The esteemed member Hootie started a thread about an article In Bassmaster magazine authored by Basil Bacon about PH and bass fishing. I remember the hoopla about PH and while I won't debate the validity of the article I did want to start a thread about the Author. 

I read an article many years ago (In Bassmaster) and Basil Bacon was talking about his tournament state of mind. He talked at length about what where he was at that point in his career and how he felt at that particular time he was In a better place mentally than he had been in, in a very long time. His point was his personal and professional life were relatively  stress free and that you needed this mind set to be at the top of your game. It was a very good and Informative article.

It took me years to realize the full extent of what he was talking about. I fished local derbies and did OK but, and he mentioned this In the article, there were always nagging thoughts In the back of my mind that affected my daily life. I was In a failing marriage and with that always In the back of my mind it had a direct effect on many aspects of my life. I fish for different reasons now and I can safely say It's the happiest I have been while on the water. I know for a fact that It's directly related to where I am personally and professionally. The point of all this? Whether It's tournament fishing or fun fishing my opinion Is you will find It difficult to truly succeed If your life has a great amount of strife or a high level of stress.

I know It's a subjective subject as people handle stress In different ways but for me It was quite apparent, in hindsight, that the above factors contributed to many years of not having fun out on the water. Thoughts? 

 

I do not fish competitively, But for me it's all about being able to balance the many aspects and challenges in my life and to remember to appreciate & understand my life for what it is.

Precious, Fleeting & Good.

A-Jay

I have not did any competitive fishing so I'll only speak on fishing for fun.

I, like many others,  have been fishing since I was able to hold and rod&reel. It's always been a hobby of mine, but like my intro to BR stated, something clicked 3 years ago and it escalated into a deep passion.

Like you, I was in a failing marriage, dead end job, financial struggles, and just had a big question mark above me the entire time. Fishing was less about fishing and more about just getting away from it all. But it was never off my mind.

What changed? I got divorced, I left my job, and I started living for me and my daughter. My life completely changed for the better. I brought that clear mindedness to the water and that's when my hobby escalated to the deep passion it is today. I was able to truly fish with a clear mind. I am in a great spot in life now and it shows in everything that I do - to include fishing.

 

Interesting...

At this point in my life I made a decision to fish competitively which I always wanted to do but life always seemed to get in the way. Now that I retired, I have the mindset that "if not now, when"? When I did it became apparent right away that I really enjoyed it and wanted more. The worries,  frustrations, health concerns..The things we all have didn't really go away, but the constant state of stress, worry and dred were reduced to a managble level. 

So from those local tournaments it became clear that they weren't enough. So I bought a motorhome and travel, fishing the B.A.S.S. Nations, BFL, TBF, and hopefully next year the A.B.A. ,Costa and maybe an Open or two. 

My point...when the kids grow up and move away, working career ends, the bills are reduced to the bare minimum, disposable income increases, have an understanding wife...The stress that held me back is now replaced with the stress of making good health decisions and finding time for the grandkids.

 It wasn't always this way. But it changed for me when Life just became easier to live. 

Your time is coming

 

Mike

53 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Interesting...

At this point in my life I made a decision to fish competitively which I always wanted to do but life always seemed to get in the way. Now that I retired, I have the mindset that "if not now, when"? When I did it became apparent right away that I really enjoyed it and wanted more. The worries,  frustrations, health concerns..The things we all have didn't really go away, but the constant state of stress, worry and dred were reduced to a managble level. 

So from those local tournaments it became clear that they weren't enough. So I bought a motorhome and travel, fishing the B.A.S.S. Nations, BFL, TBF, and hopefully next year the A.B.A. ,Costa and maybe an Open or two. 

My point...when the kids grow up and move away, working career ends, the bills are reduced to the bare minimum, disposable income increases, have an understanding wife...The stress that held me back is now replaced with the stress of making good health decisions and finding time for the grandkids.

 It wasn't always this way. But it changed for me when Life just became easier to live. 

Your time is coming

 

Mike

That's awesome. 

57 minutes ago, Mike L said:

Interesting...

At this point in my life I made a decision to fish competitively which I always wanted to do but life always seemed to get in the way. Now that I retired, I have the mindset that "if not now, when"? When I did it became apparent right away that I really enjoyed it and wanted more. The worries,  frustrations, health concerns..The things we all have didn't really go away, but the constant state of stress, worry and dred were reduced to a managble level. 

So from those local tournaments it became clear that they weren't enough. So I bought a motorhome and travel, fishing the B.A.S.S. Nations, BFL, TBF, and hopefully next year the A.B.A. ,Costa and maybe an Open or two. 

My point...when the kids grow up and move away, working career ends, the bills are reduced to the bare minimum, disposable income increases, have an understanding wife...The stress that held me back is now replaced with the stress of making good health decisions and finding time for the grandkids.

 It wasn't always this way. But it changed for me when Life just became easier to live. 

Your time is coming

 

Mike

Amazing.

Once I hook the boat up everything else in the world goes away. All i focus on is catching fish and enjoying myself

12 hours ago, Wbeadlescomb said:

Once I hook the boat up everything else in the world goes away. All i focus on is catching fish and enjoying myself

this is the same for me i don't fish competitively but whenever i start to get anxious about a trip i just focus on rigging up some rods with some baits i want to fish the next day and it calms me down

I have an overactive brain . Some might call it HADD . Fishing calms me down . I feel more normal when fishing . I think thats why I love it . Metal Detecting  and  hiking after a fresh snow are also therapeutic .