I think I have lost it....

[Tin]

After a long New England winter I would have figured that I have been on the water all the time. But I have been fishing all of 5 times this year so far and only once on the boat and have no desire what so ever to go fishing. I haven't really touched my gear or got the boat ready. My first tourney is Sunday and I just don't want to fish. Anyone else feeling this way?  :-/

[Popeye]

Hopefully ALL those BAD feelings will disappear once you're out there fishing in the upcoming tourney!!! Winter depression/blues???

[Tin]

Thanks Popeye. I think work and school has something to do with it, even my mom thinks there is something wrong. I'm sick of tourney fishing too. I have just never had a lack of desire. (Come on Muddy, I left that open) lol

[JCrzy4Bass]

I think you need to get out there and catch some lunkers dude.  I was feeling the same, but I think mine was a sense of doubt that maybe I had lost it somewhat due to not catching anything ALL winter from December 3 - March 10.  What a drought.  I went out so many times throwing jigs and spoons and just couldn't find em' anywhere.  

Once I started reeling them in this month, even after the first one, that feeling I had last year sprung back quick.  I was ready...

I think it's just a matter of getting out and catching again.  

Another good way might be just to go out on the water, pick your most scenic lake and just sit out there.  You don't even have to do anything.   Put your feet up and relax.  Remember that the other part of bass fishing (least for us weekend guys or recreational fishermen) is to just take in the surroundings and enjoy nature.  You guys up there with the clear lakes with the beautiful bottom plants, pebbles, rocks, etc don't know how great you have it.

Except during ice out lol.  Anyway, you'll get back into it man.  Another thing you need to do is win that tourney!  The feeling of victory is always motivating.

[dave]

Sometimes the anticipation of something that you are really looking forward to (not just fishing) has a higher level of satisfaction than the actually event itself.

[Tokyo Tony]

You've gotta take up winter time trout fishing man  

Seriously though, I've felt that way a couple times this spring, especially when the weekend comes around.  I'm sitting there watching TV, and although the lakes are open and the bass are biting, it's pretty cold out and really windy.  It just doesn't seem like it's worth the effort.

I just have to give myself a pep talk: "Chaki, you've been waiting for this all week, just get off your a** and get on the water.  If you don't you'll feel like you just wasted one of your precious days off."

Then I get off the couch, set everything up, and even though it's cold when I'm out there, catching a few fish makes it all worth it.

Lastly, I really don't think you'll have any problem at all getting motivated once it really starts warming up (65+ degrees).  It's just tough to get motivated when it's cold and windy.

Good luck!

[slomoe]

I just have to give myself a pep talk: "Chaki, you've been waiting for this all week, just get off your a** and get on the water. If you don't you'll feel like you just wasted one of your precious days off."

Then I get off the couch, set everything up, and even though it's cold when I'm out there, catching a few fish makes it all worth it.

Thats EXACTLY how I've felt the last two weekends.

[ba7ss3in]

Fish, those are the days that you have to push yourself to the water. Sometimes if I'm not meeting up with someone at the ramp, I don't feel like going, especially if it's 30 degrees and raining but I go anyway. I know the fishing is going to be tough but I go. Good luck.

[fishizzle]

Tin, It sounds to me like you are a great Basser and you put alot of pressure on yourself to be competitive at a very young age.

You may have burnt yourself out from last year and fishing may not be fun anymore because tournaments are alot of stress.

Also school may have burnt you out and the winter blues.

It is a fact that many people are affected by not getting enough sunlight in the winter and it causes a mild depression called seasonal affectiveness disorder.  Maybe just a hike by yourself to collect your thoughts and have some "Tin Time"

Lack of sleep and too much drinking can also attribute to lack of desire to fish and some may claim its your diet and lack of exercise.

To sum this up something is off balance.

Maybe getting out there and just relaxing is what you need.

[Grey Wolf]

The pressures of every day life will get you down sometimes  , step back take a deep breath and relax your mind , then go do something you totally enjoy. (LIKE MAYBE FISHING).

[burleytog]

I think I know what your problem is.

[jrhennecke]

Some people don't realize how much different tournament fishing is from "fun" fishing.  I lost my desire to fish tournaments last year and took the year off and learned to have fun with the fishing again.  I started tournaments this year and the 1st one I felt like a little kid on Christmas eve.  I suggest you guys go back and find why you started loving bass fishing in the 1st place.

[Gone_Phishin]

The guys are right, take some time off fishing T's.  Don't even worry about them.  I have never fished a tourney in my life, on the open water that is.  Everytime I get a chance to go I feel like a kid, just as jrhennecke said, even on hard water.  

Take a big step back, and then remember why you started fishing in the first place.  Next time you go, don't worry about figuring out a pattern, or changing the color of your jerkbait three times, or thinking about what the rest of the field is doing.......Just fish.  Relax.  Smile.  

Watch the shoreline for wildlife, smell your hands after taking a clump of weeds off your jig, enjoy the equipment you're using.  Now that's fishing my friend.  

[Hookemdown.]

Alright Tin, you are pathetic.  

Did the Sox just give up ever years and years of heartache and troubles?  NO!

Did Marlin give up after Nemo ran away? NO! He went to Sydney and found him!

When the times get tough, the tough get going.  Get off your butt and go fish!

That's an order.

[Tin]

Thanks guys. This site has some of the best guys around.

[Jake P]

Sometimes the anticipation of something that you are really looking forward to (not just fishing) has a higher level of satisfaction than the actually event itself.

I agree 100%. Tin ive been feeling the same way lately. Last weekend i forced myself to go fish and after an hour i got bored quickly and left. Some days i am excited about it and other days i just dont feel like it. Winter has messed up our heads a little bit.Maybe catching a few good ones will hook you again. Good luck on your tourney.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

You should probably just give up,lol.

I've had some yrs when although cabin fever is there, I'm still in no rush to get out there early (ice out) and struggle for 1 or 2 fish in some extreme temps but other yrs I'm at the lake putting salt on the ice,lol (kidding)

Trust me Tin,...when the water heats up a bit, so will your drive.

[rondef]

Tin,

Just take some time off from the tourny thing and get back to basics, just fish for fun.  The enjoyment of catching will come back once you eliminate the stress of tourney fishing for a while.

[Dean]

Tin, I wish you the best of luck coping with your severe case of cabin fever. Just remember, when you're not fishing, the bait monkey is always there to support your cause! ;D

[flechero]

I haven't really touched my gear.... I just don't want to fish

Hey Tin- nano technology got you down? ;D ;D just kidding! You'll be ready to go again about May or June when the garden starts sprouting up. ...lol

[.dsaavedra.]

After a long New England winter I would have figured that I have been on the water all the time. But I have been fishing all of 5 times this year so far and only once on the boat and have no desire what so ever to go fishing. I haven't really touched my gear or got the boat ready. My first tourney is Sunday and I just don't want to fish. Anyone else feeling this way? :-/

.....which is exactly why im against tournament fishing

[Tin]

I haven't really touched my gear.... I just don't want to fish

Hey Tin- nano technology got you down? ;D ;D just kidding! You'll be ready to go again about May or June when the garden starts sprouting up. ...lol

;D I just got owned.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

It's not like carrots are in season yet anyway,...so far,...the frozen carrots  just ain't cuttin' it,lol

[Tin]

Well, just had to change a switch in my trolling motor and now that the boat is ready for tomorrow, I'm starting to get excited. Thanks guys.

[=Matt 5.0=]

It's all good. I could care less right now myself. Works got me down, weather blows, price of gas is the highest ever in Rhode Island.  Can't really get motivated to go out for 2-3 hours and maybe catch one. (or maybe not)