I’ve been watching a lot of Gerald swindles videos lately. He’s always been one of my favorites. And one of the greatest fisherman but also a wonderful motivational life coach.

I think as anglers we get way too rapped up in catching our PB. Or having the latest and greatest equipment. Being judgmental. Having every lure on the planet. But deep down I think the people who are the happiest and enjoy the sport and the outdoors are the people who put the time and work in. Truly learn the fishery. It’s so easy to get caught up in needing this or that. I hope this year everyone can enjoy their time on the water. And learn and stay positive. To the new people to the forum…..you don’t need all this and that. Just put the time in. Learn your ponds or lakes. Really dedicate the time to a couple presentations. And enjoy their ride. On those days when you skunk out. Find a positive in it. Don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the sport. Keep it simple and enjoy the outdoors. Help a kid fish. Give a random fisherman some lures to try when they ask what you are catching them on. It doesn’t all have to be a huge secret. Don’t gate keep. Help grow the sport and the positivity and joy it brings.

Sorry for the long post and rant and I’m surprised if ya read this far lol.

Agreed

Much of what we learn (if we choose to) in our fishing exploits can easily be translated into our day to day life. I believe that the most important item on the list is to remain positive. That means that even when we experience our darkest and most troubling days, we must remain positive. We need to do this because our attitude will often dictate the outcome. That doesn't mean that by remaining positive that you'll catch your PB every time out. It means that even when you're skunked there will be highlights that might reveal themselves as lessons and lessons are gifts if one chooses to learn from them.

There are quantum mechanical interpretations that support this. Basically, the frequency you radiate at will then shuffle, align, and sort out less likely outcomes and attract more likely outcomes via morphic or sympathetic resonance. It's far more complex than this but in keeping it simple, we're all raisins in the jello.

You might have noticed, Joe, that I changed my signature to "Fish happy." a few months back. That's because that's my overarching 2026 goal. I am blessed with fisheries that produce good numbers of good-sized bass and when I'm fighting my 1,000th bass of the year, it's possible to be less than thrilled. Well, I want to play every bass with all due gratitude in 2026, even if it's a 15-incher. I have been witnessing the slow demise of my parents who are both in their 90s. That's my future and it's not my distant future; It's my ongoing future. Soon I'll be too weak and wobbly to climb into a canoe at four in the morning, so this year, I want to climb into my canoe as excited as when I was 14.

And I want to guide Bob and the Kid to fish that thrill them. I'm talking to another Bass Resourcer about a visit and if he also comes, I want him to have a yahoo time too.

And I do plan to use lures that have been gathering dust to see if I can catch fish with them too because it's fun to experiment.

So, Joe, I'll be following your lead and I suspect we won't be alone.

As far as PBs, @Pat Brown over the last three years estimated two of my bass as eight-pounders and he would know as well as anyone because he catches such big bass. Maine bass don't get a whole lot bigger than eight pounds, so I'm good with those two. To be frank, the fours, fives, sixes, and seven-pounders make me almost happy as an eight-pounder. The four-pounders and up are all such strong fish and deliver similarly thrilling and challenging fights. Throw in some weeds and I feel lucky to land any of them!

6 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

You might have noticed, Joe, that I changed my signature to "Fish happy." a few months back. That's because that's my overarching 2026 goal. I am blessed with fisheries that produce good numbers of good-sized bass and when I'm fighting your 1,000th bass of the year, it's possible to be less than thrilled. Well, I want to play every bass with all due gratitude in 2026, even if it's a 15-incher. I have been witnessing the slow demise of my parents who are both in their 90s. That's my future and it's not my distant future; It's my ongoing future. Soon I'll be too weak and wobbly to climb into a canoe at four in the morning, so this year, I want to climb into my canoe as excited as when I was 14.

And I want to guide Bob and the Kid to fish that thrill them. I'm talking to another Bass Resourcer about a visit and if he also comes, I want him to have a yahoo time too.

And I do plan to use lures that have been gathering dust to see if I can catch fish with them too because it's fun to experiment.

So, Joe, I'll be following your lead and I suspect we won't be alone.

As far as PBs, @Pat Brown over the last three years estimated two of my bass as eight-pounders and he would know as well as anyone because he catches such big bass. Maine bass don't get a whole lot bigger than eight pounds, so I'm good with those two. To be frank, the fours, fives, sixes, and seven-pounders make me almost happy as an eight-pounder. They four-pounders and up are all such strong fish and deliver similarly thrilling and challenging fights. Throw in some weeds and I feel lucky to land any of them!

Such a solid plan and so well written. I’m right there with you!

