3 hours 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

I’m happy to have the glass.

I’m always more than thrilled to be fishing. The only thing that puts a damper on it is rowers haha

Good post. Fishing means different things for us

.Keeping a positive attitude is very important. Now with my fishing, I'm just glad to be out there doing it. If I catch a good one or several fish, or don't do well I'm still happy.

5 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Good post. Fishing means different things for us

.Keeping a positive attitude is very important. Now with my fishing, I'm just glad to be out there doing it. If I catch a good one or several fish, or don't do well I'm still happy.

That’s me and that’s what it’s all about.

Fishing messes up a lot of heads. You have to deal with failure. Most people can't and rationalize around it.

You either catch them or you don't. You can't hide. When you don't, you think about the soft stuff.

I'm 80 years old. Fished all my life. Been tournament fishing since 1975. Retired now from work, fish 150 plus days a year. Love it. Every second, whether successful or not, I appreciate the experience, but I'm upset when I don't catch them. I do most of the time. Whether in a tournament or fun fishing, I work my butt off. I hate to fail.

1 hour ago, Joedodge said:

That’s me and that’s what it’s all about.

That's me too. Sometimes when I'm on my pond and the evening's light is gilding the world, I stop fishing, smile, and whisper, "Thank you."

I’ll soon be 74 and after 60+ years of chasing largemouths I have to say I still have a positive attitude when I put my boat in the water. I’m no longer trying to catch a boat load of fish. I know I’ll sooner or later catch a few during the day but if I don’t so what. I’ll be just as ready the next morning to get out again.

I’m at the point where I’m starting to wonder how many years I have left to pursue what has been a passion since I was 12 years old. I figure anything I catch from here on is a blessing and I thank God for the opportunities I have left.

2 minutes ago, river-rat said:

I’ll soon be 74 and after 60+ years of chasing largemouths I have to say I still have a positive attitude when I put my boat in the water. I’m no longer trying to catch a boat load of fish. I know I’ll sooner or later catch a few during the day but if I don’t so what. I’ll be just as ready the next morning to get out again.

I’m at the point where I’m starting to wonder how many years I have left to pursue what has been a passion since I was 12 years old. I figure anything I catch from here on is a blessing and I thank God for the opportunities I have left.

Hopefully you have many more years to catch them.

I'm still paying entry fees.

Fishing is fun. I've done it almost all of my life, but I still love to compete and hate to fail. You either catch them or you don't. No participation checks. Failure still kills me.

I had an acquaintance that tournament fished until 82. I will beat that.

8 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

I'm still paying entry fees.

Fishing is fun. I've done it almost all of my life, but I still love to compete and hate to fail. You either catch them or you don't. No participation checks. Failure still kills me.

I had an acquaintance that tournament fished until 82. I will beat that.

That’s awesome. Nothing wrong with that!

Positive attitude? Is there any other kind?

The VA physical therapist said I needed this. Now where am I gonna attach a rod holder...?

Even when I don't catch a fish, I take a breath, look around , and I'm thankful that I can still get out and wet a line.

I think faith and fishing goes hand in hand for me. I'm just so thankful to be out in creation, to have the opportunity and time to go fish for a few hours with a healthy body. The means to purchase what minimal gear I need. It sounds cliche, but it's a gift.

It helps me stay grounded with positivity. I don't need to do any of this, but I get to.

Of course, chasing a PB is always in the back of our minds, but enjoying every moment on the water in thankfulness will be playing a bigger part for me this season. Watching my son reel in a bass, does it get any better? I think I appreciate the gift of fishing a bit more as the years go by. I've noticed the years are starting to pick up their pace...

11 minutes ago, NelsonIII said:

I think faith and fishing goes hand in hand for me. I'm just so thankful to be out in creation, to have the opportunity and time to go fish for a few hours with a healthy body. The means to purchase what minimal gear I need. It sounds cliche, but it's a gift.

It helps me stay grounded with positivity. I don't need to do any of this, but I get to.

