go back to "old time fishing" for awhile... go crappie fishing,get a flyrod and try some bream fishing... try trolling for hybrids/strippers... maybe give catfishing a try... there are other fish besides bass in the lake... you might be surprised at what you have forgotten or what you can learn...hope you work it out

I have never understood why we have to organize and make a competition out of every pleasureable activity. I am not talking about seeing which of two buddies can catch more fish in a day of friendship on the lake or the bank, but the supercharged, make-or-break world of tournaments. I have never fished a tournament and never will. I can think of no better way to make fishing lose its pleasure than feeling like I "have" to catch a certain number or weight of fish to have a successful day.

I always think about the difference between a bunch of kids playing sandlot baseball and the insanity of Little League, with parents yelling and fighting in the stands and the credo of winning at all costs.

First of all, if isn't fun anymore for you, stop going until you really want to go. Then, if it takes an afternoon under a shade tree with a cane pole and a box of worms or crickets, do it. If it takes trading in that megabuck bass boat for a jon boat and a 9.9 motor, do it.

There is no reason for fishing to stop being fun, unless we begin to take it too seriously.

seems that way for alot of people this yr, wonder if its the economy bringin you down as well.....i went through same thing not to long ago, just look at it and have some laughs while youre out, take someone that makes you laugh. going by yourself when youre at this point isnt good b/c you kick yourself in nutz the whole time youre out

Go play golf a few times. You'll be ready to fish in no time at all....

When I get the feeling of getting burned out, I just youtube Clay Dyer and for some reason my outlook on life and fishing does a 180. Man that guy is an inspiration.

It's the pressure you put on yourself being competitve. I went through this. It got to the point where an 8 pd Bass didn't even make me happy because it wasn't 10. I was constantly pressuring myself to catch more and bigger than anyone I was with. You can never be happy with that. You catch more and you aren't happy because you expect to and if you don't you are unhappy as well.

I started fishing with a fly rod catching Bass and Bream and it was fun. Then started taking my kids after Sandies and Stripers and that was fun. I can now Bass fish and have a great time again, but I fish a lot more laid back and appreciate everything I catch and pay more attention to everything around me instead of just my line.

It was hard for me to completely change gears but I am having fun again. Man I love the smell of a two stroke in the morning!

It has happened to me also, I use to fish 2-3 or 3-4 days a week.
I would get off work and head to the lake, fish a tournament on Friday night from 7-12, after the tournament go back out and fish all night until about 10 in the morning, go home sleep till 6 and go do it again.

I started neglecting things with the wife and kids, like leaving little league to go to a club meeting, missed weddings because of tournaments.

I was VP of our club, so I kept up with the point system, I had it all on a spreadsheet, and would calculate what I needed to do in the next tournament to stay in the top 10.

I WAS OBSESSED!!

One day my partner brought me info on a the challenge circuit that he wanted to fish. I was all for it, I told him sure, after he left, my wife had a come to jesus meeting with me, so I shut it down for a month, it was then that I realized that I was not really having fun. I immediately shut it down for 3 years and sold everything.

However I am back in business with a newboat and all new equipment, and having a great time.

Some time you just have to step back and examine it to see what really matters in life, then everything else is Blue Bell!!!

Stop tournament fishing and try something different. Go to a new lake. Use lighter rods and line to be more sporty. Use a different technique, and just have fun.

I got burned out and quit for 8 years. Got the bug again and wanted a boat so I could fish. Im not fishing tourneys Im just fishing. Bass Crappie Catfish, what ever I can catch. Im taking guys that don't fish much but love to go, thats alot of fun helping them learn. Used to have a 20ft boat but decided this time I wanted a small boat, so I got a 17 ft, slower and rougher ride, but you know what, I catch fish the same as always and its a HECK of alot cheaper to run. I may fish small tourney sometime, may even join a bass club, but I will never get into tournaments like I used to, that is what burned me out the last time. Im having fun again.

Last tournament my partner and I fished was ruff. Started out bam bam and then it shut down. We had like a 2 hour ride back after getting kicked in the special place! My partner was very disappointed as I was. Thinking about it though I told him " There are alot of people out of work right now and we just spent 2 days on a lake fishing." I guess its alot perception. But its tuff when your very competitive. I think Im going to take the old lady out in the morning and let her wackon a few

yea not fishing any longer guess i got to find a new fishing teacher and buddy jk

I think the tournament competition can greatly enhance the fun in fishing, BUT!!! The level of seriousness you put on the competition can ruin the fun.

I know for me it felt more like work, and it should never feel like that, heck fishing is what we do to take our minds off work.

IMO

Take a break. Make it less competitive. Do it for fun - which means going out when you really want to. Leave your tackle alone for a while. Stop looking at the latest, newest, best.

Do some things you normally would not do - like go to a museum, or a concert. Expand your horizons -- then see where fishing fits in. The love might return stronger than ever.

You don't have to get drunk to have fun fishing. Take your wife or girlfriend or a kid fishing for sandbass or hybred. Teach someone else about fishing and open their eyes to a new hobby. show them why you once loved this sport and I bet you will get the satisfaction that you are looking for.

Texas Fight - here's some sincere advice from an old Aggie who's been where you are. If the fun is gone, you may be doing so much in your life that fishing sometimes frustrates you - maybe makes you feel guilty that you should have been doing something else. Try to simplify your life. First, say yes to the really important people and things in your life and say no to some other things. Then just going fishing on your schedule. You'll be amazed how fun it is when you pick the day and the weather to fish, and there's no money or peer presure on the line. Just relax, fish, and look around you at the birds, animals, sky, and water. Think about what a blessing it is to be there. Set a goal of one fish and let everything else be a bonus. Relax with a good friend or family member (my wife often drives separately and I take her back to the ramp after a couple of hours). Just figure out what makes it fun for you again.