Why is bass fishing so addicting?

[EGbassing]

Seriously, how many people have you met that just kind of like bass fishing but don't like it that much? It seems like everybody that tries it is soon burning hundreds of dollars on tackle, spending all of their free time either on the lake, or reading articles on bass fishing, shopping for tackle, etc. Why do you think it's so addicting?

[Deleted account]

Random reward, the same reason gambling is so addictive for some.

[ratherbfishin1]

Whatever the reason is, it is one of the "least bad" addictions out there.

[GReb]

I enjoy the escape and challenge. The adrenaline of hooking into the unknown is a nice addition. 

[scaleface]

I was addicted to bass fishing before I ever caught a bass . When I was little I would rather go   look at the bass lures than the toy department .

[Spankey]

2 minutes ago, GReb said:

I enjoy the escape and challenge. The adrenaline of hooking into the unknown is a nice addition. 

I like G’s reply. 

 

I don't know dude. I’m addicted. I put my heart and soul into it. I love being out, the solitude of it, I’m not the most religious guy but it’s a connection time also. But when I’m out I don’t have much of any thing else on my mind other than Mr. Bronzeback or Mr. Greenjeans. 

 

Not it sure what you mean by spending hundreds, buying tackle, reading everything going, and spending all spare time thinking about it. 

 

I’m addicted without all that luxury man. I have to work, take care of life’s other issues and try to keep peace on the home front. After that my addiction kicks in. If I was totally obsessed life would not be going very well for me. 

[Mike L]

I think It's the challenge of trying to out smart a living being and the satisfaction of that accomplishment when you do. 

 

 

 

Mike

[Ratherbfishing]

As Reason said (only slightly differently), Intermittent Reinforcement.  It's a strong reinforcer of behavior.  And it's proof that we really aren't THAT much smarter than the fish.

[EGbassing]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

I was addicted to bass fishing before I ever caught a bass . When I was little I would rather go   look at the bass lures than the toy department .

That was me. I fished almost every day for 6 months before landing my first bass, and I loved it. Everybody thought I had gone insane.

[the reel ess]

2 hours ago, EGbassing said:

Seriously, how many people have you met that just kind of like bass fishing but don't like it that much? It seems like everybody that tries it is soon burning hundreds of dollars on tackle, spending all of their free time either on the lake, or reading articles on bass fishing, shopping for tackle, etc. Why do you think it's so addicting?

IDK, man. Sometimes people will ask me a question about bass fishing and I'll start talking only to see their eyes glaze over. I'll know then I'm giving them too much info. We have a joke around my house that I'm more addicted to fishing equipment than I am fishing. There is some truth to this because I will get a technique on my mind and I'll just have to pursue it until I achieve some measure of success. You don't HAVE to spend a ton on it to catch some though.

 

I do it from a kayak though, which, to me is a much cheaper compromise between the bass boat and being bank bound.

[The Bassman]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

I think It's the challenge of trying to out smart a living being and the satisfaction of that accomplishment when you do. 

 

 

 

Mike

That's why I got married the second time.

[the reel ess]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

I was addicted to bass fishing before I ever caught a bass . When I was little I would rather go   look at the bass lures than the toy department .

My mom used to tell me how easy it was to please me. Just a quality lure every now and then was all it took. My sister wanted clothes, clothes and more clothes. Mom said I would go around in rags but my tackle was top notch. Really, how nice did I need to dress to catch bass?

[Todd2]

I'll probably be voted off the forum here, but chasing cold water Crappie is almost as addictive...with a little more reward in Winter. I don't catch a lot of Bass here from now until March. But yeah, fishing is great.

[Arcs&sparks]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

I was addicted to bass fishing before I ever caught a bass . When I was little I would rather go   look at the bass lures than the toy department .

This was me as well^. ?

 

 

“Why is bass fishing so addicting?”

I’m a multi species guy, so for me it’s just fishing in general.  Putting the work in and trying to get the reward.

4 hours ago, EGbassing said:

how many people have you met that just kind of like bass fishing but don't like it that much? It seems like everybody that tries it is soon burning hundreds of dollars on tackle, spending all of their free time either on the lake, or reading articles on bass fishing, shopping for tackle, etc.

I do know a few,  but it’s the same people who don’t have the drive to really learn new things or put any time/work into something.  

