Bass Fishing Addiction

[A-Jay]

Bass Fishing Addiction (known as BFA) is very common in our society and it crosses all races, ethnic groups, and social classes. Suburban, middle class people are going more and more and the signs of bass fishing addiction may not be widely recognized or known in these communities. There are a number of different signs and symptoms relating to which type or species of bass a person is fishing for. There are some signs and symptoms that are associated with all bass fishing. The information listed will discuss symptoms of BFA.

The common signs are;

Weight loss – A loss of appetite occurs when someone is addicted to bass fishing due to the body’s constant craving to go fishing. An appetite for the activity exceeds a normal appetite for food.

Weight Gain - A significant increase in body weight could also be seen which is almost always caused by the over ingestion of sausage McMuffins.

Paranoia – is a common occurrence in a person addicted to bass fishing. The brain disrupts normal mental functions creating an obsessive thought that someone is fishing in their honey hole. BFA can impair normal brain functions that confuse the brain’s senses and perceptions.

Preoccupation – Bass fishing addicts become preoccupied and often desperate to get out on the water. Many will go to any lengths to go bass fishing and that includes stealing, lying, fraud, and even violent crimes. An addict will likely steal from anyone or ask for money with no intentions of paying anyone back. Therefore, relationships, employment, health and hygiene often suffer.

Here are the signs associated with BFA in regards to specific species of bass.

Largemouth bass fishing is a dangerously addictive activity. Contrary to popular belief, the act of fishing itself doesn’t necessarily make one violent, but if one gets "skunked" repeatedly, there will be repercussions. Lipping a LMB acts as a depressant that calms and soothes the person resulting in a coma like state. Like any drug, withdrawal symptoms and the dire need to get bit can cause the addict to become violent. While under the influence of LMB fishing, the person is not violent at all. Signs of BFA include slow breathing, dilated pupils, and shredded thumbs. Withdrawal symptoms include watery eyes and nose, yawning, loss of appetite, irritability, panic, cramps, chills, sweating and repeated "setting the Hook" without a rod in your hand.

Smallmouth Bass fishing addiction affects adrenaline and creates a “rush” and pleasurable feeling. Signs of SMB fishing addiction include increased alertness, excitability, feelings of euphoria, increased pulse and heart rate, insomnia, fidgetiness, uncontrollable movements, a loss of appetite and an uncontrollable urge to buy tube baits. Withdrawal symptoms or after the high of the trip wears off includes apathy, long periods of sleep (fatigue), irritability, hostility, aggression, depression, paranoia, and disorientation.

Spotted Bass fishing addiction although less common, can be quite severe. The signs of Spotted BFA include hallucinations, altered perceptions of reality, a mix up of senses, where the person hears colors and sees sounds, and violent behavior. Some of the withdrawal symptoms include longer “trips”, psychosis, and death. These signs and withdrawal symptoms occur in both addicts and those who catch one of these bass infrequently. Chronic spotted bass fishing often leads to one experiencing a psychotic episode causing a mental breakdown, violence, and over use on ultra light tackle.

So be warned my friends - it's all fun and games until we are all Addicted to bass fishing . . . .

My truck's in the shop and I am Reeeeaaallly board.

A-Jay

[brushhoggin]

thanks for typing that up. people need to be aware. good stuff

[Captin Obvious]

I think AJ has lost it guys.....

[Lund Explorer]

I think AJ has lost it guys.....

Only his tow vehicle.....

[A-Jay]

Don't ya think there is just a little truth in the jest ?

A-Jay

[Missouribassman95]

Well I think Ihave BFA!

[Dwight Hottle]

Smallmouth Bass fishing addiction affects adrenaline and creates a “rush” and pleasurable feeling. Signs of SMB fishing addiction include increased alertness, excitability, feelings of euphoria, increased pulse and heart rate, insomnia, fidgetiness, uncontrollable movements, a loss of appetite and an uncontrollable urge to buy tube baits. Withdrawal symptoms or after the high of the trip wears off includes apathy, long periods of sleep (fatigue), irritability, hostility, aggression, depression, paranoia, and disorientation.

I have SBFA with serious jerk bait addiction instead of tube malaise. The rest of the description is pretty accurate. I do find the best way to hide my symptoms from family is to catch a 6lb+ smallie which puts a _hit eating grin on my face for a 24 hour period masking all other symptoms.. My wife just thinks I'm drinking too much. -

[A-Jay]

Smallmouth Bass fishing addiction affects adrenaline and creates a “rush” and pleasurable feeling. Signs of SMB fishing addiction include increased alertness, excitability, feelings of euphoria, increased pulse and heart rate, insomnia, fidgetiness, uncontrollable movements, a loss of appetite and an uncontrollable urge to buy tube baits. Withdrawal symptoms or after the high of the trip wears off includes apathy, long periods of sleep (fatigue), irritability, hostility, aggression, depression, paranoia, and disorientation.

I have SBFA with serious jerk bait addiction instead of tube malaise. The rest of the description is pretty accurate. I do find the best way to hide my symptoms from family is to catch a 6lb+ smallie which puts a _hit eating grin on my face for a 24 hour period masking all other symptoms.. My wife just thinks I'm drinking too much. -

You've got that right Dwight -

After the spring you've had this year - some could say you're the SMFA Poster Child.

A-Jay

[throwback]

I like sniffing plastics.

[Steven Dauster]

Getting skunked multiple times will only increase the need to bass fish will having a good day will have the same affect it is a vicious cycle my friends

[Locked]

Lipping a LMB acts as a depressant that calms and soothes the person resulting in a coma like state. Like any drug, withdrawal symptoms and the dire need to get bit can cause the addict to become violent.

That really cracked me up... Thanks for the read A-Jay.

[Scorcher214]

Who needs WebMD, when you got BassResource and doctor A-Jay.

I like sniffing plastics.

I do it as well, especially rage tail stuff. I don't even like coffee, I just like smelling them

On another note, I just remembered those commercials about the dad finding drugs in the kids room and the dad asks, "Where'd you learn this?!?" and the kids says "From you dad!"

Lol just swap out the drugs with some soft plastics and a rod.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't have a bass addiction, I have fishing addiction. I fish for a wide range of species in many different venues, bass are a part of that addiction....as long as my rod is bending I'm happy.

A nice benefit being in Florida, something is always hot.

[IntroC]

I wake myself up at night setting the hook.

[Hiram]

Great post, it put a smile on my face. I've had 2 reconstructive surgeries on my right shoulder, elbow, hand and can't cast yet. I've been sitting for 9 week reading the forum everyday,dreaming about the brush piles and stickups. A couple of day ago my wife got out of bed and saw me sitting in my boat learning to pitch with my left hand. I thought she felt sorry for me until she said that I need to find a new hobby. I don't want to learn a new hobby I want ot FISH!