Being on the water from sunrise to sunset.
Hours and hours of preperation paying of when it matters.
Leaving the ramp knowing I learned something new.
The short time between feeling the bite and setting the hook, and the uncertianty of the size of what ever's on the end of your line.
And last but not least... being closer to the Lord than I think I could be anywhere else.

I wouldnt be able to tick without periodiclly hearing the sound of the drag screaming or the "kerplunk" of decoys hitting the water at 4 in the morning.

I work with emotionally distrurbed kids. I have high stress from 830 am to 330 pm. Aside from playing with my own kids, nothing else soothes the stress out like flipping a bait into some cover and waiting for the slightest little thump. My fishing partner loves the frog bite, but for me, it's all in the chess game of flipping. 10 minutes on the water and it erases 40+ hours of stress from the week.

and hopes of one day breaking my 6 lb rut that I have been stuck in.

Wow!!! some great post. I love the mornings as well kinda of reminds me of the day the Lord said let there be light. It is also very humbling.
Thanks for the great replies.

Spending time with my daughters (11 and 5) we are so busy with work, school and sports stuff that a fast afternoon fishing trip puts everything in perspective. Not to mention it's a great bonding time

Faith
Family
Fun

1) The anticipation of getting a bite, and not really knowing when it's going to happen.

2) When I fish, I am so zero'd in on what I'm doing (casting, working the bait, feeling for bites) that I completely forget about everything else in the world. It's an excellent stress reliever.

I absolutely love the wonders of God's Creation. Back in 2003 I bought a fixer upper place on Rayburn. Up until last year I did not do a whole lot of fixer uppering because I spent too much time playing when I went up there. I was working out of town from 08-11 and the first time I went to the lake after I got back I almost cried due to the condition my lake place was in. My wife and I finally got serious about the lake place and hired a contractor to start the total remodel job, because I am going to retire there in a couple of years...I know this was a long diatribe, but the bottom line is this....Every time I go to the lake place it seems to be that much harder to return to Houston for the work week. I love the peacefulness of the lake and the surrounding areas. I love to try to pick out what kind of outboard is roaring into Harvey Creek by the sound of the engine. I love seeing deer cross the roads entering and leaving my place. I love the sunrises and sunsets...I love watching the shoreline come awake in the morning.
As far as tournament fishing. I love to do that also, but at 63 I just don't have the need or desire to fish 10-12 hours a day. I like to get up....launch the boat, get the daylight bite, come in about 10:00 have a nice "fisherman's breakfast"....take a nap, goof off while it's hot (or do some more fixer-uppering) and then go back and get the evening bite. Thats what I truly love, and can't wait to make a full time retirement hobby...

My pacemaker... just kiddin'! I don't even know if you can hear those things tick. Most of the things already said on here make me tick with regard to fishing, outdoors, sunrises, etc. But after being married to the wonderful lady I was lucky enough to get to say yes, and then put up with me for 14 years, I have to say she's the biggest ticker in my life! Thanks Jamee, love ya my angel!

I used to manage about 2500 acres of deer lease property and enjoyed that immensly, however I gave that up because for me there was nothing like the sunrise on the water, the relationship with God and mother nature, the competition , even at the age of 60, the cold rush of air with the morning boat ride and the bite. I have never regretted giving up the deer leases to focus only on my fishing.

Catching fish or any kind, preferably bass, surfing, and holding my 6 month old daughter.

While fishing and hunting I have made many memories with my father and children that I will never forget. I occasionally have played video games throughout my life and with my kids can't think of one memory from that.

Any time I am out in nature hunting or fishing I make an impact . I leave a foot print harvest a creature that makes you part of nature. Indoors I'm usually just part of a paper trail!

Obviously because fishing and playing in the outdoors is a lot more fun than working! I bass/crappie/cat fish at home every chance I get and love every minute of it but I'm only truely ever "at peace" when I'm around the ocean. This is the thing that keeps me going......

The tick makes me tick. Feeling something tick (or thump) the end of my line has never gotten old.

Just to clarify my question was about fishing & why we do what we do.
My Lord & Savior is #1 & Family & Friends #2. I just think it is very interesting the different views we have on the same sport. I have friends that like to go fishing & not even bait the hook. I think its great if it works for them.

I never saw bluegill fishing as living on the edge. For me it involves a cane pole, cricket and a beer...lol.