I fish because I was raised hunting and fishing from the time I could hold a rod a .410 shotgun.

 

It's a part of my cultural heritage.

 

Mostly though, it's because it give me time to "recharge".  I'm a naturally introverted person who works in a very sociable industry, and I required substantial time by myself to regroup.

 

Plus, I like fish and the outdoors.

It’s simple. 
 

I like being on or around the water and out in nature. I like the challenge of trying to get a bass to take my lure. And I like the excitement of the fight. 
 

 

I fish ...like you...because I was raised doing it...that and baseball really helped me bond with my dad. To this day we still enjoy fishing together..although it doesn't happen as often as it should. Also its my escape...I'm all in at work and I take my job very seriously so fishing is my pressure relief valve.

It beats bein' dead.

Why wouldn’t I fish? 
 

I fish for fun, food, fellowship, etc. it’s all I’ve ever done when I had “free time”

What else am I gonna do until duck season opens back up?!

Lifelong addiction 

What else is there?

Shooting and fishing?  Hobbies that I've had since my early teens.  Neither is particularly popular or politically correct here in Silicon Valley.  Not to insult anyone, but I consider these to be roughly analogous to redneck golf.  High precision and interesting equipment/gear and require excellent technique to be successful.  Beats actual golf any time.

I really can’t explain it. 
 

I can say it’s because I like nature and being on the water. But I like those things because I like fishing. Walking in the forest doesn’t do what fishing does for me. 
 

I can say it’s an escape or stress reliever but I do get plenty of other time alone outside of work to relax but unless I’m fishing, then it means nothing.
 

I’ve been asking myself a lot what in the world has made me so obsessed with fishing but I just can’t answer it. 

Fishing = fun.  Simple. 

Hunting and fishing has been my life....... well girls interrupted it for awhile.

Why do I fish? It's court ordered after the last time..................Well let's just say it's safer for everybody if I fish.

Cause I like it! ?

To catch fish.

Time outdoors, and the challenge of figuring out the fish.

 

There is something about the feel of a bite that reminds you that we are connected to the natural world, and that nature is all around us and bigger than us.  

 

I think it's more than one reason, like many above. When I started fishing solo last year it was mainly motivated by an abundance of free time and the inheritance of my dads gear, he'd passed a few months prior. We'd mostly done guided trips but he had some usable stuff so I got to throwing it. Eventually I did my own thing with gear but I wouldn't be fishing without my dad's influence. He gets a skyward look every time I catch something heavy. 

 

Sometimes it's just catching anything and everything. Other times I just want the heavy fish. Right now I'm in heavy fish mode, though I'm perfectly happy catching three pound fish all day too.

 

Also I fish to get away from the general public when I can...tough this week with spring break happening at the state park. I appreciate fishing with buddies very much, so fellowship to some degree. But I like and need my solo trips. 

Cuz it's Fun.

It is my escape from the world which just so happens to also be the funnest thing I've ever done. I love it. It's no deeper than that. I specifically only bass fish because I don't enjoy fishing. I enjoy bass fishing because of the close combat style and the sense of accomplishment having done all the right things with the gear and artificial lure to make it happen. If bass fishing didn't exist and if fishing was the typical sit and wait with a bobber I wouldn't do it.

Because it is relaxing yet challenging, same as Golfing.

The challenge, trying to improve, being outdoors, boating, camping, being a tackle junkie, and catching fish is fun.  I used to judge the day by how many fish I caught and would often stay home if the conditions were negative.  Nowadays, I look at the day as an adventure, an escape- it's therapeutic,.  I just like being in my boat chilling, relaxing, listening to podcasts;  it's easily my favorite way to spend a day.   

Shear enjoyment and it makes me feel good. An escape even though I’m running from no one or nothing. Hunting is the same. 
 

Admittedly I’m not the most religious guy on the face of the earth but it gives me time to make that connection. I’m at peace with myself. But both hunting and fishing can get frustrating at times, but you just fish or hunt your way through it. 

Grew up hunting and fishing. Just being on the water or in the woods and family is all I need to be happy.

 

May be hard to but it ALL down in words.

Perhaps first & foremost, is that it's one of the very few endeavors

in my adult life that truly makes me feel like a kid again. 

I like that feeling.

The rest of it might be summed up nicely in the pic below . . . .

Fish Hard . . . 

A-Jay

 

The tap, the pull, the jump, the sense of victory, and after all that the relief that it swims away. 
 

 

 

Mike