The Hunger

[HoosierHawgs]

The hunger for victory, the hunger to go out and CATCH 'EM, day in and day out, better than anyone, tournament or not? What is it? What triggers it? Are you born with it or can it be bred? I'd kinda like to start an open discussion on this topic, so any and all input appreciated.

[Fisher-O-men]

I don't have it!  I just like to fish!

[Bluebasser86]

I must be born with it because I can't control the urge to go fishing and the longer I go, the worse it gets. I'm sure the desire can be taught or learned though. As for winning tournaments, I've always been competitive and want to win anytime it's a competition regardless of what I'm doing. 

[thomas15]

I seem to go in cycles. I fish heavy for a few years then go dormant for a few. The start over again. Right now I'm in a fishing kind of mood.

 

So I'm fishing a few local Buddy Tournaments this year mainly to force myself to really work on finding where the Bass are and trying to hone a few basic angling skills for when the bite is non-existant. I have no expectations of winning, to me winning is having a good time and getting better at this sport. Some might think that I have a defeatist attitude but such is not the case. I know that I don't know a whole lot about Bass fishing in deep clear water impoundments that have heavy pressure. I'm willing to pay my dues though. Also, electronics are new to me as is the trolling motor.

[Anantha Patel]

I have done a few small derbies, but I just fish for fun because fishing is fun.

[Catt]

When you start understanding the answers to your "catching" dilemmas is not tackle but you!

Then and only then will things start falling into place!

[Mike L]

I must be born with it because I can't control the urge to go fishing and the longer I go, the worse it gets. I'm sure the desire can be taught or learned though. As for winning tournaments, I've always been competitive and want to win anytime it's a competition regardless of what I'm doing.

This pretty much sums it up.

I can't drive down a street, country road, or even an interstate without wondering if there are any fish in a canal, stream, river, lake or even a retention pond I see on the side of the road.

It makes me just want to turn around or pull off for 5 minutes and wet a line just to see.

I've been fishing in more tournaments the last few years than I really expected too and it seems the more I enter, the more excited I get.

The excitement and anticipation sometimes gets the best of me tho.

It's not only to have a chance at winning and cashing a check, but the opportunity it gives to fish different waters in areas I wouldn't normally take the time too.

So was I born with it? I really dont know.

I've haven't always felt this way I know. Maybe now in my old age I feel it more because I know I'm closer to finishing up that starting out.

So I guess for me it's a little of both.

Mike

[Lund Explorer]

The hunger for victory, the hunger to go out and CATCH 'EM, day in and day out, better than anyone, tournament or not? What is it? What triggers it? Are you born with it or can it be bred? I'd kinda like to start an open discussion on this topic, so any and all input appreciated.

 

I don't really call it the hunger for victory so much as it is the Drive to Succeed.  You can be born with the skill set, but the mindset has to come from a person's experiences, especially those learned early in life.  It also isn't limited to fishing, but almost everything in life. 

 

In the world of fishing tournaments, the guys finishing consistently in the money are the ones who have both a natural born set of skills along with the drive to do what it takes to place in the top of the field.  That drive has to include all of the time it takes before the tournament to study where the fish are, what they're biting on, and possibly most importantly, the ability to focus on the task at hand.  On the water, it might take skill to cast accurately, to feel those bites, and to get that fish in the boat.  It takes drive to maintain composure when things don't go according to plans, such as inclement weather, too many jet skis, and so many other things that can take a well laid plan and tear it to shreds.

 

There are many people in this old world that have natural born skills, who simply never learned how to drive themselves.  There are others that use the drive to overcome the lack of those natural born skills.  When you hear some of us older guys lamenting about the younger generation's shortfalls, most of that comes from seeing a lack of that drive.  Most of have learned that you can't survive on skill alone.

[IntroC]

There is a saying out there that goes something like "hard work trumps talent that doesn't work hard". I think this sums it up pretty well.