Do you too ever reach a state where you're happy to simply be on the water?

[Swamp Girl]

When I'd fish a lake in northwestern Ontario for brown bass for a week, come the final morning of fishing, after I'd caught about 700 smallies, including four and five-pounders, I'd be so happy and relaxed in my canoe, no longer driven to catch scores more. I feel the same way now, having caught hundreds in 2024, my PB, and dozens and dozens of four and five-pounders. 

 

I've learned that some of you are more driven than me, but I'm wondering if some of you are like me, eventually reaching a point where you're simply happy to be on the water? I still go out and catch bass, but I cast a little less and simply witness a little more. Is it just me? Or do you too ever reach a state of contentment, where being on the water is enough?

[Pat Brown]

This state you refer to is necessitated every day by the pressure I'm competing with on my lil bitty bass puddles.

 

One of the reasons I love to fish fast is to keep enjoying new scenery while I'm getting skunked!  😂😂😂😂😂

[A-Jay]

Do you too ever reach a state where you're happy to simply be on the water ?

 

Simple answer for me is yes, but the feeling doesn't last nearly as long as it used to.

I think one needs to decide if they are a boater or an angler.

That might help tip the scales one way or the other.

 

@ol'crickety I can relate to and respect your view on the matter.

But I have a simple test for you.

Go Fishing at your regular most productive lake,

but bring only this lure and this lure only.

None of the stuff that nets you 80 bass a trip.

Then follow up here with your results.

I am thinking that after blanking with Homer for several hours at a time,

you might feel less "happy to simply be on the water."

I know I certainly would.

My point is, Bassheads want to catch bass, and boaters just float round. 

A-Jay 

 

 

 

[T-Billy]

Always grateful to be out there. More content when I catch fish, especially big fish.😉

[Swamp Girl]

@A-Jay: Ha! Point taken, Andy.

[Mike L]

If I’m on the water in a pleasure boat then yes that’s why I went, but not when fishing.  
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[gim]

Part of the allure for me is owning, operating, and using my own boat when I want to.

 

I often dreamed of having my own boat and rigging it how I wanted to when I was younger.

 

Throttling down out of the access with the wind in my face is a selling point for this guy. Casting with the anticipation of catching a sizable fish is plus too. I hope to continue to do this for many years as long as I have the time and health to do so.

[Catt]

[TOXIC]

There’s a scenario that I used to cherish every time I hit the water.  Get there at sunup, get launched, idle out of the marina, throttle up on glass water being the only boat on the lake, head into an isolated cove, throw my favorite Hawg Caller buzz bait and have a big ditch pickle blow up on it.  If all those things fell into place, I would be happy to motor back to the marina and put the boat back on the trailer. 😉

[Swamp Girl]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

Throttling down out of the access with the wind in my face is a selling point for this guy.

 

I can totally relate to ^this,^ but my version is a bit different. There are times when I strike a paddling cadence that is efficient and elegant and my canoe tracks true and swift. And there are times, like in the movie, "A River Runs Through It," when I reach an understanding with the water and no longer need the metronome to command me, and I'll look at my body, not centered within the canoe as I was taught, but situated left or right of the beam, with the canoe following my lead, and not feeling a bit unbalanced, even though I clearly am. 

 

@Catt: That's it. I know my time on the water is coming to an end, so I want to gather as many memories as I can. 

 

@TOXIC: My most powerful fishing motor ever was 10 h.p., so I've never felt what you've felt, wind-wise, but I can infer the allure. 

[padlin]

Every time. I fish to give me something to do while paddling around enjoying the solitude. Without fishing i’m only out for an hour or so, with fishing it’s most of the morning.

[Swamp Girl]

7 minutes ago, padlin said:

Every time. I fish to give me something to do while paddling around enjoying the solitude. Without fishing i’m only out for an hour or so, with fishing it’s most of the morning.

 

Brother.

[WRB]

Being on the water is my happy place😀

Tom

[bowhunter63]

Every time I’m on the water chasin bass 

[Swamp Girl]

31 minutes ago, WRB said:

Being on the water is my happy place😀

Tom

 

Another brother!

[Susky River Rat]

When I have a stressful week at work I tend to really enjoy the freedom of the water. Pretty much doing what I want when I want.  I love when I am the only one out or at last no one in site. I mostly enjoy being on the water but, I really enjoy it when I’m catching. 

[crypt]

Yes..........

[GreenPig]

Not really, I'm typically hyper focused on catching fish. The next deep rock pile, lay down, ditch, point, stump, grass bed, has a big girl waiting on me. Plus the only semi - comfortable spot on my boat is my lean to seat on the front deck. I do relax for 8 - 14 seconds while getting my Sunrise pics.

[Swamp Girl]

39 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

I do relax for 8 - 14 seconds while getting my Sunrise pics.

 

😉

[Swamp Girl]

I'm off to fish my pond for a couple hours. I'll do some joyful paddling...and joyful fishing!

[GRiver]

When I got out in the mornings, it’s usually before daylight. I shut the motor down, drift and eat my egg and cheese biscuit while drinking coffee. Just soaking in the morning. Sometimes during the day I’ll find a limb and toss the bowline around it and just sit and listen and look. I still appreciate nature, and  all of its sounds and activities, I still am amazed at what see and hear. 

[herder]

Every time

[Zcoker]

Always “enough”. Life is life, whatever it may be. As far as happiness goes, I try to find it in most things I do, even fishing. Even after thousands of bass out in the glades, I’ve never tired of it. Always a happy sunrise at every dark corner. The anticipation also fits into that category, the planning, the preparation, the giddiness of a new adventure. Many times I’ve just leaned back in my kayak to take in all the boundless beauty, but also to take in an awe inspiring breather after conquering a giant bass! 

[WackyWormNedRig]

Everyday on the water is great, especially from my kayak. 

[throttleplate]

i am happy to just fish from the bank where i can sit in my chair and relax, take a break and look around while my bobber bobbing in the waves does most of the work.

I can get up and walk around especially when i fish my favorite lake which has one lake on the east side and a different lake on the west side divided by a road, 2 lakes where all i do is pivot my body 180 degrees and walk 12 steps to get to the other lake.