Favorite Aspect of Fishing?

[jigginlow]

Everybody has their own reasons for doing what they do. I thought it would be entertaining to hear what your favorite part of fishing is. My dad didn't fish when I was growing up so I just went out with Grandpa a few times and caught some perch and crappie here in ND, but all in all I really was not well equipped to just go out fishing when I grew up. Therefore, I subscribe to some of the fishing magazines that are available. I enjoy reading the articles and taking a mental note of all of the highlights- then I try to put these tactics to practice on the lake. I didn't know anything about leadcore, but I read an article on it and listened to Ron Seelhoff talk about all of his successes using it, so that is my objective this summer. I'm going to spool up a line with a few colors and go nuts. What makes you guys so anxious to hook up to the boat and go to your local hot spot?

[paul pachowicz]

kinda like hunting. The fellas, the jokin around, the tug, the fight, bein outside, the mental catharsis AND sittin at the table eating em. Lotta times when I'm on the lake my mind kinda drifts back to previous outings and when me and my Pa were in the boat. I've fished from the Gulf of Mexico into NW Ontario and just love to sit around and tell stories of fish that have been caught. Fishin in SoDak isn't all that good on the western edge and really look forward to our annual fall trip with my buds from Waseka up to Big Winnie and the spring sojourn into NW Ontario.

[mainbutter]

Being outside with friends and family is my favorite part.

Of course, the challenge and eventual great feeling from success is a close second, and certainly a good enough of a draw to fish alone at times.

Depending on what and where I'm fishing, sometimes the eating can be SUCH a treat.. Nothing is quite as good as alaskan salmon caught and grilled the same day, especially after a day spent completely in the outdoors(always makes food taste better)

[fishcast]

Its fun!

The challenge of finding the "pattern," the drive to get the "big one", and the "fight" all while experiencing the awesome beauty of the outdoors with friends.

[Bassman55]

I gotta agree with fishcast. Figuring out the pattern that is going on that day is awesome. I fish every weekend that I can and I almost never go to the same lake two days or weekends in a row, just so I can figure out the fish on a different lake.

[Dan Brelje]

i like getting out and taking my mind off of everything. Also, trying new things is a blast. I'd rather catch 1 fish on a new tactic than 5 on one i've been using. Learning, you never know enough. "the more you know, the less you know"

[Muddog]

No politics, It is just you and the fish. If you are doing it right the fish will tell you.

[TNFL]

I just enjoy the "open" water. I like the puzzle, looking at the weeds, trying to figure out where the fish may be. Waiting in anticipation for that strike. I enjoy the stike and the hook-set more than landing the fish. Although I'm always disappointed if I don't land the fish.

[Doufish2]

My step dad bought one of those fishing kits that you used to find in the back or Argosy magazine, if your old enough, you'll know the ones I mean. 2001 pcs of fishing equipment for $19.95, including rod n reels and tackle. It was a joke, but it got me started when I was 6.

My father-in-law introduced me to bass fishing 30 yrs ago. I fell in head over heals. I just like to idea of what might be at the end of my line. Sunrise with a topwater..........wonderful!!!

I passed fishing down to my daughter. She is married now and fishes with her husband. Just a great feeling know when I am gone, it will be carried on.

[Croix]

Topwater explosions!

[lookincalifornia]

i love how i can have a great time in complete solitude. then i can have even more fun with a couple of good freinds. fishing helps me 'recharge the batteries'. my wife makes me go fishing if i start to get grumpy. i actually have to fish or i get in trouble! i can have the same great time waist deep in a trout stream flinging flies, on a slow muddy river tossing sweet corn to carp, hopping a frog accross a lilly pad feild, burning a bucktail over a weed bed, bouncing a power grub off a deep rock pile, or staring down an 8" hole in the ice.

why is fishing great, it just is!

[slabbin@thecabin]

I like to find a big group of boats or fishhouses and try to get in the middle of them...

J/K. I actually think the best part of fishing is being around nobody at all.

[Daze Off]

When all the cares and worries of work/family/life have me in a daze I go fishing and come back refreshed - hence the moniker.

I love figuring out the puzzle of how to catch 'em and a close second is seeing the beautiful things you get to see when on thew water - a bald eagle swooping down to grab a fish, a couple of fawns with a doe playing in the water at the edge of the lake, a loon family swimming around the boat, a wild turkey thinking it was a duck and trying to land in the water, etc.

[Tim_Anderson]

I "suffered" from an addiction to fishing for most of my life. "Suffered" you say? Yeah. It was an addiction like any other...drugs, alcohol - you name it. I actually thought that if I could just do enough, or if I could just catch enough, then I would finally be satisfied. But then, no matter how much I did, I never was. Lots of other things suffered in the process. Family life. Work. Me.

