Your 2015 in Review - Goals for 2016

[hoosierbass07]

  

  So this is how I view my 2015 bass fishing year:  

  1.  I only caught one large bass at the strip pits I fish at.  Plus one semi-large bass (by my standards) at a state park bank fishing when the lake was flooded.  Depressing.  

  2.  I discovered the power of the drop shot.  This was the first year where I really tried to use the drop shot and it sure produced.  In fact sometimes I thought it was kind of cheating.  Plus, if the soft plastic I was using did not get any bites I could quickly reel it in and replace it with another soft plastic and cast it out again.  The only bad thing about the drop shot is that many of the soft plastic lures would come off the hook because I was nose hooking them.  Besides that, I'm a believe in the drop shot.   

 3.  Strike King Cut'R tail worm.  I'm really shocked at how well this thing works.  As some say - it's the bomb!  I received four of them in one of the monthly bass fishing boxes I was subscribing to.  I was skeptical at first until I caught a bass on it in early spring.  Those things worked good all spring and summer.  I ended up buying two packs of them from Tackle Warehouse and I can't wait to try them in 2016.  

4.  The Ned rig.  Yeah, I jumped on the band wagon and used the Ned rig a lot in early spring and it worked.  There's not much you can say.  It's a small lure that works and works good and fun to use.  I think that's the main thing - the Ned rig is fun to use.  

5.  Tubes - I discovered how fun it is to use small bass tubes.  I was putting a small bell weight inside the tubes and Texas rigging them.  They didn't get hung up so I could cast them almost anywhere plus they would spiral down while sinking.  I mostly used Bass Pro Shops Double Dipped tubes.  

6.  Crushed barbs - I started crushing down all the barbs on my hooks and it's increased my enjoyment more.  It's a lot easier to get a hook out of a bass mouth (or throat) plus if I would ever get stuck in the finger I shouldn't have a problem pulling it out.  I wish the big hook companies would offer hooks that are barbless in the big chain stores.  

The Negative:  

 1.  My baitcaster.  I've tried to find some love for my nice Shimano baitcaster.  But it just doesn't suit my style of fishing.  I even bought a nice Abu Garcia baitcasting rod just for crankbaits.  Yeah, it worked nice but still - my spinning reels can do all that I need - throw Texas rigs, small jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, etc...  The only thing I  might have problems with are heavy super deep diving crankbaits but I don't use them much anyway.  I think it's all spinning reels for me for now on.  

2.  Jerk baits.  I don't know what fantasy lake people fist at that have success with jerk baits but I sure haven't had any success with them.  Plus, using them from a fishing kayak is awkward.  Plus, they are so long it's a pain to do a Palomar knot on them.  No more jerk baits for me.  

3.  Crankbaits.  I used crankbaits a lot in 2015 and didn't really have much success with them.  The only thing I can say is that I probably increased the chances of me getting a treble hook in my finger.  So I'm going to reduce my crankbait usage to about 1%.  Frankly, I don't enjoy using any lure with treble hooks.  I'll admit I still do buy crankbaits it they are pretty.  

4. Night fishing from a kayak - I tried it twice and both times got scared from all the new animal sounds and splashes I was hearing.  lol.  I don't think I'll be night fishing in 2016.  

Now for my goals for 2016: 

 1.  Make extremely long casts.  I fish on clear strip pit ponds and Iv'e been trying to figure out how to consistently catch larger bass.  Iv'e been analyzing the few big bass I have caught and Iv'e come to this conclusion:  one came when I made a very long cast with my spinning reel.  The other came after rain when the clear water was stained.  That tells me if I'm going to catch the big bass I have to make sure they don't see me or hear me.  So I have to make extremely long casts.  

 2.  Stick with my spinning reels and don't touch my baitcaster.  

 3.  Experiment with spinnerbaits more.  

 4.  Use the drop shot more.  

5. Keep on Texas rigging and split shotting.  

6. Visit Florida in July and pay a guide to take me red fish fishing on the mosquito lagoon. 

 Over all it was a pretty disappointing fishing year for me.  

  How about you all?  Any thing you discovered that surprised you and any new goals for 2016?  

 

 

[tander]

This was my first years to fish in many years. I really don't have any goals for the coming year except just to fish every chance I get. Maybe I will get to learn my main body of water better and to try more ledge fishing in the summer. I also started fishing the Ned Rid and I am hooked on it. Maybe to learn it better. It is really a great method to catch fish. Hope everyone has a great 2016 !!!

[Senko lover]

I have no regrets or cons for 2015. I lost some big bass, but I caught even more and I learned a ton.

My highlights included:

-Catching two 5 pounders and a 7.12.
-Fishing jigs and texas rigs nonstop
-Learning to target big bass
-Learning to slow down and fish an area thoroughly
-Fishing the Ned Rig
 

2016 Goals:

-Jerkbaits
-Crankbaits
-Spinnerbaits
-Chatterbaits
-Big bass

I wrote this a year ago: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/why-we-fish.html . Never would have imagined the things I was able to knock off my list in 2015.

