If you could thank one person..

[little_stephen]

Not a person, a thing.........

Depression.

Ill explain real quick.

A few years ago, I was in college and suffering from a pretty dark time in my life. It was fall, and one day i went into the garage, saw one of my dads old fishing rods on the floor, and decided to go fishing! I went, didnt catch a thing, but really enjoyed the sun on my face, the smell of the air, and the breeze blowing. Never went back! It took me a full year to learn and then catch my first Bass ever. But I did!

Now its all i wanna be doing! Wouldnt have it any other way! I was always an inside kinda kid, would rather be playing videogames, or sketching, or building a model or something. College marchingband showed me that being outside was good for me, but it wasnt keeping me happy. fishing filled in that void....... Bass fishing literally saved my life.

I know its cheesy, but its true. Past that, Id wanna thank u guys for teaching me how to catch more fish. Because u can learn alot from reading magazines, but its hard to understand what youre doing right and wrong without real people to talk to!

SO THANKS! ;D

[Bankbeater]

My Dad. During the summer, when I was off from school, he use to call in sick and we would go catfishing. Later on he got me into bass fishing.

[bassman31783]

2 people.

First & foremost my dad, for loving the outdoors, & fishing so much. For taking so much time out of his life to pass on that love to me.

Second would be my great uncle who taught my dad everything he knows about the outdoors, which has now been passed onto me.

[Bass_Akwards]

I got myself into fishing when I was about 11.  My Dad never got into it to much.  I used to water my back lawn at night, then go out an hour later with a flashlight to ****** as many big ole fat nightcrawlers as I could for the next day.

My fishing strategy back then was very complicated.  Walk a block to the lake near my house in the suberbs of Chicago, sit in the field and slap a live worm on my hook.  Throw it out there and let it sit.  Like I said, complicated.

I'd catch bluegill, croppy and bass.  Never anything bigger than a pound and a half probably.

Stopped fishing from age 14-38 and rekindled my love for it a few years ago. (I'm 41)

The first couple times I fished in years, was here in Boulder.  I lived here 8 years before I learned there's bass here.  I went out, and I caught nothing. It really  drove me crazy.

I came home and immediately did a search on Google for "bass fishing forums."  A few came up and I checked them all out.  BRwas my favorite so i stayed.  Since then I've learned more than i ever could have imagined about the sport and it really shows on the water. 

I guess if I had to thank one person it would oddly enough be Glenn for starting this place, and starting me on the golden road to unlimited devotion. 

So thanks Glenn and thanks to all those at BR who have answered my many questions over the last couple years.

Todd

[bear7625]

My father for getting it all started 60 years ago and my 3 sons who wont let me stop!

[grimlin]

Not a person, a thing.........

Depression.

Ill explain real quick.

A few years ago, I was in college and suffering from a pretty dark time in my life. It was fall, and one day i went into the garage, saw one of my dads old fishing rods on the floor, and decided to go fishing! I went, didnt catch a thing, but really enjoyed the sun on my face, the smell of the air, and the breeze blowing. Never went back! It took me a full year to learn and then catch my first Bass ever. But I did!

Now its all i wanna be doing! Wouldnt have it any other way! I was always an inside kinda kid, would rather be playing videogames, or sketching, or building a model or something. College marchingband showed me that being outside was good for me, but it wasnt keeping me happy. fishing filled in that void....... Bass fishing literally saved my life.

I know its cheesy, but its true. Past that, Id wanna thank u guys for teaching me how to catch more fish. Because u can learn alot from reading magazines, but its hard to understand what youre doing right and wrong without real people to talk to!

SO THANKS! ;D

A lot of people that i invite out fishing with me are in the same state.Depression wreaks havoc on one's life big times.Just to watch them get outdoors with me puts them in a state happiness.We just joke around and have some fun.Plus they have access to all my baits and lures...LOL.

It's very,very easy to get depressed here in Michigan.I've been up here for about 6 years now and i can sometimes feel it(winters are the worst).I've never felt it when i was in the south.

I also feel I've gotten much,much hardcore into fishing for the same reason,to avoid depression.I always had a passion for fishing since i was a kid,but never this "hardcore".Even if i was to move again,fishing will always be a part of me.

[farmpond1]

I don't know, really.  My dad, who died when I was 11, planted the tiniest seed by taking me and my siblings fishing at a pay lake for trout.  But I think it was sometime in my early teens when I found it was something that I could really call "just mine."  (When you have 6 siblings, autonomy is a scarce commodity).  So, there isn't any one person I can thank.  But I'll thank all of you for sharing in my obsession.

[Hellbenderman]

My older brother first took me fishing when I was about 10, and it has been Katy bar the door ever since. However, the person who most influenced me was a student of mine at Auburn University, who took me under his wing, and taught me more in two years than I had garnered myself in 20. I will always be eternally indebted to this person. So, Alabama Niki Barber, if you are out there anywhere, thanks, and I wish everyone had a mentor like you in their lives.

[PondHunter]

I didn't really have anybody else to introduce me to fishing. I have just always been drawn to it. When I was a kid, I would have a terrible time trying to catch anything and quite frankly, I'm surprised that my lack of success didn't run me off!

I like to go with other people, but usually go by myself which is fine because I can go at my own pace. I enjoy being outdoors and relaxing a bit as much as anything else.

[Big-O]

My Dad and 3 Uncles of which only 1 of these fellows is still living, Uncle Jab and he's 78 yrs old and not in good health. That reminds me..... I need to call'em and tell'em how much I love'em for takin' a little knothead fishin' all those times and how much he means to me. Thanks for this thread 

Big O

www.ragetail.com       

[rondef]

My son for getting me back into fishing after more than 35 years of not fishing.

[Dalton Tam]

Definately my dad. He has taught me just about everything I know and has always had faith in me throughout my tournament fishing.

[BigEbass]

The question sorta makes me sad cause my parents split up when I was seven and they really have not been there for me mentoring and "spending those days on the lake" etc - when I was 5-6 we would bank fish a bit (my father included) and I have fond memories of that, but it never really took - but just 2 years ago my 68 year old neighbor bass junky got me into it - invited me out - mentored me - and I really appreciate him for that - he is a real buddy and a great mentor for me in fishing!

But it kinda makes me sad too cause I wish my dad had showed a portion of the same interest - but people are not perfect I guess - take the good, leave the bad.

I love bass fishing now - it is such an escape for me - I think my only bass buddy and neighbor for that.

[THEbassmaster]

my dad. ive been fishin as long as i can remember. mostly for cats, panfish, walleye, etc. now if my dad could thank one person for getting him into bass fishing, he would have to say me 

[basspro215]

i would have to say my grandfather,he got my dad into hunting and fishing after he got with my mom,but my mom is the one that taught me how to put a worm on the hook and tie a knot(my dad didn't have patience)but them my day taught me how to use a lure and Ive loved it ever since wen i was younger i would ride my bike 10-20 miles just to go hit the spots (Love you grandpa)i miss you