Fishing for a Mental State

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya’ll,

 

What puts you in the right frame of mind to go fishing? Often, I find, my success on the water is partly determined by the frame of mind I am in both prior to leaving and while fishing. I am not sure if you feel the same, but for those that agree, if you’ve thought about it, what helps you? my policy has always been to go fishing whenever I am able and is “right” for me to do so and I will put myself in the right frame of mind if I am not there, but anyways, I digress. What helps you? 

[GreenPig]

My State doesn't care about my mentality. I'm court ordered to fish, so I fish, and people are SAFER for it.

[BrianMDTX]

I’d say the opposite. Fishing puts me in the right state of mind. No calls. No texts. No TV. No annoying conversations. No distractions. 
 

Just me, my rigs, my boat (unless bank fishing), the water, and bass. I can think an hour has passed and it’s been 4 hours. Nothing beats being out in the natural world for peace of mind. 

[DinkDreams]

My method is to check the weather every night, and if I don’t have anything else to do and it’s not going to be thunder storming or 90+ degrees I usually go for a few hours after work. Weekends I usually try to go but lately life has gotten in the way. Oh well. 

[A-Jay]

I'm at my best when I can 'Fish Free'.

Meaning I'm not leaving a list of deals unfinished so I can fish.

Having my poop in a group before I leave

allows me to think about what I'm doing on the water

and not what's waiting for me when I get home.

It's a balancing act for sure.

A-Jay

[LrgmouthShad]

11 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I'm at my best when I can 'Fish Free'.

Meaning I'm not leaving a list of deals unfinished so I can fish.

Having my poop in a group before I leave

allows me to think about what I'm doing on the water

and not what's waiting for me when I get home.

It's a balancing act for sure.

A-Jay

I’m going to be honest with you, and I sort of feel like I’m calling you out, but I expected a more lengthy answer from you on this one. No mention of working out? No mention of visualization? I say this because I respect you, you know that. 

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I’m going to be honest with you, and I sort of feel like I’m calling you out, but I expected a more lengthy answer from you on this one. No mention of working out? No mention of visualization? I say this because I respect you, you know that. 

Maybe in January but not in June ~

What you see is what you get my friend.

A-Jay

 

[LrgmouthShad]

6 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Maybe in January but not in June ~

What you see is what you get my friend.

A-Jay

 

Works just fine for me sir. I’ll fill in the gaps ?

[WRB]

I fished nearly all my life, it’s part of me.

Back in the school days attention often drifted to being on the water. I went fishing as often as I could sometimes more often then I should have.

This drive continued throughout my adult life until January 22, 2020 at 9 AM my son passed away in my arms from renal cancel, my desire to live almost died and fishing was pushed way back into a dark place. 

No more dreaming or visualizing about bass locations and getting everything ready to go. No more living to fish.

Slowly I dig out memories from that dark place to remember the good times. 

My desire isn’t out it’s simmering down deep and occasionally surfaces but my focus drifts. Being on the water is therapeutic and recalling the bass caught when passing a spot or looking at some lures. 

Sharing helps.

Tom

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

I fished nearly all my life, it’s part of me.

Back in the school days attention often drifted to being on the water. I went fishing as often as I could sometimes more often then I should have.

This drive continued throughout my adult life until January 22, 2020 at 9 AM my son passed away in my arms from renal cancel, my desire to live almost died and fishing was pushed way back into a dark place. 

No more dreaming or visualizing about bass locations and getting everything ready to go. No more living to fish.

Slowly I dig out memories from that dark place to remember the good times. 

My desire isn’t out it’s simmering down deep and occasionally surfaces but my focus drifts. Being on the water is therapeutic and recalling the bass caught when passing a spot or looking at some lures. 

Sharing helps.

Tom

Love you Tom. We respect very much your legacy in bass fishing and I can’t imagine losing a son, it’s unthinkable. We’re here with ya

[Basser2021]

Fishing is all about the challenge for me. I have to trick a fish into eating a piece of plastic in it's natural environment. 

[Catt]

Full moon is barely on the horizon, slight southerly breeze, Hoot Owl in the distance, Nadine mouthing my jig.

 

I stay cocked, locked, & ready to rock!

