Michael Hakim Week 1 - The Weird Fishing Kid

    I know, I know, what's new? Another day, more talk about fishing by Michael Hakim. At this point, I've just accepted the fact that people think my obsession with fishing is weird, and it honestly doesn't bother me. Anyway, my love for the art of fishing and the ocean is nothing new. It is something that has always been with me. Hopefully, by the end of this short reading you can understand just why I am so interested in this particular hobby, and I can inspire you to explore the topic of fishing for yourself.

    Fishing is something that I have always loved. Just the thought of a big fish taking my bait and hearing that drag scream is enough to make my day. To me, fishing is an escape from the many stressors of the real world: the long days at school, the late nights spent doing homework, the constant arguing on social media, and the news. Fishing is something that always calms my mind, and ignites a childlike passion within me. 

    I love everything about fishing, but my favorite thing about it is the feeling of nervousness and uncertainty I get when I have a fish on the other end of my line. When my rod starts bending, I always think to myself, what could it be? As I continue to build up my knowledge base for the many, many fish in the ocean, it only adds to the possibilities of what could be on the other side of my line. To me, it is incredibly fascinating to think that when I feel that pull on the other side of my line, there is another living, breathing thing attached to it. I am mostly a catch-and-release fisherman, but I do keep the occasional fish to eat, which opens up a whole new world. When I eat something that I caught, I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride, which is unmatched. 

    When people hear that I fish, they often assume that I am talking about freshwater fishing. However, that is not the case at all; saltwater fishing is where my passion lies. There is something about the ocean that has always drawn me in. Besides the beautiful views and beaches, the sheer amount of diversity in the species of the ocean is incredible. Compared to freshwater fishing, where, in Florida, you usually only catch things like bass, bluegill, tilapia, snakeheads, and the occasional catfish. However, when you are fishing in the ocean, you truly never know what you have on the line. Also, I have found that the fish in the ocean are much tougher, stronger, and larger than freshwater fish on average, which makes it harder - this only increases my drive to go fishing. 

    Though I have only been fishing consistently for the past 5 months or so, my passion for this sport hasn’t recently popped up. Ever since I was a little kid, I have always been infatuated with fishing. I remember going to my grandparents’ house in Maryland and drawing them pictures of fish and a fisherman. These pictures are still hanging today in their kitchen, and every time I see them, it reminds me of how much I love this hobby. 

    As much as I love fishing, I don’t think it is something that I will want to make a career out of. I feel that if I did that, then it would become more stressful, which would lead to me losing my passion for fishing. However, I do dream of becoming successful in real estate and eventually being able to get my own boat so I can go deep-sea fishing whenever I please. 

    I am going to end my first ever blog post with this message to you - yes, you, the reader, whoever you are. Listen, I know I come across as a bit weird sometimes with my fishing, and with how I talk about it all the time. Honestly, I would feel the same way if someone was obsessed with something that I didn’t find the same enjoyment in. But, hear me out - give fishing a chance. You could unlock the same passion that I have, and go on to do incredible things in the aquatic world.

Discussion question: Have you ever gone fishing, and if so, what is your biggest catch?