Fishing just for the heck of it

[BassSteve]

Are you like me and just go fish sometimes to simply cast, enjoy nature/the weather, whether you catch anything or not? Sure, landing bass or other fish is great while your at it, but sometimes I find myself going out just to relax. Or do you feel that if you take the time and effort to get things ready to fish, you better be catching fish or you quit for the day. Interested in peoples opinions ?

[SWVABass]

When I go fishing for myself I’m there to catch fish. It’s enjoyable to be outdoors but I don’t go fishing not to catch. Just me.

 

though when I take my kids it is more about being outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. Hunting bugs, shells and bones and if we catch something even better!!

[jbsoonerfan]

I go fishing to catch fish and I find myself frustrated when I don't catch them. It is like a game to me and I am mostly playing by their rules so it is nice to try and beat them at their own game. It is a hard game to play sometimes though.

[GreenPig]

Little  different. I'm on a mission to catch fish when I hook up the boat. If I want to relax I ride the tractor/mower or shoot a little long range. I'll I'll normally fish 6 - 8 hours but if they're simply shutdown I head home after 3 - 4 hours.

 

My Xanax. 

[BassSteve]

17 minutes ago, Swbass15 said:

When I go fishing for myself I’m there to catch fish. It’s enjoyable to be outdoors but I don’t go fishing not to catch. Just me.

 

though when I take my kids it is more about being outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. Hunting bugs, shells and bones and if we catch something even better!!

Ok, I get what you mean, your out to get business done and if it doesn't happen your gone lol. Unless your with family as you said, to be outside and do things with the kids. Interesting to see what people think, and others like you have different factors like having kids, as I don't have any of my own.

[Mobasser]

I like to catch fish when I go. I'm.motivated by the hunt for the fish, and trying to catch them. If I don't catch fish, I'm still happy

[MassYak85]

It depends on my mindset going out. If I have a game plan on how to target them that day I go home frustrated if I skunk. But sometimes, often in the summer, it's fun to just be on the water and I enjoy just being out and casting. While it can sometimes be the toughest fishing of the year, the 4th of July week I often find the most enjoyable. I can play music, not worry about noise cause there's so many pleasure boats out, nice weather, daylight into the evening and if I catch fish that's just a bonus. But spring and fall are game time and I go out pretty focused. 

 

I should try just going out for the heck I it it though. Some of my best days have just been paddling around with a senko and nothing else. 

[OCdockskipper]

It is kind of hard to separate any of the parts as not being something I like. 

 

Preparing for a full days fishing is enjoyable, getting all of the gear ready and the anticipation of what I may encounter.  It is a bit of a ritual and I typically have (or used to have) some sporting event on the TV while I worked on the tackle.

 

Being out on the water is great, just observing all that is happening.  I'll stop fishing to take a photo of baby swans or something else that is new or changing or funny on the lake.

 

Fishing (not catching) is something I like, as long as it is not a passive "wait for the fish to show up" activity.  I enjoy casting, being either accurate or making a long cast when necessary.  After all these years, I still am impressed when I drop a lure exactly where it needs to be, even though I expect to be able to.

 

Catching bass is so enjoyable.  Every strike could be my next PB, Every fish fights in his or her own unique way & I have to counter their moves (I fish clear water, so much of my gear is on the light side).  I like to look at each and every fish, noting if it looks as if they have ever been caught and if there is anything I can do to remove a parasite or make their life better.  I really like watching a bass swim away as I release them.

 

I think that is why I have no interest in tournament fishing, the goal would be different.  Don't get me wrong, I am using everything I know and learning on each trip in order to try to catch as many bass as possible.  However, that is not the sole joy of the trip.

[BassSteve]

2 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

It depends on my mindset going out. If I have a game plan on how to target them that day I go home frustrated if I skunk. But sometimes, often in the summer, it's fun to just be on the water and I enjoy just being out and casting. While it can sometimes be the toughest fishing of the year, the 4th of July week I often find the most enjoyable. I can play music, not worry about noise cause there's so many pleasure boats out, nice weather, daylight into the evening and if I catch fish that's just a bonus. But spring and fall are game time and I go out pretty focused. 

 

I should try just going out for the heck I it it though. Some of my best days have just been paddling around with a senko and nothing else. 

Good point, I also listen to music a lot while fishing, makes it that much better

2 minutes ago, OCdockskipper said:

It is kind of hard to separate any of the parts as not being something I like. 

 

Preparing for a full days fishing is enjoyable, getting all of the gear ready and the anticipation of what I may encounter.  It is a bit of a ritual and I typically have (or used to have) some sporting event on the TV while I worked on the tackle.

 

Being out on the water is great, just observing all that is happening.  I'll stop fishing to take a photo of baby swans or something else that is new or changing or funny on the lake.

 

Fishing (not catching) is something I like, as long as it is not a passive "wait for the fish to show up" activity.  I enjoy casting, being either accurate or making a long cast when necessary.  After all these years, I still am impressed when I drop a lure exactly where it needs to be, even though I expect to be able to.

