Are You Setting Your Standards To High ?

[lanzbass]

Do you feel their are certain standards that you need to live up to when fishing ?

 

Example's may be...

 

Catching a big fish every trip out...

 

Expecting to learn a certain method ...

 

Having a better or bigger boat...

 

Having the best equipment to fish with...

 

 

 

Whats Yours?

 

What Would/Could or Have You Done To Lower or Higher Your Standards  ? 

[mjseverson24]

I have lowered my standards in tournament fishing, I see it as I am competing against the fish not the other guys so I set a goal weight and I judge a successful day on if I achieved my weight or not... winning and loosing take care of them selves... I had one tournament where I set the goal weight for 2.5 lbs per fish or 20 lbs for a bag of eight, we hit our weight but lost by almost 8 lbs I still considered it a successful day based on my knowledge of the lake and the prefishing i had. it is also just a ton of fun to fish in tournaments with my father.

 

Mitch

[SirSnookalot]

I expect to catch a great fish every time I'm out there, but I know it isn't going to happen.  I want to catch fish on my terms, so there are techniques and baits I won't use because I don't find it to be too exciting, if I don't score that just life and I'm not all that bothered by it.  Somewhere along the line the "one" is going to happen.

I don't believe I reduce my standards, if fish are running small I move or change targets.  Certain species I don't fish for, either they run small or I don't like the fight they give.  The chances of catching one of my favorite fish may happen once in 2-4 weeks and that's trying nearly everyday, I keep at because the thrill is worth waiting a month for.

[Preytorien]

I admit I catch myself comparing myself to other anglers I may fish with. But I've tried to steer myself away from that mentality, like Mitch, I see it as "me versus the fish" rather than any certain angler.

 

Concerning methods, this may be a high standard, but I think out of your list it's a good one to set. It's like continuing education or certification for work. More is better. I think the more techniques you can learn and master (to the best of your knowledge), the more success and general achievement you'll have in fishing. Now, don't get me wrong, learning new things can be obsessive, just watch me trying to learn to pitch a jig off my porch while there's snow on the ground! But in general, this is a good "high standard" to set.

 

Fishing equipment.....this is probably the vice of most of us on here. We know that better equipment GENERALLY means more reliability and performance. So it's probably the thing I obsess over the most and set high standards. Thankfully, the good Lord knows my penchant for overspending on this stuff, so He set my salary at work the best amount to keep me in check! So far it's done well, I have some great equipment that does a great job and is reliable and backed with great warranty and customer service....what more could I ask for 

[flyfisher]

No such thing as to high of standards.  If you are reaching your goals/standards every time out then you need to readjust your goals.

[Darren.]

I started to fall into the "better equipment standard" trap. The "if I only had that rod, I'd be a better fisherman" method of thinking. While better equipment=better experience may be true, if one cannot afford to go that route, then it is too high a standard to maintain - unless one saves up and purchases when the money is available. And with my wife and I both working, 4 boys ages 9-16, all with voracious appetites, numerous pets, house repairs, etc., there are MANY more important things for me to save up for than a Megabass rod.

 

I already have really good equipment, 95% of which is bought and paid for: 2 Stradics, 1 Chronarch, 2 Lexas, 1 Avid, 1 Premiere, 2 Compres, etc. Those should be more than sufficient for how I fish. But there's always something better out there, newer, lighter. My wife calls me a marketer's dream target, if that tells you anything LOL. Growing up, my Dad said I had "champagne taste, but a beer wallet." Something I've always struggled with, I guess.

 

So contentment in the "what I want vs. what I need vs. what is sufficient for the task at hand"game is what I'm getting at. I know that's a subjective, "to each his/her own" type of statement, but for me it is about enjoying the sport as opposed to comparing myself to that angler over there in that boat/kayak fishing that type of rod/reel...

 

Now if I can just maintain this standard of thinking at all times, I'll be okay, and won't have to explain to my wife why I clicked "buy now" on that item when I shouldn't have.

