Is fishing relaxing (semantics debate)?

[farmpond1]

The other day I emerged from between the houses of a subdivision in my town after fishing a pond therein.  I stopped in to say hello to a friend who lives there and she observed that I must really like to fish to which I agreed.  She said, yes, fishing is very relaxing.  I didn't correct her but for me if it's relaxing, it's when I'm not doing it right.  I've clearly seen more intense fishermen/women than me but when I fish, I do it with the purpose of catching and while it's (usually) enjoyable, it's rarely "relaxing."  I know it's largely a question of semantics but do any of y'all feel the same way?

[J-B]

I can fully understand the way you see it.  For me, if I spend a day at the water (whether I catch anything or not) I go home in a much more relaxed mood.  It is one of the few places I can be me, think like me and do what I want to do.  I feel like the everyday stress of life is temporarily removed from my shoulders.   For me it is a fun thing to do.  I think that if something is fun for a person to do, even if it is hard labor, it is generally relaxing to that person in many ways.

So yes, I would have to say it is relaxing for me.  

[Steven Ladner]

Compared to working and such, yeah it's relaxing. But to me, bass fishing isn't really relaxing. After an entire day of it, I am worn out both mentally and physically.

Mentally- I'm trying to figure out what bait to choose, depth, pattern, where to cast next, etc. It all seems simple, but when put together, it's basically one big puzzle.

Physically- Standing for hours and hours that day, casting, working the bait, fighting a bunch of fish (only on those good days) all add up to make me fall asleep when I get home. Especially after that hot sun has drained all my energy throughout the day. It may seem relaxing, but when you go back and look at it all, your worn out at the end of the day.

(I'm not complaining either. For some reason I keep going back out there every chance I get, it's my addiction/hobby )

[Hammer 4]

My thoughts are about the same as M and M's..I found that throwing a 2 oz swimbait is No easy chore, my back was killin me this morning..lol

However, I love being on the water, as draining as it is sometimes, I obviously keep going back for more... ;D

[Eddie Munster]

It's relaxing for me most every day cept when I have 'one of those days' where most every perfect cast results in a snag, wind keeps blowing me around the anchor rope, etc..... It's days like those that I wished I would have stayed in bed or done something else.

[TrippyJai]

Fishing is really tiring sometimes and not relaxing at all, but it is fun indeed. After 8 hours out on the water and the hours spent in the car, I am exhausted by the end of the day. Fishing is only relaxing when I fish with live bait when I go with my dad. We find a good looking spot, put a worm on the hook and enjoy the day on the lake with some drinks and snacks. I guess it depends, there are days when nothing goes right as well and some days, everything seems to go your way.

[reo]

For me, yes, it is relaxing. In a leave your troubles and stress from the daily grind behind kind of way. It can be challenging, both mentally and physically but to me it is relaxing. Kinda in a way that others find a phisical workout is relaxing.

[Branuss04]

For me it depends on the situation.

Any sort of Trout fishing = YES

Bass fishing.. well that's a different story.  I REALLY have been enjoying trips by myself this year.  I don't' have to worry about back boating, I can cast where I want, go where I want, do what I want.  I don't have to worry about the other people catching fish or not  (I feel bad when I take people out and they don't catch anything).  It's very relaxing for me.  

For some reason though, my trips haven't been that relaxing with some buddies of mine.  It seems like the trips become high strung and there is lots of tension.  We become so focused on catching fish it is overwhelming.  This year I'm more focused on enjoying myself due to the poor fishing for me.

[Micro]

Is fishing relaxing

Inasmuch as fishing diverts my mind, time and attention from the things that bring me stress, then yes.  

[Jig Thrower]

not for me one bit its more work than fun, most people think i am crazy

[DINK WHISPERER]

I think drifting along the bank with a night crawler on a bobber type of fishing is indeed relaxing! The bass fishing we do in FL is anything but! It is a mental and physical game while on the hunt for a hawg!

[basswitch]

I find even the act of casting to be relaxing. I can fish for hours, not catch anything and I still will lose total track of time. Don't get me wrong, catching is much better but I find peace just in the art of the chase.

