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Yeah that makes me chuckle that one. With carp angling you either get it or you don't. And trying to explain it to someone that doesn't get it is impossible.

I've always been my own worst enemy tbh, I tend to get obsessed with things way too often, I struggle to juggle everything and don't always get the balance right, that being said I dont think I am being unreasonable wanting to have a hobby, without something else to focus on my depression would be much worse I think, I've felt like just going to work and everything else day in day out becomes a real grind,I love my family and feel lucky but sometimes It all gets tough to deal with, My family does always come first but you have to remember sometimes you need to put yourself first, I sometimes need a break to get my head back together and fishing allows me to detune and refresh, I tend to not go out boozing or socialising much these days so I love to stare at water it's therapeutic for me,

Me too, without a doubt mate. It's not possible to really tune into a water when fishing with mates imo. I love a good social but my 'proper' fishing is done on my own. I'm miles more effective as an angler when it's just me giving my all.

You have targeted/caught big fish from tricky waters Nick so you know all about the dedication required. That comment surprises me from you. I always smile in my trophy shots. Some don't. I do not believe that should open them up to questions about their source of motivation. Those who have been there and done it should know full well that numbers and sponsors are simply not enough to put yourself through what it can take to catch some of these fish. End of the day if you don't ABSOLUTELY LOVE the thrill of the chase, the highs and lows, the hardships and the successes..... you simply will not succeed in targeting big fish (unless you choose to fish and instant big fish water full of fake bigguns - which will no longer get you a sponsor in this day and age). Imo the suggestion that numbers and sponsors are on the mind of a guy that has just caught a fish he's spent weeks/months/years working for is quite ludicrous and for me shows a massive underestimation of the dedication these guys posses. Those that have not been there and done it should have a go before passing judgement on those that do. Targeting big fish is tricky, it can be rock hard in fact, and most simply don't enjoy angling enough to hack it.

I could of wrote that myself.

Totally agree i love having time to think and drift off on a tangent, people always seem to think you need to be with others to be happy and the old dont you get bored or lonely while your fishing on your own? and I think nah its when I am most at peace sitting with my thoughts,

therein lies the appeal of angling for me... it's a time for introspection, compartmentalising ones thoughts... I think that for me, the actual act of fishing has become secondary to the day out... once you settle into the day you take in other things... bird life, fish movements, trees, flora and fauna... with so much to surround yourself with, it's easy to sink into into the environment... I think that once you settle in, you tend to fish on auto-pilot where casting, & rebaiting and all the other mechanical movements become almost automatic whilst your mind is on the water... Take it easy Elmo👍😎

Sorry , meant to put bait boat. 😅😅

Not sure about the 'bulldog licking pee off a nettle' shots, 😖😆, they always strike me as doing it only for the numbers for their latest sponsor. If you are only chasing numbers, then I think you are in the wrong pursuit. I've been there, done it, as many 20's in a season, have to beat my largest fish etc, and realised that there was/is more to it than that. I go fishing to relax, enjoy my time off work or the pressures of life. Sometimes my fishing trip is almost all sleep for two and a half days, other times it is work hard looking, baiting and chasing. Some of my trips are with a Mate, but most of all I enjoy time on my own with my dog. I enjoy the being away from everyone. I struggle to deal with crowded waters. I prefer to be out in the boonies, away from everyone. That really does affect my choice of waters. I can't deal with local club waters, which are crowded almost every weekend, even if I do fish from Sunday to Tuesday or Wednesday. I like being able to hide out on a big open water, as much as I enjoy catching big fish. Beating my largest is no longer the priority it once was.

I luv going with my mate,he’s in his mid 60,s and I like to spoil and fuss him we’ve worked and fished together for 25years and I treat him more like my dad than a mate but i also luv going on my own,just me and the surroundings. I ALWAYS 100% fish better alone,no distractions I suppose,and while a bit of guilt creeps in if I’ve been doing long hrs at work for any length of time and I’ve not spent a lot of time with the fambo I gotta get my fishing fix......... it’s the most powerful drug I’ve ever had. As Yonny says it’s impossible to explain to others who ain’t like minded 🎣🎣🎣

I'm off to France at the weekend and will be using a boat. Mainly because the distance is probably just outside my comfort zone for casting but also because it will make my life easier. At the end of the day I've spent a lot of money on this trip so want to give my self the best chance to catch a whopper.

Ican vouch for this...LAST WEEK...i sat in my bivvy for a good 20mins looking over my rig and was very quiet sulking.

I think that sometimes the pressure is subconcious and you are not really aware of it... I have seen marriages fail due to the desire to be out on the bank and I've seen some real tantrums on the bank over lost fish... sometimes you just have to take a step back and try to be philosophical about it... the turning point for me came after losing my parents... I vowed that my sport was going to be enjoyed no matter what... and once the pressure to compete (match fishing) went, along with the desire to take a step back from work.... I began to take stock out of what I really wanted out of my sport now the match fishing has gone by the by, the serious side of carping has evaporated for me and I go carping about once in every 5 sessions... maybe it's an age thing but sometimes you just gotta slow down and watch the world rush by... still nice to get a lump now and then though👍😎

The definition of angling is "the sport or pastime of fishing with a rod and line". I think that just about sums up my approach.

and that's where the tech comes into its own, for when you cant stand there chucking a spod out 150 times a day or don't want to annoy everybody by chucking the marker out 50 times on a day ticket venue so if theres gizmos out there that let people carry on fishing when otherwise they would have had to call it a day then nobody should look down their noses at you for choosing to fish the best way that you can

slowly and carefully...😋😎 40 years of shift work in a heavy manufacturing job take their toll, plus a couple of bike accidents and playing cricket up till my late forties... I'm 61 now and yes it hurts getting up in the morning... that's why I retired last year... my old employers have just gone back to a 12 hour day and with an hours worth of travelling each way there was no way I was going to continue... the times of me working 12 hour days and nights are long gone

Absolutely spot on mate. 👍 Each to their own on how they fish, where they fish, what they fish for etc but like you @yonny, it's all about doing it for yourself and hearing that alarm sound . What a buzz. As for all this tech, so you find the spot ,you find the fish, it still doesn't mean you will catch.

And to top it off a speech impediment! Only jesting buddy😁

I was put off by having to book night sessions on a club water , quite often the Chance only arises for me after loads of begging and being a super husband so that I can nip out for a quick overnight session,I haven't got time to ask a bailiff for permission as well as the missus 😀