Why do you fish?

["G"]

fun, relaxation, reflection, and fellowship......the fish are a bonus

[Spoonminnow]

Why I fish:

I still remember my mother taking me to a pond with me carrying a Zebco reel attached to a 5' rod and me casting a bobber and worm. Just seeing that bobber sink out of sight and feeling the incredible pull on the line and flex of the light action rod hooked me for life! Now I'm addicted to the strike and variations of it as well as the challenge of feeling strikes that line watching doesn't detect and then setting the hook on sneaky fish that swim toward me bait in mouth.

Another important aspect is the study of predator fish and discovering different things only fishing reveals. Discovery is exciting and fulfilling especially when it discounts current ideas, opinions and beliefs. (I get a lot of flack on different bass forums for expressing unconventional concepts based on logic and experience that don't agree with the promoters of products on those sites - was even banned from one and I was always polite.)

One important area of discovery involves fishing lure design and various techniques/ presentations that work. I make and use my own soft plastic minnow-grub 100 percent of the time and don't need to use other lures. But still tinker with color, shape and size to see what works when fishing is tough.

Sharing is also something I feel due for having been lucky to have made discoveries few have and helping inexperienced anglers understand why fish bite lures based on my and others experiences. Emphasis on resource conservation is a must.

[CrappieWrangler]

Not sure...? I can tell you that I am a very busy person even when I don't have to be. But, when I get on the lake I just seem to chill out. Bout one of the best things to relax.

[INTIMIDATOR]

Besides all the normal reasons, like fun, relaxation, and great taste of the fish species that I eat....fishing is so much more to me!

It is the science of fishing....the stalking, understanding of the water, learning the species, lure presentation, techniques, learning patterns, etc, etc....and then when you think you have everything figured out, Mother Nature shows you just how fickle she is, and always reminds you that you don't know as much as you thought....this is what makes fishing exciting to me!

[theygotaeat]

I fish therefore I am

[skeetbum]

I fish for many reasons. My internal motor runs pretty quick and it is one place that I feel perfectly content. All of my aggravations from the day fall away and I recharge at a remarkable rate. I pray, reflect, stew, decide, plan, dream, forgive and much more that I just can't bring to mind. The fish are always there, sometimes they cooperate and sometimes not. They aren't always what it's all about. The scenery, the sunrise or sunset, the company and sometimes the solitude. The wind in your hair or the cold on your face. Having fished a great deal in my life I find myself remembering past trips and the people that were there, and the fish we caught that added the spice to the trip. I can go on for some time but I think you get the idea. It isn't what I do. It isn't how I choose to spend my time. It is who I am and how I live. I have been taught by some of the best and have the need to pass it on. Knowledge kept to oneself is of little value.

[Tony the Tiger]

DNA, hunter gatherer

[Dollfly]

I agree 100% with what Skeetbum said. That sums it up to a T.

[KYfishing]

Everything else in my family was taken. lol

[Iwannafish]

I fish to get outdoors. I love the water, whether that is swimming, wading, floating, or boating. Being on the water is my favorite form of relaxation. Catching fish is my second........

Oh.. and what Skeetbum said. He just said it a lot better than I could!