Fishing just for fun?

[Catt]

Bass fishing is fun!

 

It doesn't matter if I'm preparing to take my 10 year old grandson to the bayou across the street or if I'm preparing to fish the Bassmaster Classic...tournament or fun fishing I have one mindset & one only!

 

Tackle preparation, map study, review of weather patterns, observation of water conditions; then make proper on the water adjustments...it's all the same every time!

[NHBull]

@Catt brings up good points.  The OP suggest that the time on the water is "fishing", which it is, but I the "process" as fun.  Much like hunting deer.  In my mind, the preparation and anticipation is just as fun..........sharing the time with family and friends just bring it to another level!

[RichF]

I love both. But I'll tell you, catching a 4 -6 pounder while fun fishing is great but catching it during competition is otherworldly.  EVERY time it happens I get so pumped I feel like my heart's going to explode.  Competing just provides a whole new level of excitement and enjoyment to fishing, for me. 

 

That being said, I would like to start having more relaxing outings every now and again.  Actually bring lunch and some cold ones...that could be fun too.

[padon]

I don't tournament fish. have nothing against it and I think we all benefit from things guys learn and develop in tournaments but it just doesn't interest me.i tell people I take fishing seriously but I don't get to serious about it. what I mean is I take the craft of fishing seriously, I read forums like this,i read magazines, books. listen to good anglers talk buy good tackle, gear etc. I love getting in the boat in my garage prepping for a trip checking all my equipment ,rigging up rods etc. then once I get on the water the challenge of putting the puzzle together for that day to see what works best for me.that is all aprt of the fun for me. I may have two or three spots on the lake that im pretty sure I can go to and catch some but part of the fun is looking for new spots, trying new things. just to see what works and what doesn't.sometimes I may take a break sit in the boat and drink a soda eat a candy bar and look at the trees while I think about what to do next. I don't wanna tournament fish because I want complete freedom to do what I want while im on the water. if I happen to throw a ned rig in a tree and catch a crappie I may stay there for an hour and catch ten more. no rush im experimenting having fun.sometimes on a kayak trip down the Susquehanna when the fishing slows I may go over to the shallows and catch crawfish for a half hour just to do it, look at the colors, see what baits I have that match them.i never wanna get to the point that I see some guys get to where how many fish you caught or how big they were becomes a d##k measuring contest. its just fun. but im serious about it. see

[HeavyDluxe]

I think this might be a false dichotomy... I'm betting that almost every professional angler (with the exception of a rare few) are in the game mainly for the fun of it.  Competition can be fun... That's why we have softball leagues - and even people who play frisbee golf and weird stuff like that.

 

Personally, I've never fished a tournament... I doubt I ever will, partly due to the cost and time.  But, I do find the idea of trying my skills against others, having a measure of your success (at least if you fish enough tournaments to 'norm out' variance), and to be challenged to try new things that, in my current, lazy angler state, I'm content to let just be the subject of posts on here.

 

So, I fish solely for fun.  But I bet that's what's ultimately at the root of the experience for all but the most competitive, successful anglers.

[gim]

When I was younger, I was all about harvesting fish to eat (not bass).  It was the same way when I was hunting.  I measured a day's success in the amount of fish or game I had to clean after my trip.  Part of that was because of my age, part of it because I was lacking patience.  As time progressed and I got older, I got wiser, and gained patience...a lot of it.  Now, a day's success is dictated simply by the pure enjoyment I can get out of it.  Rarely do I harvest fish to eat anymore and its the solitude and peacefulness that I value the most.  Taking care of my own boat and keeping it top condition gives me some satisfaction too.

I do on rare occasion fish in competition of some sort but I don't make a point of doing it regularly.  I enjoy competition in sports in general because I played a lot of sports when I was younger, but the time and commitment required to fish competitively on a regular basis is beyond me.

