Why Do You Fish?

[RImike]

I fish because I can, and I know somewhere, someone is wishing they could be in my shoes. No matter how bad I feel, when I go fishing I feel unbelievably lucky that I have all my limbs, most of my brain, and some of my sanity left. It keeps me humble, knowing that any time it can all be taken away by a rogue wave, weird illness, or car accident on the way home. Nothing is forever, enjoy it while you can, I say......plus I kinda like the smell of fish

[afterhours]

Originally Posted by Striperhound

The shoreline is my "church" Self Reflection and giving thanks to the people who are important in my life.

when i'm out there alone or with good freinds, i feel very close to my maker. been doing it over 40 yrs ain't dead yet- i can't imagine my life without fishing and its related activities. met a few reel good quality people in my pursuit - and a bunch of less thans.

[Finaddict]

Have to say, fishing is my life ... it's my number one passion, love it - can cite a bunch of reasons, but similar to Ronnie, it's my drug.

[Squibby17]

Lots of great stuff has already been said.

I fish for many reasons. The types of fishing I do can be for different purposes. Last weekend I was on the Vineyard and knew it was hot as balls and I bought some squid to throw out on the bottom knowing that I was really only going to catch skates, but that was fine cause I could play frisbee on the beach and socialize with friend but keep aline in the water

In two months I'll be walking endlessly in the night by myself with a ton of plugs, eels and what not so I can have my best chance at a monster. When I fish with a large group of guys and some want to leave to eat dinner and what not I have to leave with the last group because "i can't miss the late blitz"

I think for me its almost impossible to be stress out when I'm fishing it's not an activity its a state of mind!

[shadow]

I fish cuase I love the calm surf when I can think,or when the surfs up and the only thing I can think of is what the hell I'am I doing out here?I love wading out to that far rock the one that scares the s%$# out of me every time i go out there.I love walking around the rocks at night all alone.Surfcasting has helped me get over some hard times in life as well as staying clean from drugs,catching fish is far better then any drug.fishing is my lifestyle.theres no better reward then pulling a good fish out of the suds.

[Bernzy]

I fish, becauses it pleases me to do so.........

To fish, either by myself, or much better yet, with good friends, is the best therapy for the mind, spirit and body that I know of. (maybe not body )

Bernzy

[missing link]

I fish because I LOVE IT plain and simple
ML Sr.

[Flaptail]

Because golf sucks, bird watching, though interesting is quickly boring, Hiking is okay but those people with the funny floppy hats and LLBean attire and pale skin frighten me, I gave up full court basketball four years ago when it became quite apparent that my knees were disintergrating, I suck at softball and baseball. I don't do malls well and hate spending money anyways ( I am firmly parsimonious), you can't hunt at night or on Sundays in Massachusetts and if I ever brought home a deer again my daughters would have PETA at my door in a heartbeat ( I failed miserably at trying to convince them that Bambi, Thumper and Flower don't really exist and animals don't converse like us humans do and that yes they are quite tasty) kayaking with my wife would simply make me rather be getting a root canal ( besides boats suck, the only reason for having one is to catch fish from otherwise I wouldn't have a thing to do with them) They won't let us "hunt" seals ( I could really go full time with a pastime like that) I enjoy misery while crawling over barnacle encrusted rocks and junk on the island beaches and the sweat, pains and aches that come with it ( does that make me a sado-masichist?)
It allows me continue feeding my fetish for more lures, rods, reels and associated junk than I could ever use in three lifetimes ( maybe four) I like swapping lies and trying to figure out what is really true and what amount of Bull sh*t is being spwewed out on me. I enjoy blood s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g swarming insects infecting me with unpronounceable diseases and dousing myself with chemicals to ward them off that over time will have more of a detrimental affect on my health than the initial bug bites.

With all that pointing to it I guess it makes fishing all the more attractive. I need help.......

[luds]

Originally Posted by shadow

I fish cuase I love the calm surf when I can think,or when the surfs up and the only thing I can think of is what the hell I'am I doing out here?I love wading out to that far rock the one that scares the s%$# out of me every time i go out there.I love walking around the rocks at night all alone.Surfcasting has helped me get over some hard times in life as well as staying clean from drugs,catching fish is far better then any drug.fishing is my lifestyle.theres no better reward then pulling a good fish out of the suds.

This somes up my feelings pretty well. Long nights of fishing are a more positive way to spend your time than being up all night doing things you shouldn't be doing. I've done too many of those things.

I had my drag set too tight the other night when I got slammed. Fish yanked me so hard I lost my balance for a sec and almost fell in off the ledge.. Would have been ugly. I find experiences like that humbling but they make me feel very alive after a long day of sitting behind a desk and around conference tables. I also enjoy the comradery of fishing with friends but enjoy the feeling of solitude fishing by myself just as much. Can't really think of anything better than feeling the pull of a good bass while you're out on the new moon alone in the dark.

[Swimmer]

Hey ChrisL, someone told me you wore those waders a couple of sizes too small. I didn't believe it. Now I guess I have to.