I don't like work, so anything remotely like work is avoided to the best of my ability. When things like fishing become work, please shoot me.

[Fishing Rhino]

I think it is a matter of semantics, and just what constitutes "relaxing".

For me, fishing is relaxing, though not in the same sense as lolling in a hammock with a lemonade.

Though it's physical, particularly when you paddle or row, it's challenging, mentally, in the end, the only pressure on you to perform is that which you put on yourself.  You can do it your way, at your pace, with no one to answer to.

Your job, bonus, or raise is not at stake by how you do fishing.  You don't have a superior evaluating your performance.  

Fishing is a voluntary activity.  Some play golf, some are gym rats, others go hiking, mountain climbing, etc.

Strenuous activity can be relaxing.  It's not a contradiction.  It's a paradox.

It's relaxing in the sense that I can be physically exhausted, but I am mentally, emotionally, and spiritually refreshed.

[skillet]

 Not only no but H l NO! It's like I stuck fork into a 220 wall outlet (without letting it show) !!!

skillet

[dmac14]

Being on the water is relaxing, nature is relaxing, fishing with a worm and a bobber for bluegill is relaxing. Bass fishing is more work, but I think certain work can be mentally relaxing. Like when you tie on a new bait after not catching anything for awhile and it gets bit a few times. I find that relaxing because after stressing on not catching anything you finally get something and you feel as if you are accomplished.

[grimlin]

Depends on how serious i take it that day.

For the most part it's relaxing for me.

If i start getting stress about not being able to find the bass,I just go after bluegills with a bobber.That's my simple solution.

[Big Tom]

Bass Fishing: No

Live bait fishing: Sure

[SirSnookalot]

All fishing is relaxing for me and the best thing I did was give up my 34 footer before I moved to Florida.

I walk the ICW or the beach most mornings watching the sun come up, no pressure, no stress and sometimes no fish. I do this daily and never get tired of it, the exercise isn't bad either.

In the afternoon I do a little bass fishing for a couple of hours and still no pressure, if there was I wouldn't do it.  I'm there for the enjoyment, size and numbers are unimportant to me.

[LCpointerKILLA]

yeah I always go home more relaxed

[bass wrangler569]

Not only no but H l NO! It's like I stuck fork into a 220 wall outlet (without letting it show) !!!

skillet

X2 I love everything about it but bass fishing isn't relaxing. If I want to relax I'll play my guitar.

[farmpond1]

Fishing is only "relaxing" for me when I can't coax the fish into biting and I've resigned myself to just chilling out for awhile. Then when I start back up again, it isn't relaxing anymore. Of course this isn't to say it isn't fun. My girlfriend says I'm the most patient person she knows when I'm fishing. Ask me to free up tangled Christmas tree lights, however, and that's a different story entirely.

Sometimes I could kick myself for overlooking a beautiful sunset or failing to appreciate the lightning bugs blinking in a meadow. But if I think a hungry bass is waiting in a pocket of cattails or lilly pads, I'll forget nearly everything else. It becomes an obsession for me.

[smdono]

I'm relaxed all the time even when I'm busy and don't let anything bother me so.....fishing is just another relaxing thing for me

[bassmedic46]

I find it relaxing to be out there. If i catch something thats good but if I don't its still a good day.

[BillO]

Bass fishing for me is work. Total concentration is what it's all about for me. I cannot even sleep the night before. But, hey I love it...

[Tokyo Tony]

If what you mean by "relaxing" is, physiologically, a lowering of your blood pressure and a reduction of your heart rate, and psychologically, a reduction of stress and worries, then bass fishing is not relaxing for me. I think the physical part is evident, but I should explain the mental part. There are good types of stress and bad types. Bad types would be: personal finances, relationships, work-related worries, etc. I think good types of stress are: worrying about catching a big fish, worrying about a bass coming unbuttoned, worrying about casting accuracy, etc.

So no, bass fishing is not relaxing because I'm sure most people's heart rates go up along with their blood pressure, and most of the time bass fishing is stressful (although it's the good kind of stress).

If what you mean by "relaxing" is getting away from it all and enjoying yourself, then bass fishing is absolutely relaxing.