farmpond1 Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Okay gang! Time to dust off the nostalgic brain cells. What drew you into this wacky, wonderful obsession we call fishing? Although there are no wrong answers, I'm hoping for more descriptive answers than just "Because it's fun!" That's obvious. Think about it in terms of who, what, when, where, and why. Is there a particular person who mentored you? How old were you? Is there a defining moment that sealed your fate? That sort of thing. Quote
SWMIBASSER Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I remember it down to the reel, lure, the appearance of the rod lake who I was fishing with etc. My dad, brother and I was on a small local lake.....I had been fishing awhile but honestly it wasn't my thing. I couldn't get into because I always had to be doing something and setting there waiting for a bite was boring (Ironically that's the kind of fishing most of us think we need to do w/our kids) I had been asking about fishing artificials but dad thought it would be better to stick to worms. Plus my rod, a pistol grip rod with rubber handle gray in color, and reel a Daiwa spincast reel, wasn't up to throwing big artificials. He finally caved. I was casting a small soft plastic perch colored minnow thing with a shaft mounted willow blade very similar to a rooster tail blade. Caught a 12" or so bass while moving down the south east shoreline..........I've been hooked on reel fishing ever since. Quote
Big Tom Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I started out simple enough when I was a kid fishing for bluegill. The creeks around my house always had lots of pan fish in them. I was hardcore addicted to that as a little guy. I quit fishing for years and rediscovered it while in college. A friend of mine had a bass boat and invited me to go. He took me to Wal-Mart and picked out a Mitchell Avocet spinning combo for me and we headed to the lake. He rigged up a grub on a jighead and told me to have at it. I caught my first fish on an artificial that day and it was all over for me. Quote
Gantu Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I mentioned about 8 years ago to my wife that I might like to try my hand at fishing. She got me a nice rod and reel and some line for an anniversary. It sat untouched in my garage for about 6years. 2 years ago, on Father's Day, I decided I was going to string that reel up and go to the local lake. Every weekend after that, and every weekend for just about 3/4 of the year I am on that lake. I like fishing, for any fish, but am geetting into Bass fishing more so now. I don't have a batcaster setup yet, but am saving up to get one. I got pretty good with my open face spinning reel, and have a nice 7 foot ugly stick that I bought last year(again with anniversary money...) I had to the original she got me 8 years ago snapped of during a camping trip with the scouts. I like using the spinners, Rooster Tails in particular. I am definately going to try some Bass lures this year. Have some Frogs, and some nice Jigs. Plan on experimenting with trailers, etc. Quote
farmpond1 Posted February 17, 2009 Author Posted February 17, 2009 Yes! This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for! Great stories and, obviously, great memories. Keep 'em coming! When I have a few more minutes, I'll add mine. Quote
Bass Dude Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I was about ten years old (about two and half decades ago!) and I got my first 4 pound Smallie. I got it on a 1/4 silver/white Rooster Tail spinner on an 5'6" ultralight combo with 4lb line. It was in my original home town of Oswego on Lake Ontario, from shore. I haven't lived in Oswego in over 20 years, but I could go there tomorrow and pick the exact rock I was standing on when I caught it. I've been totally absorbed in the sport ever since!!! Quote
Bass Dude Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I forgot the OZ. after the 1/4---it was a 1/4 oz Rooster tail. Quote
flippincrazy Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Grew up fishing creeks for smallmouth. Its what my Dad, brother and I did every week. We always watched all the fishing shows on ESPN and I just thought the BASS guys were like Gods. In college I found out I coould fish as a co-angler in the BFL's and I thought why not... First Tourney... One baitcaster combo to my name and three spinning rod set ups, a bag of tackle and Lake Erie. I was fish out of water! Couldn't even help my boater back his boat in the water. I had never drop shottted in my life (were on Erie!). 120 boats, pouring ran, 7-9 foot waves, water spouts and a 35 mile run from Sandusky to Canada. I actually prayed I'd survive the day. Luck for me I had a world class boater and over the course of the day I learned what tournament fishing was about. I survived but my life will never be the same. If I never make it big I know I will tourney fish till the day my body stops letting me. I'm addicted to chasing green and brown fish and catching as many as I can in 8 hours. ;D Quote
