When you are having a bad day, go fight a fish

Everybody has one of those days when nothing goes right. It could be anything from an argument with your better half, bad day at work or just stressed due to a bad economy.As we all know the economy is tough and gas prices can hurt your pocket, so you don’t necessarily need your boat. A good example; I was having a bad day last Friday for personal reasons and I noticed I had a rod in the back of my truck. I decided to make a run through several areas where there are retention ponds and I spotted a great pond with the potential of pulling in a large mouth bass. I took my rod out and then I found a weed less hook and frog. What a great combination to hook a bass and put a smile on your face.

I try to look at life now as “you only live once, so do what makes you happy and try to enjoy each day”! Look, I am not a soft sentimental kinda guy but if it works and turns a bad day into a good one, then go get em’. As I approached the pond; I am always looking for snakes and alligators. I love herpetology and it’s good to see wildlife at its best. Just be careful because the American Alligator will attack if it feels threatened or if it has young hatchlings around.

I hit ever inch of the pond with no luck until I came across a patch of lily pads. I skipped the frog past the pads and slowly jerked the frog over the lily pads and BOOM! We have lift off; I hooked into a nice large mouth bass and man, for the size they fight with full force. I got the bass to the shore line and made a nice release with no harm. It felt good and my bad day turned into a good one.

Fishing is a great stress reliever when life gets a little crazy. I know first hand and when times get rough; I hit the water for some fishing. This is also a great moral builder for your kid(s) or a friend who has been having a rough time. When that redfish, snook, bass or even a ladyfish hits your bait, you forget about everything for that short amount of time. Once you release the fish, your nature endorphins in your brain kick in and you’re ready for the next fish to fight. So remember, fishing can turn a bad day into a good one and it is a very positive way to lift your spirits.

Good Luck and Keep Fightn’ Fish!
The Swamp Thing