Thanks @Joedodge

First post I read

Great way to start the day

Thank you

3 minutes ago, GRiver said:

Thanks @Joedodge

First post I read

Great way to start the day

Thank you

No need to thank me. But I’m glad I could help start you’re day of great.

I just enjoy catching fish. Sure I want the biggest I can get. I’m just happy catching though. There is days when the weather is perfect that makes me happy even if I get skunked. Reeling in fish is a blast. I’ve said it many times if I wanted the biggest fish I could get I wouldn’t be bass fishing. It’s purely for fun.

12 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

I just enjoy catching fish. Sure I want the biggest I can get. I’m just happy catching though. There is days when the weather is perfect that makes me happy even if I get skunked. Reeling in fish is a blast. I’ve said it many times if I wanted the biggest fish I could get I wouldn’t be bass fishing. It’s purely for fun.

This. This exactly is what it’s about

The last couple of seasons have really soured me when muskie fishing. I will fully admit that. Hour after hour, day after day, outing after outing, nearly entirely fruitless (minus accidental pike). It's gotten close to completely quitting. I got so burned out from it last September that I actually had to take a break for several weeks because it was so warm and uneventful.

I also know for a fact that many other muskie anglers here are feeling the same way. It's hard to justify the time, energy, and equipment needed when it might only pay off once/season.

I cannot ever recall feeling this way about bass fishing though.

@Crow Horse certainly didn't expect to read a rupert sheldrake reference here this morning, but happy I did.

scott

I like to catch fish. I like to catch 'good' fish. I like to be out in the boat. I like to be out in nature. I can be pretty sure that at least one of those things is going to cooperate on any given trip so when I pick a day to go fishing or the lake I'm going to I always have in mind what my expectations are and what I'm hoping for. I'm always trying to catch fish, but if it is a july afternoon, 85 degrees, sunny, and a high bluebird day then I'm definitely going out to enjoy being out of the house and I'm going to pick a lake that works for that. Something that looks like this in the middle of nowhere with nature all around it. Fishing and catching are a maybe but I'm definitely going to enjoy a good boat ride.

If it's 45 degrees in early april, the rain is blowing sideways but the water is upper 50's then I have other thoughts about what should happen and I'll choose lakes (and clothes!) accordingly.

And sometimes you just have to be happy with what's given to you, even if they are 'trash' fish.

Yes, I recognize it is silly season and cabin fever is set in, so hopefully everyone in the cold north can look at warm fish pics and think of happier times.

Great post Joe!

A positive attitude goes over to life in general, we all go through tough times .

Tragedy, heartbreak,loss of loved ones, loss of job, loss of ability to do things we once did, it's all things we go through as we travel this life.

Another thing is to try and surround ourselves with people who are positive in their outlook.

Some days and weeks it's hard, it's what makes us human.

Being in my 73 rd year here, I'm blessed to be able to kayak, fish and camp and I do appreciate everyday.

Fishing has been an important part of my life, I've caught and enjoy every fish, from Bluefin Tuna to "gasp" Rock Bass.

Carry on my friends

34 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I like to catch fish. I like to catch 'good' fish. I like to be out in the boat. I like to be out in nature. I can be pretty sure that at least one of those things is going to cooperate on any given trip so when I pick a day to go fishing or the lake I'm going to I always have in mind what my expectations are and what I'm hoping for. I'm always trying to catch fish, but if it is a july afternoon, 85 degrees, sunny, and a high bluebird day then I'm definitely going out to enjoy being out of the house and I'm going to pick a lake that works for that. Something that looks like this in the middle of nowhere with nature all around it. Fishing and catching are a maybe but I'm definitely going to enjoy a good boat ride.

If it's 45 degrees in early april, the rain is blowing sideways but the water is upper 50's then I have other thoughts about what should happen and I'll choose lakes (and clothes!) accordingly.

And sometimes you just have to be happy with what's given to you, even if they are 'trash' fish.

Yes, I recognize it is silly season and cabin fever is set in, so hopefully everyone in the cold north can look at warm fish pics and think of happier times.

I could not say that any better myself

7 minutes ago, herder said:

Great post Joe!

A positive attitude goes over to life in general, we all go through tough times .

Tragedy, heartbreak,loss of loved ones, loss of job, loss of ability to do things we once did, it's all things we go through as we travel this life.

Another thing is to try and surround ourselves with people who are positive in their outlook.

Some days and weeks it's hard, it's what makes us human.

Being in my 73 rd year here, I'm blessed to be able to kayak, fish and camp and I do appreciate everyday.

Fishing has been an important part of my life, I've caught and enjoy every fish, from Bluefin Tuna to "gasp" Rock Bass.

Carry on my friends

Absolutely. It spills over into life every day. Gotta stay positive with everything that comes at you.

