Good question and good timing Tony, as I was just asking myself the same thing yesterday while bobbing around in the chop and slop with not so much as a raked bait to show for all the trouble of dragging myself and the entire floating toolbox down to the launch. How about that hour+ long cleanup afterward? In fact, I've been skunked my last 4 trips out but I still look forward to the next time for some reason. It's sometimes easy to forget why you're out there.

I think just the resetting of the mind that comes with being on the water is the key. For a few hours I'm not thinking about the past weeks stresses, or even the coming weeks problems. My personal problems fade away, even if for only a few hours, and that alone is worth it to me. I also think it's a way of staying in touch with the past.. fishing with my Father as a boy, teaching my son how to fish and fishing with him for years. Now that neither are able to fish with me regularly I can still call them up and share the experience. It's like a bond we share and I want to keep it alive.

There's also the lure of catching that fish of a lifetime. In the workweek leading up to a trip, there's always a little daydreaming of that fish out there just waiting to fall victim to my new technique. A skunk just gives me another week to figure out my next new and improved technique, and time to make another trip to the LTS.

If I really need to catch something I will change it up and target bass or perch or other easier species, or go out on a party boat for the day. But getting skunked out there doesn't discourage me at all, it just keeps me looking forward till the next time.

There's also this reason
Attachment 19012

Fishing is like box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. If I get nothing, Lie and tell your friend..."you should of seen the one that got away"

I go fishing because I can not catch anything from the couch, behind a computer, at day at the docks, Or being at the Fred Hall show. TOW is the only way to susecced at all in bringing home that fresh hamachi, sashimi or fresh halibut.
My .02.
Geno

Ps I sometimes ask myself the same question Tony. The thrill of that nice fish is what keeps me going...

A lot of my peers don't like fishing. ..I don't understand why...

Maybe we are genetically wired as the hunters...those that don't like to fish were the gatherers and basket weavers.



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John Muir
 

When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world...John Muir

I don't fish for the catch. I fish for the release.



Screw it......I can't wait to kill my next halibut.

So why do people fish you ask?
 

http://www.saltstrong.com/why-do-people-fish/

Here are just a few reasons people love fishing:

Camaraderie
To get outside and enjoy nature
To be on or near the water
Adventure
Fishing is a new challenge every time you hit the water
To dream…
The unknown…

In fact, part of the fishing addiction is not knowing what you will catch that day…will it be your new record…will it be a new world record…will you catch a trophy fish…will you catch a fish that you have never caught before…will you catch a fish at all…the unknown always keep anglers coming back.

That sums it up!

It's like Waiting For Godot. Why ask why?

It makes me moist

you are right. It is tough to put into words. I enjoy many different aspects of it. When I am get blanked, I love the tranquility. Just me and peace and quite. Everything slows down. When catching, it's the anticipation. I think that is why top water fishing is so much fun. Seeing a bass explode on a dine stuck on top of the kelp or a top water bait is addicting. When fishing with friends, its a chance to catch up and bs and have a beer. I am not a fan of a wide open bite, I want it to be a challenge. WSB fishing over tuna charging the boat, any day.

Golf is for people who can't fish.

Why do you do it?
 

Older brother, sounds like it! Mild bullying

Some reasons why i kayak fish:
1. The hunt! Target species, bait, weather, tide, location, wind, etc...
2. the feeling of the bite and the thrill/anxiousness of landing the fish
3. the gear and gadgets! getting gear and setting it up is just as fun for me!
4. being outdoors. I have a desk job!
5. freedom to roam about the ocean(sort of. within paddle/peddle range)
I love seeing the guys on the rocks wishing he was in a kayak! :)
6. Cheaper than going out on a boat every weekend!
7. being alone
8. being with my son and doing something we both like!
9. You never know what you're gonna pull up!
10. i like to eat fish!!!

Great Question.

Because mentally you just need to. Any hobby is expensive. Fishing just so happens to be our vice. Some people will never get it and for me thats fine. I would rather spend $200 on some fishing equipment, rather then spend that money at a strip club for one night. I can always name my reel "Lola" and dance with her at La Jolla... lol

Aqua Therapy
 

Surf fishing...kayak fishing...skiff fishing...charters...it's all AQUA THERAPY...!

Great thread! Enjoying the read which says it all. I'll just add the quote from A. Pope.."HOPE springs eternal"

because mud marlin are so gosh darn tasty :reeling:

some times i dont know. i have been catching lots of frustration the last 6 months. lots of time on the water, little to show. a friend and i were just talking about this today. "were not fishing anymore if theres not a bite on" then over lunch we planned to go out saturday to a new spot. go figure. and its an hour drive.

I guess were all gluttons for punishment! It's probably a good thing that we all don't catch fish everytime, I know it might seem like some of us do. But in reality we all go thru our dry spells. I guess it just makes it sweeter when you do catch...But hey there is one added benefit to not catching, and that's not having to process fish and cleaning up afterwards!