Of course, chasing a PB is always in the back of our minds, but enjoying every moment on the water in thankfulness will be playing a bigger part for me this season. Watching my son reel in a bass, does it get any better? I think I appreciate the gift of fishing a bit more as the years go by. I've noticed the years are starting to pick up their pace...

Very well said.

@NelsonIII said; "I've noticed the years are starting to pick up their pace..."

As you get older time goes faster and gravity gets stronger. I'd like to see Einstein explain that!

Being a retired Florida guy I fishing a few hours almost everyday. Sometimes from the boat, most of the time from the bank. I am lucky to be surrounded by man made lakes full of bass and Peacocks. I am always at peace when out casting. Regardless of location or catch totals, I put in some ear buds, my favorite music, and go to it. Regardless of catch totals, or size, I am having the time of my life, as long as the equipment works well, and my targets are getting hit. I compare it to a game of darts, and hitting the target is what it is all about. The fish will eventually come around and the stress of life just fades away. It’s a lot cheaper then therapy!😆

On 2/22/2026 at 7:13 AM, Lottabass said:

Positive attitude? Is there any other kind?

The VA physical therapist said I needed this. Now where am I gonna attach a rod holder...?

I see you got the Bentley of walkers!

39 minutes ago, geo g said:

Regardless of catch totals, or size, I am having the time of my life, as long as the equipment works well, and my targets are getting hit.

Okay, I just want you to know that I'll be the founder of the New England branch of the Geo G Fan Club.

You can pretty much figure out how you tick when fishing. Same with life, if you stare it down long enough you’ll figure out how that ticking goes. Yet I pay no attention to that. I instead stay focused on the quality of my intellect as well as the quality of my gear to catch those fish! And I’m not after numbers or minnows, either. I want those big smart fish who offer the finest reward. My motivation, excitement, and confidence is always pointed in that direction, for me, at least. Can’t lie to myself. Nature in all her glory can be but a blur when I’m casting. That’s the truth. Happiness and content and the rest of it comes later on when I’m driven home grinning at the image of netting that big fat 8 or 9 or 10 pounder!

I'm guilty of getting into my own head and being negative sometimes when I'm on the water. I'm usually pretty good at staying positive but there's times when I realize I'm doing it and I have to stop myself and get myself straightened out.

I'm a firm believer that confidence in what you're doing and a positive attitude on the water are key factors in a successful day of fishing.

34 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'm guilty of getting into my own head and being negative sometimes when I'm on the water.

That surprises me because you're so consistently successful and in tournament after tournament, you win at the end.

35 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I'm a firm believer that confidence in what you're doing and a positive attitude on the water are key factors in a successful day of fishing.

I agree. I think Joe does too, which is why he's looking for ways to stay upbeat when things aren't going his way.

Another thing I do, Joe, is to launch with six rods. Sometimes seven. I figure that one of them will have the lure that bass want and weirdly, sometimes it is JUST one. I'll catch all my bass with one lure and the other six won't work. If your boat has room, rig and take ten rods and make sure you have lures for the entire column.

My mom taught me to fish when I was just old enough to hold a rod & barely cast. On the occasional skunk outing, I'd get so mad. Sometimes my little kid self would swear up and down that I'd never fish again (which was never true)

My mom always reminded me that we may not have caught any fish, but we certainly always caught a good time.

Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated, especially on tough days. I love catching big fish, but I try to remember to have a good time first & foremost :)

1 hour ago, bassandpineapple said:

My mom taught me to fish when I was just old enough to hold a rod & barely cast. On the occasional skunk outing, I'd get so mad. Sometimes my little kid self would swear up and down that I'd never fish again (which was never true)

My mom always reminded me that we may not have caught any fish, but we certainly always caught a good time.

Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated, especially on tough days. I love catching big fish, but I try to remember to have a good time first & foremost :)

Love to hear that! I’m gonna steal the we caught a good time line lol

Here, Here Joe. IMO, positive attitude is actually one of the underlying characteristics of BR and why I keep coming back. Thanks to y'all.

2 minutes ago, Hartwood71 said:

Here, Here Joe. IMO, positive attitude is actually one of the underlying characteristics of BR and why I keep coming back. Thanks to y'all.

Very well said