I sure learned an awful lot of valuable stuff during that time. Places to fish. Gear. Techniques. You name it. But it was mostly a selfish thing and a selfish time. I enjoyed fishing with other people, but it was mostly all about me. I fished alone the vast majority of the time.

But that all changed a few years ago (stemming from a crisis situation), and fishing is now so much more enjoyable, satisfying, and peaceful for me. Call it a "change of heart."

I am not "driven" like I used to be. I find incredible enjoyment and satisfaction in friendship and fellowship when I am fishing...with God and man. I'm at a stage in my life where I find the most fun and satisfaction in helping other people to catch fish and be successful. That's why I go. And yeah, I like catching fish myself, but it's just way better now that the focus has turned to someone else other than me. Kind of hard to explain, but if you have experienced this, then you will know exactly what I mean.

For a lot of years, I tried to make it into something else, but in it's rightful place, fishing is a spiritual thing for me. I believe that I was created to do this. It's as simple as that.

The honest truth is, I probably still fish as hard and as much as I ever did; I just do it for completely different reasons, and that subtle change makes all the difference in the world.

Funny how that works. It's a very rare occasion any more that I fish alone. I really enjoy being out there with people, but it is actually somewhat of a treat now when i get to go out by myself. A complete turn-around. Who'd a thunk it?

I am living my dream. I sure am grateful...and blessed.

[fishinJohn]

Nice post Tim, it's pretty easy to get caught up in hobbies, pushing yourself too quickly learn the skills and buy the gear which can all get in the way of enjoying what you are doing. I am guilty of this with ice fishing because fishing on a bucket in a desert got old too fast. However with open water there is just too much for me to enjoy to lose sight of why I am there. Part of what I love about fishing is the rush. Pulling a big fish off the bottom and getting to see it really pushes a pleasure button for me. Plus I have a fairly strong fear of drowning so deep water or strong current kind of mezmorize me.

[Muddog]

Quote:

I like to find a big group of boats or fishhouses and try to get in the middle of them...

LOL. Now that is the best part of this form!

[Raider4ever]

I guess I'm still at the "addicted" stage. There are times I love going out by myself, fishing smaller lakes that no one else does, being out from a 1/2 hour before sunrise until an hour after sunset with just some cheese/crackers and Coca-Cola for lunch.

I do enjoy taking the kids out for a couple of hours if they want. I have no problem telling people a couple of spots on some lakes if they ask. They're not going to clean out my lake.

I don't know though, those days when it's just me, the boat, and Smallies on the rock piles for 18 hours in late June is what I live for. I am indeed fortunate to have an understanding spouse. She is the best.

Paul

[MN Angler]

I love being in the great outdoors whether it's during a blizzard and bitter cold or it's blistering hot and humid. The anticipation fishing brings, not knowing what you will tie into next or when or if you will catch that trophy of a lifetime. Figuring out the fish patterns and applying them. Most of all what I love about fishing are those memories which are made with family and friends, memories which are talked about for years and remembered forever.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

Absolutely LOVE going out on the river either day or night, because it is the one place I can go to get away from the many stresses of life. I live in a party apartment on a college campus and I am not that type of person at all, so fishing really means a lot to me. It's my time to escape from the problems that I have to deal with on a daily basis.

Also love the small talk with friends or my girlfriend while we sit out there. Late at night well after dark you will RARELY find any humans out on the banks of the river, and it's nice being able to enjoy that time with someone you care about. The many different sounds from all the animals is another amazing beauty to fishing. Anything from owls off in the distance, to beavers scaring the crud out of us when they smack the water is all enjoyable to me.

Now just gotta sit back an be patient until mid-late April so I can battle some monster Flatheads. After all, that is the reason I am out there is to have some fun and maybe even some bragging rights with friends.

[Luvsoutdoors]

Dining lakeside with a true "shore lunch" Just don't let the jays fly off with the bread!

[shizzy]

No work, no bossman yellin, no worries when Im out on the lake.

[wildcatcreek]

I love just getting away from it all. When I go out to the creek or river, I look for solitude. I'm constantly looking for spots where noone goes. The mystery of what will grab my bait and the anticipation of that keeps me coming back time after time.

[Sandmannd]

Love the open water. Sitting in a boat by yourself and just being at one with nature is awesome. Being out with others and shooting the breaze is equally as awesome. Getting kids out is great. I love to take folks out for their first trip. The feeling you get when you have a fish on is next to none. Just so many great things about fishing.

[setterguy]

Depends on who I'm with. While with friends its a time to razz one another and laugh about stuff the ladies don't find so funny. When with my son, I find myself taken back quite often just watching the boy he has become, independent, funny and oh so serious about fishing. While with my wife and kids, I enjoy the peacefulness of being a family without distractions. While by myself I like to get lost in the chase, forget about everything else but pursuing that fish.

[bassphish2005]

Ya,its about being out and I like fishing away from the crowds....alone time for the soul.