Here's to 2016!!

 

[Jigfishn10]

14 and 15 were the worst years for me. All I did was work and maybe got out fishing 20 times in the 2 years. 2016, I'm playing for keeps, I'm fishing more, working on my health and making sure I have time for my kids. I'm not selling out like I did. It's not worth that kind of sacrifice.

[Klebs01]

In 2015 I greatly expanded the number of baits I had confidence in, especially slower presentations. 

In 2016, I plan on continuing my progress and trying competitive fishing for the first time. 

[lo n slo]

2015

March-July - Great

August-October - meh

November-December - Awesome

2016

Plenty of decent lakes within a hours drive, I plan to visit them alot more than I have in the past.

My grandson is finally old enough to start fishing, gonna try to bring him along like I did my son. Patience is a virtue.

[Darren.]

I have no real regrets for 2015.

This was the year I took several months off
from fishing because life (soccer mostly) got
"in the way", but it was also a good time to 
settle down and reflect on what I love about
fishing.

Those months were also good to show me 
what I needed and didn't need for fishing.
I.e., bait monkey excesses. (not that I've done
much about them, but that's not the point ).

For 2016 I want to get out and just enjoy life
fishing when I can get out. I do wish, again, 
that I will catch a new PB even if I get out less),
but the bottom line will be to love the sport.

[Team9nine]

2015, from a multi-species standpoint (which I focus my efforts on more and more as I get older), was my best ever.

• Over 3,000 fish landed this year (1500+ were bass)
• Got much better with several different presentation/techniques
• Got a new boat, which I love
• Got much better with my mapping and interpretations

For 2016, just like last year, I'm not setting any goals or expectations. Sometime during the year I'll find something specific to focus on, I always do, but as I get older, I've learned to not saddle myself with any preordained fishing targets. Life is short - I now just fish when I want, where I want, and how I want. I did enough of the commitment thing with bass tourneys when I was much younger.

-T9

[A-Jay]

2015 was exactly what I made of it and it was good.

The only "bad" year will be the one I'm not a part of.

There's not enough of them left to waste.

My one & only goal for 2016 (fishing wise) is pictured below everything else will take care of itself.

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

46 minutes ago, Darren. said:

I have no real regrets for 2015.

This was the year I took several months off
from fishing because life (soccer mostly) got
"in the way", but it was also a good time to 
settle down and reflect on what I love about
fishing.

Those months were also good to show me 
what I needed and didn't need for fishing.
I.e., bait monkey excesses. (not that I've done
much about them, but that's not the point ).

For 2016 I want to get out and just enjoy life
fishing when I can get out. I do wish, again, 
that I will catch a new PB even if I get out less),
but the bottom line will be to love the sport.

Kinda had the same type of year you had, it just lasted 2 years. I coached my son's little league team and tthe beginning of the season starts at the end of March until the end of June. Next thing you know it, I'm catching up with work (work) and work around the house and the next thing you know it, it's fall.

I can honestly say it was a blast coaching the kids. On track to do it for 2 more years. I miss fishing, but my son's LL years are 2 years coming to a close and I remember as a kid, LL was the best years of my life and I hope he enjoys them as much as I did. It would be a bonus and honor to share those times with him.

[Darren.]

Kids last only so many years before they become
adults. Fishing is fishing.

I've got one in college, one in high school and two
more in middle school. Plenty of time. Each of the 
last three boys are soccer players, so plenty of OUR
time will be traveling and such. Fishing will have to 
take second/third place until they're all off to college.

[JRammit]

2016.... New year, new house!

Had to jump through ALOT of hoops to make this happen!... But it finally paid off and we should be moving in next week 

Along with the new house comes my new work shop!.... My goal for 2016 is to finish replacing ALL store bought lures in my tackle box with home made.... Im half way there already

Also would like to convert my jon boat... Some day a real bass boat would be nice, but until then i wanna get the most out of my little 12' tin can

As for fishing... 2015 was fine... I found a new spot and im getting to know it pretty well... But ive been so heavy into bass fishing this year that ive neglected the other species......... So i need to fry some crappie and catfish in 2016!

[Jigfishn10]

21 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Kids ast only so many years before they become
adults. Fishing is fishing.

I've got one in college, one in high school and two
more in middle school. Plenty of time. Each of the 
last three boys are soccer players, so plenty of OUR
time will be traveling and such. Fishing will have to 
take second/third place until they're all off to college.

You can have some more....LOL...I'm done!

My life is done for a while. My 15 y/o daughter is having her friends over for the New Year and I'm banging on the computer talking about fishing...how bad is that!