[geo g]

I have spent a lifetime fishing for fun, and still fish 5 to 6 days a week, either from the bank, or fishing from the boat.  I spent over 20 years competing in competitive athletic, in high school, college, and professional level.  Then a career as a teacher, coach, and school administrator, in a large Florida school system.  The last thing I ever wanted was to spend one second of my relaxation time, competing on the water.  Fishing is a form of mental relaxation, and a chance to get out with friends, and love ones, in the boat.  There is no more fun then taking someone you care about out in the boat, and watching them catch a bunch of fish.  I have been doing this so long that once I make a cast, I am pretty much on autopilot, and its all reactions.  I still learn from watching others, and I hope they have learned something from watching me.  It is never competitive, and I sometimes suggest things for them to do, or suggest spots for them to hit, as long as they are open to the suggestions.  I am happy if we are both catching bass.  Fishing is just enjoyment, and always has been.  I will stop doing it, when it stops being fun.  It is the cheapest form of mental therapy I could have ever found!!!!!!!

[flatcreek]

Bass fishing is just plain fun period..

[Sword of the Lord]

I currently only fish for fun, but this is the first year since my 3 year hiatus that I've been serious about bass fishing. I play competitive league pool (8 and 9 ball). It took me 2 years of shooting just for fun, learning the game, but then I wanted to test my abilities against other top tier players. Now I shoot for fun and competitively. I imagine bass fishing will be the same. I don't see why there isn't room for fun and competition.

[Jaderose]

Fishing is church to me.  It is my time for reflection, relaxation and for fun.  Whether I'm on the water or just messing with my gear.  I don't own electronics although I'm in the process of building an old jon boat into a bass boat so that will probably change.  I can guarantee it won't be the latest and greatest, though.  I don't take pictures...I don't own a gopro.  My phone stays in the truck.  I rarely fish with another person and although I do have friends I enjoy being with, I prefer to fish alone.  The first hour or so on the water I fish angry.  What I mean by that is I'm excited to be there...I've got other thoughts going through my head.  I cast somewhat haphazardly and fish waaay too fast.  About an hour in, my mind clears and I slow down.  My lure choices are dialed in, my retrieves are slower and more deliberate.  My casts are more accurate.  My brain shuts off and I'm just reacting in an experienced way.  I get more out of a day of that then most people get out of a month of therapy.  When I'm in my little bass raider and the sun is coming over the horizon and the world is quiet, all is right in my world.

 

That is why I fish.  The second I added competition to that, it would be a job.

[contium]

Tournament fished for years. Took all the fun out of it for me. Didn't particularly care for most tournament anglers. Got burnt out. Didn't fish for almost a decade. When I got back into it it was just for fun and still is. I avoid crowds and fishing weekends where our lakes are hammered by local clubs.

[padon]

Funny you say that jaderose I'm the same way.it takes me a while on the water before I just relax and let things start to happen instead of make them happen.seems to take a little bit to lose the civilized world we live in and then into the natural world.

[Goldstar225]

I fish for relaxation.  I doubt that I'll ever fish competitively simply because I suck at the catching part.  I may beat the water up for 2 or 3 hours then lay my rod down, spin my seat around, grab a drink and snack, then gaze at nature around me for a while.  I love being on the water at first light when all is peaceful and calm. 

[fishwizzard]

On 8/17/2017 at 7:25 PM, 12poundbass said:

I look at fishing as a never ending puzzle. Even though I'll never complete the puzzel I'm going to try (if that makes sense). I love learning new things to make me a better angler. It's nice talking with fellow anglers as well.

 

This a great way to put it and I feel the same way.  I also really enjoy the act of casting and working a lure.  I will not say that I like it enough that I don't care if I catch bass on any given day, but I would rather cast and retrieve all day and skunk out then catch dozens of fish sitting there watching a bobber.  I love buying new lures and gear so I can play around casting and working it.  

 

I do think I would enjoy competitive fishing, I have never managed to motivate myself to make time to do it.  Every year I am like "next year is the year I start!" but I never end up doing it.  

[Russ E]

If it were not for competitive fishing we would not have the equipment or techniques most of us use today.

I fished Bass tournaments every available weekend for 10 years.  it  improved my  skills dramatically.

as I have aged my interest drifted away from competitive fishing and more toward casual fishing.

I may  fish small tournaments occasionally, but fishing tournaments every weekend no longer interests me.