I'm sure this topic has been brought up before, but i figured i'd ask and see what the current members feel. When my wife asks me, "what are you thinking about?" she has learned that there are only a few responses I can give nowadays, and of course she has learned that fishing is the best bet.

When i daydream of fishing, the image that pops up in my mind is the bite. This is what keeps me coming back. I think of those incredible lakes i grew up on and the image that pops into my mind with fishing is seeing the line move in 8-10 feet of water while finesse fishing using bigger bait, reeling up the slack and lifting ever so slightly to see if it has the weight of a bluegill or not, and then i swing for the fence.

Or i think of the tap. The tap to me is what it is all about. When i get a big bass, i remember more of the bite than the battle. I dream of the bite. In some big bass spots, you know if you get a bite, there are no bluegill around, the bait your throwing only summons the beasts and that tap only means it's potentially a big bass. It's like you can freeze time for that one moment when you get that bite, the adrenaline runs through your body, you can't think too rationally because your too excited, you beckon all of your fishing expertise into that one moment just to patiently and timely reel down to tight line without pulling the trigger to early with slack line and yank back. These moments are what i remember while catching bigger bass.

Your thoughts?

When i daydream of fishing, the image that pops up in my mind is the bite.

Yeah....that.   

Probably the second I see the head come out of the water.  Thats when my heart really starts going and I start saying stuff like "Oh god, stay on...stay on...."

My favorite part (aside from an explosive topwater strike) about catching a big bass is the feeling you get when the fish first comes in contact your lure (specifically a large worm or lizard); the "Ok, something's up.. and this is no dink!" feeling, as your adrenaline rises just before you set the hook.

The first glimpse you get of it.

I know the first sight of the fish in my avatar has to be one of the most exciting things I have ever seen.

For me it's the release. Naturally the strike, the fight and the landing are all good, but when I release that beautiful wonder of nature and she swims away to challenge yet again another day, that's the moment that brings me the most joy.

For me it's the release. Naturally the strike, the fight and the landing are all good, but when I release that beautiful wonder of nature and she swims away to challenge yet again another day, that's the moment that brings me the most joy.

Wow.  Much respect.  I release all my bass and it does give me joy to see the fish swim off, knowing he'll be just fine.  With that said... it's all about that strike!! lol

hmm the bite starts it all    thats when you stop in mid sentence talking to your fishing buddy.   and then the instant that big fish makes the jump and splashes back into the water.  consequently no one is talking in the boat after this happens.  concentration is on the fish then.

For me, it is that second or two right after you've slammed the hook home, and the fish doesn't move.  So many thoughts flash through your mind when you have to kick into hawgin' mode.

The anticipation when I feel a hit or see the line moving and then it is the hook set. 

The realization when I set hook & the bass sets hook back...you know it's a Hawg

Landing that hawg.

I love a topwater bite, pop-r's/buzzbaits, but my favourite moment has got to be when a big smallie hits a fast moving spinnerbait...just about tears the rod out of your hands! You KNOW you have a good fish on.

TJ

Depends how I'm fishing. If I'm fishing where I can't see my lure, I love setting the hook and feeling that first initial pull. If I can see my lure (topwater, shallow fishing), there is nothing more exciting than seeing that shadow come out of no where and destroy your lure

Often a big bass doesn't strike viciously.  So there are two moments for me:  (1)When I feel the size of the bass on the line, and (2) When I see its massive head break the surface. 

My favorite part is landing it. Feeling strike, seeing a jump are great but still a ways to go before you're actually lippin it with a big grin.

Fish in hand....job well done.

Tap, tap.set the hook, drag pulls, and the fish hardly moves as you drive a tru-turn into it.  Another moment I get excited about is when a plan comes to fruition.  You study the lake map, circle a few saddles, points, rockbars, etc. that you are certain will hold fish, pick the right baits for the situation, and catch fish dusk till dawn. 

for me its the fight. drag screaming if the fish runs, the bow in the rod, etc

For me, it is that second or two right after you've slammed the hook home, and the fish doesn't move. So many thoughts flash through your mind when you have to kick into hawgin' mode.

Yep. It's that moment when you realize that this one's serious. When you set the hook, your rod bends way over and the drag starts slippin'. That's the best feeling in fishing.

Tom

for me, it's once or twice a year when I'm fishing something that can hang up like a crank or swimbait-I'm reeling in---hang up hard--"sh_t"-- then alittle movement?-"Oh SH_T"---but, not that much pull, so my heart slows down...---then she comes up---"Have mercy----please don't come off"--- and it's a PIGG.  Those are the moments I fish for.

the intial strike that big heavy feeling on the end of your line

Probably the second I see the head come out of the water. Thats when my heart really starts going and I start saying stuff like "Oh god, stay on...stay on...."

X2 

feeling the tick tick then realizing it's not a grennel

My favorite bass moment is watching a bass striking in the lilly pads and hhoking it and it weighs 6lb 1oz and its in my hand and the lilly's are still going crazy with another bass still in them.

Another time is when i was out at 4:30am first light and i seen two freshwater otters splashing two fawns as they tried to get a drink of water.  It sure made leaving a warm bed worth it that day.