What doors has bass fishing opened for you?

[Spankey]

I fish alone for the most part. Family says I'm a bit anal. But over the years people (men and women) have approached me about my bass fishing and wanted to know what it was about (I think they just wanted to see what my obsession was about), most have been green as grass to fishing let alone bass fishing, I've taken them out and act as a personal guide, made it all about them to catch smallies. All they have to do is show up and don't have to bring a thing. I had these people catching bass on lures only. No need for live bait to their surprise. These people have never lipped a bass before. They loved the time on the water, I feel like a better man just extending myself to them. 

[flbassmaster]

1 hour ago, LakeCountyBass said:

Bass fishing has been an active part of my life since I can remember.  I met my wife when she was 15 years old. We are both 71 now.  We grew up in South Florida and fished together before and after school. We fished together our entire lives. When our son was born, we carried his play pen with us in the car and fished from the bank.   When bass tournaments first started in the sixties, I fished everyone I could enter.  I have great memories of those years.  We fished together as a family until my son got married and had his own kids.  He fishes to this day.  I can not think of a better family activity.  When you are on the lake, it's you, the fish and your troubles are far away.  I'm too old to fish now. Those years of bouncing around Lake Okeechobee have taken a toll on my back.   Take your family fishing.  Get your kids away from the computer and teach them to appreciate a day on the water with their Dad.  You won't regret it.

Very well said. I hope you still fish from time to time. Fishing and being out in nature is amazing. One of my favorite things besides actually catching a fish! 

[Bluebasser86]

It's my stress relief. Addiction and mental health are big issues in my family. You're either a raging alcoholic or suffer from crippling depression. I enjoy a drink occasionally, and I get down once in awhile, but fishing doesn't leave me enough time to waste with either. 

 

I've met a lot of friends, almost all of my regular fishing buddies are guys I've met off of the forums, and I'm always looking forward to fishing with others I haven't yet. Lots of folks I consider friends that I've never met, just because I've interacted with them on here so much. 

 

It opened the door to me being a mod on this forum, which has been a pretty cool experience. 

 

 

[Spankey]

5 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It's my stress relief. Addiction and mental health are big issues in my family. You're either a raging alcoholic or suffer from crippling depression. I enjoy a drink occasionally, and I get down once in awhile, but fishing doesn't leave me enough time to waste with either. 

 

I've met a lot of friends, almost all of my regular fishing buddies are guys I've met off of the forums, and I'm always looking forward to fishing with others I haven't yet. Lots of folks I consider friends that I've never met, just because I've interacted with them on here so much. 

 

It opened the door to me being a mod on this forum, which has been a pretty cool experience. 

 

 

God bless you, hang tough.

[Oregon Native]

We all have holes where the money goes.....some .....not so good.....some not so bad.  I mean....this is why we work and save to have our hobby's and pursuits.  Fresh air....peace of mind...nature....a big tug.....hmmmm....not a bad hobby.

[Spankey]

21 hours ago, Topwaterdude said:

The door I think fishing has opened for all of us is becoming part of nature.

I could write a book on some of the things I've seen in nature while fishing. Some unreal. I fish suburban areas for the most part. We all have experienced these odd things. I've had birds, various types fly onto my back casting deck and seat on several occasions. Go along for a drift. Maybe its not that unusual, but a wood duck, I'll never forget that morning. 

[CrankFate]

No. Fishing has not opened any doors for me at all. Except for the doors of the sporting goods stores.

[islandbass]

On 9/8/2018 at 1:09 PM, Spankey said:

I fish alone for the most part. Family says I'm a bit anal. But over the years people (men and women) have approached me about my bass fishing and wanted to know what it was about (I think they just wanted to see what my obsession was about), most have been green as grass to fishing let alone bass fishing, I've taken them out and act as a personal guide, made it all about them to catch smallies. All they have to do is show up and don't have to bring a thing. I had these people catching bass on lures only. No need for live bait to their surprise. These people have never lipped a bass before. They loved the time on the water, I feel like a better man just extending myself to them. 

This is THE attitude. Sharing our passion with others, to me, is like planting seeds. Some seeds will be bound to grow and prosper and the legacy continues. 

[Smalls]

21 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It's my stress relief. Addiction and mental health are big issues in my family. You're either a raging alcoholic or suffer from crippling depression. I enjoy a drink occasionally, and I get down once in awhile, but fishing doesn't leave me enough time to waste with either. 

 

 

 

 

I’m in the exact same boat, brother. If I’m completely immersed in something (like figuring out the bite), then my mind doesn’t have time for negativity to creep in. 

