What’s a “good” day in your books?

[The Baron]

Our opening weekend was slow, with a disappointing number of decent fish caught over three 1/2 day outings (only a handful each trip, for two of us).  That said, we were fishing right after a big rain/cold front and guys who know a lot more than me said it was a tough weekend.  Even the pros struggle to get bit some days, so I’ve found myself wondering what makes a “good” day of bass fishing?  Beyond just being out there and having fun, what do you consider a “good” day - a half dozen fish?… a dozen or more?  Or can that one really solid fish (5#+) make your whole day?

[gim]

I went on Monday and caught 15 largies and a pike in about 5 hours of fishing. They were all between 14-18 inches (not the pike, I didn’t measure that slime bag). I didn’t catch any really big bass, but they were all decent for where I fish here in Minnesota. I would call it a good day. Not a great day.

 

Its probably all relative based on where we’re fishing, how long we’re out there, how tough the fishing is based on conditions and pressure, etc. One could make the argument that simply being able to fish even if you don’t catch much is a successful outing.

[BigAngus752]

I like big number days.  I like days with only a few fish but I catch a 5lb +. 

 

My favorite days are always the days that I go out and struggle and see everyone else on the water struggling and THEN I figure them out.  By that I mean, I go from area to area trying technique after technique with six or seven rods on deck and only one to two (or none) fish to show for it.  But THEN I find the pattern and the bait and I finish the day with one or two rods on deck and multiple fish from a single spot or a pattern I can repeat several times.  Those are the best days for me.  Even my wife recognizes that makes me happier than catching 50 bass or my PB. 

[Sasquatch]

I want to say a good day is a number but that’s not really fair. So to me a good day is being able to pattern and catch quality fish. Sometimes that’s 50 sometimes that’s 8-10. But being able to figure it out even when the bite is tough and find a repeatable pattern is what I’m after. 

[813basstard]

“How do you compare yourself with other golfers Ty…?”

’By height’

 

All relative my man..

[Bird]

Been fishing long enough to know that any day that I'm on the water is a good day.

I really don't worry about what the average catch rate is on a given lake.

Enjoy the moment.

[A-Jay]

Sometimes I just want to catch Bass and when I do, those are good days.

Sometimes I want to catch as many Bass as I can, and when I do, those are good days.

Sometimes I want to catch a Big Bass and when I do, those are good days.

Other times I want to catch bass the way I want to catch Bass, and when I do

those are pretty good days too.

But when I can be on the water with my wife and help her catch bass,

those are the Best Days.

A-Jay

[Mike L]

Can’t be quantified 
When I get back in the car and drive away from the ramp with a smile on my face. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[MN Fisher]

If I enjoyed my time on the water or shore wetting a line - it's a good day

If I catch something...it's a bonus.

[king fisher]

A good day is any day I can go bass fishing.  A great day is when I catch more bass than lures lost, all backlashes are removed without the use of a knife, and I catch the big one on my final, "one last cast". 

[TriStateBassin106]

Any time I'm able to fish I'm happy like others have said in here but in terms of catching fish, being able to catch fish consistently and get on a pattern of any kind during an outing is a "good" day for me, even if it's a finesse pattern, I have caught nice sized fish on stuff like neds and wacky/neko rigs. If I'm catching a fish here and there or they're all dinks (below or near 1lbs) I consider that a not so great day. And epic day for me is when I go through multiple bags of soft plastics hahaha 

58 minutes ago, Sasquatch said:

I want to say a good day is a number but that’s not really fair. So to me a good day is being able to pattern and catch quality fish. Sometimes that’s 50 sometimes that’s 8-10. But being able to figure it out even when the bite is tough and find a repeatable pattern is what I’m after. 

Couldn't have said it better. 

[optimator]

2 hours ago, Bird said:

Been fishing long enough to know that any day that I'm on the water is a good day.

I really don't worry about what the average catch rate is on a given lake.

Enjoy the moment.

Exactly what I was going to say?

[Mobasser]

I consider it a good day if I can go and catch a few. If I don't catch much, I still consider it a good day.

[Susky River Rat]

A good day for me is a safe day with no issues and beautiful weather. A great day is catching about a fish an hour. An excellent day is catching more then one an hour.  Now if I catch one an hour and they are all 4-5 pounds that’s an amazing day.

 

some people measure their success to others. Some are just happy to catch anything. Some chase numbers and some chase big only. Only you can determine what is a good trip for you.

[Captain Phil]

A good day for me is when I wake up without some new ache or pain.   I feel good and it's not cold, hot, windy or raining.   When I get to the boat ramp, no one is there but me.  I remember to take the tie downs off my boat trailer and launch the boat without drama.  I run to my favorite spot and do not find anyone sitting on it.  I catch a nice bass on my spinnerbait.  The sun gets higher in the sky and I switch to flipping.  I watch my line as it slips down around the pads.  The pads around my bait jump a little and I check my bait.  I set the hook and a six pound bass starts rearranging the area.  I lip her, take a selfie and head back to the house for lunch with my wife.  ?

[PaulVE64]

More than 3 smallies is a good day.

[Catt]

What’s a “good” day in your books?

 

I woke up this morning ?

[The Baron]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

What’s a “good” day in your books?

 

I woke up this morning ?

No back pain, not too windy, no rain, off work for the day and nothing on the honey-do list.  Launch our “new” boat at a quiet ramp and use the Garmin to find something interesting at a lake we’re still learning.  Put a few over 2# in the boat and learn something new - if it’s a mix of smallmouth and largemouth using different techniques, even better.  Add my son or daughter on the front deck and I’m a very happy man. 
 

I am well aware how blessed I am, I was just more curious to hear what others think as far as a “good” bag goes.  I think sometimes I set the bar too high in that regard, and forget it’s not always easy to catch ‘em. 

[bp_fowler]

Just being out there is good enough for me.  If I catch something it’s just gravy.  
 

After all, my worst day fishing is still better than my best day at work.  ?

[king fisher]

When I tie on a buzz bait first thing in the morning, I'm still throwing it when I quit at night, and none of my other lures have been used.

[T-Billy]

18 hours ago, The Baron said:

Beyond just being out there and having fun, what do you consider a “good” day - a half dozen fish?… a dozen or more?  Or can that one really solid fish (5#+) make your whole day?

Yes.

[Dwight Hottle]

Just getting out is a good day. But a day with a 5lber plus is more memorable. A 7lber plus large mouth or 6lb smallmouth is a great day. @king fisher I like your definition of starting the day with your favorite bait and never having to change if for the whole outing. 

[Columbia Craw]

For me a good day is not having to deal with idiots at the ramp and jerk-skis.  Enough said.

[Dye99]

All the gear worked and I didnt get hit with weather and no skunks in the boat?

Good day.

[Woody B]

It's a good day with no injuries, no illness and nothing expensive to repair.