What About You?

[Jake P]

What excites you about fishing? When you think about being on the water, what specifically do you think about that gets you excited?

I love the scenery. Being on the lake as the sun comes up and fog is covering the water. That is something I truly appreciate. Of all the material things in the world, I feel satisfaction being able to appreciate somethin so simple.

Squarebills, KVD 1 & 2.5's specifically, are just about my favorite lures to fish. dragging the bottom of the rocks in my lake and then feeling the rod flex because theirs a fish on is about as good as it gets to me. When I think about fishing those are a couple of the first things I think of. The feeling of something heavy on the end of the rod when setting the hook, I love it!

What little things do Yall appreciate and enjoy about fishing?

[papajoe222]

What drives me is the challange. You know, figuring out where they are, what mood they're in, what they want and how they want it presented. What excites me though, is putting a plan together before hitting the water and being right on the money with my presumptions. The flip side of that also excites me. Not having a clue in the world and eventually figuring it out is possibly more satisfying.

I think what I appreciate most is that aside from all the calculating and adjustments and decisions you make on the water, there's still this ability to reflect on whatever subject you like, or just get completely immersed in what you're doing that your troubles can't bother you.

[Shewillbemine]

Whenever I'm on the water, I always take time to pause and look around me, thinking of the millions of people who are not seeing, feeling and experiencing what I'm feeling.

My buddy is a big shot lawyer who lives in a million dollar home. And although he leads a happy life, he's also quick to talk about how envious he is that my schedule allows me to be out on the water basically any day I'd like to be. Typically, I'm talking to him as he's working in his office and I'm out catching fish.

I also love the mental challenge of fooling the fish with any lure. It's like mental sparring--I actually thank the first fish I catch on any trip for "making it worthwhile" for me to be out there. It might be strange, it might be weird, but I think of it as thanking nature.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

One of the best parts for me is being out there at sunrise. You said it just right, Jake. The sunrise and the fog on the water. Simply beautiful. You can't beat that with a stick. Aside from that, feeling that thump or seeing my line start to swim off to one side and then the fight that ensues after. Catching one fish is great. But when you catch another and another and you can say 'ok...now I got the pattern'. Thats a good feeling to know that you've figured them out for the day. Ill go to bed that night thinking about the fish I caught and then dream about catching some more.

I also like it when I go to work and tell people that I went fishing that morning and they go "it's almost winter. what are you going to catch when its this cold out!?' and I can just smile, break out my phone and show them the pictures.

[Mike L]

What drives me is the challange. You know, figuring out where they are, what mood they're in, what they want and how they want it presented. What excites me though, is putting a plan together before hitting the water and being right on the money with my presumptions. The flip side of that also excites me. Not having a clue in the world and eventually figuring it out is possibly more satisfying.

I think what I appreciate most is that aside from all the calculating and adjustments and decisions you make on the water, there's still this ability to reflect on whatever subject you like, or just get completely immersed in what you're doing that your troubles can't bother you.

I can't say it any better than what Papa said.

You make a plan, see if it work's, if it doesnt you Improvise...

You try different bait's, color's, retrieves, depth's, speed, area's, stucture, weed's if none of that work's you try to Overcome...

Then just sit back, put the rod down, look around, feel the water, smell the smell's and just try to Adapt to where you are what you're doing and be gratefull that you are....

Mike

[slonezp]

Spending time with my son and/or father.

Being on the water at the crack of dawn without a care in the world.

Enjoying nature.

The challenge of the bite.

The competition against the other boaters.

[Fishes in trees]

In my workplace life, I deal with people a lot. For the most part I like my job. It is one of the few things in life I'm good at. Now, on my days off, I like to go to a place where I don't have to talk to anyone. I call it a mental health break. I generally fish during the middle of the week, so lots of times on the small conservation lakes I like to fish, I'm the only one there, the only rig at the boat ramp. Being the only one out on a 200 to 400 acre lake is cool.

On the days that I do go fishing, I know that there are lots of other things that I could be doing, that would probably be more productive/constructive/responsible in my day to day life. I like the idea that when I'm fishing, I'm playing hooky from life.

[Brandon K.]

That boat ride down the middle of the river at the crack of dawn is something that will never get old. Something else is watching your line take off when fishing plastics/jigs. I would love to have a picture of my face when that happens. I guess it's because I don't fish bottom lures alot. But, the greatest thing is watching my daughter go from totally bored and whining to go home to completely ecstatic when a fish takes her lure/bait.

[SudburyBasser]

What excites me? Mostly the anticipation of just being out there. I've often said that I don't care if I catch anything, just as long as I have a line in the water and a cigar. That said, I also enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out where the fish are and what will get them into the boat.

[SirSnookalot]

Fishing as much as I do I catch my share of fish, seeing the sunrise on the ocean is almost a daily experience, never get tired of it. Sometimes the biggest thrill is what I don't catch, getting smashed and having 100yds plus of line being striped out and not being able to turn the fish, the result is getting spooled. Not knowing what it was or how big it was, puts an ear to ear grin on my face. On the flip side catching a 5 or 8 pounder that took all of 30 seconds to land gives me just as big a thrill if it's exceptional fish for the species.

