Bass Fishing - Recreation or Obsession?

First of all, we need to look at the word ... recreation. When I break it down, it comes out re-creation.

What this means to me is a re-creating of myself; a way to get away from it all and do some soul searching and some thinking and ... re-create my ideas, inspirations and motivations; a break in the pattern that allows me to reconsider things in my life and make adjustments.

But the term is large. Typically, recreation means activity. What do you do for recreation? Watch TV? Garden? Go out to restaurants or bars? What?

It implies relaxation. It implies a way to get away from the normal grind and have an element of divergence; have some fun and forget it all.

Not so for the bass fisherman.

I know I have mentioned to people that I went fishing and they said, "Oh, that sounds relaxing."

What is relaxing about bass fishing? Probably nothing.

There are times I go to be outdoors, and there are times I go to catch bass. Catching bass is not relaxing. In fact, bass fishing is hard work.

If you want to throw in a live bait and hang by the shade tree, so be it. Granted, that is fishing ... but not the style of bass fishing I'm talking about.

What I am talking about is active bass fishing where you are in hot pursuit of the prey. Walking the banks ... fishing from the boat ... whatever your style may be, it is hard work.

Why hard work? Every time I come home from a fishing trip I am worn out for a few days. That's because I work hard while at play. I am up and down the banks hiking around the lake looking for my target: largemouth bass. I cast and I cast and I cast; always keeping the bait in motion and trying to find the fish.

So, do I go to get away from it all? Or, do I go because I love the thrill of the hunt; the catch.

If you think that serious bass fishing is a 'vacation," it's not. Again, it's hard work.

Even if you're not hiking up and down the banks, even if you are in a boat, it's hard work. You are constantly casting, reeling and landing fish (hopefully). This will wear you out if you only fish occasionally.

So, to me, bass fishing must be an obsession. I mean, certainly, I don't do it to get occasionally, though it is that. And I don't do it to forget the world and all it's cares, though it does help with that. And I don't do it because I am looking for a way to relax, though I do find it to be relaxing as well as tiring.

What's in it for me?

I must do it. I am obsessed, maybe better described as addicted to the adrenaline charge I get when I catch a bass. I need the satisfaction of feeling powerful because I have fooled the fish in it's own domain and I am now the king. I have to have that.

By the way, I will have to write more later, because now I must recreate. Maybe I will see you there.

Michael Russell
MgrCentral.com
Established 2001
Home Business Training and Information Guides

---

Cincinnati Catfishing Bait

Some of the baits I have used for used for... Read More

Techniques of Wet Fly Fishing

Many anglers who are new to fly fishing consider dry... Read More

Concentrate on Your Bass Fishing

I was watching a TV Show with Bill Dance and... Read More

Fishing Team Gear Helps Teams Market To Sponsors

Competition between offshore and inshore anglers has skyrocketed within the... Read More

Fishing Alaska: The Alaskan Sampler Plate...Part I

I just recently returned from my first fishing trip to... Read More

Tarpon Fishing and Catching The Elusive Silver King - Megalops Atlanticus

If you have ever had the priviledge of hooking up... Read More

Care And Repair Of Fishing Lures

Making fishing lures may be easy for the seasoned do-it-yourself... Read More

Saltwater Fly Fishing -- A Tide Runs Through It

Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these days. This... Read More

How To Catch Largemouth Bass

Six strategies for a good day's fishing(1) Largemouth Bass like... Read More

Make Small Fortune In The Fishing Industry

Make Small Fortune In Fishing Industry.......now there is a headline... Read More

Women and Fishing -- Not Just A Mans Sport

More and more women are learning to enjoy fishing each... Read More

A Big Fish Story

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to... Read More

Ever Said: We Should Have Caught Bass By Now?

Have you ever been on a lake and thought to... Read More

The Advantages of Underwater Fishing Cameras

Want to see what's really going on under the water... Read More

10 Fishing Gems

Fishing Gem #1 ? When Is Best?If you are in... Read More

How To Find Fish

PondsAnywhere there is a pond; it could be a hidden... Read More

Fishing Topwater in Lily Pads

In 2004, I fished more lily pads than ever before?... Read More

Take a Kid Fishing

Take a kid fishing and they will learn to be... Read More

Get Ready For Bed....Bedding Bass That Is!

It's getting near the time bass will be on their... Read More

A Technique To Catch Trophy Size Bass

There is a craze going on that produces big bass,... Read More

Breeding Crayfish

In the text below I shall try to give a... Read More

Saltwater Fishing Tips

Get Rid Of SharksSharks buggin' you? To get rid of... Read More

A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques

IntroductionMany of the people about to take one of my... Read More

Saltwater Fly Fishing in Washington State

When most people think of saltwater fly fishing their minds... Read More

Fishing The Henrys Fork....With Jack Karpawack

Jack Karpawack here.Well, as I suspected, there was no high... Read More

Reviving Billfish

Last summer we had an unfortunate incident with a swordfish... Read More

Why a Blacklight Will Take Your Night Fishing To A New Level

If You Have Never Used A Blacklight While Night Fishing,... Read More

How To Choose the Right Fly Line Weight

Written on the rod blank or handle is a code... Read More

Interesting Features of The Speckled Trout

For those who are interested in speckled trout, you will... Read More

Its Raining... Time to Go Fishing!

Ah, fishing in the rain. You may not like the... Read More

Why Do You Need a Tacklebox?

A tacklebox or a tackle bag is... Read More

The Things You Wont Look Out For (But Should) When Night Fishing

5 Things To Be Careful of When Night FishingNight fishing... Read More

Do You Know How to Fillet a Fish?

Finally you've caught the perfect fish. Now, do you know... Read More