Sometimes I feel like I could be picking up a shift, or learning something, or finding something productive to do instead of fishing. Especially when I consider my time and energy and money spent on fishing things while I'm not even actually fishing, like buying/ making tackle, watching fishing videos, going through/ prepping/organizing my tackle etc.

 

And then I think of how small the average fish is in this state, and then how awful the fishing is in my part of the state, and how I'll probably die never breaking 8#. Is it even worth it? 

 

Is fishing just a waste of time? 

It’s a sport to enjoy the outdoors, if you don’t want be outdoors fishing…..don’t go you will not be missed.

Tom

Only you can decide for yourself if fishing is worth your time and energy

Yeah this is a very personal question for everyone - like if eating pizza is a good use of time etc.

 

Answer is completely up to you - for you.

1 minute ago, Pat Brown said:

like if eating pizza is a good use of time etc

There's this: "Studies show that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure). Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system."

 

And this: "Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger. Exercise can also help this, but it's even better when you're outside.

 

Regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower risks of depression and improved concentration and attention. Being outside allows us to be social and come together with family, friends, or even people you don't know while on a hiking trail, for example.

 

Additionally, you may find that you sleep better when you are regularly outside. Daily exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. By making sure that you get outside in sunlight every day, you can improve your ability to sleep at night.

 

Nature can also have benefits for children. One study in Denmark examined 900,000 residents born between 1985 and 2003. They found that children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of mental disorders later in life."

 

AND THIS (Note the smile.)

 

 

Fishing is also problem-solving: Where are they? What do they want? Once hooked, how do I land them? Such mental stimulation helps prevent dementia. 

 

When I launch, I'm walking on rocks and branches. I must step into tippy canoes. These balance challenges increase my stability. Plus, I take people fishing and we bond over bass, increasing my social connections. 

 

So, no, it's not a waste of time.

 

41 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

There's this: "Studies show that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure). Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system."

 

And this: "Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger. Exercise can also help this, but it's even better when you're outside.

 

Regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower risks of depression and improved concentration and attention. Being outside allows us to be social and come together with family, friends, or even people you don't know while on a hiking trail, for example.

 

Additionally, you may find that you sleep better when you are regularly outside. Daily exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. By making sure that you get outside in sunlight every day, you can improve your ability to sleep at night.

 

Nature can also have benefits for children. One study in Denmark examined 900,000 residents born between 1985 and 2003. They found that children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of mental disorders later in life."

 

AND THIS (Note the smile.)

 

 

Fishing is also problem-solving: Where are they? What do they want? Once hooked, how do I land them? Such mental stimulation helps prevent dementia. 

 

When I launch, I'm walking on rocks and branches. I must step into tippy canoes. These balance challenges increase my stability. Plus, I take people fishing and we bond over bass, increasing my social connections. 

 

So, no, it's not a waste of time.

 

Awesome post, very nicely done. 

1 hour ago, Banned User said:

Is fishing just a waste of time? 

This thread certainly is.

A-Jay

Life is way too short to not enjoy something. If you enjoy fishing go fish! 

 

I call off work a couple times a year to fish. Why admit that? Because the sad truth is I am going to work more hours of my life than I am ever going to be fishing.
 

As far as the you don’t have big fish comment. Who cares? Do not ever judge your fishing on anyone else. Whether it’s here, other forms of social media or boat ramp BS. Fish for you. If you truly want that big fish go somewhere to get them if you can. Again, do it for you!
 

if all this means is fishing isn’t for you or you need to take a step back from it that’s fine.  I will say it one last time. Fish for you!  

Is this a joke? You messing with us? Where is the hidden camera????

If you have to ask, you likely have your answer.

I've never had that thought cross my mind.

It's more than just the fishing aspect, it's the whole realm.

Quiet time on the boat, sounds of nature, sometimes just looking around while drinking a cup of coffee.

You may just need to rethink and reset and see where it goes.

 

If it's starting to be a burden, you can always cut back on the amount of extra things you do. Buy lures instead of making them, do some bank fishing instead of taking the boat, or just take a break for a while.

2 hours ago, Banned User said:

Is fishing just a waste of time? 

Friends, laughs, and photographs. If that's a waste of time...don't know what to say.

You’re asking the wrong crowd if fishing is a waste of time. We’re all in on fishing here.

 

Hang in there, man. Whatever it is that you’re going though will soon pass. Get help if you need it.

