Why is bass fishing so addicting?

[Sam]

Because they are watching you. Yes, watching you. With those big beady eyes that don't shut. They just sit there and stare at you. You know they are there. Watching your every move. They are waiting to pounce on you and make you look like a fool. And there is nothing you can do about it other than catch them. And then release them so they can go back and look at you. Yes. Look at you. Hide behind a rock or some grass or some wood and watch your every move. They know who you are. They know what you are doing. They know all. They know about you and what you do on the boat. Shame on you. They would tell everyone if they could talk. But they can't talk. So they just sit there, watching you and your every move. This is why bass fishing is addictive. It is man against animal. It is man against a predator. It is man against Mother Nature. It is a giant against a midget. And it can drive you crazy. Yes, crazy. That is why we love to bass fish. To stop them from looking at us. To stop them from talking with each other about us. Yes. To stop them from looking and talking about us. It is your sworn duty to get them. Even if it means investing hundreds and hundreds of dollars in equipment and boats. It your challenge. And you know they know it. And you have to do something about it. You do it before you lose your mind. For after you lose your mind you know they are watching you. You think ole Raider is normal. You believe in the Bait Monkey. But not me. I am not crazy. Not me. Those little SOB's can't fool me. I watch them back. I drive them crazy. It is man against beast. Ha ha ha. I am not crazy. That is why I do it. This is why it is so addicting. But not for me. No. I am not addicted. Not me. Ha ha ha. They can't put me away. I see them in my room. I see them on the walls. I see them on the ceilings. No, not me. Not addicted. Just let me get out of here and I will kill them all. Ha ha ha. Yes, get out of here. Go get them. Me and the Bait Monkey. Everything is OK. They are still looking at me and laughing. But I will prevail. Ha ha ha. This is why it is addictive. Those little green monsters can't make a fool of me. No way. Got to get out. Got to go to Seattle. Got to meet Ned. Got to meet Gary. Got to meet Ike. Yes, this is why it is addicting. I know. You can't fool me. Ha ha ha.

[hawgenvy]

On 2/11/2019 at 3:28 PM, TOXIC said:

I'm convinced it's primal.  It triggers that part of our reptilian brain with predator vs prey.  We interpret it as fun.

Agree. Fishing satisfies an ancient and subconscious instinct. Humans have been harvesting food from marine and freshwater environments for hundreds of thousands of years. Pre-humans did it before us. In fact, my little dog Andy loves fishing as much as I do, fixated on my lure as I work it, patiently waiting and hoping for the excitement of a captured flopping creature to celebrate with a jump and a sniff and a lick. Fishing connects us to the natural world around us, and also to an archaic natural world deep within ourselves.

[DanielG]

A few reasons for me....And it's not just 'bass' fishing. It's just fishing in general.

 

1. The morning view from my house as I cast off...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The calmness of the lake, especially if it's warm and before the other boaters wake up.

3. The possibility of a 'hit'. Doesn't matter what. Just a good fight and maybe, just maybe it's a big one.

4. The chance to try new tackle and try to figure out what they might like today.

5. And the ride. When I troll, I like the ride on the water.

[greentrout]

there's the other side too ... i've known some who were fanatical bass fishermen who just stopped bass fishing or migrated into another style of fishing for a different species ...

 

good fishing ...

[Shimano_1]

I think its several factors and probably different for different people.  The challenge of it, the reward of out smarting a living creature, etc. I've said for years a lot of it for me is the competitive side of it. I grew up playing sports and have always been competitive.  Bass fishing allows me to continue the competition thing now that my body doesnt let me be competitive at other sports.  The serenity of being in nature on a beautiful day. Tons of things at play here and I'd say most of us are addicted because of one, several, or all of these reasons.  Fishing is the only thing I do that truly let's me forget everything else I've got going on and enjoy myself.  My wife always says as long as I'm not a drunk or on drugs she'll support my fishing addiction so that helps lol.