 

I’ve done a decent job keeping the depression at bay most my life, but last winter it got bad. My wife tried bribing me with a steak dinner and a trip to BPS to get me out of bed one day and I told her “nah, I’m just gonna stay here”. 

 

That woman’s a trooper, though. She understands why I fish so much, and comes with 90% of the time I ask. 

 

 

[Brushog83]

It hasn't opened as many doors as it has closed.  What I mean is I never did the party seen with the drugs, alcohol, and sketchy people.  I was do busy fishing and still am.  Hope my kids follow the same path.

[flbassmaster]

On ‎9‎/‎9‎/‎2018 at 7:32 AM, Oregon Native said:

We all have holes where the money goes.....some .....not so good.....some not so bad.  I mean....this is why we work and save to have our hobby's and pursuits.  Fresh air....peace of mind...nature....a big tug.....hmmmm....not a bad hobby.

couldn't have said it better! I already have my tackle warehouse cart with things waiting for Friday! haha

[Pro Logcatcher]

You know what they say, you gotta open the bank to beat the bank!

[soflabasser]

I started bass fishing over 23 years ago and now I fish for many species of fish both in freshwater and saltwater.

[Ratherbfishing]

On 9/10/2018 at 10:08 AM, Brushog83 said:

It hasn't opened as many doors as it has closed.  What I mean is I never did the party seen with the drugs, alcohol, and sketchy people.  I was do busy fishing and still am.  Hope my kids follow the same path.

Agreed (though I can't really fathom being a "party animal" when I was young).  The dorm I lived at in college had a lake ("Campus Lake") less than 50 yards from the back door and I spent many Friday and Saturday evenings fishing while many/most of my peers were hitting the bars.

[Ratherbfishing]

The door to the poor house.   ; P

[Moto]

On 9/8/2018 at 11:03 AM, DINK WHISPERER said:

The door to divorce court for some.

Is that really true?

[Bluebasser86]

31 minutes ago, Mottel said:

Is that really true?

It's why my ex and I split. I fished so much she was positive I was cheating on her. 1 woman is headache enough, I don't need more than that. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

2 hours ago, Mottel said:

Is that really true?

Not for me. But I have a couple buddies who had to choose between the lake or the wife. 

They say they really miss those women ?

[TOXIC]

Fishing gives my life purpose.

 

In addition, it has given me many, many friends that are like brothers.  

Fishing is a universal language.

Fishing makes you learn and use what you learn.

Fishing is rewarding even if your not catching.

Fishing is the closest many of us will ever get to a "Zen" experience.

Fishing can be done when you are 5 or 95. 

 

I have approached fishing from all angles.  Casual weekender, as a profession, as a retailer, and as a sponsored representative.  I have never lost my passion and I have never failed to be rewarded as a result.   

[volzfan59]

Fishing has done a lot for me.

1. Before retiring from a law enforcement career, it gave me peace. Helped me to forget stuff for a while, helped me to deal with things. Still helps with it when some of the bad memories creep up.

2. Time spent with my wife and boys out in God's beautiful creation.

3. I can't begin to tell you how many good friends I have met and grown close to. Same with people I have "met" on the internet, like A-Jay on this board. My son is in the Coast Guard, dealing with Hurricane Florence. A-Jay has been great calming a worried dad.

4. As I have been fishing since I was 5, I'm now 58, I've developed a wealth of knowledge. It really helped me get my job at BPS. I'm no longer there, but it was a great place to work before the Cabela's purchase and credit card pimping.

 

[J Francho]

On 9/9/2018 at 1:43 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

I've met a lot of friends, almost all of my regular fishing buddies are guys I've met off of the forums, and I'm always looking forward to fishing with others I haven't yet. Lots of folks I consider friends that I've never met, just because I've interacted with them on here so much.

That's probably my biggest thing I get.  Working with all the people up here, all of us with a common interest is great.

[the reel ess]

NM

[frogflogger]

A life long passion which gave me the skills to catch a variety of other fish (a good bass fisherman is a good marlin fisherman) That was in Marlin magazine. I got to travel to exotic locations and small local ponds. Helped me earn a meager living which was enough - and I am still excited every time I pick up a rod. What more could a person ask for?

[sfpalatka]

It open the door for me to spend more time at the gas pumps.

[NorcalBassin]

It's allowed me to fish with my dad anywhere from once a week to a couple times every month on average the past 12+ years, and I doubt we would have spent near as much quality time together without fishing as part of the equation. Also resets me mentally to give me the resiliency I need for long work hours and a very busy family life. Not sure how I'd be without it.