Motivation

[DitchPanda]

 Often wondered what keeps us bass guys going back. We spend alot of money on rods,reels,boats,trucks and baits...baits we often lose sooner than later...just to target fish we most often unhook and immediately throw back.

 For me the draw comes down to two things. First thing is the pursuit of big bass and looking for a new PB. Second and probably most importantly is im a natural problem solver. I like using logical detective skills to work thru the list of possibilities and put the puzzle together. Guess that's why im an operational plant tech 3 at a biorefinery-i like troubleshooting.

 So what is it for you? What keeps you coming back?

[TnRiver46]

Don’t know but it’s strong 

[Catt]

8 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

So what is it for you? What keeps you coming back?

 

At this point in my fishing career ?

 

 

[the reel ess]

I want to catch one bigger than the last big one. My lifelong goal is a double digit bass. I don't personally know a single person who has caught a 10 lb. bass in SC. Most longtime fishermen top out about where I did. I probably fished 35 years before I broke into the 7's for a PB. I went to Florida in the winter and caught a 7lb. on the second day. I fish a place that has a decent population of bass from 5-7+ lb. But thus far, I know of no 10 pounders coming from there. A couple of people have made claims, but I've seen no evidence. I want to be the guy who catches and documents it.

 

 

[Mobasser]

12 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

At this point in my fishing career ?

 

 

Motivation is important in everything we do. Anymore, I'm like Catt. I like seeing my grandkids take an interest in fishing, and helping them however I can.

[A-Jay]

Started fishing at a young age.

Fell in love with it instantly.

Been doing it every chance I got ever since.

As for my motivation;

Fishing is one of the few things in my life

that truly makes me feel like a kid again.

Every.  Time. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

[Eric 26]

For me it’s my way of relaxing. Before I lost my older brother it was our time to laugh and stay connected. I don’t get much free time now and I’m not complaining as my son as did my oldest son had and still plays football every Saturday which I coached in both their  little league years (he’s currently a freshman), my daughter was a competitive swimmer and along with having a great job that unfortunately keeps me busy spring through fall. I have 3 kids who never found the enjoyment in fishing which is ok by me as they along with my wife continue to feed my personal bait monkey with the understanding that when time for me frees up I’m going to put all my gear to good use. ?

[Spankey]

The hunt for the monster bass. Trying for the 7 pound Greenie. She be a nice bass up here in Penna.. The search for 23” + Brownbass. Fish to break my PB. 
 

I love to get my grandsons out. They know it’s fishing to break their PB. I think I’m gonna retire in May. Will get to spend more time with them. My fishing stuff has to go somewhere when I check out. They won’t be hurting for anything. 

[GaryH]

52 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

At this point in my fishing career ?

 

 

No better motivation than that. ??????

[the reel ess]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Started fishing at a young age.

Fell in love with it instantly.

Been doing it every chance I got ever since.

As for my motivation;

Fishing is one of the few things in my life

that truly makes me feel like a kid again.

Every.  Time. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

Well put. It's the one activity I have where I forget all of life's trials for a few hours. The only time I was unable to enjoy fishing was when my mom was terminally ill. I'll still talk to my late father whenever I catch a big bass. I'll say "Hey Pop, did you see that one?" And I know if he was with me he would say "That's a lunker, boy!". The thing about my dad was that he never made it all about me. He didn't sit there and bait my hook and make sure I was entertained. He was busy trying to break his own PB. We were equal partners when we fished. 

[InfantryMP]

I think for me its an activity that tests me. You have to figure the fish out, where to go, what to throw etc to do well. Its like a game to me that I am addicted to. 

 

I cannot physically do competitive sports stuff anymore (thanks military), so bass fishing allows me to still be competitive, and do things without major physical work. 

[DaubsNU1]

My day-job is very people intense...supervise a large team, provide support for many customers. Fishing is my quiet time...to relax, re-energize, re-charge.

 

I fish by myself most of the time. No radio, just quiet time in nature.

 

I do love fishing with my 80 year old Dad and brother. And with my daughters when they are home from college.

 

I enjoy catching any fish...size is of no matter...

