Are You Setting Your Standards To High ?

[JT Bagwell]

I am very competitive, even when fishing a lone so I always expect a lot out of myself.

 

Sometimes I feel like I am an odd dude because I will refuse to leave until I have X number of bass

or I will fish a certain bait for a long time, even if I know it isn't idea for the conditions, just because I

think certain baits are more fun (i.e. Frogs).

[Felix77]

The only standard I try to keep is to learn something each time out.  Even it's just something little.

 

Other than that it's all about getting out there and enjoying the time out on the water.

[SirSnookalot]

I am very competitive, even when fishing a lone so I always expect a lot out of myself.

 

Sometimes I feel like I am an odd dude because I will refuse to leave until I have X number of bass

or I will fish a certain bait for a long time, even if I know it isn't idea for the conditions, just because I

think certain baits are more fun (i.e. Frogs).

I feel the same way, even in saltwater as there baits and techniques I don't care to do, like live bait for example.  My hope is to always catch a 20#+ fish, doesn't happen often enough..lol.

[Catt]

I am very competitive, even when fishing a lone so I always expect a lot out of myself.

Sometimes I feel like I am an odd dude because I will refuse to leave until I have X number of bass

or I will fish a certain bait for a long time, even if I know it isn't idea for the conditions, just because I

think certain baits are more fun (i.e. Frogs).

Got a back seat open!

[KyakR]

 

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.

 

 

 

 

This is what I had to learn......to focus on only one thing at a time! I've had the opposite problem from some of you guys......I didn't set many goals at all. It's been only in the past few years that I've followed the  best advice I've heard on BR: choose one  technique every time out and practice it 'til the "fish interrupt your practice" as Bigbill has said! Lately it's been accuracy. With the ice it's great that I chose that. Heh......   

[Fishing Rhino]

When it comes to "standards", at the pinnacle of all goals, objectives, etc., is to have fun.  Just behind is the goal of continuing the learning process.  Another goal is to fish new waters, and different areas of the country.  It's about doing the best I can with the gear I have, and my own abilities.

 

There is a saying that it is better to fall short of a high goal than to reach a low goal.  There is another saying about setting yourself up for failure.

 

Fishing is unpredictable.  There are days the fish would fight each other to get to a clothespin with a treble hook.  Other days they are just turned off.

 

Maybe it's because of my days as a commercial lobsterman.  The days and weeks of preparation getting the gear in order to set.  Prior to setting it's going over the past years' Loran logs to make an educated guess of where to set the gear.  It's getting out to haul gear on every day possible, and staying out there to finish hauling the gear when the weather turns nearly impossible.

 

It's the monotonous grind of making major moves during the course of the season, and the drudgery of loading gear and bringing it back to the dock at the end of the season. 

 

I enjoyed it, but it wasn't always fun. 

 

There is nothing at stake in recreational fishing other than the demands you put on yourself.  I try to keep those to a minimum.

[.ghoti.]

I have no goals, standards or expectations when fishing. I fish to get away from all that crap.

[rmcguirk]

I have no goals, standards or expectations when fishing. I fish to get away from all that crap.

 

This.  Like most people, I'm sure, I work hard during the week and all too often on weekends.  I'm hyper competitive at work, as my job involves a fair amount of winning and losing (something I try to avoid).  On the weekends I do get off, I go fishing to get away from that nonsense.  Do I want to catch fish?  Of course.  Do I practice my casting, etc., to get better?  Of course.  Do I cry if I don't catch a nice bag or even if I get skunked occasionally?  Nope.  I'm out to "relax" and enjoy the pastime.  Of course I want to catch a PB every time out and I'm working hard to catch fish the whole time I'm on the water.  And of course I try new things and new techniques to improve my "luck" (toys are a big part of the fun).  But give me a nice day or two on the water and I'm a happy man again come Monday morning.

[Fish'N Impossible]

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.

Agreed. There is no such thing as too high of standards. If you set everything so low you can always attain them what keeps you driven as a human? No great person in history could have ever been great if they just continued doing what everyone else was doing.you have to push yourself to attain greatness.

"Don't forget to be awesome" is a great motto to live by. Thanks John Green