Why do you fish for bass?

[Eric J]

I enjoy fishing for many species... but I'll take a day of bass hunting over any other. 

 

Can't really explain it analytically because I fish for fun, adventure, passion and sport  but as someone said, it's like constantly trying to figure out a puzzle. It's figuring out the tap; is that a fish or a stump?

 

Finding that spot... we all know the one.

 

Ultimately it's that strike and set when the fish sprays up and out of the water then dives down while I wrestle the rod and check drag. Always feel good when I land a fish but never so much as when I land a hawg... even if it's a HAWG only in my mind... ?

 

 

[RPreeb]

16 hours ago, 813basstard said:

Why? So many other tasty species out there. So many bigger ones. So many more predictable ones. Saltwater buddies give me a hard time but timing up the tides, slapping a shrimp on a 1 oz and throwing it close to a bridge pilling isn’t exactly angling to me. Man, I think I’m at the point where figuring them out is as fun as catching them. There’s magic on the water at daybreak with a top water, or junebug worm when it’s 157 degrees outside and there’s 2 waters left in the cooler but your thumb is raw from lipping so many that day. I’m not sure they get that part..so why do we fish for bass?

Because they are there...........................

 

 

..............or at least because I hope they are there.

[Columbia Craw]

All the stuff. I love the stuff. I also like bass fishing because each trip is a puzzle.  You apply your knowledge as best as you can and try and figure where the pieces go. That's part of the fun and challenge. Diversity at it's best: both in habitat and in anglers. It's also the means to be humbled without hurting your feelings too bad. 

[OCdockskipper]

I fish for bass because it is an active pursuit, going to the fish instead of waiting for them to come to you.  It is more challenging than fishing for bluegill, but not hours of tedium like fishing for muskie.  There are different techniques and the fish change their moods often, so you are rewarded when you figure out the puzzle.  They are a curious fish, not as spooky as carp but won't bite just anything.  Even an average sized fish will put on a fight and often an acrobatic show, but the fight isn't something that requires physical therapy at the end of the day.  They are hardier than trout, but do require some attention on your part when releasing alive.  A large specimen will literally take your breath away when their massive head breaks the surface of the water.  Most important, any fish that you can land by grabbing their mouth is just too cool.

[Steve1357]

Ray Scott and Hank Parker.....

[DINK WHISPERER]

This is just like the "why doesn't everybody like fishing" thread. 

[Koz]

Because I like to catch big fish, but not fish big enough to eat ME.

[B_Rose12]

I’ve fished just about every way there is except offshore fishing for tuna and marlin and such. But bass fishing, for me, just drives me more then anything else. I love to think thoroughly about stuff and having a strategy. I guess that’s why I love to play golf if I’m not fishing for bass. Plus I love seeing a bass slam a topwater bait, seeing my line move or snap when I have a jig on, setting the hook on a jig, and how my heart starts racing when I see it’s a quality bass I’ve got hooked up. 

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Eh there's alot more to saltwater fishing than your giving credit too. 1oz sinker and shrimp ain't the only way to fish

 

@813basstard I'm assuming the 813 is your area code. I grew up around Tampa, Fla and if that's where you are you need to get on to some big snooks and gator trout you'll be hooked! Especially throwing topwater

 

 

[813basstard]

6 hours ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Eh there's alot more to saltwater fishing than your giving credit too. 1oz sinker and shrimp ain't the only way to fish

 

@813basstard I'm assuming the 813 is your area code. I grew up around Tampa, Fla and if that's where you are you need to get on to some big snooks and gator trout you'll be hooked! Especially throwing topwater

 

 

Yes you are correct on both accounts. Seems like I need new saltwater fishing buddies. 

[the reel ess]

Around here (SC piedmont region) you have a few choices for species. There are stripers, blue and channel cats, crappie, all species of bream and largemouth. There are a few others like carp, pickerel and bowfin that most people don't target. There are some smallies and stocked trout within an hour's drive of here, but on small rivers and harder to access. So locally (in a 10 mile radius) my choices are channel cats, crappie, bream and bass. I do most of my fishing within that radius because I hate to fight the motorboat crowds. I'll fish for any of those occasionally, but when it comes to overall knowledge of a species and my ability to consistently catch them from the kayak with the equipment I have, the largemouth is the only one that is constantly accessible. It's pretty much in every water in this state. Anywhere I can put my kayak in I can catch largemouth.

 

And they're just plain more fun to catch.

[Trox]

Ugh... what a topic!! 

 

I actually got asked this question a couple of weeks ago by my cousin when my wife and I were visiting Austin and I was unable to give a solid answer other than the smart "to get away from her" remark as I nodded at my wife (Jokingly of course!). My lack of a response really got my gears turning about her question... I mean, I've been fishing all of my life! How could I not answer what would seem to be the easiest of questions??

 

Then during my next time out on the water, it hit me...