 

And I do love the process of getting ready for the day, getting the rods, tackle, boat lined up and ready to fish. That is all.

[TOXIC]

Fishing for me has filled a lot of voids.  It has allowed me to meet a lot of my closest friends.  As a guide it allowed me to feel the joy of getting a kid his first bass and experienced fishermen their PB.  It gave me a break from a very high stress job before I retired and allowed me to recharge.  In tournaments it fed my competitive spirit.  It gives me the joy of running a boat WOT down the lake.  It allowed me to bond better with my son and daughter.  It has spurred me into traveling to fish different bodies of water.  It is my one hobby.  It puts me to the test every time I get on the water and finally, I feel my grandfather sitting next to me every time I fish.  He introduced me to the game when I was a kid and I lost him to leukemia when I was 12 but not before he took me to Canada to fish for pike, musky, walleye and smallmouth.  

[GreenPig]

It's my religion 

[Junk Fisherman]

Where to start?  I view every outing as an adventure and the success of the day is never determined by how many fish I catch.  Fishing is an opportunity to enjoy being in nature starting at sunrise which is my favorite time of the day.  Every time I fish Lake Michigan I launch when it is dark and watch the sunrise over the horizon.  I love watching the water and weather change throughout the season starting in March and going to late November.  Now add in the enjoyment of catching fish and improving in your ability.  As I work all week, I plan where I am going to fish on the weekend and what I want to work on.  Every time out I have a new location to scout and new tackle or techniques that I am experimenting with.  While I love the serenity of fishing, I also enjoy listening to podcasts while I fish.  I never start listening to anything till after 10 or so in the morning.  But listening to a podcast on sports, science, or politics is a great way to keep me entertained while on the water if the fishing is slow.  I almost always fish alone and podcasts keep me company especially when I am taking fishing trips.   

 

About the only thing that saps my motivation to fish is heavy fishing pressure and unfavorable weather conditions such as extreme heat or high winds.  But I usually still go but just complain it.  

[Skunkmaster-k]

I like turtles. 

[FishinBuck07]

For me it is simple, getting rid of stress.  The world and life isn't always easy and being out on the boat with either a buddy or my wife there is nothing better to me.  Laughs and fun instead of stress and worrying.

[TheBasslayer]

I just think fishing itself is a fun sport in general, and since I am relatively new to it, I always like to try new things and get more knowledge than I have now.

[PressuredFishing]

5 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

 Often wondered what keeps us bass guys going back. We spend alot of money on rods,reels,boats,trucks and baits...baits we often lose sooner than later...just to target fish we most often unhook and immediately throw back.

 For me the draw comes down to two things. First thing is the pursuit of big bass and looking for a new PB. Second and probably most importantly is im a natural problem solver. I like using logical detective skills to work thru the list of possibilities and put the puzzle together. Guess that's why im an operational plant tech 3 at a biorefinery-i like troubleshooting.

 So what is it for you? What keeps you coming back?

I'm actually writing a form post as we speak about "bass fishing and money" and how materialistic the sport has gotten. 

[WRB]

When you fish all your life it’s in your blood. 

My motivation anymore is simply to get out of the house and enjoy a few hours on the water when invited.

Tom

[crypt]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

When you fish all your life it’s in your blood. 

My motivation anymore is simply to get out of the house and enjoy a few hours on the water when invited.

Tom

this.................it's for sure in my blood.........

[Wprich]

For me it's several things the pursuit, the fight, and the people I spend time on the water with are generally just good people.  Past few years I wasn't fishing for bass as much been spending most my time wading the rivers for trout except March and April I dedicated those 2 months to bass/crappie.  I noticed this year just how much I missed the pursuit and fight that bass give me that trout just don't provide.  There's nothing better to me than a bass making a spinning reel drag scream.  I just don't get that experience with a fly rod and trout.  Lastly I can't get my mom to go out and wade fish for trout with me but I can get her to sit on the bank and drown worms and minnows and that time together fishing with my mom is special.

[scaleface]

I dont need motivation . I like to go fishing .

[DitchPanda]

18 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I dont need motivation . I like to go fishing .

Fair enough!

[Bankbeater]

I like the peace and quiet away from everything while I catch bass.