11 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

And I want to guide Bob and the Kid to fish that thrill them. I'm talking to another Bass Resourcer about a visit and if he also comes, I want him to have a yahoo time too.

And I'll be cheering you guys on a couple of hours south of you!

Loved your post and wishing you guys a great time

For me, it’s all about being out in God’s creation. Gave up tournament fishing years ago, no scales in the boat. Don’t misunderstand, I love catching bass, especially big bass. I’m just more into gratitude and being thankful for the outdoors.

Kinda like Henry David Thoreau said, “Many men (and women) fish all their lives without knowing it isn’t the fish they are after.” Forgive me if I didn’t hit the quote exactly.

1 hour ago, softwateronly said:

@Crow Horse certainly didn't expect to read a rupert sheldrake reference here this morning, but happy I did.

scott

Happy to oblige. It's a fascinating topic and when one begins to understand those quantum interpretations, our role in the 4D world becomes much clearer.

3 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

Happy to oblige. It's a fascinating topic and when one begins to understand those quantum interpretations, our role in the 4D world becomes much clearer.

Certainly is. From a layman's perspective, fascinating and illuminating to watch materialism getting dismantled by the tools it helped create.

scott

Its easy to get spun out when someone cuts me off. I've learned to not let it get to me. Sometimes getting cut off has been a positive.

I went fishing yesterday. Caught nothing but 13 inch spotted bass or smaller. I did not get frustrated, I was actually very thankful for the trip because i had picked up a few packs of Crush City's Mayor swimbaits and I wanted to try them. Now I have determined that they might be my FAVORITE soft swimbait out! I put the 3 inch on a 1/4 ounce swimbait head and even though they were small fish were almost jumping in the boat to get at that Mayor. I try to at least learn something each trip out, especially if I'm not having much luck! I can be mad at home if I want. When I'm on the water it is MY time and I choose to spend it happy rather than angry, worried, perturbed, upset, ETC. ETC.

@gim scoping ruined musky fishing here. This was before it got big in bass fishing the musky guys were already ahead of the curve spotlighting fish.

4 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

@gim scoping ruined musky fishing here. This was before it got big in bass fishing the musky guys were already ahead of the curve spotlighting fish.

I don't want to put this thread off track but that is certainly part of it.

There are many other factors too, mostly just a lack of fish to target due to drastically reduced stocking.

Life IS the ultimate challenge.

The further down the road I go, the truer this becomes.

There are instances when I need to just grin & bear it.

Most times I'm feeling like the glass is at least half full.

A-Jay

52 minutes ago, IYAOYAS said:

I went fishing yesterday. Caught nothing but 13 inch spotted bass or smaller. I did not get frustrated, I was actually very thankful for the trip because i had picked up a few packs of Crush City's Mayor swimbaits and I wanted to try them. Now I have determined that they might be my FAVORITE soft swimbait out! I put the 3 inch on a 1/4 ounce swimbait head and even though they were small fish were almost jumping in the boat to get at that Mayor. I try to at least learn something each trip out, especially if I'm not having much luck! I can be mad at home if I want. When I'm on the water it is MY time and I choose to spend it happy rather than angry, worried, perturbed, upset, ETC. ETC.

I love a 3 inch mayor on a 3/16 Underspin. I actually got some bigger ones and a 5/0 Underspin to try this year

16 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Life IS the ultimate challenge.

The further down the road I go, the truer this becomes.

There are instances when I need to just grin & bear it.

Most times I'm feeling like the glass is at least half full.

A-Jay

Well said sir

Thank you for posting this Joe, you are absolutely right about having a positive attitude. Not only with fishing, but with life in general.

It's really tough sometimes, and it's been especially tough for me over the last year. I've been dealing with a lot on a personal level. Keeping my head up and focusing on work helps, and I'm determined to make good decisions to move in a positive direction. I know that I'm becoming a better man at the end of it all.

A funny story about this and how it relates to fishing - on November 22nd (2 days before my birthday) I couldn't make it to my big bass lake, and I was pretty bummed. I had been excited to fish and I had the boat all hooked up... so rather than stay home and let it get me down, I decided to go to a different lake nearby for the afternoon. It's nice but get a lot of pressure.

I did end up catching a couple of nice fish including a 3 pounder. The BEST catch was when I snagged a 7'4" Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth spinning rod off the bottom of the lake. @A-Jay has one of these, and uses it quite often I think. I see it in a lot of his pics.

So I learned a valuable lesson that day about keeping a positive attitude. I was rewarded with a "new" rod that is very well liked but was discontinued years ago. New cork handle & reel seat, and it's good to go! Happy birthday to me!!