Super User A-Jay Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 This past year was an exceptional year for me. It would have to be an A. I did not get a personal best nor did I catch very many over 7 lbs. The consistency was difficult to beat. For the season I landed 56 largemouth over 5lbs mostly form Maine. I also landed just shy of 1400 largemouth. Didn't land any big smallmouth nor did I land an exceptional amount only 182 but I don't target them. My heaviest 5 fish bag for the year was exceptional for New England in my opinion weighing 5 fish for 30 lbs 6 oz. I would give this past season an A because of the incredible consistency. The season started off very well and the fishing never seemed to slow down. I did well in my club tournaments finishing 3rd, 1st, 1st, and 1st to win angler of the year as a non-boater beating all the boaters as well, 43 members in my club. Finished well in the other 4 tournaments I fished 4th, 5th, 3rd, 4th. I would give 2013 an A as well, landing an incredible amount over 7 lbs out of Maine and Vermont, 13 over 7, 3 over 8 and 1 over 9, including my personal best at 9 lbs 1 oz. The past two seasons have been exceptional and hopefully this will be a great year as well. That's a Heck of a two Season Run ~ You'll remember them both for a While. Nice Job ~ Congrats A-Jay 2 Quote
Preytorien Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I'd say a B. It wasn't great but not bad. Positives..... I learned new techniques and lures. I gained a couple new fishing holes. I discovered wading the river for smallmouth Negatives.... I lost a few fishing holes. Didn't really put forth effort into fishing jigs, which was my main goal in 2014 This next year should be a great year. I'm looking forward to an "A" Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 10/10 for me, I learned so much last year and had many good days. Quote
Global Moderator Mike L Posted February 24, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 24, 2015 As far as just fun fishin either alone or with friends a B+. Living in Fla gives an advantage as I can fish all year long in the huge number of fresh water canals, ponds, creeks, mining pits etc. Never got close to bettering my PB but that's alright. Tounament wise a B. I didn't cash in as many as I would have liked but enough to still give hope. When I draw a boater who remembers I'm back there my confidence soars and so do the totals. The thing that I judge myself by is consistency and decision making. Not just the number of limits or even total bag weights, but by how many correct adjustments did I make?... Did I use my practice time wisely, Make The right equipment choices, presentation, lure selection etc. Did I recognise a developing patten in time to take advantage of it, etc. Mike Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Tournament fishing was an A...............fished 14 tournaments, finished in the money in 8. One win and 7 second place finishes. Fun fishing was a B+...my home lake was slower this year in the summer than usual, I "only" caught two fish over 6lbs this year. Everything else was an A+..............boat didn't sink, nothing expensive broke, I didn't drown, I had a good time with my buddies and got to take my kids fishing several times. 3 Quote
Super User senile1 Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 It is difficult to put a grade on it and I noticed some others didn't give themselves a grade. I can provide a grade for different aspects of my fishing but as A-Jay stated, "if you get to do it every fishing season is a total success." My time on the water is often limited due to the work I do, which can be very frustrating. Over the last few years that is an aspect of my fishing that would be in the D range as I have only been able to fish between 20 and 40 days a year. Last year it was only 26. The number of fish I caught last year between 4 and 7 lbs was approximately 8 percent or about 1 in 12. Where I live, fish of this size are good chunks, though not personal bests. I would give myself a B - to a B on this one. For numbers of fish, I was on the low side in my opinion though every outing was decent and the fish were larger. I avoided the skunk for the first year in awhile. I would go with a C here. I'm getting much better at finding and pulling fish from 30 - 40 foot depths in the deep, clear lakes like Table Rock. Sometimes in summer the fish can be 60 - 80 feet down so I still have a lot to learn there. For what I have learned I would give myself a B - for that too. As for a comprehensive grade, it depends on what you emphasize. If you like numbers, I didn't do so well. If you like big fish, I did ok for my region. I did enjoy every minute of it and can't wait until I have more time to devote to fishing. I hate to wish my life away, but retirement can't come soon enough. 1 Quote
Super User senile1 Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Tournament fishing was an A...............fished 14 tournaments, finished in the money in 8. One win and 7 second place finishes. Fun fishing was a B+...my home lake was slower this year in the summer than usual, I "only" caught two fish over 6lbs this year. Everything else was an A+..............boat didn't sink, nothing expensive broke, I didn't drown, I had a good time with my buddies and got to take my kids fishing several times. That's a pretty good tournament record. 1 Quote
FrogFreak Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Great question. I just fun fish so no great tourney records like some of you guys! Congrats by the way. Positives Good numbers Caught bass on lures I carved and painted! 3 bass over 5 lbs Got my wife fishing this year and she's good at it! Fished w/ my boys a couple times. Got to know my new boat better (first full season with her) Got much better at drop shotting I found a new canoe/kayak only lake that is loaded with bass Fished up on the Canadian side of Lake of the Woods and caught a ton of 15 inch crappies and a 39 inch Northern! Negatives Didn't focus on the jig like I said I would Didn't get out as much as I wanted Put a treble hook in my finger and had to go to the emergency room to get it out Didn't get a PB I completely missed the spawn (season opens right after sometimes in MN) Spent too much time trying to get them to hit top water lures instead of switching it up All in all, I'd have to say a solid B+. I have a new job now and I get every other Friday off so I'll be able to fish more this summer! 1 Quote
thomas15 Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 The only good thing about 2014 for me as far a fishing is concerned is that it's over. I simply cannot have another year as bad as last. Quote
