This Or Last

[Squirmin Wormin]

This came to me and is probably a question i see as a easy question but might not have the answer for ,

But every new fishing season that start's do you ask yourself am i catching more or less fish than last year?,

i know everyone one has a system they have made up too .

but i seem to ask myself that question as i'm out fishing comparing this season and last as a score card ,you might say if i was to look at and i'm looking at mine, i'm way behind and have used everything that i used last season ,techniques,bait etc..

now hopefully your doing ok , but i don't know ,

just a question i have and every time i hit the water.

[Catch and Grease]

Of course some years will be better/worse than the next... I'm pretty happy with this year so far, Still waiting on that 5lb bass though!

[Raul]

This came to me and is probably a question i see as a easy question but might not have the answer for ,

But every new fishing season that start's do you ask yourself am i catching more or less fish than last year?,

i know everyone one has a system they have made up too .

but i seem to ask myself that question as i'm out fishing comparing this season and last as a score card ,you might say if i was to look at and i'm looking at mine, i'm way behind and have used everything that i used last season ,techniques,bait etc..

now hopefully your doing ok , but i don't know ,

just a question i have and every time i hit the water.

Nope, actually what I wonder is if I would be able to go fishing, once is good for me nowdays.

[A-Jay]

For me, each new season is it's own deal.

There really is nothing to gain by comparing them.

I fish several lakes each year and each season they change.  One might be better one year and then no so much the next.

 

I like to look at my fishing in 3 different ways ~

1-  I want to catch fish - doesn't matter the size - just want to catch.  It's about numbers.

2-  I want catch bigger fish, numbers are not a factor, but it's all about size here.

3-   And this one is often the most challenging; I want to catch bass the way I want to catch them.   Meaning a certain lure or technique - often this is attempted when learning something new - but not always.

 

A-Jay

[Catt]

Numbers: way ahead

Size: behind

Still got 4 1/2 months to catch up

[Mainebass1984]

My goal is for the number of bass I catch on average to increase and for the total number of bass caught over 5 lbs to go up as well.

[einscodek]

Its not an explicit question I ask myself but one can feel if one is progressing and increasing yields year over year or whichever goal target one chooses.. at some point there has to be a threshhold where your progression slows or toplines

 

It sounds like what you generally do remains fairly static systemically

day-to-day, season-to-season, year to year the conditions change and there are myriads of factors at play

the question is how well  your system and more importantly YOU are adapting to this flux of conditions

if not so well, your system needs to change

[Ratherbfishing]

Numbers:  Behind

Size:  Way behind

Lost access to several fishing holes

 

It's probably mid-life crisis issues. I've had rough years before but I'm having a tough time shrugging this one off.  Anyone want to buy a boat?

[SirSnookalot]

I'm in Florida which has no season, something can be caught year round.  Fishing strictly for recreation and fun I have no reason to compare 1 year to another or even day to day.  I don't make a point of counting or weighing and I never put pressure on myself to produce, just take it as it comes.

[Oregon Native]

Take it as it comes as a gift.  Love being on the water and love being competitive too.  Learned even more this year to take what is given and appreciate it.  Slow down and smell the roses as they say.  I spent too much time in hospital and doctors offices this year to think much different.  Not to mention a very close call with being flower food.

[Weld's Largemouth]

I've definitely caught less fish here in new york. But bigger ones

[Preytorien]

I think it's inherent that each year you want to look back and see improvement. Some measure it by how big of bass you catch, others by how many you catch. Whatever way you view it, we all look at it as a challenge, and that's why we do it.

 

This year my challenge has been to be able to fish more often, and to fish different waters than I did in years before. So far I've done it. I bought a small Sea Eagle boat, and I just got some waders. My fishing world has opened up. New waters, more opportunities, even some new species.

 

So for me.....mission accomplished.

[Jigfishn10]

It's never about numbers or size, it's about the experience of doing something that relieves stress. This year I've fished about as much as I did last year the first 10 days after ice out. Absolute horrible year for me. I will have to say that the times I did get to fish, I had some really productive days so far.

[rabidsquirrel]

For me, each new season is it's own deal.

There really is nothing to gain by comparing them.

I fish several lakes each year and each season they change.  One might be better one year and then no so much the next.

 

I like to look at my fishing in 3 different ways ~

1-  I want to catch fish - doesn't matter the size - just want to catch.  It's about numbers.

2-  I want catch bigger fish, numbers are not a factor, but it's all about size here.

3-   And this one is often the most challenging; I want to catch bass the way I want to catch them.   Meaning a certain lure or technique - often this is attempted when learning something new - but not always.

 

A-Jay

I'll echo what A-Jay said. I want to catch 'better' fish. I'm fishing local tournaments these days, so being able to consistently put some size in the boat is what I'm after...

 

The next part reads more or less like, "Quickly dial in a major pattern". I want to be able to quickly figure out the primary feeding patterns that day on those waters. 

[geo g]

To me its all about having fun, and relaxation.  Fishing is a stress releaver, and a way to be out there with mother nature.  There is no place I would rather be, then on the water on a early morning, as the sun comes up, with a good friend, and a tug on the line.  I doesnt get any better then that!!!!!    

[reb67]

To me its all about having fun, and relaxation.  Fishing is a stress releaver, and a way to be out there with mother nature.  There is no place I would rather be, then on the water on a early morning, as the sun comes up, with a good friend, and a tug on the line.  I doesnt get any better then that!!!!!    

agreed

[starcraft1]

Comparing this to last, hard to say. I fished a lot less in the last 2 yrs. than since the Army. I've been out maybe 15 times so far this yr. about the same as last. With our water levels so low it's a 60 mi. round trip to either Oroville or the afterbay.

As far as numbers, Oroville is still putting out a few 100+ days and the rest in the high 70's to low 90's - all about the same size (1.25 - 3.5)

The afterbay has been on the hurtin' side since it got hit by the mongs a few yrs. back and the fish have not only gotten smaller, but a lot less. Biggest so far this yr. has only been a little over 6 lbs. (6.17) Not much brag from a place that used to bring several 10+ fish and once in a while a teener.