Big Tom Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Grew up fishing creeks for smallmouth. Its what my Dad, brother and I did every week. We always watched all the fishing shows on ESPN and I just thought the BASS guys were like Gods. In college I found out I coould fish as a co-angler in the BFL's and I thought why not... First Tourney... One baitcaster combo to my name and three spinning rod set ups, a bag of tackle and Lake Erie. I was fish out of water! Couldn't even help my boater back his boat in the water. I had never drop shottted in my life (were on Erie!). 120 boats, pouring ran, 7-9 foot waves, water spouts and a 35 mile run from Sandusky to Canada. I actually prayed I'd survive the day. Luck for me I had a world class boater and over the course of the day I learned what tournament fishing was about. I survived but my life will never be the same. If I never make it big I know I will tourney fish till the day my body stops letting me. I'm addicted to chasing green and brown fish and catching as many as I can in 8 hours. ;D That is a neat story. That boater could have made it hell for you. Its cool that there are such good guys even at the higher levels. Quote
THEbassmaster Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 i grew up fishing bluegill, crappie, catfish, walleye, anything and everything. my dad took me out alot and i just liked being outside all the time. i would try for bass every now and then with just a basic powerworm on a straight shank hook, it would catch some bass. then i started to like bassin a little more and kept gettin a little and little more tackle but not very educated on it. but then about 5 years ago i was using i bluegill, casting out and reeling in(didnt look lifelike it all lol) because i had caught a few pike like that so i kept tryin, and i got a 22" around 5# bass, that is what got me hooked on bass fishing. aaron Quote
shootermcbob Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I lost my father in law two and a half years ago. He took my daughter fishing quite a bit. I never liked to fish...so he took her. Well, when he passed, I started taking my daughter fishing. At first, it was boring for both of us. But I had a couple friends at work who are avid fishermen helping me and I found this site. After about a month and 6-7 trips to the lake(and catching some fish), I was hooked. My daughter is now 8 and still goes fishing with me. We take coloring books, snacks, books to read, and as of this Christmas, a hand-held video game will be coming. That way if she gets board fishing, she has other interesting things to do. Typically, She fishes for about 30-40 minutes the first go round, then she will come back and fish a few more times. We go home when she says she is ready. IF I didn't have to, I wouldn't work and would just go fishing. I can't believe how badly I have the bug. We were going to buy a boat this spring, but I recently was downsized and lost my job. When we do get a boat, I think even mama will be along for the ride then. I told her, you don't even have to fish, you can just look good and I'll do the fishing. Sooner or later, the whole family will be fishing. ;D Quote
joshuaryan Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Setting the hook hard and not knowing how big the monster is on the end of my line. Quote
jack1 Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 My dad got me into fishing mainly crappie, walleyes, and catfish when I was younger. Then I got interested in girls and it stopped for a few years. When I got married and the girls stopped lining up, the bug came back and I got back into walleye, catfish, and northern pike fishing. Did that for a few years until a friend of mine introduced me to top water bass fishing and I instantly got hooked. I remember after my first bass fishing trip, I went out for two weeks straight. My obsession with bass fishing is out of hand at times and my wife thinks I'm just crazy. I'm a multispecies fisherman, but overallI love to chase after those bass. Quote
toolpush Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Been fishing since I was a kid, can remember catching sun perch with my uncles when I was a wee boy. My dad used to take me and family fishing on vacations and when he could getaway. One time when I was in my teens, we went to Amistad and I caught two bass at one time on my crankbait. I still remember to this day, thinking how heavy that fish was when I was reeling it(them) in, and being plumb amazed when I saw them two bass on that one plug. Got away from it in my teens thru thirties, would rather waterski and party then fish.I remember complaining about them fishermen on my water, now it's the other way around. A friend of mine got me back into fishing about ten or eleven years ago by going out to the local stocked trout and catfish pond. He would fish for the former and I would fish for bass. What really turned it into an obsession with me was when I went and fished a stock tank on a cattle ranch in central texas. I caught 2-6lb. bass all day long on a top water just cast out, let it hit, jerk, KA-SLAM. All Day. I was addicted, it was the best high I had since quitting doing drugs. Now this little guy named the bait monkey keeps bothering me, Buy, buy, buy. Alot like doing drugs, again. : After catching my personal best, that is what keeps me in the quest. To one day break that mark. Quote
