Tournament or Recreational Fisherman?

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Im a totally dysfunctional recreational fisherman. I am however gratefull to the tourney guys who share so much info with us so if i forget to say it once in a while THANKS TO ALL YOU PROS OUT THERE FOR THE GUIDENCE YOU GIVE US LITTLE GUYS 8)

[alhuff]

recreational, anything else would be a job.  

Alfred

[roadwarrior]

Recreational only for me.

The only thing I do that might be slightly related to competition is fishing rivers and lakes where we have a legitiment chance at catching a World Record in a variety of species. I'm only half kidding when I mention that we fish for the next World Record smallmouth, walley, brown or rainbow trout. This region boasts specific species records for crappie, catfish and bream as well. Not largemouth however, that's out of the question around here.

[stratoscaster]

Only recreational fishing for now.  I have been thinking about joining a local club to fish their tourneys for the educational factor and to see how I stack up.

[billybass]

Pretty much all tournament fishing. Even on the weekends I'm not in a tourn I'll go fish a lake or river where I have one coming up.

I agree with Ben though. When I reach the point I'm burnt out I hang up the keys for a while and pull out the golf clubs. When I got back into it two years ago my boat had sat for almost three in the back yard.

[Raul]

Recreational 100 %, no time for tournaments nor do I want to fish tournaments.

[Sealand]

Recreational fishing for now.

I would like to join a club and try fishing in tournaments.

I am lucky enough to live on a lake, plus there are dozens of lakes and ponds in my area. So I try to fish every day.

I must say that I have loved fishing for over 25 years and I hope that I never get burned out to the point I have to stop.

Even when I don't catch anything I still enjoy it! ;D

[J._Bricker]

Good question, and responces.  I'm pretty much a recreational fisherman.  When I'm fishing, my thoughts are on what I'm doing and my surroundings, not on work.  But I do enjoy fishing a local tackle shop's semi-annual tournament and the Western police and fire games.  

I already have a full time job-  fishing and talking about fishing with people who also enjoy it, in my opinion, is what it's all about.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it  ;D.

[Kana]

recreational, but i have my sights on joining a club and having fun with a little competition.  nothing too serious as i agree with danno 100%.  keep it reel keep it fun!

[Redtail]

Recreational - It appears sometimes that tournament fishing is a bit more like work and a little less fun plus I'm just not good enough!

I would also rather be one of several boats on the water, rather than one of 30.

[chevy]

For now, I'm mostly recreational. Fished my first two tournaments last year. I'm looking for sponsorship to do a tournament trail with a classic tourney at the end to strive for. I plan on doing both.

[Matt Fly]

When fishing tournaments, its still supposed to be fun.  When recreational bass fishing, I still approach it like a tournament.   I don't want any bad habits coming from a pleasure trip.  Team or individual,  still have a game plan, backup game plan.  

[Minuteman]

100% recreational, but I fish against the toughest opponent in the world everytime I fish and that is my expectations of myself. Even that takes the fun out of it sometimes. If I ever get to the point I have nothing to prove to myself, I'll quit and humans don't live long enough for that to happen.

[Mikey]

just for fun.

[texasbass1]

Tournament angler.

[Lunkers0]

I fish in the club level for tournaments.  I still consider myself a recreational fisherman.  I am a very competitive person, but I dont get bent out of shape when I lose.  

[razyrsharpe]

strictly recreational.  i have never fished a tourny.  my job as a coach (football, wrestling, track) has me being competitive all year long.  what i try to do in my spare time is NOT be competitive (to the best of my ability)

[hick66]

90% of all the fishing i do now is tournament related. except for chasing a few cats, and stripers, and crappie, and carp, and the rare trip to the coast. tite lines - Hick

[mobassattack]

I love fishing both most of the time its for rec.  If most of the time it was for tourny I would never have a dime I love the excitment of tourny fishin.  I also love being around new people learning new things.

[Rattlinrogue]

Wow!I'm glad I asked this question.It really got a response.As i said before,I'm a rec. angler,but there is that yearning in the back of the mind that thinks of the life of a touring pro and wants to do it .Sort of like wanting to be a pro football or baseball player when you were a kid.That's when I look at my fishing ability realistically and I'm over it.