Fishing for PBs
Fishing for Personal Bests - what does a PB mean to you? The launch of the PB Cup
'P' Is For Personal
The new year sees the launch of the PB Cup but what does a PB mean to you? With the popularity of big-fish angling in recent times, its easy to lose perspective on fishing, in particular our personal best lists. Far be it from me to delve into the subject of Psychology, but the situation is further exacerbated by natural human competition (dare I say it - men in particular!).
Generally speaking, it can often be observed that anglers go through phases in their passion for fishing, some progress from one to the next, others remain at one stage:
- Starting Out - Everything is a mystery
- Curiosity - Trying new things/species/venues
- Thirst - A hunger to learn as much as possible
- Obsession - Almost every waking (and sleeping!) thought turns to fishing
- Lull - after the obsession period a lull sets in. Much like a hangover!
- Contentment - the angler becomes 'at one' with fishing and concentrates on the enjoyment of the sport
Move Over Freud, I'm On a Roll
During certain phases the angler feels the need to catch as many, and as big a fish as is possible, more and bigger than the next person. He/she finds them self comparing PB's and big fish like a status symbol or extension of the ego. It is this attitude that largely induces the lull - or disillusion - and detracts from what fishing should be about: Enjoyment!
Matt Hayes once said something like:
"When we are gone, our personal best list won't be engraved on our tombstone"
And how right he was!
'B' is for Best
When you next catch a PB, fishezine wants to hear about it. Not because your fish is bigger than Bob's fish, but because you have just achieved one of your aims in fishing - and enjoyed the fish for what it is: the biggest of that species YOU have ever caught; we want to share your delight!
The Launch
So it is with trepidation that fishezine launches the Personal Best Cup, a competition aimed at bringing the PB list back to the individual. The competition is about getting enjoyment from your fishing, without worrying what everyone else is catching.
The competition works like this:
- You register/log-in if you haven't done so already. This is so we know who's PB's belong to who
- You provide us with your personal bests as they stand when you sign up for the cup
- When you beat a PB, update the relevant details
- At the end of the year, admin will select a handful of anglers who have enjoyed their season and beaten some PB's
- Participants will cast a vote on who they think deserves the cup
The winner will be awarded the PB Cup along with a tackle prize.
The competition will be open for entries on 1/1/07 - good luck!
For more info, click here