Do You Have Fishing Goals?

[RSM789]

In many threads, I see people talk about their fishing goals, whether it be a new PB or catching certain numbers of fish.  Goal setting is second nature to me being that I own a business and need to do that to keep in profitable.  I also am very competitive and a numbers guy, so goal setting & tracking of results when I am in any competition is done without any thought.  However, when fishing, I find that I really don't make any measurable goals.

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't just go out & fling any old bait at the shoreline.  I have an analytical nature, so I enjoy solving the puzzle of what to do to both find & catch bass.  I read & study about the sport, devouring as much information as I can.  I also enjoy fiddling with tackle, working on my (little) boat, making accurate casts and learning new techniques.  I do all this to catch more & bigger fish, but I don't believe that to be a goal since I don't have specifics of what I am trying to catch (size or numbers).  All I want to do is catch 1 more, even after I have just released one.  I may be a little disappointed on a slow day & run different scenarios through my head to try & determine after the fact what else I could have done, but I don't have the feeling of falling short or having failed.  The entire process of preparing to go fishing & being out on the water brings me happiness.

 

Now I will readily admit that if another fisherman passes by or a homeowner is out on their dock, I do have a goal to catch a fish in front of them, to show off if you will.  That is more of a competitive & pride thing, not a goal setting dynamic.  Especially if it is some dork that speeds across the lake to fish a certain spot ahead of me that I am moving towards...

 

This by no means is a judgment on those who do set goals for fishing, more power to you.  Goal setting is a powerful & important tool to be used in succeeding at any task.  I am just wondering if there are others who choose not to set such goals for fishing.

[Scott F]

I don't set any goals. I try and do the best that I can, and try and learn something every time I go out, but I fish for fun and refuse to put any added pressure on myself to try and obtain any self imposed goals. I have a pretty short memory and soon forget how many or what size fish I caught yesterday. I don't even remember exactly how long my personal best bass was. I never weigh fish anyway because it really doesn't matter to me or anyone else. 

[Fish_Whisperer]

My main goal is DD bass.  I am very close, but so so far away lol.  I normally would say it is my only goal, but I have found myself trying to use jigs more often, as I have never used them until last year.  With that said, my secondary goal is to catch a 5lb + bass on a jig. 

[tcbass]

I only have one goal. To catch a big musky, 40"+ and then I don't care if I ever catch another one.

[Bankbeater]

Go out and have fun, and hopefully not get skunked.

[einscodek]

ya I'm just fishin for fun

the only thing closest to a goal would be

to keep getting more knowledgeable and experienced and keeping the eyes open noticing everything about every catch

to keep geting better catching em and increasing the frequency of sized catches comes by itself afterwards

[Catch and Grease]

As long as I'm doing my best and learning more about bass fishing I'm fine...

[Felix77]

I set 2-3 goals every year.

 

Tournaments - Try to catch my limit everytime.  At the end of the season I assess how I did against that goal.  Reflect on what I could do differently in the future.

 

Finesse Skill (high pressure technique) - The Drop Shot.  This year it has been the drop shot.  - Highly successful

 

Power Skill (cover water fast technique) - Topwater. - Marginal at best.  Didn't seem to be a great topwater season for me.  Have caught them on a Sexy Dawg and Buzzbait.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Catch a 10lb steelhead on 4lb test. I've done it with 6, but not 4.

[reb67]

Go out and have fun, and hopefully not get skunked.

x2

 

However it has happened to many time this season but I still have fun ever time I go out because there are so many people that can't even get out there and enjoy our great sport.

[AK-Jax86]

To catch a double digit bass on a frog or crankbait my two favorite ways to fish!

Win a tournament since I am breaking into that world of fishing

[mjseverson24]

Goal #1 ---> Catch fish and have a great time doing it...

Goal #2 ---> Do well in tournaments ( winning takes care of itself if you prepare and stay at it long enough )...

Goal #3 ---> Learn how to target and catch the larger fish in each system...

Goal #4 ---> Fish a lot of different lakes ( 22 so far this year )...

Goal #5 ---> Don't fish memories...

 

Mitch

[Heron]

Ive accomplised all of my fishing goals - its all gravy after that. 

[geo g]

My only goal is to have a great time and share it with some of my friends.  Catching is nice, but I'm not going to make it uncomfortable doing it. 

[Oregon Native]

After this year:

Acute pancreatitus

Double Hernia operation

Draining of cist's of pancreas (over a liter)

Enlarged (ugh) ********

and Last but not least I lost my little nurse to cancer after a nine year battle.

It's been a year I hope to never see or feel again.  Now that I'm able to fish better now but still healing and fearing I'm just glad the good Lord has given me another day on the water with so many other gifts I used to take for granted.

Tight Lines

[Skeeter Dan]

No.1 Goal is to wake up every day Breathing.

[Fish_Whisperer]

My only goal is to have a great time and share it with some of my friends.  Catching is nice, but I'm not going to make it uncomfortable doing it. 

 

How would you make it uncomfortable?

[Chris S]

Go out and have fun, and hopefully not get skunked.

I second this one!

[geo g]

How would you make it uncomfortable?

 

 

I'm going to use techniques and skills I'm comfortable with.  I'm not going out in 25 winds, predicted thunder storms, I'm not flipping or pitching for 4 hours, I'm not going out in the heat of the day, and I'm not running and gunning all over the lake.  I'm not doing those things, because its just not fun for me.

[Rhino68W]

I want to enter and place in a bank fishing tournament. All I do is bank fish. I haven't heard of any around my area, but maybe when I move back to Texas there will be some.

[aavery2]

I have a couple of goals that I often need to remind myself of.

 

1.) Make sure to have fun, and enjoy the outing to the fullest.

2.) Learn something/ this is the easy one.

3.) Ask why and then ask why again.   Why did I catch that fish?  Why did I not catch a fish?  Why, Why, Why.

4.) Pay attention to everything, animals to insects, flowers, wind, temperature, water color, clarity.  Pay attention.

5.) Remember if all else fails to accomplish goal #1

[Fish_Whisperer]

I'm going to use techniques and skills I'm comfortable with.  I'm not going out in 25 winds, predicted thunder storms, I'm not flipping or pitching for 4 hours, I'm not going out in the heat of the day, and I'm not running and gunning all over the lake.  I'm not doing those things, because its just not fun for me.

 

Ah, understood there!

[Ratherbfishing]

I just sold my "old" pickup to my brother so one of my goals is to find the best/most suitable pickup to pull my boat and get around in without breaking the bank (I know-good luck with that one!).  My other goal is simply to get out more. If I could learn how to control the weather, that would be a definite plus but I've given up on that one. 

[RSM789]

...If I could learn how to control the weather, that would be a definite plus... 

 

Actually that one is easier than you think, just move to Southern California.  Every day is the same as the one before it

 

On the other hand, if you did that, you would have to contend with way too many people, expensive real estate, Dodger fans, democrats and a whole mess of other unsavory things.  Better to stay where you are and just fight the weather.

[aavery2]

No.1 Goal is to wake up every day Breathing.

This goal is unachievable for us mortals.