 

Sounds like you may need a break from fishing....just don't make it too long....to get your passion back.  It happens to the best of us.

If you think fishing is a waste of time you are missing the whole point.  Learning how to catch fish and understanding the natural way is the point.

11 hours ago, Banned User said:

 

And then I think of how small the average fish is in this state, and then how awful the fishing is in my part of the state, and how I'll probably die never breaking 8#.

 

What is your state and where do you live? I think, as @Glenn and others noted, that you're just fishing-tuckered. If so, it happens to me here and there even though I enjoy great fishing because of where I happen to live.

 

If you live up north, an eight-pounder is sooooooo rare. In-Fisherman says that a northern eight-pounder equals a southern 12-pounder.

 

Consider that I've caught thousands of bass in the past three years and one was an eight-pounder. It's not that I've hooked other eight-pounders and they threw the hooks. I've encountered one and she was LUCK.

 

I'd just dropped my cell phone into a pond and I was soooo sad I was ready to quit fishing for the morning right then and there, but I thought, "Just paddle a bit and think about what you have to do to replace the phone."

 

So, I paddled and then thought, "Might as well troll a lure."

 

I wasn't thinking strategically about where to troll. I simply chucked an underspin behind me. 

 

When she hit, I thought, "Is this a water-soaked log?"

 

I wondered that all the way to the canoe.

 

Then she parked under my canoe and I looked down and saw her big, white belly.

 

"Hmmm, it is a fish."

 

And I netted her with my wide, long-handled net and only then did I realize that she was big, but I was still sad that I didn't whoop and holler. 

 

 

My point is that my catching my eight-pounder had nothing to do with my skill. It was random. 

 

And my only advice for catching one is go to Mexico, shadow @Pat Brown, or chuck your cell phone into the drink and go off on a depression paddle.

If you enjoy it, no.  If you don’t enjoy it, yes.  

Fishing does four things for me:

1. Outdoor / alone time: I supervise an eleven member team of customer service-types. Lots of e-mails, phone calls, people walking up to my workspace, asking questions, lots of personal interaction all day long. Weekend mornings spent on the water, in complete silence...just me, the boat, and fish. Regeneration. 
2. Planning / preparation / execution: I love to plan, prepare, organize...it's part of my DNA. Getting the tackle ready, the boat prepared, truck maintenanced, etc...brings me joy. 
3. Problem solving: Every outing is a new adventure, a new challenge, a new opportunity to catch a bunch of fish, find new fish, catch a PR. Keeps my mind moving and the critical thinking skills on point. 
4. Time with family: Unintended benefit of getting a new boat in 2023...the wife actually joins me on the water(!) She doesn't fish, but loves to float around with me, bring snacks, read her book, have a glass of wine. And the time fishing with Dad, Brother, Daughters, Nephew, wife's Boys, friends...what great memories!

Sometimes I need a break from fishing. Doesn't happen often. I truly love time on the water. 

The Angler’s Creed: In the Spirit of Larry Nixon

I don’t chase gadgets—I chase understanding. I read the wind, watch the water, and listen to the woods. Every cast carries a question, answered not by gear, but by nature. The best lesson? Live on the water. Let it teach you. Plastic worm or flipping bait—it’s not the lure, it’s the listening. Hunting, fishing, quiet mornings: that’s where peace waits. I don’t need fancy things. I need wild things.

Life has thrown us many bad things our way, but never a bad day on the water.

34 minutes ago, GreenTrout said:

The Angler’s Creed: In the Spirit of Larry Nixon

I don’t chase gadgets—I chase understanding. I read the wind, watch the water, and listen to the woods. Every cast carries a question, answered not by gear, but by nature. The best lesson? Live on the water. Let it teach you. Plastic worm or flipping bait—it’s not the lure, it’s the listening. Hunting, fishing, quiet mornings: that’s where peace waits. I don’t need fancy things. I need wild things.

 

I love this. So true. I think it explains my success: I listen. And it explains my young pal's success too. 

 

I'll ask, again and again, "Did you see that?"

 

And he did and does, again and again.

 

Yeah, I need wild things. I have a sister who loves plastic places. The shinier and faker a place, the more she loves it. Whereas I love fluttering leaves and hooting owls and bass chasing shiners. I am a swamp girl. I wither in suburbs and bloom on the water.

There’s always bowling………..

I’m of the opinion that time spent not fishing is time wasted