How Many?

[OCdockskipper]

23 hours ago, RoLo said:

... Quantity versus Quality... If you're hunting for a trophy fish of any species, it's important to select a waterbody

that 'does not' have high population density... it soon becomes obvious that world-class waters

are typified by low population density of that species. I'm not aware of a single exception (i.e. Quantity vs Quality).

 

If you're referring to 'counting fish', well, that's a lame endeavor ... a day with 15 slammer blues (blues over 10lbs) is a red letter day.

 

While I have never been there myself, maybe some of the members who make the trips down to the Mexican resort lakes can chime in.  Their reports from those lakes seem to have both numbers (80 fish days) as well as size (plenty in the 6-12 lb range).  I believe these are world class waters not because they have a low population density, but because they have low fishing pressure combined with the right environment to grow larger than average bass.

 

Your comment regarding counting fish being lame is interesting when you later give the definition of a "red letter day" being a certain number of a certain sized fish.  In that scenario, you too are counting fish, but only those within your parameters. To summarily dismiss what interests others as lame and try to classify your preference as worthwhile is wholly subjective.  If someone felt spending 5 days on the water for 1 bite from a double digit bass was lame, they would be wrong.  Not because that kind of trophy hunting is somehow more worthwhile, but because for most of us, bass fishing is recreation, something we do to relax & enjoy ourselves.  Who am I or you to declare that an activity that accomplishes that for someone else is lame just because we don't like it?

 

I count the number of keepers I catch because I enjoy recording such information and looking back at it over the years, both for recollection and for comparison purposes.  I enjoy every fish I catch, no matter the size - each one is different and I never get tired of checking them out.  I will use the techniques and methods designed specifically for larger fish, but I won't do it at the exclusion of catching as many keepers as I can figure out how to.  I don't begrudge what interests you, I won't call it lame, it is your deal & I am glad you enjoy that.

 

As an aside, my older brother is similar to you in regards to fishing.  He has very little interest in fresh water fishing, he instead loves to go after Marlin, Sailfish & big tuna.  He spends a lot of money to pursue this passion, but enjoys every bit of the process.  Different strokes for different folks.

[IndianaFinesse]

In an attempt to get this thread back on track... So far this year I have caught 546 bass and counting.

 

I use a clicker type counter to count fish on.  I hang it from my pliers, which are always in my pocket, so all it takes is a push of the button to add a fish to my total.

[gim]

Season isn't open yet here so the bass count is still zero.  Got into some panfish a couple times though.

[Quarry Man]

caught 40 today, all around 2lbs, makes it 125 for the year

[N Florida Mike]

I've caught 90-100 this year. This is my quantity vrs quality input.Somedays I feel like fishing for big fish.Somedays I like fishing for numbers.Usually it's somewhere in between,with a lean toward numbers.If I catch enough fish,theres usually a few big fish mixed in.

[OCdockskipper]

50 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

I use a clicker type counter to count fish on...

 

I recently changed from that to an app for my phone (Android) called "Thing Counter" because it lets me count catch per lure type.  It also gives voice feedback, which I smile at every time I add a fish & hear that robotic voice say "5 Ned Rig" or "3 Shakey Craw".

[shimmy]

0. Still working on building my boat. I do have a MN fishing trip in 3 weeks though. I am dying to get out. Counting numbers is always fun. I usually find myself counting numbers until I have a few big number days, mistrack the amount caught, and then give up counting. But, I do count the amount of 4+ lb fish in a year. That has always been fun.

[Deplorable Fisherman]

On 5/2/2017 at 8:25 PM, gimruis said:

Season isn't open yet here so the bass count is still zero.  Got into some panfish a couple times though.

 

Do you think the change in bass opener will effect fishing? I used to live in Minnesota and go there at least 4 times a year and recollections of opener usually happening around post spawn was a bummer. A few times when the weather remained cold until opener it was fantastic. But I also fear that guys who live well their catches until the end of the day for pictures might impact the quality of fishing. Taking a fish far from it's bed might impact reproduction.

 

Back to topic though I've been out about a dozen times this year just bank fishing and have caught about 60 bass. I don't keep an accurate count.

[Ratherbfishing]

On 5/4/2017 at 6:22 AM, Sword Lord said:

 

Do you think the change in bass opener will effect fishing? I used to live in Minnesota and go there at least 4 times a year and recollections of opener usually happening around post spawn was a bummer. A few times when the weather remained cold until opener it was fantastic. But I also fear that guys who live well their catches until the end of the day for pictures might impact the quality of fishing. Taking a fish far from it's bed might impact reproduction.

 

Back to topic though I've been out about a dozen times this year just bank fishing and have caught about 60 bass. I don't keep an accurate count.

Personally I think tourneys can hurt the population but not the expanded season.

[Bluebasser86]

Make it 3 100 fish days on the year after yesterday

 

[scaleface]

 Quantity vs quality  .  I go after both . It a lot funner catching 70 dinks and one six lber than 2 dinks and 1 six lber .

[Dwight Hottle]

Older anglers are less likely to count numbers without clarifying a minimum size to keep track of simply because they have already experienced number successes. I have kept a running total by year of smallies caught in my boat but only of 5 lbers & larger. But I don't care if someone else wants to keep count of all fish caught if that is what motivates you. I have always said I will fish all day long for one trophy but my most frequent fishing buddy has always valued quantity as well as quality because he wants both. 

[jimf]

I can't count past 3 when I'm fishing.   Once I catch my fourth, I can't remember it was my third, fourth, or fifth.   By the time I get my tenth, I can't remember if it was my fifth or twentieth.  I caught I think 4 last night in the pond on my property, but it could have been 3 or 6.  I can't remember.   And since I can't remember it was probably not 3.  

