite Apple eating tree. We stalked him for four days while he played and laughed at us. He was a small bear at that time by the size of his skat. The last time I was up there his skat could fill 3/4's of a 5 gallon bucket or more.
Talk about the perfect gene pool. He's still breeding up there. He's smart too we educated him or did he teach us. One time he followed the four of us in the daylite hooting at us while we walked out. He stayed out of sight the whole time but we heard him walking with us. We figured he was special so we told no one about him nor do we bother him.
Ima Bass Ninja reply :
The peace and traquility of being on or near the water.
The excitement and anticipation of the catch.
The sense of accomplishment you get when when you finally learn to skip that jig without having to cut out a spool of line , or that the research into a body of water paid off with a high plac finish in a tournament. Really just anything you work on that finally pays off.
If I ever wonder why I am doing something in fishing I can always attribute it to one of these three things.
Topwaterspook reply :
I fish with my grandchildren to watch the sheer joy and excitement on their faces. I hope I'm making memories for them while introducing them to a wonderful pastime.
Fishes in trees reply :
I gave up trying to explain my fishing addictions years ago. Over time, it became obvious to me that it was a waste of my time trying to explain my fishing addictions to folks who basically, didn't give a d**n.
A nosy psychiatrist would question why you feel the need to explain addictions that are, for the most part, harmless. (this being said, I have numerous friends/ acquaintances who are on their 2nd or 3rd wives and fishing had a part in that)
Perhaps the best answer would be one similar to the one Louis Armstrong gave when he was asked "What is jazz?" His reply was, "If you've got to ask, then you'll never know." I think it is just that simple.
bigbill reply :
Second and third wives like I said in the past we need to find partners who like similair things that were interested in too. Not all our interests but fishing and shooting is the two most important. If she can turn wrenches, weld and cook we have a winner.
Just kidding if she can cook and hammer a nail to hang a picture I'm happy with that, I can do the rest and cook too if need be. I think most marriages don't last because some get love and lust mixed up. I love bass fishing. That's all I'm going to say about that. We must choose our partners for life very carefully as they do the same with us.
A-Jay reply :
On 10/29/2013 at 8:30 AM, CDMeyer said:I am writing a paper for school on bass fishing, and I need help on my last paragraph. I would like to explain to the reader the reason I fish (spend countless hours of research, learning and practice all in a dream to become a BASSMASTER ELTE SERIES ANGLER). So far I have I fish because fishing is me.
I know we all share A Deep love for Fishing, so can you help me out and explain why we fish, be creative at first it seems easy but when you think about it, it is actually not that easy. Thank you for your help.
I'll agree with you that it is quite challenging to put into words the particular reason someone else fishes.
However, by simply being honest and speaking from the heart your truth will come through.
For me, it's the challenge of the hunt, the surprise of the strike, what a difference a day makes, the sheer pleasure of being outdoors, regardless of where or when and sharing it with friends is tough to beat
A-Jay
Brian Needham reply :
A-Jay...........that is the most awesome pumpkin EVER.
PABASS reply :
I love being in nature and I love feeling that bite, or that top water explosion and then to hear your drag, pull in that fish and that's when a plan comes together and I am as much about the moment as I am about the planning.
WRB reply :
Any angler fishing for prize money needs to be good and competitive enough to win.
If your desire is becoming an Elite tournament anglers you need more than good fishing skills, although good fishing skills are essential.
I grew up in a competitive sports environment and thought it was normal want to win at everything I did. You need this competitive drive to become an Elite tournament bass anglers, winning is how you will be ranked.
Fishing for fun isn't like fishing for money. The weekend angler goes fishing, gets blanked, no problem.
I fish to catch fish first and foremost. It doesn't matter if it's a fun fishing trip or a tournament, you must focus on why you are on the water. You can enjoy your surroundings, wildlife, but you fish to catch fish and in the case of a tournament anglers your fish needs to weigh more then anyone else in the event.
Tom
Ratherbfishing reply :
Babes! I fish to get the babes. it's not working out so well though.
Fishing Cowgirl reply :
Because you can experience evenings like the photo's I've attached with your husband, wife, significant other, family or friends.
EvanT123 reply :
It beats..........
SirSnookalot reply :
3 one syllable words "I like it".
Many tournaments are fun tournaments, prize fund isn't 4 or 5 figures, those hi end ones I probably never win anyway. Being in the competitive businesses I was in the winner can score 3-4-5 and even 6 figure deals, but second place gets ZERO, that's enough competition and pressure for me, I'll take fishing for relation.
Sam reply :
Why do we do anything?
What makes us like doing things or having specific interests?
As for fishing is it the challenge of defeating a sly enemy with a brain the size of a pea?
Why do we watch football or basketball or play baseball and ice hockey? These are dangerous sports where you will be injured and the probability of being seriously injured for life is much higher than other activities.
Why do some guys like the theater, fashion, dancing and sewing while some girls like motorcycles, fast cars, hunting and being an EMS?
What happened when you were/are growing up to get you interested in specific activities? Did your mom not allow you to play football or did your family not have the finances for you to play ice hockey or travel soccer? Is there an uncle who fishes and introduced you to the sport? A grandfather or grandmother? A family friend?
To give you a laundry list as to why we love to fish is easy. For you to do some research about what makes us tick is the secret to a good paper. Each of us on the Forum has a story to tell about why we fish or have other interests. I suggest you do some additional research and start your paper as to why we have different interests and then parallel these reasons to fishing and other activities.