 

You see, I was diagnosed with ADD in high school due to my inability to concentrate for longer than 5 mins on just about anything. I mean, who could when there are always so many things going on, right?! At least that's how my mind works... But that being said, I could always hit the water and lose myself BASS FISHING for hours without any distractions, doing nothing else. cast after cast. fully focused the entire time.

Growing up, I did some cat fishing, some live bait fishing, etc etc, but never found any enjoyment in those activities. For me, when I would just cast out a liver or live bait and let the pole sit, I could never focus on what I was doing. I found that staring at my rod tip or a bobber for hours just left me bored, distracted, not mentally present, and as I grew older, it would just end up becoming an excuse to drink beer. I would find myself thinking about school, work, why my ex girlfriend is such a horrible person, you name it. I was never really there. 

But when I bass fish (game fish)... something magical happens that I have never been able to experience outside of the activity. My mind empties... and for the first time since the last time, I am not worried, angry, stressed, or anything... I am just bass fishing.

With bass fishing, both my hands and mind are kept totally occupied. The 10 different ways to fish each lure, the research and knowledge of color selections and when to use them, the time of day, water temp, moon phase, and everything else that goes into bass fishing effectively completely consumes my body and mind. During that time, I am not concerned about next weeks meetings at work, chores at home, or anything that could possible be stressful about life. I am just fishing, absolutely submerged into the moment, and finally living free from those burdens that life can bring... at least until I trailer the boat XD

 

And that, my friend... is why I keep chunking those lures.

 

[A-Jay]

I like to "fish". 

Grew up fishing ponds & small lakes in New England.

Then my  28 yr stint in the Coast Guard offered plenty of saltwater action.

Inshore & especially offshore opportunities were many and I took full advantage of each & every one.

Later I graduated to surf casting for Striped Bass - that one lasted a good 15 years and became quite an addiction. 

Have since retired to the North Woods of MI. 

And while chasing bass (mostly the brown variety) does occupy a good chunk of my time on the water, I'm not immune to angling for any one of the many other sweet water species that inhabit the cool, clean & deep water's here. 

Good Times.

A-Jay

 

[Catt]

Why do you fish for bass?

 

To old to chase women & it cost a lot less! 

[HeyCoach]

I grew up with dad taking us to a small county lake. I remember him showing me a clinch knot, fishing with crickets/earthworms, and small rooster tails.

 

I remember when I was about 4 or so I let down a worm straight down off the walkway of the pier and all of a sudden that bobber disappears. The drag starts screaming on my little Zebco 33 and the rod tip about touches my hands. I ended up having a 5.5lb largemouth that dad had to grab the line and help me pull up out of the lake. 

[WRB]

On June 9, 2018 at 6:23 PM, 813basstard said:

Why? So many other tasty species out there. So many bigger ones. So many more predictable ones. Saltwater buddies give me a hard time but timing up the tides, slapping a shrimp on a 1 oz and throwing it close to a bridge pilling isn’t exactly angling to me. Man, I think I’m at the point where figuring them out is as fun as catching them. There’s magic on the water at daybreak with a top water, or junebug worm when it’s 157 degrees outside and there’s 2 waters left in the cooler but your thumb is raw from lipping so many that day. I’m not sure they get that part..so why do we fish for bass?

Don't knock saltwater fishing by characterizing as bait fishing. All types of sportfishing offer whatever you want to put into it wether it be Golden Trout in a remote High Seirra lake or stream, big tuna and Marlin crashing baitfish at sunrise off the Baja coast, the call of a loon in a remote wilderness Canadian lake or bass fishing at your lake, it's all good.

Tom

[rtwvumtneer6]

It's challenging, and humbling.  Once you think you have it figured out, its time to go back to the drawing board because they moved, conditions changed or they just don't want what you're throwing.  

 

For me, the fishing starts before I even pick up a rod and reel, and the rewards of the time and effort for it to all come together is what keeps me coming back.

[813basstard]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Don't knock saltwater fishing by characterizing as bait fishing. All types of sportfishing offer whatever you want to put into it wether it be Golden Trout in a remote High Seirra lake or stream, big tuna and Marlin crashing baitfish at sunrise off the Baja coast, the call of a loon in a remote wilderness Canadian lake or bass fishing at your lake, it's all good.

Tom

No, no your correct on this..it’s just most of the dudes I know get a dozen shrimp, three dozen Miller Lites. Wife laughes when I return home in the 3rd grade with a Key West grunt and a sun burn.

[gim]

On 6/10/2018 at 10:13 AM, Ariffy said:

Sometimes the pike and musky don't bite 

Come up here to Minnesota, the pike are ALWAYS biting.

 

I didn't used to to a lot of bass fishing.  I mostly walleye and pan fished because it was all about harvesting fish to eat.  Its not like that anymore.  I go because I enjoy it and mostly practice catch and release or selective harvest.  Many of the lakes and rivers around here have good bass populations and very few people target them.