Super User BassinLou Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Great question. I would have to give myself a B+/A-. I don't keep stats, but I know I caught a lot bass last year. I caught numerous fish in the 5-6lb range. My adjustment for this year is to move up the weight bracket a little bit more consistently. For example, I would like to see pics of 7-8lb fish in my 2015 gallery. Quote
carpflyguy Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 2014 Grade... Bass = B- Everything else = A- I fish for everything in freshwater, so I didn't spend as much time on bass this year. I had consistent bass fishing, but not in the way I wanted. I could only consistently catch 2-3 pounders. No giants. I did well for other species, just not bass. 2015 is going to be my best season yet. I know it. I'm going to be on the water much more often, and target bigger bass when I bass fish. And for all species too. I started the season off well ice fishing with my first trout through the ice and my personal best bass through the ice. Hopefully the open water season keeps it up! Quote
Super User everythingthatswims Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 2014 was my first year targeting bass, fished for them from January through December, and I caught bass in every month. Also my first year fishing with a baitcaster. I learned what swimbaits can do, and landed some really nice fish on them, as well as moving and seeing some fish that I will be targeting this spring. Landed 5 largemouth over 5lbs, and my PB smallie that taped out at 23". I'd give 2014 a B, I had a blast and learned a LOT, but there is plenty of room for improvement. Baits I had never used before, but now (I think) I have a halfway decent idea on how to fish, and caught bass on in 2014: Drop Shot Flipping Jig Shakey Head Lipless Crankbait Football Jig Big Swimbait "Small Swimbait" Blade Bait Jerk Bait Squarebill Mid Range Crank Frog Baits I need to learn: Deep Diving Crankbait Ned Rig A-rig Swim Jig Carolina Rig Spybait Tube Flutter/Jigging Spoon Shad Rap for Cold Water Quote
Super User RoLo Posted February 24, 2015 Super User Posted February 24, 2015 Block X (incomplete) Quote
SDbassin Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 for me positives: I re-found my love for fishing after taking a "break" for probably eight or so years (football and baseball took up that time lol). Now Im addicted, and can't get bass out of my head! Negatives: senior year of college takes up way to much time, and can barely get out on the water, graduation needs to come faster haha so on that, I'd give myself a C, because I haven't been on the water that much, but I try and make it count every time. Quote
ColdSVT Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 A- probably the best bass fishing year of my life, but i missed a some good opportunities and made some mental mistakes. I did learn a lot though and i fished a good bit of new water. Won my first tourny and had a summer with my best bro that ill never forget ( one of our better ones in our d**n near year relationship) Quote
massrob Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I don't have anything to compare it to as it was my first year fishing but I caught 6 lmb over 5lbs so I think that's pretty good. I probably caught 500 altogether although I'm not sure. I do know that one week I wasn't working I caught 128 bass in 4 days. That little pond was loaded and it taught me how to catch fish. I learned everything that I know right here and with bassresource videos. I never thought I would love fishing as much as I do. Now it's all I think about its really changed my life. I have a productive hobby to enjoy for the rest of my life. I'm so grateful to the people on this forum for everything they have taught me. So thank you all very much and I hope next year is as much fun as last year. I also hope I can figure out how to use all these baitcasters I've bought.haha Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 I would grade my season at 11,268.452. I use my own set of parameters. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 I would grade my season at 11,268.452. I use my own set of parameters. Hi Mike ~ According to NASDAQ - you had a Very Good Year ~ Congrats A-Jay Quote
Basseditor Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I guess B-. Started strong but got really tough late in the year. No bass over 8 lbs (my personal standard). South Texas has been tough the last two years. We got spoiled a few years ago. It used to take 10 lbs to win big bass in our tournaments (club) now a 7 gets it done. I did get some 6+ Quote
plumworm Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Mainebasser , I would suggest that you quit your day job and any pesky rules and head straight to the FLW or the Elites. Any fisherman that can catch "56" over 5 lbs., 1400 LM, 150+ smallies (by accident) and have a 5/30 as a non boater in the lakes that far north has a remarkable talent. I am not questioning your voracity, I am over whelmed by your skills as a bass fisherman. Best of luck. Signed: KVD 1 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Anyone getting away from the rigors of daily life and enjoys their fishing merits an A+. Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Tournament fishing was an A...............fished 14 tournaments, finished in the money in 8. One win and 7 second place finishes. Fun fishing was a B+...my home lake was slower this year in the summer than usual, I "only" caught two fish over 6lbs this year. Everything else was an A+..............boat didn't sink, nothing expensive broke, I didn't drown, I had a good time with my buddies and got to take my kids fishing several times. Great Job! Are some of the guys starting to groan when you pull into the launch? Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 I call mine an A+++. Any fishing season after a cancer diagnosis is a tremendous +. The season coming up will be my fifth. Hootie 9 Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Mainebasser , I would suggest that you quit your day job and any pesky rules and head straight to the FLW or the Elites. Any fisherman that can catch "56" over 5 lbs., 1400 LM, 150+ smallies (by accident) and have a 5/30 as a non boater in the lakes that far north has a remarkable talent. I am not questioning your voracity, I am over whelmed by your skills as a bass fisherman. Best of luck. Signed: KVD Perhaps one season I would like to fish all the northern opens. Before that can ever happen I would need to purchase a boat that I can compete with. It takes time, effort, and money to compete full time. I could make the time and certainly put in the effort but I lack the sufficient funds to quit my day job and compete full time. Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 A+++ For fun, gear aquisitions and advancement B- for effort put into diversifying beyond my favorites and go-to styles Quote
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