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Posts: 56
Location: Appleton, WI | I just returned from a week long trip to Florida. I watched some salt water fishing shows before I left. Why, I don't know? On this particular trip, I was not fishing.
But, I have fished salt water bodies of water and caught a nice ocean tuna a decade ago.
I understand boat maintenance. Being on the water front, I saw many guys tending to their boats in Florida. It is pretty cool when boat traffic is more significant than vehicles!
This got me thinking. I enjoy musky fishing. But, really I enjoy all fishing. So, is there a distiction between what species you prefer? If you fish at all, I think that you are obsessed, to some degree. (Myself included.) And, that is not a negative thing, necessarily.
My point: musky or marlins? Does it matter what we pursue?
On this trip, I was reminded of the substantial economic impact that fishing provides to this nation. It is profound.
Every cast keeps a kid out of harms way...I digress.
Good luck with opening day!
Lori
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Posts: 282
Location: north west wisconsin | well for me, if I am out fishing with one of the kids or someone who is just getting into fishing I can stomach fishing for other things, (never fished salt water) but if I were to go out and say bass fish it would take all of a half hour to be bored and go musky fishing. My wife thinks I'm crazy, My son's teacher looks at me funny ( for show and tell my son bring's fish, every time, draws fish on everything, hes 6) When I meet someone new musky fishing usally comes up within the first five min.
so yes I am obsessed!
Tony | |
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Posts: 56
Location: Appleton, WI | Funny, Tony, I guess that you are. My four year old grand daughter wants me to draw fish for her all of the time. When I ask her what kind of fish...it is a musky.
BTW..."men" is in parenthesis not to suggest that you are not men, but to include my gender, as well. | |
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| I would have to say I love to fish, but always have "chosen" to fish for pike and musky, now just musky.
I have fished salt water and could see myself giving up muskies for marlin in a second, however, I live in musky country. So musky it is.
Funny story, at my place of work I am known as the fanatic fishermen, not fanatic musky fishermen. Just last week one of my co-workers from Appleton said he wanted to come up and go fishing for a weekend this summer. I told him fine, then he said that he wanted to "catch" fish. Meaning, he would give musky fishing a try, but then wanted to catch some other game fish. I explained to him that I don't even have the tackle to go after any other fish than musky. He simply could not believe that I truly only fish for musky! | |
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Posts: 556
| im 15 and choose not to drink smoke and chew because if i got caught i would not be able to fish and i would truly go into a state of shock. I fish every day of the summer and every weekend and at least one or two weeknights in the spring and fall. I think aobout fishing constantly. For my schools reading day i bring lake maps lol (not jokeing i really do) i cast into ponds for hours before the seson starts these ponds have no fish in them but i dont care. I cant bend eather of my wrists very much and my elbow makes a clapping sound when i crank a reel handle but thats not gonna stop me. Nothing will ever stop me from fishing and i mean nothing. I fish for everything i can but fish bass and walleys and ski's the most | |
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Posts: 56
Location: Appleton, WI | Esox...LOL Your friend wants to "catch" fish. We are gluttons for punishment. | |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | I think there is a personality issue here that goes to defining obsession. I believe that someone has a certain demeanor that determines the degree of effort they are willing to invest in fishing, which sort of directs them towards a certain species or energy level.
If you just want to go out and relax then a bobber and a worm, or a breadball on the bottom is great. You still can be obsessed with it, but the level of effort isn't the same as one who is willing to cast giant lures for days on end while catching nothing. The musky fisheman is no less obsessed or no more so, they just enjoy fishing in a different way. Same for a salmon troller on the Great Lakes. I had really enjoyed that because it was mentally intense, keeping up with currents, thermoclines, water clarity, light intensity vs. fish depths or positions related to shore, weather conditions and more specific details like speeds certain fish preferred and what lures ran at those speeds/depths, and how to put out spreads of lures where you might be running 12 lines at a time from a smaller boat. Obsessed with that, sure was, but at the same time I trolled walleyes, cast for bass, dead baited pike, sucker fished muskies, in addition to an ocassional foray into carp territory just because it was fun! In the end muskies won out, and now, though I still do the other kinds of fishing once in a while, if it isn't muskies it isn't where my heart really is. Obsession! Found my niche. But no more obsessed than the guy that sits on a corner hole in a river trying for cats every night. To each their own brand of "madness". I'll drink a toast, to obsession! | |
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| I like it, but do other things as well at this point. I don't think fishing and hunting are going to be a big impact in the future. The levels of decrease each year is huge, so kids and adults are finding other things to do. I still go quite a bit, but enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, golf, archery...as much or more...Ben | |
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Posts: 56
Location: Appleton, WI | I would agree. There are different motivational and personality factors that play into what type of fishing you pursue.