[WVU-SCPA]

Spent the first 20 years fishing with a fly rod in my hand chasing trout at any chance.  Sure, I would hit any body of water to catch any species of fish,  but never would go out of the way to catch a bass.

 

Was introduced to the "tournament" style of bass fishing about 14 months ago.  It has became an obsession with the amount of gear I've compiled, techniques I've learned, and most importantly the hours spent on the water.  The years of reading water on a small stream and matching the hatch have been trumped by a different kind of reading the water and matching the hatch.  Or maybe its the same thing and any day fishing is a good day.

 

 

 

[the reel ess]

On 6/9/2018 at 9:23 PM, 813basstard said:

Why? So many other tasty species out there. So many bigger ones. So many more predictable ones. Saltwater buddies give me a hard time but timing up the tides, slapping a shrimp on a 1 oz and throwing it close to a bridge pilling isn’t exactly angling to me. Man, I think I’m at the point where figuring them out is as fun as catching them. There’s magic on the water at daybreak with a top water, or junebug worm when it’s 157 degrees outside and there’s 2 waters left in the cooler but your thumb is raw from lipping so many that day. I’m not sure they get that part..so why do we fish for bass?

Good point. I didn't think about it until I reread your post, but I just don't like live bait fishing. When i've gone saltwater fishing, it's been inshore with artificials. Though the artificial has usually involved a Gulp mullet in some way. It's more fun for me to cast and retrieve.

[Tennessee Boy]

I love the sport of Bass Fishing.  It's a sport.  You can watch it on TV,  you can read books about it,  you can buy all the necessary stuff to participate in it yourself,  and you can compete yourself at various levels.  It's possible that I might enjoy drum fishing as much or even more but drum fishing is not a sport.  There is no drumresource.com,  and there are no drum tournaments that I'm aware of.  It's kind of like golf.  People have come up with variations on golf like playing with soccer balls.  It might be fun but it's not real golf and when you switch to playing golf with a soccer ball you give up all the tradition, history, and all the industry support that real golf provides.  Same with Bass Fishing.  It's not Bass Fishing unless you are fishing for bass.

[Mbirdsley]

I have a couple reasons. 1st I grew up fishing salmon and steel head fishing out of Frankfort on Lake Michigan. My brother still has s Lake Michigan boat.  I love being on the big lake,  if you have never been on the big lake you need to take a charter out of Frankfort or any where north of ludington.  The scenery will take your breath away.  Someday I hope to get to the point of having a big lake boat and the associated equipment but, right now it isn’t in the cards financially.  A person between boat and (used) bare bones equipment will probably run you north of $10,000 before you even hit the water.  Than there is storage docking fees and maintaining a 20-35ft Lake Michigan boat which, is a job in its self. I’m not saying there are not expenses in bass fishing or boat maintance.  The expenses in bass fishing just seem more manageable.

 

2nd Trolling after a while gets boring.  I was just practicing flipping yesterday.  There are plenty of techniques to master in bass fishing.

 

3rd I grew up eating fish and love eating fish.  The wife does not.  So it dosent really make a lot sense for me to catch a lot of fish to eat.  Deep lake trolling once you hook a fish it’s a basically a fight to the death. Once you get it to the boat the fish is exhausted And/or if it’s hooked from deep water it will never survive release being brought up from 75-150 foot of water. Also, certain times of the year it gets to hot to successful release a stream trout in Michigan. 

 

3rd for some reason I have always like bass equipment. Maybe it was all those years of watching bill dance as a kid on Tnn.  I like all the lures, the bait cast reels, and rods.  I always want to figure out how certain lures work and what makes a fish eat it.  I also like making my own lures 

 

4th bass are pretty wide spread in Michigan.  Basically every lake, stream, creek, and pot hole has them .

 

5th I can do it by myself.  I’d like to find a fishing partner. For right now though, fishing by myself Is fine. I can launch and fish from my tin can or a bass boat once I get one. With a big lake boat it is basically a two man operation with one guy setting/watching lines and the other driving.  Also docking procedures are a pain docking a big 30 footer by your self. 

 

 

[Soggy Donut]

I started in the inshore fishing world (saltwater) and have no problems catching plenty of speckled trout and redfish.

 

But I love bass because they are a greater sport fish.

[whitwolf]

I grew up fishing for table fare. I can't point to anything specific other than I love to fish. I honestly didn't choose those Green fish, they chose me. I know that sounds cliche but it's very clear I was going to bass fish.

 

It was and still is today a thrill to catch bass. If my wife wants to I will pan fish and like to see her smile.BUT for me it's that Green fish that drives me! 

 

Lastly, the older I have gotten the more I cherish every trip and all the sights, sounds, and memories. I never take any trip for granted.