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Information Central (c) Larry Larsen
12-Step Recovery Program
 The following program is an excerpt from my book "Peacock Bass Addiction." Carry this message to others
and continue to practice these principles.
1. Admit you are powerless over peacock bass fishing video, audio, and print media information. Just be informed by joining PBA
and thoroughly reading all of the existing Peacock Bass Library of books: "Peacock Bass Explosions" (no longer in print), "Peacock Bass
& Other Fierce Exotics", "Peacock Bass Addiction" and "Amazon Peacock Bass Fishing."
2. Have confidence that a series of bad-weather trips can help restore your sanity. The water level and fishery production cannot
be optimal in all cases. Agents that don't call off high water trips can provide some relief from your addiction.
3. Make out your will and leave all tackle to charity. Not knowing the optimal use of such gear, the charity's chances of becoming addicted are minimal.
4. Take an inventory of your oversized peacock bass tackle. Determine a reorder schedule for receiving an amply
supply of the giant baits two months before your next trip.
5. Admit to all, including yourself, the exact nature of your addiction. Show them copies of your peacock bass books and your photo album.
6. Be ready to lose lures, rods and reels, and baggage. Plan on taking extra tackle including line, and don't pack a
suitcase with anything you can't live without.
7. Humbly, go fishing for largemouth bass, snook, and even panfish. Limit half your tackle to the less-addictive species that lie closer to your home.
 8. Make a list of all domestic chores you have skipped out on and make amends to those affected by such decisions. Why not take
them peacock bass fishing to that "hot", can't miss location?
9. When we have harmed others by our addiction, admit promptly the wrongdoing. Invite along only fishing partners who truly can
afford the trips and afford joining you in your addiction.
10. Seek out further knowledge of peacock bass fishing opportunities and have the power to overlook some. Select only
those uniquely situated to provide great numbers of the quarry in all size year-classes from fingerlings to giants.
11. Practice total catch-and-release for thoughtful conservation of the species, and exercise minimal fishing pressures on the delicate
resources. Handle trophy fish minimally to avoid their being overstressed.
12. Invest wisely in mutual funds.
New addicts that are not willing to or are unable to follow the 12
Step Program in its entirety should not worry. This addiction is progressive, however, and cannot be cured in the ordinary sense of
the term. It can be arrested by total abstinence from peacock bass fishing, but the "hooked" angler will more likely need books, videos,
magazines and a support group like the Peacock Bass Association. The addict will likely need bandages, pain killer, gloves, belt, elastic
bandage, sport cream, etc., as he or she continues to chase the "dream of this ecstasy".
Yes, this addiction can lead to a variety of injuries, and I have had them all. I recently sprained (or jammed)
my thumb on a tremendous strike from a giant peacock bass. The last time that I had a sprained thumb was while playing basketball in high school over 35 years ago!
Following the 12 Steps may help eliminate some of the uncomfortable symptoms of the addictions.
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