[ward131]

  2015 was a year of opposites. I caught more bass but none more then 5 lbs. I learned a lot about frogs and had a great time in the weeds, then caught fish deep. My deepest at 52 Ft. and one day killed them at 32 ft.  

I learned to love the Carolina rig but had no luck with the Drop Shot.

I guess it was just inconsistent.

 

[Bankbeater]

2015 was pretty good for me.  I didn't get down to the big lakes in the Ozarks as many times as I wanted, but locally I only got skunked twice.  I didn't catch any bass over 5 pounds, but I got several bass that were between 4 and 5 pounds.

My three biggest catches in the year were catfish all over 5 pounds.  Two were caught on a Mann's 1 minus, and one was caught on a BPS Stik-O.  Now if I can only do that with bass in 2016.

[Mike L]

Fish a few less tournaments and fun fish a lot more. 

 

Mike

[mbtharp1]

2015 - Learned how to fish a lot of new baits, and have confidence in them.

Goal for 2016- Sign up as a co angler in my local BFL tournaments.. tournament fishing ought to be interesting.

[scaleface]

I simplified a lot in 2015 .Basic Texas rigged worms caught a bunch of fish for me . Over the years Ive been throwing a lot of Lizards , craws , creatures ....   but the old straight tail  6 inch worm " Manns Jelly worm " put the numbers in the    boat . Lots of fish on med to deep diving crankbaits . Fished a few times at night under different moon phases . The full moon night was by far the best night . Maybe in clearer water the new moon is better but where I fish the full moon is best .Two best bass of the year came on a full moon night , off of  a red craw Rapala shallow diving Crankin Rap .

[Mike L]

37 minutes ago, mbtharp1 said:

2015 - Learned how to fish a lot of new baits, and have confidence in them.

Goal for 2016- Sign up as a co angler in my local BFL tournaments.. tournament fishing ought to be interesting.

Good luck in your tournament's. ..Been fishing BFL's for a few years now as a co-angler also.

 

Mike 

[ww2farmer]

2015 highlights:

Didn't break anything expensive

Didn't drown

Fished a tournament with my 6 year old daughter

Joined the 20+ lb club for a tournament bag on my home lake

2016 goals:

Don't break anything expensive

Don't drown

Fish more with my kids

 

[aMurderOfCrows]

21 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

14 and 15 were the worst years for me. All I did was work and maybe got out fishing 20 times in the 2 years. 2016, I'm playing for keeps, I'm fishing more, working on my health and making sure I have time for my kids. I'm not selling out like I did. It's not worth that kind of sacrifice.

This is the EXACT boat I was in, I maybe fished 5 or 6 times this year after getting back into fishing just a couple of years ago.  I definitely plan on getting out more this year, gonna start the workouts and the work schedule is nowhere near what it was.

[Catt]

I've been blessed with the opportunity of raising one of my grandsons Aiden (Bayou Boy) Savant. After trying baseball, footbalk, basketball, he was bitten with the bass fishing bug in 2014.

2015 was a continuation of his education in the beloved sport of ours.

In April he caught his personal best flipping a dock with a jig-n-craw. Sadly I wasn't able to weigh it or get its measurements.

In July during his first night trip he increased the size of his personal best on a t-rig, again no weight.

Goal for 2016: Since Christmas we are working on the fine art of bait casting & while the distance aint great he aint back lashing (much).

As for PawPaw, it don't get no better!

 

[slonezp]

2015 Size was up, numbers down. I caught more 4lb+ bass on my home water than in years past. Caught more 5lb+ bass collectively on all the water I fished this year than any year in the past. Don't think I caught any legal walleye this year. Caught a crap-ton of pike although none as big as the one A Jay caught

2016 Going to depend on the outcome of my shoulder surgery.

[Bluebasser86]

2015 was a pretty good year for me.

Caught my second biggest wiper ever, my 4th biggest smallmouth ever, the first bass over 6 along with more over 5 than I've caught in a few years. Had a terrific tournament season winning quite a few of them and finishing in first overall for the year. I finally bought a bass boat and it's been great so far. Caught my first peacock bass along with a few other new species while I was in Florida. Bought my first kayak and have been loving that. Broke several lake PB's. Started recording some of my fishing trips, which has been fun to be able to go back and relive those days on the water. 

My biggest cons to the year, I didn't make it to many different lakes, spent a lot of time on just a few of them. 

I had a few tournaments I should have done much better but I made poor decisions or lost fish that cost me

I felt like I had the winning fish found for the end of the year fish off but I just couldn't make them bite, then equipment problems kept us from being able to fish like we needed to the second day and ended up in second place. 

 

[Oregon Native]

2015 was interesting...was getting back my health and was impatient in a lot of ways even though I fished quite a bit.  This year am going to try to smell the roses and enjoy what the good Lord has given me.  (more time on earth)  Hopefully continue to fish the Tues and Thurs nighters along with some other tourneys.  Every day is a gift for sure.