Am I normal?

[GreenGhostMan]

My wife is starting to think I have some type of disorder. The early spring of 2016, I was invited to fish a pond. I guess this is where it happened. I had a single small flip top, old school tackle box that was half empty and 2 $20 spinning combos from Wal-mart. In 3-4 hours of fishing, I must have caught 25 bass. From this point forward, bass fishing has been on my mind about 90% of the time that I'm awake. Flash forward a year and I have a fishing kayak, 7 rod setups, 12+ boxes full of lures, several drawers full of soft plastics and accessories out the wazoo. If I'm not clicking thru TW or scrolling thru this forum, I'm scanning google maps in search of a new pond, stream or lake to fish. After an entire day of fishing, I spend the drive home thinking about when and where I can fish next.  I've never been this into something in my entire life. I almost feel guilty at times. Are there other people out there that can relate?  Just want to make sure I'm not the only one...

[S. Sass]

No your not "normal" but don't worry there are many messed up people out there. 

[wdp]

No, you're not normal. But you're a normal fisherman. Welcome to the club. Lol. ?

[IndianaFinesse]

Yes, I can relate, and no, you are not the only person that can't stop thinking about fishing and buying tackle.  Welcome to the club, it sounds like you have already made an aquantance with the bait monkey.

[12poundbass]

You are not alone! I too am the same way. My abnormal behavior began over 2 decades ago and progressively has gotten worse. I'm guessing most if not all of us on here are the same. Us abnormal humans like to stick together. We can all thank Glenn for giving us a place to congregate! 

  Just remember the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Just keep in mind I've been fighting this addiction for 2 decades and its gotten worse so you have a long road a head of you. Enjoy the ride!

[MassYak85]

If you're not normal then neither am I 

[jdz197]

It's a healthy addiction if it gets you outside. That's my justification 

[frosty]

You're definitely not normal, but you obviously like to fish so I'm ok with it...

[shovelmouth83]

i know i am not normal but i know what you mean. wait till you start thinking "i can bass fish all year". i am at this stage and omfg i cant stand the anxity...

 

must go fishing NOW!!!!

[Ratherbfishing]

It beats the heck out of obsessing over how/where you're going to get your next "fix" or how your neighbor has a nicer car than you do.  (Now, if it's a boat, that's a different story).

[K_Mac]

Normal is very overrated! When I first started bass fishing I was the same way. The good book tells us for everything there is a season. Enjoy.

[Turtle135]

completely normal! watch out for those who do not share our addiction, something is seriously off with those kind! 

[geo g]

Your not the only one buddy.  I have been fishing for over 50 years.  40 years from a bass boat.  I am surrounded by clear lakes loaded with bass, peacock, and exotics.  I fish everyday.  The wife knows I'm going, and never asks.  She just says good luck, and I have to show her the pics when I get back.  When your married for 47 years there is no need for words, she just knows!!!!!!!!

 

I never buy a lot of tackle.  I just buy what works, and I keep replacing.  I buy a reel when something wears out.  I have confidence in what I do, and have no need to keep buying new stuff just to try it.  I know guys that have to have the latest of everything.  I think there nuts!  Manufacturers often make stuff to catch fisherman, and not so much fish.  You buy it, they vacation on their big boats.

[GreenGhostMan]

Good to know I'm not alone!  Feels like I just stood up and admitted I have an addiction in AA (Angler's Anonymous).

[Caliyak]

You are not alone. My 2 cents, don't neglect the family, work or anything important to your family. I love fishing but I will not go for a dance recital or kid's ball game. Also, take your wife on a date so she knows you are still there. 

[Crestliner2008]

Well, I've been fishing for near on 60 years now and still can't sleep the night before a trip is planned. Get use to it.

[GreenGhostMan]

7 minutes ago, geo g said:

Your not the only one buddy.  I have been fishing for over 50 years.  40 years from a bass boat.  I am surrounded by clear lakes loaded with bass, peacock, and exotics.  I fish everyday.  The wife know I'm going, and never asks.  She just says good luck, and I have to show her the pics when I get back.  When your married for 47 years there is no need for words, she just knows!!!!!!!!

 

I'm lucky my wife has been as understanding as she has been so far.  At first I had to make sure we didn't have anything planned for the weekend so I knew I was free to fish... It's gotten to the point where she now tells me "why don't you go fishing on Sunday" or just last week she told me "you should take tomorrow off and fish before it gets cold again."  She's even finding private ponds and lakes for me to fish now.

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, Crestliner2008 said:

Well, I've been fishing for near on 60 years now and still can't sleep the night before a trip is planned. Get use to it.

 

 Although you've got me by about a decade or so,  I for one, hope that feeling Never Goes away ~ !

A-Jay

[Catt]

Define "normal"?

[tander]

Somebody help me, I don't see the op's problem.

[Crestliner2008]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

 

 Although you've got me by about a decade or so,  I for one, hope that feeling Never Goes away ~ !

A-Jay

 

Trust me.....it won't!

[A-Jay]

23 minutes ago, Catt said:

Define "normal"?

A-Jay

[XpressJeff]

 

 

Hi, my name is Jeff, and I must admit...

 

 

 

I think that's how it begins!

[jdz197]

29 minutes ago, tander said:

Somebody help me, I don't see the op's problem.

 

It's not a problem, it's a solution!

 

The only real downside is the extra effort you have to put in for carrying all that extra tackle. I have 7 rods/reels and 5 tackleboxes in my car. You can never be too prepared.

[stk44]

1 hour ago, GreenGhostMan said:

My wife is starting to think I have some type of disorder. The early spring of 2016, I was invited to fish a pond. I guess this is where it happened. I had a single small flip top, old school tackle box that was half empty and 2 $20 spinning combos from Wal-mart. In 3-4 hours of fishing, I must have caught 25 bass. From this point forward, bass fishing has been on my mind about 90% of the time that I'm awake. Flash forward a year and I have a fishing kayak, 7 rod setups, 12+ boxes full of lures, several drawers full of soft plastics and accessories out the wazoo. If I'm not clicking thru TW or scrolling thru this forum, I'm scanning google maps in search of a new pond, stream or lake to fish. After an entire day of fishing, I spend the drive home thinking about when and where I can fish next.  I've never been this into something in my entire life. I almost feel guilty at times. Are there other people out there that can relate?  Just want to make sure I'm not the only one...

If it's normal to be at work and mapping out your next fishing trip on Navionics, then yes, I would say you are pretty normal.