My Fishing Addiction

I have an addictive personality. At least that is what I have surmised from multiple articles read on the subject of addictions. I can accept that, I mean at least I'm not an alcoholic, a drug addict, or a sex addict. Now that's a weird one if you ask me. I mean what man, given the opportunity wouldnt be a sex addict. But I digress.

I know I have an addictive personality because I have had many so called addictions throughout my life. When I was a kid I used to love to go fishing at every opportunity but I wouldn't have called it an addiction at the time. And I still wouldn't...(denial? lol) When I was in high school it was sports. I lived and breathed Football. After my senior years season was over I lived and breathed Track because I knew my football days were over. In the Marines it was Softball. I played two or three nights a week on base teams and teams out in town and played tournaments every weekend. When I got older I got into competitive NRA High Power Rifle shooting. I would go through complete 80 shot imaginary matches in my head, visualizing every step of the match from adjusting my sling to packing my gear and leaving the firing line. I coached the base shooting teams and practiced daily at the rifle range and shot matches 3 weekends a month. I would pay my own way and shoot individual matches if the base was not going to send the team to a match. I actually was a Ga. State Champion one year. When I wasn't shooting it was Golf. I played golf 3 or 4 times a week if I could figure out a way to get out of work. I never had the success in golf that I did in shooting but it wasn't for lack of trying. I did manage to qualify for the state finals in Long Drive competitions a couple years though. Then a buddy of mine took me fishing.... I haven't shot a rifle or swung a golf club at all since I started fishing. Well, I think I was cajoled into playing a round for a work function one day. I mean, go to work or play golf? No brainer.

So I started fishing. A lot. Every weekend like most anglers and occasionally during the week if I had some spare time to get away. Then I got my golden opportunity. I found a job where I could work evenings allowing me the opportunity to fish weekday mornings. Nirvana. Of course I had to give up weekends, but come on. Weekday fishing is so much better than weekend fishing. Granted it is harder to find people to go, but you pretty much have the whole bay to yourself. Not so much on Mondays and Fridays, but Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are practically void of other boats and fishermen, with the exception of a couple guides and crabbers.

Is my fishing addiction a problem? Not at the moment, I mean, I dont spend the rent money on Berkley Gulp. (Their is plenty of live bait around right now...but this winter...who knows?) I don't tell my wife Im going out with the boys and sneak off to go fishing. (Of course if I thought it would work...) I would be like that guy in that commercial where he smears lipstick on his collar and messes up his hair and he walks in the house and his wife jumps his shit and says "You've been driving again!" only mine would accuse me of fishing and she would be right.

Yeah I know...Hello I'm Lou and I'm a fishaholic.