I have that addict flaw...or personality.   Been through same cycle for quite a few different vices...most beaten....

7 stages...

Initiation.

Experimentation.

Regular Usage.

Risky Usage.

Dependence.

Addiction.

Recovery.

 

Once I hit full on bass fishing addiction, feeling successful became rare and fleeting, I'm kind of sad to admit.  Finishing in the money is good....but if I'm being honest here, if I didn't win....or at least get in a position to win....well, I don't really take it all that well. Any one good bass...one outing...only satisfies for a moment.   

   If I am out with kids, grandkids, wife....it is an entirely different experience.   I still feel a lot of pressure...to put them on fish....but it is easier to get to 'success'. 

  There are times most days when I do stop and take in all that nature is offering.....and acknowledge my good fortune in being able to do this....but it doesn't usually last for more than a few minutes at a time.  There's always a weedline or laydown or brushpile ahead....and calling out....loudly....

  I'm not really seeking recovery any time soon...but maybe I can step it back to dependence without going the whole cycle. 

I have a retired friend who has done 32 operations. Some life & death. His strength keeps me going also. I  / we confide all the time.

 

Keep posting your tough feelings to help your self along.  Covid is doing a real job on all of us trying to tough it out a little longer.  

For me it's  that feeling when launching; the excitement of expectation. The rest of the day whether I do well or not I will be forever grateful to be able to do something I love whenever, for the most part, I want. 

 

There are days/nights I sit at the helm for a few minutes and take stock in being blessed to do this. 

 

To clarify, of course I want to catch fish but if I ever lose that excitement while launching, the unbridled joy, then I will wonder if it's  time.

My first measure of success is I didn't forget anything, I didn't damage the boat, and everything works.

 

Second mesure is to avoid getting skunked on my home lake.  It's a small body of ultra clear water notorious for being fickle.  Even one bass and I go home satisfied.

 

My last measure is coming home physically unscathed and not falling in.  At 74, my goals have changed.

On 2/5/2022 at 7:05 PM, NYWayfarer said:

The law of averages is on my side. If you catch lots of fish a few of them are bound to be big. Happens every season to me. 

 

This is me too.  I try to target bigger fish in general, but since those results do not always bear out, eventually if you fish long enough, you will pile into a big one or two.

 

If you only fished once a month, the chances would not be very good.  For this very reason, I prefer to spread out my fishing to once or twice a week all season rather than go for a week-long trip twice a year.

7 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

This is me too.  I try to target bigger fish in general, but since those results do not always bear out, eventually if you fish long enough, you will pile into a big one or two.

 

If you only fished once a month, the chances would not be very good.  For this very reason, I prefer to spread out my fishing to once or twice a week all season rather than go for a week-long trip twice a year.

I agree, quantity over quality works best for people that fish a lot.

 

I am blessed to live close to water. I am able to get out and fish Spring through Early winter for 4 out of 7 days a week. 

I consider it a successful day if I catch a bigger bass than the kid fishing at the launch with a soda bottle for a rod and reel, and a lure made from a tooth brush.  I would say if I catch moor bass than him, but I might never have a successful day if I did.