[Woody B]

I sold my last boat 30 years ago.  I had too much stuff to do, and didn't have time to fish.  I bought my current boat in December 2021.  I've fished multiple times every week since then.   The 3 most exciting things for me when fishing?   Catching a big bass,  anticipating catching a big bass on the next cast, watching one of my Grandsons catch a big bass.   

 

I don't need to get in the right mental state for fishing.  Fishing puts me in the right mental state for everything else. 

[crypt]

it is part of who and what I am. it's when I don't go that everyone needs to watch out........

[Mobasser]

I've fished for roughly 60yrs. I still get excited about going fishing anytime. As far as my mental state, fishing is when I tune out negative things I hear, the news, etc. I try and focus on catching fish. This season, I've been trying to focus my efforts on catching a big bass, and it's been a deal. It's a new thing to put my focus on.

[FishinBuck07]

Fishing is where I get rid of all the negative crap in this world.  I go as much as possible these days, cause the world is full of crap.  Fishing is what sets my mind correct, if not there would be a lot of heavy drinking!

[Captain Phil]

I started fishing with my grandfather when I was twelve.  I'm seventy five now.  Fishing has been a huge influence in my life.  I traveled the world chasing fish.  I even sold our home and moved to the the Keys for two years.  I had some business success, but was always motivated by my fishing dreams.  I retired in my fifties and moved to Central Florida where I could be closer to big fish.   Back then, competition motivated me.   I fished every bass tournament I could find, got my Captain's license and did my best to help other anglers along the way.

 

These days, my fishing is not as intense.  the Harris Chain boat ramp is at the end of my street and I can go out any time I feel like it.  At this age fishing hurts.  My back, arms and wrists ache.  I have carpal tunnel in my right hand from all the casting I have done.  When I'm on the water, all my memories come back to me.  Every shoreline reminds me of something that happened years ago.  I can't drive down the road next to a canal without looking for pads.   All I want when I go fishing now is to catch one decent bass.  I haven't been skunked in years.  After I have caught that fish, I head back home with a smile on my face.   It's all been great!

[the reel ess]

I just wake up.

[NoShoes]

I get irritated when I can’t find any takers. Happens more than I’d like

[N Florida Mike]

Ive learned to go when I’m caught up with other priorities. Then I can enjoy the trip fully. That’s the best mental state for me before I go…

[Bankc]

14 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I’d say the opposite. Fishing puts me in the right state of mind. No calls. No texts. No TV. No annoying conversations. No distractions. 
 

Just me, my rigs, my boat (unless bank fishing), the water, and bass. I can think an hour has passed and it’s been 4 hours. Nothing beats being out in the natural world for peace of mind. 

That's where I'm at.  I fish to achieve a mental state.  Fishing forces me to live in the moment and listen to what nature is trying to tell me.  It's a meditative act where I quiet my mind and harmonize with my environment.  I melt into the earth to become nature herself.  

 

The only time I have problems with achieving that mental state is when it's too windy and I spend more time fighting the wind and current than fishing.  And that's probably why I'll never tournament fish.  While I'm sure it would be thrilling to win one, it would take away what I love most about the activity, which is to just enjoy the pure peace of simple existence.  

[Zcoker]

We can easily look at something like fishing as a distraction, or as a hobby, or as a routine, etc. But when something becomes a way of life it suddenly becomes a vital part of our being. Then everything about it flows like a great river, clear and unobstructed, into a vast sea of opportunity. 

[Bird]

8 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

We can easily look at something like fishing as a distraction, or as a hobby, or as a routine, etc. But when something becomes a way of life it suddenly becomes a vital part of our being. Then everything about it flows like a great river, clear and unobstructed, into a vast sea of opportunity. 

I see we have a mental heavyweight amongst us. ?

Since retirement, fishing has definitely become a lifestyle.

Check weather forecast, load boat, repeat.

[Steveo-1969]

As others have said I don’t need a certain mental state to enjoy fishing. The fishing experience PUTS me in that desired mental state. 
 

“I fish so I don’t choke people.”

[Fat Ika]

@LrgmouthShad As you know, everyone comes from different circumstances. For me personally, as long as I do not have an obligation that is primary to leisure and I can physically fish without creating a medical emergency, I'm fishing with an effortlessly focused mindset. These days, I prepare for the conditions and efficiency prep to quickly catch fish, as I might have to leave the water if the body provides excessive warning signs. I'll fish through pain with a focused positive mindset, but obviously not through a physically dysfunctioned state that indicates a potential medical emergency.