The value of counting the fish I catch

[Swamp Girl]

Some of us share fish totals. Others don't, counting only their big fish, however they define that, as valuable enough to count. I'm a counter and I think counting counts. Here's why:

 

When I keep count, I gain insight into ratios. I consider a big bass to be more than four (pounds). So, by counting, I'll know if a pond is producing a four-pounder every ten fish or twenty, which is telling about the pond's genetics.

 

By counting, I can also can infer about the size and health of the forage base. For example, the pond I fished yesterday morning put shorter and longer bass on my line, but they were all thick. I caught 20 yesterday morning, but the pond is good for 40 or even 50 some mornings. All this tells me that there's a LOT of food in this pond because everyone is eating well even though there are a lot of bass at the buffet. 

 

A bog I no longer fish produces big bass, but few bass, which reminds me of musky fishing and one of the reasons I quit musky fishing is because its hours of casting with no action. 

 

Lastly, I'm alone in my canoe most mornings, so counting gives me something to do and gives me mini-goals, such as reaching 10 or 40, which keeps me focused. 

[DaubsNU1]

Agree with you 100% @ol'crickety.

 

Many years ago, a friend introduced me to her Father's fishing log. I copied, adjusted, and refined many times over the years.

 

My hopes were to somehow "crack-the-code" by capturing data related to my fishing excursions...haven't got there yet. My logs date back to 1991....

 

The log does help me remember those good days, and the bad days as well.

 

I print on water resistant paper...here is the top half of the front page...

 

 

 

[gim]

I keep track of the fish count and individual species count on every outing (in my head if I'm solo, or out loud with a partner).  I don't write them down anymore though.

 

What I do keep track of is the amount of times I go fishing each season and to what body of water.  That is in a simple spreadsheet on my computer and I can compare it to recent seasons.

 

I think there is a positive to keeping records but the amount of detail is subjective.

[CastingClinic]

I've logged every fishing trip I've taken for the past three years now, keeping track of times, location, weather conditions, and yes counting every single fish I land no matter.

 

I log everything into an excel sheet and, with 79 outings and 353.25 hours logged as of this post, I can sort that data pretty much anyway I deem fit, and the results are sometimes shocking.

 

I got into an argument recently with my fishing buddy about which lakes we frequent are the best fisheries.  The argument ended as soon as I pulled up the "Bass Lbs per Hour" metric and showed him how far down his favorite spot sits.

 

Of course, I don't think three hundred hours is enough to unlock the secrets of the universe but I do think that keeping a log helps keep things in perspective and shine some light on things that may otherwise go overlooked. 

[pdxfisher]

I like to count because it helps me realize when I have been spending too much time on a spot where they have stopped biting. It is too easy for me to spend an extra 15 minutes or half hour on a spot that has gone dead. Do that 3 or 4 times and I have lost over an hour. I guess just overall it improves my focus on catching rather than fixing. 

[Mike L]

I don’t 

The only counting I’ll do is to keep track of how many are caught on a particular pattern in different areas remembering what the conditions were and go from there. 
 

It’s hard for me as I’m strictly a co angler and sometimes I have to convince the boater to move or change. 
 

It’s his boat so all I can do is suggest. 
Fortunately a lot of them will ask me first. 
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[A-Jay]

"The value of counting the fish I catch" is clearly a personal matter that satisfies whatever one believes to be 'valuable'.

Personally,  I chose to count the ones that count.

YMMV

A-Jay 

 

[TnRiver46]

I physically cannot keep track once it gets beyond 3 

[Pat Brown]

One of the reasons I snap a photo of every fish I catch regardless of if I'm going to share it or not is because I get a real picture of where I caught it and a timestamp and I can go back and look at the moon phase and the time of year and the conditions and the place on the lake and I can get a composite for when they're biting for that time of year.  Added bonus - I can share them on the internet lol

[Rockhopper]

I fish for fun. 1 or 20 does not matter much to me.  I do not count fish, but its easy to remember how many I caught during the day in the short term.  The only time I am required to count fish is when salmon/steelhead fishing as I am required to keep a catch record for the state.

[Swamp Girl]

2 hours ago, pdxfisher said:

I like to count because it helps me realize when I have been spending too much time on a spot where they have stopped biting. It is too easy for me to spend an extra 15 minutes or half hour on a spot that has gone dead. Do that 3 or 4 times and I have lost over an hour.

 

Another good reason to count.

 

2 hours ago, CastingClinic said:

I got into an argument recently with my fishing buddy about which lakes we frequent are the best fisheries.  The argument ended as soon as I pulled up the "Bass Lbs per Hour" metric and showed him how far down his favorite spot sits.