[Bluebasser86]

I carry too much gear, other than that I'm just out there to have fun. I guess having all the toys is part of the fun anyways though 

[flyfisher]

i don't know if i classify getting newer gear as a standard or a goal though.  I see a standard or goal as something you are in control over and can make improvements to try to achieve.  Anyone with a credit card or expendable income can get expensive gear.

[gr8outdoorz]

As I only fish for the enjoyment of it, I only have 2 "standards" for fishing:

1) Have fun!

2) Learn something new.

If I do those 2 things I have reached my goals.

[A-Jay]

My only expectation is that I'm going fishing.

 

Everything after that is determined by fish.

 

A-Jay

[Oregon Native]

After being so sick I find I'm much more patient and not so tense on the water. I enjoy what the good Lord has created and he's letting me fish another day. Fish for one bite at a time.

Tight Lines

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I fish for ONE BITE and I fully expect to get it. If you don't set your standards high, you are selling yourself short.

 

The one caveat to this line of thinking is that you better be able to handle disappointment appropriately and not let it get into your head. Much easier said than done.

 

 

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

 

-Thomas Edison

 

 

 

[DRH2O]

I set a handful of smaller goals and one or two big ones each season. I know I won't acheive them all but I enjoy the challenge and sense of achievement that comes with realizing specific goals. The only things I really expect out of myself on any given trip though is to learn something, even if it's just continuing to fine-tune a technique, and to remember to enjoy my time on the water, regardless of that day's circumstances. Those are my standards.

[WRB]

Can't set your goals too high or you will underachieve.

Tom

[jignfule]

#1 goal each trip: HAVE FUN & ENJOY!

[Bankbeater]

My goals include stuff like learning new ways to work baits, trying to get more time on the water, and finding new water to fish. I try and stay away from the idea that more expensive equipment will make me a better fisherman. I see a lot of people on the lake with pricey rigs that can't cast straight.

[JeziHogg]

Personally I think it's better to be an over achiever, then an under achiever.

[slonezp]

I have no standards. Or morals or shame for that matter.

[senile1]

Based on the time I have to fish, I don't think I set my goals too high.  Sometimes I reach my goals, and sometimes I am disappointed, but I still enjoy what I am doing even when I fail.  Goals should be set based on your own situation, skills, and preferences.  For some people, it is enough to catch some fish.  For others, they need to place well in tournaments or even win AOY in their neck of the woods.  For others, only the biggest fish will do.  And still others have what it takes to compete with the Kevin Van Dams of the world, though they are very few.  There are a lot of trite self-help cliches out there about if you set your goals high and never give up nothing can stop you from being the best.  If that were true, there would be a lot more superstars in every field of endeavor in this world.  At some point most of us have to be brutally honest with ourselves, recognize our skill limitations, and set our goals high, but achievable, based on our own situation. 

[RoLo]

My goals are not set too high,

I just have great difficulty reaching them :-)

Roger

[Oregon Native]

I will say i don't just go on the water to wet a line....oh noooo....I have too much invested and I'm competitive. My dad used to say "it's just good to be on the water". Well my dad wasn't a very good fisherman and he didn't get many fish. I go fishing to catch fish but like i mentioned I'm not as intense as I was when I was paying a bunch of money to fish. I'm literaly glad to be able to spend time on the water. Being on your back for a period of time gives ya lots of time to think. It will be interesting to see how I approach tourneys this year. I hope it's one bite at a time and their all big.

Merry Christmas to all and tight lines.

[Catt]

I'm not sayin' I'll kick every body on the water but I admire the spirit of anybody who thinks he can beat me!

At 62 victory is sweeter when they think you're the underdog!

Are my standards to high...nah!!!

[bonzai22]

I definitely set my standards high when i just go out but even more so in tournaments. I think it has helped a lot though because i have made big improvements every year.

[Mainebass1984]

I set my standards high every time I am out on the water. I aim for an average of 20lbs five fish every outing. Doesn't always happen. Another goal I aim for every time on the water is to figure out a big fish pattern. I feel like I got to set my standards high to keep pushing myself to be a better fisherman. 

[boostr]

My only standard is to have that "I will Catch me a Bass today" attitude,  and if I don't catch anything I still enjoyed it.