How Bass Fishing Can Save Your Life

The still waters, the crisp air, and the sound of the reel spinning as you cast your line out. These are a few of the little things that I like about fishing. Some might say that it isn’t a sport, but rather a hobby. Well, in my mind it’s both.

One should take up a hobby for an alternative to the monotonous routine that each day brings. I can’t think of a better one than fishing. Not only do you get an oasis from the everyday grind, but you get the thrill of sport when a bass snags your line.

Those who have been, know the peace of standing on a shore of a lake, or sitting on a boat, and the sense of sheer exhilaration when a bass wants to fight. There is nothing that can compare, and it is something that I hope everyone experiences at least once.

I was a late bloomer to the sport of fishing. My dad took me a couple of times when I was a child, but I never took it up as a weekly or monthly hobby until I reached the age of 19.

I was living in Chillicothe, MO at the time and I discovered an oasis north of Gallatin, MO away from everything. It was private land that belonged to a farmer, but he allowed me to fish in the many ponds he had scattered on his spread.

I remember how peaceful it was there. Coming from the desert of West Texas I had never seen grass so green. I remember the awkwardness of learning how to cast again. After many times of getting my line caught in a tree or removing moss from my hook I finally had one successful cast out into the middle of the pond.

It was nothing but a simple worm and a bobber. I sat down on the shore and patiently waited. There was no noise, no phones ringing, and no one telling me what to do. It was sense of peace that I was unaware was void from my life.

A good 20 minutes passed and surprisingly I was content. You would be amazed at what things go through your mind when you are fishing and there aren’t any distractions. You come to learn more about yourself than you would ever imagine. I know that sounds like a prevarication, but believe me, you do.

I would say 10 more minutes or so passed and there was suddenly a little movement in the bobber and then a sudden drop. A bass had taken the bate! I was amazed at how much of a fight this fish was putting up. The reel would hum with excitement as I gave it more slack and then with a quick jerk of the poll I controlled the bass’ every move.

He would zig zag, roll, do anything he could to escape my grasp. Finally after a good fight I held my prize in my hand. I was amazed at how such a small fish could put up such a big fight. Since that time, I have been fishing for trout and cat fish, but nothing compares to bass fishing.

I released him from his hook and put him back to fight another day. After 60 seconds of a vigorous and intense fight, I put on another worm and cast my line out once again. The euphoria of peace and the thrill of the fight were two things that I thought could never go hand in hand before that day.

Now, 6 years after that day, I still use fishing as a refuge from the everyday trials of life and I see many more people do the same as I peer across the shores.

No matter how hard your day is, no matter how badly your feelings are hurt, or your heart is broken, there will always be a body of water waiting for you somewhere and a bass ready to test your resolve