I'll second a toast! | |
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Posts: 1303
Location: WI | I'm obsessed. I dream about it, I read about it, I watch videos as much as I can. I usually have about 3 or 4 hobbies and I'll get REALLY into them for a few years, then switch back to the other ones. Fishing has been there longer than most, and musky fishing was the preferred type. | |
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Posts: 250
Location: Pittsburgh, PA | yeah im obsessed with fishing it really doesnt matter what kind. During the spring and summer ill fish for musky and bass mostly. but when fall hits im chasing walleyes and trout but every now and again ill go after little fish .
All i really think about is fishing i daydream about all day during school and when im hunting im usually wishing i was fishing.
I spend all the money i make on fishing stuff. So yes im obsessed.
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Posts: 431
| I was seriously committed to trout fishing for the past 8 years or so. I bought my first Orvis fly rod when I was 17. My mom thought I was crazy for spending $800 for a rod, reel & line. I tied all of my own flies (and dozens upon dozens for friends), and I think I got quite good. I loved sight fishing to big (20+ inch) trout with light line (2 pound test) and tiny flies. It was the ultimate challenge. Now, I have not been trout fishing yet this year. I got to the point that I needed a new challenge. Catching trout is still fun, but not as much so. The hunt is too easy most days. So, I have turned to the mighty musky. A day of musky fishing is not evaluated by the number of fish you caught. You can and many times will go without seeing a fish. Yet, you know when you see that submarine following that the whole day will change. The key for me is the challenge. The unfortunate part is that now I have to drive 4 hours to go musky fishing, as opposed to 2 hours to trout fish. | |
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Posts: 199
Location: Sandusky, OH | Fishing is my obsession, regardless of the species. While I prefer fishing muskies currently, I can relate to momuskies since I have to travel several hours to get to the waters I want to fish. If I was strictly muskies, I wouldn't get many fishing trips in. When I was growing up in southern MI, it was bluegills and largemouth; in the U.P. it was smallies and northerns and trout; in South Dakota it was walleyes, and here in Ohio it's Lake Erie walleye, smallies, and steelhead. The variety really feeds my tackle addiction.
Eric | |
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Posts: 32
Location: Brainerd, Minnesota | I guess I would consider myself obsessed.
I grew up on a lake, and I couldn't be kept away. I fished from shore, then graduated to a 12 foot aluminum boat. Then a motor scooter to get me to other lakes, and finally, my drivers license that opened up a whole new world,.
I started out with pike and panfish. Then bass and walleye. After 30 years of this, I discovered the thrill of musky fishing, and the challenge of finding and catching big fish. Now I fish anything, and especially pursue all species of big fish wherever there is big fish opportunity, but when the musky season is open, I pursue them about 95% of the time. During the musky season, I fish at least 40 hours a week, and sometimes probably more like 60 or 80. This, on top of a regular job, so you can imagine that there is little time for sleep. On top of this, I spend thousands....and probably too much of what I earn guiding on new equipment and of course, gas! But what's amazing is that I never grow tired of it.
Someone else brought up the personality thing. My family has addictive tendencies...alcoholism runs in my family. There are all kinds of things a person can be addicted to...mine just happens to be fishing, and hunting. It has it's pro's and cons. When I was growing up, it definitely kept me out of other kinds of trouble. But in later life, it definitely does it's part to keep me single!
I have a number of friends who love to fish, but have nowhere near the desire that I have. I not only believe it's a personality thing, but that it's also a gift that many of us are born with. A purpose for our lives, so to speak.
Tim Anderson
www.bigfishhunt.com | |
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Posts: 32951
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I've been obsessed with fishing since I was about 5 years old. Drove my parents nuts.
Bass, Pike, Muskies, Walleyes and panfish, I truly enjoy fishing for them all. Obsessed is a little to 'light' a term, I think.
