Why Do You Bass Fish?

[Brian6428]

When I caught my first bluegill, I immediately knew I wanted more challenge and bigger fish. Therefore I began learning how to bass fish. It is challenging, but there is no thrill that compares to holding that big bass you worked so long to catch.

[Bair]

I think it's the challenge and then the feeling of conquering it that got me hooked.

[Grantman83]

1st.  I am ocd love trying to match tackle to the right application be it line, rod action and reel speed.  I love tinkering to find out what works best for what.

2nd.  I love to be constantly working and moving baits etc.  I never got into fishing because I thought it was throw a bobber out and wait.  I can't take something so boring.  When I found out how interesting and complicated it could be, I was hooked. 

3rd.  I love trying to figure out a puzzle and knowing I am pitting myself against the fish in trying to get them to bite. 

 

Basically that is trying to figure out 2 puzzles at the same time.  Gear puzzle and then pattern puzzle.  Keeps my mind constantly working. 

[Scott F]

I have many reasons why I choose to bass fish over fishing for other species. The main reason is because of the way you fish for bass. They readily hit a variety artificial lures and you can cast for them.  Changing lures, casting at targets, you are always active. That makes for fun fishing.  I'd rather stay home and paint my house than to drag live bait rigs around for walleyes. That's just boring. I'm also not crazy about staring at a float for hours, sitting and waiting for it to go under.  Pike fishing is fun, and I like it a lot. It's a lot like bass fishing except the potential for much larger fish is there. The problem with pike fishing is that to get good numbers and size, you have to go to Canada. There isn't a lot of decent pike fishing that is closer that 600 miles from where I live. Muskies would be good if you had a reasonable shot at getting several in a day. I don't live anywhere near saltwater so there's no opportunity for that.  I have smallmouth bass in rivers 15 minutes to an hour away that I can easily catch all summer long. They fight hard, and are present in good numbers. That's why I choose bass over other species.

[jignfule]

cheaper than a psychiatrist.   (slightly)

[Wayne P.]

I bass fish because I want to. 

[weekendwarrior]

I bass fish because its a great way to spend time outside. For me it kills a lot of time is the spring and summer when there is nothing to hunt. Its not all about bass fishing either. I also love to fish walleye, and get into a good mess of crappie during the spawn. Also I think everyone who loves bass fishing should take a trip to Louisiana and go after redfish. My dad and I went for the first time two years ago and we have been back twice a year ever since. 

[SirSnookalot]

Saltwater fish are a lot harder to catch!

Especially in Kansas

 

Maybe in Kansas, lol.  Certain times of the year saltwater fish are easier to come by than by bass, other times of the year bass are a lot easier.  As they say in Florida, when the bass turn on the snook turn off and when the snook turn on the bass are off, it's true, but there is more going on than just snook.  There are times I can go for weeks without a saltwater strike and times when it's a fish a cast.

 

I've been bass fishing for 60 years of my life, boating Lake Erie, Lake St Clair, and my own inland lake, many other species too.  Being in Florida bass fishing consumes a smaller portion of my fishing life, I have other species that I do prefer to catch.  I still bass fish but I do it on the terms that make it the most fun for me, I don't need numbers or size to make me happy, I get plenty of size and hard fighting fish elsewhere.  I like to walk canals and ponds throwing a top water lure or fluke, a bass blow up is a great visual.  Compared to my saltwater gear bass gear is very light and comfortable, fatigue never seems to be an issue for me, it's great relaxing time, gets me out of the house for a few hours, I'll probably always bass fish.

[ww2farmer]

Because I like it, I want to, and I am pretty good at it.

[Bankbeater]

It's the one time when I'm outside that I have to myself.  No wife, no kids, no work.

[tugsandpulls]

I love to problem solve, I am a third year electrical engineering/ Nuclear engineering student, also I am an US Navy veteran and was a Naval Electrician, so problem solving is like an addiction to me. bass fishing is no different the problem is I dont have a limit, the solution is what I do to get it. it is addicting.

 

Mitch

i too was in the navy so thanks for your service and did you fish in the navy i did off the fantail of my tug lol

[tugsandpulls]

i started fishing when i went camping and never stopped

[mjseverson24]

i too was in the navy so thanks for your service and did you fish in the navy i did off the fantail of my tug lol

No I was on an amphibious assault that was over 800 ft long and 80 ft high from weatherdeck to waterline. My second ship was a friggate, but because of being an engineer did not have much time while under way to fish, others did fish though. and thank you for your service as well sir. 

 

Mitch

[zwhiten12]

I like being in the outdoors and Gods creation and nothing is like the flash of a white belly and the jerk on the end of your line!!

[Texfisherman]

Outsmarting an intelligent species is a lot of fun.

 

But, my main motivation is always trying to beat my personal best (PB).

The whole ordeal may only last 5 minutes -- from the hookset, to weighing her and taking pictures -- but it's enough to keep me fishing as often as possible, year after year.

 

I want a double-digit bass

Then a Share-A-Lunker

Then a lake record or two

Then the State Record

Then the World Record

 

This is my "Bucket List". 

[Ratherbfishing]

I dunno exactly.  It's a number of different things I guess.  I like figuring them out and then "outsmarting" them.  I like having an excuse to be outside. There's always a rush when I feel weight on the end of my line and it just gets bigger as the size of the fish goes up.  Sometimes I ask myself why I like fishing so much but then I tell myself to shut up and just enjoy it.

[flippin and pitchin]

All the stuff.

[Alex_bassman]

Five reasons.

 

1. I love being in and around water.

2. Bass smell good.

3. Bass look cool.

4. Bass are hard to catch.

5. When I am fishing, I am not working.

I am glad im not the only one who think bass smell good. I get the weirdest looks when I say that to people.

[Hallman]

I started bass fishing because it was something to do with my buddies.  I now find it completely relaxing and even going out to the local pond for a few hours will help me completely disengage from everyday stresses and reboot.  What really hooked me is the rush and excitement anytime you get that hard hit and the anticipation of seeing the fish.

[Jaiden]

1. I love the outdoors

2. I love the challenge

3. I'm hooked on it!

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Mostly because it keeps me out of trouble.