Babelfish42 Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 I got hooked when my dad would take me out when I was a little kid. Didn't get out that often since he worked so much in order to feed us, but the couple of times a year we did are some of the best memories I have. I didn't fish for many years being involved in other things and working myself but starting last year I have been out at least 2X a week. Last year I took my nephew 5, and niece 3, out to a local pond for their first trip. I was showing my niece how to cast out with her little Barbie fishing pole when I hear my nephew start yelling "I got one, I got one!!!" Before I could get the words "reel it in" out of my mouth he just starts running backwards yelling with this huge smile on his face. Poor fish got dragged halfway up the beach before I could stop him LOL Now every time I see him he asks when we are going to go again. The next generation has already been sucked in! ;D Quote
Fish MD Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Like most I grew up trying for easier caught fish. The Bass were always the more experienced fish. I went on my buddy's boat and threw Red Shad 5 inch ribbon tail texas rig, having no clue what I was doing. I got bit and it almost pulled the rod out of my hand and it was only a 2 lb large mouth. I was done....rods, reels, boats, and every free second I get is now dedicated to Bass fishing. Quote
Super User firefightn15 Posted February 17, 2009 Super User Posted February 17, 2009 When I was a kid in the real early seventies, we bought a cabin with all the accoutrements. Grabbed the first fishing rig I saw, which was an old Shakespeare baitcaster with a 5'6" steel rod and never looked back. Quote
Olebiker Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 My father never fished when I was growing up. He considered it to be a frivolous waste of time. When I was 13 years old I went off to St. Meinrad Seminary to study to become a priest. There was a 2 acre pond on the monastery property, and when I came home for spring break Dad suggested that I get a rod and reel and try fishing in it. We went to Allied Sporting Goods in Louisville and I spent $1.99 for a rod and $1.99 for a Zebco 33. I bought two inline spinners, a rooster Tail and an ABU Reflex. I started catching bass and bluegill out of that pond immediately. As soon as class was over every afternoon that the weather allowed I would spend a couple of hours fishing. When I got home for the summer Dad started fishing with me and within a few years he was just eaten up with bass fishing. My avatar is a picture of Dad with the biggest bass he ever caught. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 It was last november on a work related outing. I never seriously fished before but we were on a hunting/fishing lodge and i thought i would give it a try with some of the guys from work. I caught a 12" bass the first day out. But the one that got me was on the second and last day, i caught a 3 pounder and i was hooked. Now 3 months later i own a bass boat, 4 baitcast rods and 2 spinning reels and fish every weekend . That darn fish cost me more than 8k in 3 months!! lol but i love it and i plan to keep going for a long time. Quote
farmpond1 Posted February 17, 2009 Author Posted February 17, 2009 Jesus. I meant fishers of fish. Not fishers of men. Quote
teh_bass Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 Jesus inspired me to fish. Since he was a fisherman. Quote
jrhennecke Posted February 17, 2009 Posted February 17, 2009 My Dad got me started when I was very young. When he was stationed in North Carolina he used to take me to Mr Baden's pond. I really got hooked on bass fishing though when I was a little older. My dad had taken me to fish some sloughs at a friends duck club. I was fishing a rebel minnow and caught a 4# largemouth on my own. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 17, 2009 Super User Posted February 17, 2009 I grew up on a cattle farm that was bordered on one side by a river, had a creek down the middle, and had two ponds. Fishing was just something to do, I still do and have been for more than 60 years. Quote
Super User CWB Posted February 17, 2009 Super User Posted February 17, 2009 I was about 6 and fishing off my grandparent's dock at their summer home and caught my first Bass on a Hulapopper, probably just reeling it straight in with my Zebco 33. It was probably just 2 or 3 pounds but I thought it was huge. I put it in a fishbasket and hung it off the pier until everyone I could find came and looked at it. Then for some reason, I let it go which was unheard of way back then. Hooked (pun intended) ever since. Quote
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