I'd love to spend some serious time on the saltwater someday. | |
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Posts: 223
Location: Minn. | A lot of people think I am. They always tell me they would like to catch muskies like I do when I show them the pictures of our fish. However, they dont want to put in the time or effort it takes to boat both numbers or large fish. Muskies dont always come easy, most of the time they can be difficault. I'm willing to put in the effort because I find great enjoyment in the Hunt. So I guess I am obsessed. I enjoy all types of fishing as well. | |
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Posts: 457
| I, like others, might be deemed certifiable, rather than obsessed. I've got more money in tackle rods, reels, baits, and other fishing/angling related equipment that I spent on my first college education. (I know this, because it was pointed out to me by my bride of ten years who used to bemoan the fact that had I paid a little on loans instead of buying another rod, or boat.....I'd have been a lot better off.)
There's no one species that draws me more than any other, but I sure loved catching native Brookies in Newfoundland. Where I am currently located, I'm partial to drive 7+ hours to chase a critter, but the local green carp (largemouth) will suffice in a pinch. | |
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| I would also have to admit that I am obsessed. Throught the year, I am pretty evenly split between two different groups of fishermen. One is of course the musky group, the other is the steelhead/ salmon group. I've been avid at both for the past 15 years.
Along with this, I worked for a company that had me on the road a lot. I had what was pretty much an unlimited expense account and spent a lot time fishing in inland and offshore in Florida, California and Louisiana. What is clear is we all have our games. If anything, the further North you go, the more species specific you become.
I had alot of fun marlin fishing, but tarpon fishing is my favorite down there. Even better is chasing the "adolescent" tarpon in the backwaters. The run between 15-40#s on light tackle.
One thing for sure, there is a major barrier to entry for the marlin game vs. any other fishing out there. | |
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Posts: 8856
| I don't consider myself to be obsessed necessarily. Fishing has been a regular part of my life in one way or another going on 35 years now. Bass, walleyes, panfish, pike, muskies, saltwater... Started out with weekend trips up to WI, fished 2 out of 7 days most of my life. I don't even remember when my dad took me fishing for the first time, but the pictures date back to 1974. My point is, I don't ever remember NOT fishing. Opening weekend is something I've looked forward to every year. Winter has always been for watching fishig shows, cleaning reels, sharpening hooks, buying tackle.
If you ask my family and my friends they will tell you I've been obsessed with fishing since I could walk.
If you ask me it's not an obsession, it's a personality disorder. It's just who I am. | |
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | I have been obsessed with fish since i was old enough to hold a rod! I love it and without it i dont know what id do. When i was about 7, my dad took me and my 2 brothers to some lake in Ontario.... couldnt tell you which one... but i was reeling in a 12-14 inch walleye and at boat side, a (to a 7 year old kid) Giant musky came up, grabbed the walleye off my line and disappeared. I looked up at dad, in a state of shock and said-
"Dad, i want to catch that fish!"
it took me getting my own boat to actually fish for them! most of my family, friends and fishing buddies arent interested in casting and not catching. once i did get my first boat, that is almost all i do. throw in a few bass tourneys and the rest of my time on the water is spent chasing Muskies.....
Yep, im obsessed and love every minute of it!!! | |
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Posts: 999
| I dream about musky fishing at least 3 times a week, so I think that makes me pretty obsessed. I've caught some nice fish recently in my sleep, lost a few other really big ones!
Mr Musky | |
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Posts: 3918
| "Obsessed" is a relative term, don't you think? It fits most regulars here at M1, though.
Fishing is therapy for me. I have to get out and I would usually prefer to fish alone. (Though I also like to fish with my kids and buddies, too.) Fishing alone I get in the zone, a mental state like what I've heard that long distance runners achieve. I'm totally focused on fishing, but my mind wanders and kinda resolves troublesome issues that have been bugging me.
You know you're obsessed with muskies when you figure-8 your cream into your coffee. | |
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Posts: 2325
Location: SE, WI. | Ranger...Nicely put. It is definately " THERAPY" Like to fish alone also...You against the beast. But the therapy thing comes in if you or anyone has worked for the postal service. You need to get on the water 4 or 5 times a week for an evening of therapy!!! Been fishing ever since I fished the county lagoons for prizes. Loved the challenge ever since. Last Feb, 07, my picture was in the Journal for some brave soul fishing for browns down at Lake Michigan with temps 13 below Zero. I really never get cold unless I have to retie after a fish, then the hands feel it alittle...then resume feeling. I can just about guarentee you a limit of browns when the temps are below O. And yes, I catch at least one brown every winter on a figure 8!!! Sorry Ranger...no coffee for me! I have to go now and check on how my browns are doing in the smoker! See ya on the water!!!  | |
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| You don't have to be obsessed, but it sure helps. I know I am very obsessive! | |
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Are all fisher"men" obsessed?