[Hooligan]

There are so many things, and so many reasons I fish that it's hard to put to words exactly. It's about learning, first and foremost. If I am on the water and I learn nothing, I've wasted my time. If I continue to learn nothing, I'm doing something wrong and should quit altogether. It's about competition and having the competitive edge; be that in knowledge of a particular body of water, the feel for a specific pattern, or my use of electronics. Competition is a tremendous drive. I enjoy the simple aspect of finding fish, establishing g a pattern, and in the knowledge it takes to do so. I like fishing with good gear, it's a pleasure to use good equipment. I enjoy the variety of things you see on the water, from the humor of some knucklehead at the ramp that can't launch his rig, to the ducks that bob softly on each wave. The scent of the water on the wind. The damp mornin air, the ice that forms on the deck at this time of year. Watching droplets of ice form on my bait cast reels as the line guide fills with ice, the patterns it forms. The subtle take of a fish in 40 degree water. The resounding thump of a fish that hits a jig at the rise of a hump. The feel of my jig dragging from rock to sand and back to rock. The observations of simply paying attention to my sonar. Seeing the way fish relate to different structures and cover based on the air temps, pressures, and season. It all goes back to learning, I guess. That's just a start, I could go on and on and not barely scratch the surface.

[Nitrofreak]

There are no little things imo, everything is on a grand scale for me and nothing is taken for granted.

The one biggest thing that gets me is that deep, deep breath you take, closing my eyes and giving thanks, only to open them again and find the most beautiful painting one could ever create, the sheer serenity you get from time to time is mind blowing, knowing you have been allowed to be a part of something like that, gets me every time.

[Jim_M]

Quite. And just fishing.

[Bluebasser86]

I read everyone's responses on here and each one I'm thinking "Yep, that's why I go out too." Lots of good answers and reasons to be out there.

I'm with Papajoe and Fishes in trees the most. I love figuring out the fish from day to day. Those days when my original plans work feels great because I was able to reach back in my mental files and figure the puzzle out just by using what I've learned through the years. It's also great to figure it out on the water after the original plan fails and salvage the day. Those are the days I feel I learn the most.

Like Fishes said, my job deals a lot with people, usually not the kind of people most would like to have to deal with. That gets pretty stressful throughout the week so it's great for me to get away and clear my head. Fishing is one of the few things I feel I'm truly gifted at and it feels good to do something you're good at. Usually is something else I probably should be doing, but I like to save the housework for the bad weather days

[jkarol24]

There is absolutely nothing quite like that rush you get when your flippin the slop with a big ol' broomstick, heavy braid, and a hook big enough to catch a tuna, and you get absolutely thumped. You reel down, take a step back, and swing for the fences: the battle is on.

[Bankbeater]

It depends. Sometimes I like to go fishing just for the peace and quiet and the time away from everything, and other times I like to go fishing just for the competition.

[Dwight Hottle]

There are so many things, and so many reasons I fish that it's hard to put to words exactly. It's about learning, first and foremost. If I am on the water and I learn nothing, I've wasted my time. If I continue to learn nothing, I'm doing something wrong and should quit altogether. It's about competition and having the competitive edge; be that in knowledge of a particular body of water, the feel for a specific pattern, or my use of electronics. Competition is a tremendous drive. I enjoy the simple aspect of finding fish, establishing g a pattern, and in the knowledge it takes to do so. I like fishing with good gear, it's a pleasure to use good equipment. I enjoy the variety of things you see on the water, from the humor of some knucklehead at the ramp that can't launch his rig, to the ducks that bob softly on each wave. The scent of the water on the wind. The damp morning air, the ice that forms on the deck at this time of year. Watching droplets of ice form on my bait cast reels as the line guide fills with ice, the patterns it forms. The subtle take of a fish in 40 degree water. The resounding thump of a fish that hits a jig at the rise of a hump. The feel of my jig dragging from rock to sand and back to rock. The observations of simply paying attention to my sonar. Seeing the way fish relate to different structures and cover based on the air temps, pressures, and season. It all goes back to learning, I guess. That's just a start, I could go on and on and not barely scratch the surface.

Without straining my brain this pretty well cover it. The only thing I could add is watching the rod load when a smallie grabs my jerk bait & I yell to my boat buddy I got his a--.

[roadwarrior]

Well, as a non-boater I kinda go with the flow. I have fished with a lot of local members and guys on the RoadTrip that

take things serious just like everyone seems to be describing. However, most of my fishing partners are Southern Rebels

who like their beer cold and country music loud. As a general rule, we don't pop a top until a fish is landed or the sun

comes up!

[flippin and pitchin]

If i'm fishing, it must be a day off and things are caught up. And the stuff....oh I do like the stuff. Fishing is a puzzle. Use your noggin and put the right stuff in the right place at the right time and you just might get a bite....maybe two. I enjoy the company of my usual fishing buddies and get just as much fun when they swing one as if I did. Being pookie lipped and fishing don't go together.