 

I actually tried once to come up with a system one year and it was a giant fail.  I just can't count when I'm fishing, unless they are in the livewell.   Even then I've surprised myself, open it up and you ask yourself how 2 fish managed to get out without you noticing, or fishing alone who put 3 extra fish in there behind your back?

 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

 

I can't count past 3 when I'm fishing.   Once I catch my fourth, I can't remember it was my third, fourth, or fifth.   By the time I get my tenth, I can't remember if it was my fifth or twentieth.  I caught I think 4 last night in the pond on my property, but it could have been 3 or 6.  I can't remember.   And since I can't remember it was probably not 3.  

 

I actually tried once to come up with a system one year and it was a giant fail.  I just can't count when I'm fishing, unless they are in the livewell.   Even then I've surprised myself, open it up and you ask yourself how 2 fish managed to get out without you noticing, or fishing alone who put 3 extra fish in there behind your back?

 

 

 

No system necessary, just get one of these.

[Basseditor]

There's a guy in our bass club whose goal is 3,000 bass/year. I used to think quantity vs, quality requires different approaches but he almost always is in the top 3 every tournament. He says if you're catching enough fish, the big ones will come too. And, he's over 70-years old. I have a lot to learn. He uses 4-inch worms on a Brewer pro jig head primarily. 

[Hez]

 

 

 

I'm never offended by disagreement, and provided the rebuttal has merit, that's what a healthy forum is all about.

When you say: "Those stereotypes you list"; I'm not sure what stereotypes you're alluding to.

 

If you're referring to Quantity versus Quality, that's a fishing fact that's been affirmed & reaffirmed repeatedly,

before you and I were born. If you're hunting for a trophy fish of any species, it's important to select a waterbody

that 'does not' have high population density. There's no shortage of reports of forty fish per day,

but you'll never see a report of forty 6-lb+ bass per day. Do a limnological study of world-class waters for different species of fish, and it soon becomes obvious that world-class waters

are typified by low population density of that species. I'm not aware of a single exception (i.e. Quantity vs Quality).

 

If you're referring to 'counting fish', well, that's a lame endeavor that I stopped doing about 40 yrs ago.

After you've boated over 100 Boston mackerel in one day, over 100 red hake, over 50 summer flounder (fluke)

or over 50 bluefish, you begin to realize what an empty, meaningless endeavor counting fish really is.

It's nothing to catch 100 snapper blues, but a day with 15 slammer blues (blues over 10lbs) is a red letter day.

After I land a legal limit of bass, I lose tract of number, and someone else will have to count my fish, it won't be me.

High numbers of fish in one day is an indication of high population density or favorable fishing conditions. If it was a measure of angling prowess, why can't you do it "every time"?

 

Do I target big fish and get annoyed at snagging small fish?  Yup, guilty as charged.

Although I've caught more than my fair share of double-digit bass, I'm always working hard

to land one more, and I have no interest in the numbers game.  Go big, or go home 

 

Roger

Very well said - I wish I could "like" it twice

 

I can't count past 3 when I'm fishing.   Once I catch my fourth, I can't remember it was my third, fourth, or fifth.   By the time I get my tenth, I can't remember if it was my fifth or twentieth.  I caught I think 4 last night in the pond on my property, but it could have been 3 or 6.  I can't remember.   And since I can't remember it was probably not 3.  

 

I actually tried once to come up with a system one year and it was a giant fail.  I just can't count when I'm fishing, unless they are in the livewell.   Even then I've surprised myself, open it up and you ask yourself how 2 fish managed to get out without you noticing, or fishing alone who put 3 extra fish in there behind your back?

 

 

 

Sounds like me...I caught a few too - don't remember how many- but I caught 

[RMax]

You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages.  My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.

[Quarry Man]

9 hours ago, RMax said:

You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages.  My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.

 

Thats how i usually am, but this year my average is about 20

[Texas_Rig]

On 5/1/2017 at 4:23 PM, RoLo said:

I don't mean to come off sounding like the grim reaper,

but 'quantity' (number) and 'quality' (size) are diametrically opposed.

 

When a fisherman tells me about his 40-bass day, he doesn't have to bother

telling me about their average size, because whether he knows it or not, he already did 

Not surprisingly, I do not count fish, but I do weigh a few.

 

Roger

This may come off "bad" as my first post, but this statement rubs me a little. If your fishing on a lake with numbers of quality fish, then someone who catches 40 could be catching 40 good ones. One of my friends caught and released 54 four plus pound fish out of one school on KY lake last summer. BTW, hello to everyone. I love visiting this site

[OCdockskipper]

14 hours ago, RMax said:

You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages.  My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.

If that is your average on every lake you fish, then just know you can learn how to catch more (& larger, most likely).

 

If that is your average on a certain body of water, check with another angler that you trust what he averages there.  If his is low too, then it may be a tough lake.

[JustJames]

16 hours ago, RMax said:

You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages.  My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.

Don't feel bad man, I also avg. 1-2 fish or may be none each 2-3 hours trip, and I fish private lake.

[DogBone_384]

19 hours ago, RMax said:

You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages.  My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.

 

I'm in your boat, err, kayak... dunno what it is, or what I do wrong.

 

I've fished with members, used the same bait, and am generally out fished 5 or 6 to 1.  Most trips are 2 or 3 fish.

 

Just no fish KARMA ?

[RMax]

13 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

If that is your average on every lake you fish, then just know you can learn how to catch more (& larger, most likely).

 

If that is your average on a certain body of water, check with another angler that you trust what he averages there.  If his is low too, then it may be a tough lake.

Most bodies over water are really tough in Omaha, at least from what I've heard and experienced.

[Fisher-O-men]

While most may not keep a running tally, I have not met a fisherman who does not keep a daily count.  I seldom have to take off my shoes.