[Big Rick]

My Dad got me addicted at a very young age. One of my earliest memories is looking at a 6 pounder he had mounted and wanting one myself. It took me until I was 15 to catch that 6.25 pound beauty from the bank in some backwater. It took me a bit longer to work odd jobs to save up the money to get her mounted. It was a priceless moment to me to put it on the wall close to Dad's. 

 

My favorite memories are fishing with Dad in a John boat as he sculled around some ox bows off the Pearl river. We would have to drive down nasty, muddy roads across private property to access these jewels. He always gave me a hand-poured, flat tail worm on weedless hook attached to a Zebco 33. I'd cast to my hearts content.  He's been gone nearly two years now and I never get in my boat that I don't think about him. The deck of my boat is where I reconnect with Dad and the good memories flow. 

 

So, while my addiction to bass fishing is all about figuring out the puzzle, it goes way deeper than that. And, I'm proud to say, I'm passing the love for fishing on to my kids. The addiction continues. 

[Way north bass guy]

1 hour ago, Todd2 said:

I'll probably be voted off the forum here, but chasing cold water Crappie is almost as addictive...with a little more reward in Winter. I don't catch a lot of Bass here from now until March. But yeah, fishing is great.

Yup,the votes have been all counted up and your gonna have to turn in your badge and screen name ?

[The Bassman]

2 hours ago, Todd2 said:

I'll probably be voted off the forum here, but chasing cold water Crappie is almost as addictive...with a little more reward in Winter. I don't catch a lot of Bass here from now until March. But yeah, fishing is great.

One of the most skilled members on here is @Team9nine. Follow his blog and you'll see that's all he's talking about lately. It's all for fun. I'd fish more for crappie except that I walk small lakes where they're not as available.

[TnRiver46]

I was born addicted to it, hopeless case. Treatment is useless.

[PeteG]

Wow this passion is great. I've caught different types of fish but must say I love bass fishing. Tackle, technique environment all add to the enjoyment. 

Lately, I've caught my first few crappie and I must say it was nice.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I don't necessarily enjoy fishing as much as I do catching.

 

I blame my impatient culture

[Koz]

Bass fishing is one of the few sports that you can enjoy with family, with friends, or all by yourself.

 

When I fish with my son my greatest thrill is watching him land a big bass.

 

When I fish with my friends there's the spirit of competition.

 

When I fish by myself my focus is more on my breathing in the air, enjoying the surroundings, and clearing my head.

 

Each of these things gives me great pleasure that is only heightened when I manage to land a big bass of my own.

[geo g]

To me its a little like two other activities.  I am not a gambler, but Its a little like gambling, because you never know what the day will bring.  Sometimes the cards are yours, other days not so much. 

 

Then its also like a game of darts, placement of your lures is such an important aspect of your success.  I love hitting the sweet spots whether I catch bass, or not.  Dealing with the conditions, and still hitting the targets brings me pleasure out on the water.  I no longer think about placement, I now just do it. The calculations for wind, current, boat drift, and equipment capabilities, come automatically.  I love that aspect of the game!

[Ratherbfishing]

17 hours ago, EGbassing said:

That was me. I fished almost every day for 6 months before landing my first bass, and I loved it. Everybody thought I had gone insane.

I love to fish and even I would have deduced that.  6 months is a LONG time to go without a fish.

[Big Rick]

13 hours ago, Koz said:

Bass fishing is one of the few sports that you can enjoy with family, with friends, or all by yourself.

 

When I fish with my son my greatest thrill is watching him land a big bass.

 

When I fish with my friends there's the spirit of competition.

 

When I fish by myself my focus is more on my breathing in the air, enjoying the surroundings, and clearing my head.

 

Each of these things gives me great pleasure that is only heightened when I manage to land a big bass of my own.

You, sir, summed it up as good as it can be totaled. Well said.

[geo g]

3 hours ago, Ratherbfishing said:

I love to fish and even I would have deduced that.  6 months is a LONG time to go without a fish.

I'm addicted to fishing, and fish over 300 days a year,  but to go 6 months without catching, I think I would give it up.  I seldom get skunked, but will tell you, when things get tough I go too a 4" W/R Senko with a 1/32 bullet weight and fish slowly with little jerks and long pauses.  This will catch bass in difficult times all over the country.  Just throw it in the most likely spots like thick cover, drop-offs, isolated structure.  Fish it slow, most bites happen when the bait is sitting still, or initial fall.