I just hope your teacher is smart enough to understand what you are trying to say as opposed to just sitting there, smiling, telling everyone that they did a good job of listing reasons why the like to do what they do.
Just a different take on your query.
Let us know the grade you get on the paper.
KyakR reply :
The last paragraph! The hardest one. For you I'm getting the idea that your joy in fishing and being outdoors ( so well represented by the stories here!) has evolved into a love of the craft and a passion for the hunt. For me, it reminds me who I really am. Hard to explain.
Many times a quote is good in the dreaded last paragraph. For this comment mine is:
"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I'll go fishing." Henry David Thoreau 
Sam reply :
And remember a trick the professional writers use: you couple your opening paragraph with the last paragraph.
Just a little secret the pros use.
IneedAnewScreenName-23222 reply :
CD,
I have a new book about why we fish. In fact, it is entitled "Why We Fish" and is available at www.whywefish.info, Amazon, and other booksellers. You also can read about it at my website, www.activistangler.com It is available as an e-book, as well as hard copy. Thus far, it has received 24 five-star reviews at Amazon.
The book is a a collection of essays that explore the many reasons that we fish, starting when we are small and have a burning desire to catch and keep absolutely everything we catch. For most of us, the reasons change/expand as we grow older, and that is what the book explores. I wrote most of the essays, but Bill Dance, Dave Precht at Bassmaster, Ken Cook at Fishing Tackle Retailer, Teeg Stouffer of Recycled Fish, Bruce Condello of Big Bluegill, Kathy Magers, and others also contributed. In addition, one of the essays includes the best answers from the hundreds of replies received at the Mystery Tackle Box Facebook page.
IneedAnewScreenName-23222 reply :
"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau
The best answer that I've found: “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” From Scottish author John Buchan
MysteryTackleBox reply :
Check out this great book by Robert Montgomery, award-winning BASS writer :http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Fish-Wisdom-Fishermen/dp/1935254782/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383506548&sr=1-1&keywords=why+we+fish
It's a great collection of essays exploring that exact question. A must read for any fisherman!
jacktgi@aol.com reply :
Each fishing excursion is an adventure with experiences so varied it is hard to believe. I don't fish tournaments and I sincerely like fishing alone so there is no pressure to perform well. I do not have to catch even one fish or demonstrate my prowess to a fishing partner to qualify as a "fisherman".
I love trying to locate fish, choosing the right baits and presentations and most of all I love seeing nature around me and being exposed to the unexpected. I cherish the times when I caught trophy fish, felt and saw static electricity build around me so that I thought lightening from an approaching storm was about to hit me (I left the area quickly), seeing a loon swim under my boat and through my shiner hole, an otter working along the shoreline, an osprey swoop down from behind me a ****** my shiner bait up and try to carry it away, an alligator sunning on the bank, a snake trying to swallow a bluegill the size of a small football, a deer crashing out of the woods and off a four foot embankment to swim across the river, a storm that brought high winds that made my ride back to the launch area a true white knuckle experience, darkness closing in quicker than I anticipated and facing the prospect of beaching my boat and spending the night on the bank, and it goes on and on.
That is what I like about fishing. Deer hunting would be a similar story but with different experiences.
Jack
ww2farmer reply :
Because I like it, because I am good at it, and because I can.
Rudy1922 reply :
Intermittent reward. It's a very powerful reinforcement.
einscodek reply :
For me, it is combination of:
1) CHALLENGE .. Its a desire with alot of challenge to catch big fish (and on some days to even catch one) and once we achieve, its an elation of a desire temporarily satisfied.. its a human condition
2) BEAUTY OF NATURE .. You can see it when some anglers such as me catch one and just hold it up looking it over admiring the fish's beauty .. and the surroundings where upon it is done .. a oneness with nature as if things like this is supposed to be as-is
3) LOVE AND EXERCISING COMPASSION .. You can see it when anglers admire and kiss the fish and have the self-control, compassion, and foresight to release her to live another day .. to bring joy to yet other fisherman who may catch her..
For some others is more about survival where it may be dinner or no dinner.. or ego of impressing others of some accomplishment.. for me I need little approval and I can find dinner readily elsewhere.. its about the memories of just experiencing the fish & the fishing for some moments in time
JWOA reply :
At the end of the day its about joying ffriends, even if u lost the tourney. Enjoy the time that was spent. Also, when it comes time for dinnner, bass is something that is looked forward to in my house. Even for breakfast being the southerner, fried bass, grits, eggs, hush puppies...u tlking about good...Bass fishing is sport that brings food on the table...and the families closer
Will Wetline reply :
KyakR and Activist Angler both quoted Thoreau. I will ponder "Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after" for the rest of my life. You might also mull over what Norman Maclean says in "A River Runs Through It" : " . . . all good things - trout as well as eternal salvation - come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy."
I've got the idea that you aspire to a competitive career. I wish you luck. Fame and fortune is highly valued in our society. I also ask you to stay open, however, to the idea that a quieter, more contemplative approach to fishing has its own rewards as well. You will find these harder to express in words and there is no money involved.
Listen to your own drummer, as Thoreau put it.
Hattrick7 reply :
I love the hunt. The thrill of being able to trick a bass into eating something that isn't real. Also it's one of the purest things in this crazy world. There's no ulterior motive, NSA spying, etc. it's just me and the fish and how I go about catching them.
I also enjoy the camaraderie amongst fellow fisherman that share a similar passion for bass fishing or fishing in general. There's always something new to learn or techniques to share and pass along. Plus the stories that I hear and tell makes it all the more fun.
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