Fishing Obsession!

I've often wondered at what point something you like to do becomes an obsession. I think I've figured it out.

Does it start when you realize you don't have a rod for flipping, and HAVE to have one? Or maybe when you buy a brand new boat?  Or how about when you buy all new storage boxes for your baits, many of which you rarely use, and put permanent labels on them so you know what they are for? Regardless, when the thing you like to do becomes the first thought on your mind at some point of every day, it has officially become an obsession. Period. Fishing has done this to me. And lets clarify it a little more....Bass Fishing.  Tournament Fishing.  Winning tournaments, which isn't something I can say I've done a lot of, but I've had a taste.  And let me tell you this, it gets in your blood!

Of course, it helps to understand why.  I don't, but I know this;  I'm highly competitive.  Even during tournaments, we would have competition between partners on who landed the biggest fish, who caught the most fish, who caught the first fish, who caught the majority of the fish we took to the scale.  It doesn't stop there.  Who caught the first Smallmouth?  Who caught the first Largemouth?  When you spend 8-10 hours a day, in a boat, on the water, with the same guy, you need to figure something out that keeps the competitive drive flowing. 

Then there are the bets against other teams.  We really only have one and we just call it or "Sammich" bet, or, lunch.  $10 bucks per guy on who does better.  A tournament within the tournament if you will. I have to admit, we lose more often than we win, but it's still fun!

There is the trash talk that takes place as well.  It isn't meant to hurt anyones feelings or anything, just get under their skin a little.  Anything to gain the competitive advantage.  Most times, keeping your mouth shut is the best idea!

I have a lot of friends who fish.  Saw a Facebook post the other day from one of them who hasn't fished competitively for two years, all related to work.  I applauded his decision at the time with a bit of a golf clap.  He wasn't wrong to stop.  I applaud him now for jumping back in with both feet with a fist pump, a high five, a very long whistle!  Good for you Scotty Grapp, and good luck buddy!  It may only be one tournament, but I can tell you are excited.  I have another friend, who refuses to sponsor me even though I'm pretty much throwing his hand poured, made with all the fishing love in the world, baits.  He's getting excited too, I can tell.  Itching to get back into the competition that many of us haven't seen since, well, probably last October, or longer.

Speaking of sponsorships, I've tried a couple times to get local companies to sponsor my obsession.  No luck.  Not good enough yet?  I don't know.  I know that I'm better now than I was five years ago and I'll be better in five years than I am today. Not even going to look this year, but St. Croix, MinnKota, Nitro, Daiwa, Yum, Hot Rod, Strike King, Rebel and and other local companies that want opportunities to advertise their products on my boat or tow vehicle should sit up and take notice. That's all I'm going to say about it, but, the opportunity is there for anyone that might want to take advantage of it.

What was an enjoyable pass time for me has become, without question, an obsession.  A quest for the next big fish, the first fish, the last fish, the next tournament win, club angler of the year, club co-angler of the year, state tournament team member, and whatever is beyond.  My boat is organized, my thoughts are clear, I'm getting my body into the kind of shape it will take to withstand the rigors of an aggressive schedule, and I'm ready to get this thing started all over again.

Man, there aren't a lot of things better than a day or two on the water!