 

Catching bass is so enjoyable.  Every strike could be my next PB, Every fish fights in his or her own unique way & I have to counter their moves (I fish clear water, so much of my gear is on the light side).  I like to look at each and every fish, noting if it looks as if they have ever been caught and if there is anything I can do to remove a parasite or make their life better.  I really like watching a bass swim away as I release them.

 

I think that is why I have no interest in tournament fishing, the goal would be different.  Don't get me wrong, I am using everything I know and learning on each trip in order to try to catch as many bass as possible.  However, that is not the sole joy of the trip.

That is also a great point! just being able to practice fishing, and targeting spots..to challenge your casting ability etc 

[FishinBuck07]

I have had many days where I have not caught fish, here in Ohio the lakes in my area get hammered day in and day out for bass.  I love to catch fish but I have always been one that just enjoys being outdoors!  Riding around in the boat is relaxing to me, catching fish is a bonus for me!  It is my way to unwind and get the real world out of my mind for a few hours.

[schplurg]

I'm still figuring it out, but I went yesterday and will go again today to my local lake knowing I will most likely strike out. I do care and it bums me out, but I go anyways.

 

I fished 5 hours yesterday with no bites, but a guy down by the dam caught two so at least I know there are fish nearby.

 

However, if I absolutely knew I would not catch fish I would not go. I like nature and all that but I am there to catch fish. If I want to just enjoy nature I'll leave the gear at home.

[AmSO4]

My attitude has changed.  I get an idea for a way I want to fish for the day.  I pick out 5 or 10 rods from my collection and tie on some rigs and go out.  I fish the techniques as I had planned.  If I don't catch any fish, so be it.  All I can do is control myself and what I do.  I have no control over whether the fish bite my offering.  If I come home safely with my rods and boat intact, I am happy.  

 

I have good rods and reels, I have 3 15" Solix and a 360, a nice boat and usually pack a snack.  All the things that I have control over are good.  I am happy and satisfied to be lucky enough to go fishing 3-4 times per week.  If I worried about something I cannot control, I would not be happy.

[PhishLI]

I'm in it to win it, but at the same time I understand that just as in sports there will be losses in a season. These days I win way more than I lose, but even when the opposite was true I was cool with it. You win or you learn. Gotta keep your cool in order reflect honestly. I've always had the mindset that it's a marathon not a sprint, and always take it all in, the sounds and the silence.

[TnRiver46]

If you don’t catch anything, well then what’s for dinner?? I have had plenty of skunks and will have many more but I would rather have fried fish for dinner 

[Chowderhead]

3 hours ago, BassSteve said:

Just go fish sometimes to simply cast, enjoy nature/the weather, whether you catch anything or not. I find myself going out just to relax. 

Not judging others here, but this me. Anytime I spend out of the office is my happy time. Catching a bass is just added bonus. 

[keagbassr]

Enjoying nature is not possible where i fish so I'm definatly out there to catch. However even if I have a bad day I'm still doing what I want to do with my time so  while I  may be frustrated I'm never upset. 

[SEB]

There is small lake directly behind my house and I find myself walking over there to fish just about everyday.  I just like to go out there and enjoy being outside.  I don't really mind if I don't catch anything.  Maybe it's because I just have to walk out my back door and I don't have to make a trip to the lake? 

[Lead Head]

The only time fish frustrate me is when I have someone new to fishing with me and cant get them to bite. 95% of the time this is not the case. I love fishing, catching is the goal, but I love fishing. I love being on the water and I love nature. The reason I love the river so much is because I can get away from civilization when I want to. This means I'm not fishing traditional hot spots most of the time but I'm ok with that. 

[Guitarfish]

I like catching anything but if I catch a crappie I start thinking dinner.  I never catch a second one in the lake I fish though.

 

Fishing is fun generally but there are lots of factors that can change that. Who you are with, heat, googans, etc.

[soflabasser]

My main goal in fishing is to have fun regardless what I fish for, whether I fish for sharks that weigh several hundreds of pounds, fish for bass, or do some micro fishing. 

[gim]

When I was younger, I mostly fished to harvest them. As I got older, I did it more because I simply enjoyed going. Now I rarely harvest any fish but I still enjoy going. I enjoy going with my Father more now than I used to and a couple of good friends that I often would not otherwise see regularly in person. Fishing unites us.

[haggard]

Whenever I come home skunked, it's always been a good day outdoors, call it practice and training.

 

[Bird]

I'm like bill Belichick, I have a game plan the night before, baits tied on for intended lake I'm fishing, boat loaded. 

 

On lake before daylight, won't even return texts from wife or friends, I'm in a zone......I must catch fish or I'm a miserable failure with no purpose. 

[BassSteve]

1 minute ago, Bird said:

I'm like bill Belichick, I have a game plan the night before, baits tied on for intended lake I'm fishing, boat loaded. 

 

On lake before daylight, won't even return texts from wife or friends, I'm in a zone......I must catch fish or I'm a miserable failure with no purpose. 

lol wow so you take the more extreme route ok ok 

[TheRev]

I used to be of the mindset that if I didn't catch anything that it was a bad day.  Now that I have gotten older I enjoy just some simple time by myself.  Now, I do try to haul a couple in but it if I don't it no longer bothers me.  I never see it as time wasted as I can use it as devotional time as well.