[GreenPig]

I don't understand y'alls addiction to bass fishing. I'm not addicted at all. But everytime I see a family member, friend, or coworker they always ask me fishing related questions. No idea what that's about. I wouldn't fish as often as I do but my wife forces me to go. I was really concerned about her wanting me gone all the time. So I ask her why she wanted me to go fishing so much. She said if you're fishing you're not ordering fishing stuff. $100 swimbait here, $400 reel there, or $200 rods. She exaggerates. I explained to her I  spend very little compared to those BASSRESOURCE guys. Seriously it's the freedom to make the right/wrong decision about where/when to fish, what lure, line, rod, and reel. If you don't catch them it's on you. They're eating somewhere on your lake.

[Sam]

Because it is a challenge.

 

It is man vs. beast.

 

And that little green monster wins most of the battles.

[DogBone_384]

On 11/29/2018 at 2:20 PM, ratherbfishin1 said:

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

 

On 11/29/2018 at 2:59 PM, Spankey said:

the solitude of it,

 

On 11/29/2018 at 5:48 PM, Big Rick said:

all about figuring out the puzzle

 

On 11/30/2018 at 6:35 PM, Fishing Rhino said:

here is nothing special about any of them, except to the people who pursue them.  

'about sums it up for me ....

[geo g]

It's a lot like gambling.  You play your game and you never know what your dealt.  It's always a surprise, there are no sure things in fishing.

[Ratherbfishing]

On 8/18/2019 at 2:13 AM, GreenPig said:

I don't understand y'alls addiction to bass fishing. I'm not addicted at all. But everytime I see a family member, friend, or coworker they always ask me fishing related questions. No idea what that's about. I wouldn't fish as often as I do but my wife forces me to go. I was really concerned about her wanting me gone all the time. So I ask her why she wanted me to go fishing so much. She said if you're fishing you're not ordering fishing stuff. $100 swimbait here, $400 reel there, or $200 rods. She exaggerates. I explained to her I  spend very little compared to those BASSRESOURCE guys. Seriously it's the freedom to make the right/wrong decision about where/when to fish, what lure, line, rod, and reel. If you don't catch them it's on you. They're eating somewhere on your lake.

So, you're saying "I'm not addicted.  I can quit anytime I want"?  Same here.

[Krux5506]

Bass are the species I target most often that require the most amount of thought to catch. There's countless tactics and locations they can be in at whatever time of year you are targeting them. I've gotten into arguments with friends who also fish bass but are more into river/stream fishing salmon and trout in the cold seasons. I agree that's fun too, however when I go out targeting trout or steelhead I'm usually using 1 of maybe 3 different tactics  - Jigs, beads, or egg sacks, or a combo of more than one of those. Bass fishing opens up way more techniques to master, and each technique whether it's power fishing a swimbait just covering water, finessing a ned rig or drop shot or just flipping docks, ends up being addicting once you find whichever is working best. 

 

By the end of the winter steelhead season I'm about sick and tired of dealing with other shore fisherman that I can't wait to get back out on the boat into open water away from people, and catch fish that probably haven't been caught 5 times already in the past week. 

[Rip_lipz]

I love being the first one on the water, there is just something special about a summer sunrise and a coffee while blasting off to your favorite spot.

[bowhunter63]

Becomes a lifestyle, Being on the river and figuring them out. Always waiting on the next strike. Been doing it over 40 years never gets old.Plus also a tackle junky.All the people you meet and places you see. Love it

[flatcreek]

Because it’s the best sport in the world

[Westcoast]

I get caught up in bass fishing because it is so variable. There are so many different techniques and lures to catch them. To figure out which is the best from day to day is a great part of the fun. Also the variety of rods and reels, and other little gizmos that you can tinker with when you are not on the water is great too. 

