All I think about is fishing

[jmgravenor]

I am a 15 year old and, Im not sure if it is a problem or not but I always think about bass fishing. My parents and many of my school teachers are not impressed with me because I normally talk about anything that has to do with fish, my school marks are also suffering because of my passion/obsession. Such as in geography and biology I ask things about topographical maps of dams and contours in dams. I also ask things like where I can get a PH meter to measure dams because it affects bass and such. So yeah. My dad is especially not impressed about my passion, well now it has turned into an obsession. I would like to become an itchyologist when I am older because of my passion of fish. I would love to become more knowledgable and become better at my bass fishing by joining a club. I would also like to fish tournaments more often. I have fished only one tournament in my life of bassing, It was the BFSA money trail in february at kwaggas. We came 4th place, I was really chuffed for my first tournament. I cannot join any clubs that I have contacted because even juniors have to have bass boats, and I only have a float tube.
If anyone could help me with my problem by sending me any contacts for different clubs or any such things please pm me.
thanks :blue-smile:

[Jeremy]

I think you are not alone with this passion/obsession. :blue-biggrin:

Like Augusts signature: There is a fine line between a Hobbie and Mental Illness. :blue-badgrin:

[smurf]

JM,being passionate about a sport is not a bad thing,but it must not take over every moment of the day and night,particularly at age 15.You have certain areas to focus your energy and priority one is your education...without that sorted you will never get to a position in life that you are able to have the time,or more importantly, the money to enjoy your "passion".As you well know,bass angling is costly,so invest your time to making yourself the best qualified person possible according to your aptitude and resourses.When at school,concentrate on the work at hand...there is always the weekends to play.And priorities will change...you have a long time to go to enjoy bass fishing...balance is key,and that means to be able to talk to the folks about their interests too...and if you want to be that itchyologist,put every effort to get there...there is nothing worse than letting yourself down,but there is no greater pleasure than seeing yourself succeed...in whatever you undertake.Bass fishing can almost be a curse as it will consume your every thought and you become so one tracked,almost to the point that you do not have anything else in life...it can still be a passion without distracting from the more important issues right now..

[OldTimer]

To really enjoy your fishing when big you will need a bit of CHING. No real education no real ching ...Study hard for the next 9 years and enjoy your fishing the rest of your life !!!

[swarley81]

Hi,

smurf and Old Timer gave you some solid advice. It is good to have a hobby and be passionate about it, but at 15 there is still a lot a person must learn about life.

Focus on your studies and make sure you get the grades to enable you to become an ichtyologist. When you earn a salary one day you'll be able to buy the bass gear you want. For now, fish over weekends when you don't have to study and learn to prioritise.

You'll have to learn to communicate with other people and listen to them talk about their passions and hobbies too. Unfortunately, life is not just about fishing and by listening to other people and their dreams you'll learn a lot from them.

You're 15 right? Shouldn't you obsess over girls right about now? :blue-biggrin:

Just joking. Being able to talk about a variety of topics (apart from fishing) will enable you to learn a lot of necessary social skills that will prepare you for life.

Work hard at school now and bear the fruits later. Trust me. :blue-cool:

[Juba]

Nice one JM! Will take you fishing sometime!

[Ernst]

Lot of good advice on this site.

[SteveB]

Smurf - You missed your calling in life, should have been a guidance counseller!! Great advice to the youngster.

[Navrik]

Ichthyology (from Greek: ἰχθύς, ikhthus, "fish"; and λόγος, logos, "study") is the branch of zoology devoted to the study of fish

In case there are other guys on the site struggling with this "ingewikkelde" word :blue-biggrin:

[Riprap]

We've all been there boet and it's lekka to be young and spirited as you are. reminds me of a story about the old bull and the young bull:

Both were otherside the fence checking out a cow on heat in the next pasture and the young bull said, "let's jump over the fence and nail that cow", whilst the older bull said "don't be silly, why dont we go through the gate and nail them all"! Get my drift.

Listen to the advice given you and then re-read it all over again. Good luck.

[Coyote]

Howdy Bud
All said so far has been good advice and should be adhered to, but most of us forget we were there once before maybe even a few times
Try to find a balance between work and play, not meaning Bass fishing is play neither, I as most of us have spent more hours in our "grown up" lives studying Bass fishing than we did studying for exams for the whole of our school careers, Bass fishing is a passion an obsession to some / most of us and has roots from early days.
Take a step back have a look at where you want to be and what you want to do, but never leave fishing behind as it will be the only sanity pill that will probably work when times are tough
Just my 2c

[BassingMad]

This is all very good advice!!! I'm glad I took this same advice for last year and I matriculated well and my marks are good enough for a partial bursary for my dream! Nature Conservation... hopefully this can take me all over the world!! work hard in the week and play on the weekends!

[jmgravenor]

Guys, thank you very much for all your input, I really appreciate it!
oh and thanks Joubert I would love to go sometime :blue-smile:
cheers
JM

[dreamfish]

Just dont take up smoking! :blue-evil:

[jmgravenor]

haha definately not! :blue-lol: