Are Bass Prima Donnas?

The bass here have become very tight lipped. I got antsy for that tug on the line and drove a bit and did some saltwater pier fishing. After days of trying every kind of lure I knew without luck in the ponds, I was optimistic that things would be easier in the salt.

I got my first rod strung and baited with shrimp and leaned it against the rail, stepped a few yards down the pier and strung up a second rig. Just as I was ready to cast it off the pier, I saw my first rod jerk and then go over the rail and into the water. That reminded me to loosen the drag when fishing multiple rods off a pier, which I did with my second rod and almost immediately I hooked up with a stingray. Much larger than a bass and stronger too. This was followed by a second ray, a few sculpins, a sea bass, a spotted sea trout and a whiting.

Next day I went to a smaller pier and landed three small sharks, a lizard fish and a sculpin, and had a much larger shark on that broke me off. Most of those fish were larger than bass and fought at least as hard. I also enjoyed some fish dinners, something I do not do with bass.

So, why was I eager to get back to fishing for bass, and since then have gone back to the bass despite very little success? Hot, muggy weather, little to no action and I still want to try to catch bass more than to actually catch larger fish in saltwater, with cool ocean breezes to keep me comfortable, and a fresh fish dinner after?

Why do I read other members mention that they only fish for bass; even some who have the means and freedom to do anything they want, fishing or other activities.

What is it with these finny, slimy critters?

Is it because they play hard to get?