 

And another.

 

1 hour ago, Pat Brown said:

Added bonus - I can share them on the internet lol

 

And you better keep sharing them. I love to see your joy in catching bass.

[Swamp Girl]

Another value to counting is it tells the full story of your angling life. If I go out and catch one or three or get skunked, I share that. I don't just post my big numbers, which would mislead the BR membership into thinking that fishing is always great in Maine. 

[GreenPig]

On the water, I never count, just take a pic of every fish. On days when you catch 30, 40, 50 or more, then add in a good mixture of Hybrids and Stripers, noway I'd ever be accurate on my count.

I only get a count, once the boat is loaded on the trailer. Folks look at me like I'm crazy when they ask "how many did you catch?" and I reply "no idea".

[Craig P]

I have a numbers mind so I can’t help but count though I do not record it. I take a picture of the first and any larger fish thereafter in spots I fish just so I document on my photos/map area where I found action.

 

I have learned through the years that while my every day memory is downright lousy, my fishing memory is off the charts so I do actually remember some fish I’ve caught before, trees that have moved in or out, stream banks that have changed when fishing streams or rivers, etc. It kind of freaks me out at times, how could my memory be so good there but I can’t remember anything else. Fish on the brain I suppose.

[Buzzbaiter]

I used to keep logs of every fish I caught, but I became way too tedious. Now I only log new species for my lifelist.

[Spankey]

I use to keep a log of my river Smallie fishing. Not super sophisticated but a combination of numbers, sizes, baits I used, river locations, temps and all that stuff. A lot of written notes like a log. 
I should have never gotten away from it. Had done it for years. I think I’ll start this again for next season. But it will be set up different next time because I get lake time in nowadays (past handful of years).

I respect a 9” Smallie as well as a 12”, 15” or 20” Smallie. But I’d like to think I’m fishing for a 20”er on every cast. From my experience small smallies can be caught fishing the bank or very close to it and numbers can be high. Those little bugger are always ready to hit and most times very aggressive for their size. They certainly will hit on days larger ones will not. 
I don’t fish in a Smallmouth mecca river of the country. A 14”-18” fish is respectable fish. 19” and over is one of Mother Natures finest. 
 

[padlin]

I’ve started out counting them many times, not once have I managed to finish the task. At some point I get distracted and lose track

[Bankc]

I count every bass.  Then I multiply it by the air temperature.  Divide that number by the dew point.  Then add that number to the average depth depth of the lake divided by the wind speed.  And finally add 7 for good luck. 

Judging by the stories I hear at the docks, I pretty sure everyone does it this way around here. 

[Swamp Girl]

24 minutes ago, Bankc said:

I count every bass.  Then I multiply it by the air temperature.  Divide that number by the dew point.  Then add that number to the average depth depth of the lake divided by the wind speed.  And finally add 7 for good luck. 

Judging by the stories I hear at the docks, I pretty sure everyone does it this way around here. 

 

Best post!

[Choporoz]

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I physically cannot keep track once it gets beyond 3 

Same here.  Not an exaggeration 

[Kirtley Howe]

5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I physically cannot keep track once it gets beyond 3 

I am good until I reach 10. Then I have to take my shoes off to keep counting.

 

[Choporoz]

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

  I chose to count the ones that count.

YMMV

 

This, too. 

  I subscibe to Neil Young math, "Numbers add up to nothin."

 

Honestly, I can have plenty of fun on a 40-50 fish day.  But I only measure my sucess by the biggest, or by tournament standings.  I had a one bite per hour day a few months ago.  May have been best day of the year.

[Spankey]

When my dad was alive and when he was with me he always had one of those K Mart/Wally World special Olympus film cameras. Kept it in his lunch/snack cooler. We did get some nice Smallie pics over the years. Old school stuff. 
Today smartphone stuff is crazy nice compared to that. I grab a selfie once and awhile, mostly to bug my wife at work. 
I have a problem with selfies. My arms are too short for my weight to get a nice pic. 
But my wife is a good sport. On more than one occasion over the years I’ve had her come to the river or lake to bring the camera to grab a few pics. While she is dressed for work. She know the routine. Get in the boat, take pics at the hole it came out of and release it back. When she retires it will make it easier on her. 

[Swamp Girl]

Another reason to count is that every story worth telling is one of struggle. If you're skunked or catch one or two or even ten small ones, that sets up the big one. The meager counts showcase your tenacity and lay the way for your creativity and adaptability. 

[Spankey]

I think the OP should count them and make a log. More good will come out of it vs. bad. Not only note what did work on the outing but what didn’t. 
 

I’m sorry “crick” I lost track of who’s post it was.