[Yumeya]

Its not just bass, I like any fish that will pull on my rod....that didn't sound good did it LOL

[Bass Whoopin']

I think a lot of it has to do with how rewarding it is. We spend countless hours on the lake or pond hopping just in hopes to hook the fish of a lifetime. We also spend thousands and thousands of dollars on fishing tackle over the course of our lifetime to help us do so. We experiment with certain lures and try all the fancy and new stuff no matter how gimmicky it may be. We practice our presentations and techniques so that when that day comes where the moment presents itself to pitch into a tight pocket where we think a good bass is lurking we are ready for it. Honestly it's just rewarding. Once you catch a good sized fish or you have that day where you are just catching them left and right it's a massive confidence booster and you just want to keep fishing to see what else you can catch. Those of us that go fishing 3 to 4 times a week and spend an entire day on the lake all know exactly what it's like. It's just peaceful and really rewarding. I've been fishing for years and most girls i date want me to take them but after an hour or so they just could care less. Where as i can sit there for 8 hours in my kayak and paddle around and not say a word for those 8 hours and just enjoy catching and releasing fish and letting the kayak bob up and down with the waves and listen to the water and birds. It's just peaceful and relaxing to me. There is nothing like it in this world. It's just an addiction we have that we love. Could be worse. It's better than drugs and alcohol isn't it? Lol probably just as expensive if you like to buy nice reels and all the new tackle as they come out each year but it's really the only hobby i have so i figured i might as well go all in for it haha. I'm addicted and i'll admit it. We all have that thing we love. Fishing is that one thing for me. 

[Terrance Waters]

Bass fishing and fishing in general is indeed an addiction.  A wonderful delightful disease, in which I hope a cure is never found.

[Log Catcher]

11 hours ago, Terrance Waters said:

Bass fishing and fishing in general is indeed an addiction.  A wonderful delightful disease, in which I hope a cure is never found.

It is actually a disease. My doctor diagnosed me with it. He called it CFD or Compulsive Fishing Disorder. No medicine exists to cure it.

[Bird]

Because it's not much else to do around here.....fish until hunting season then start fishing again. 

[The Baron]

IMHO, bass fishing is so addictive because it’s so easy for it to fit exactly into anyone’s personal preferences.  Assuming a person is the type to like fishing, bass offers a hugely diverse opportunity of location, habitat, bait/style and convenience.

 

By location, I mean almost anywhere in North America, you can go bass fishing and likely are no more than a short drive from some really “good” bass fishing.  North, south, east, west - you can be a bass fisherman.  And by habitat, I mean whether you love to fish rivers, ponds, small lakes or on the Great Lakes - you can find a good spot.  And by habitat, I mean whether you prefer fishing them shallow, in the weeds or over deep rock shoals  - it’s all good for bass.

 

By bait/style, I mean you can fish for bass when and however you like.  Morning, noon or night - whatever time  feels good is the right time to go.  And whether you prefer spinning, bait casing or fly fishing - it’ll catch ‘em.  Surface lures, jerk baits, crank baits, spinners, spinner baits, buzz baits, spoons, jigs of all sorts, drop shot, live bait, hook and a bobber... it all works so you can use/master your favourite technique and be a successful bass fisherman.

 

By convenience, I mean what could be easier than lipping a bass, snapping a

great photo and letting it go?  No teeth, no slime, no hands in gills or needing both hands to show it off.  No fish to clean (unless you want to), so you can go straight from the lake to breakfast, lunch, dinner or bed.  Which is all great for kids, especially!

 

Add to all of that the fact that bass fight way above their weight class, are plentiful and you never know if the next one you hook will be your PB or a new one for the record books... and the real question for any such fisherman is why are you not addicted to bass fishing - what’s wrong with you!? ?

[Terrance Waters]

10 hours ago, Log Catcher said:

It is actually a disease. My doctor diagnosed me with it. He called it CFD or Compulsive Fishing Disorder. No medicine exists to cure it.

Hallelujah!

[Bass Whoopin']

Because it is extremely rewarding. There is nothing like catching a bass on a technique that you have been practicing for a long time. We spend a ton of money on fishing tackle and new lures that come out in hopes that it will give us the competitive edge to catch that bass of a lifetime. When things finally start working and you finally figure out that lake and where to fish it to produce fish it can be addicting because you are starting to see your time on the water pay off. Everyones answer to this will probably be different but i think it has a lot to do with generally being a very rewarding sport/hobby. Anything fun can be addicting to a certain extent.