The value of counting the fish I catch

[WRB]

There is a difference between counting and impulsive counting a sign of OCD.

I tend to count everything but soon forget the number, same with fish I catch unless something special.

Never kept a log book but can recall some specific fishing trips in detail.

Tom

[MIbassyaker]

I've mentioned before that I keep track of every fish I catch, and have been doing so for a little over 10 years....which of course, is much easier to do if you don't catch all that many!

 

I do it because I like collecting and analyzing data, and I like to be able to compare the 30+ different small bodies of waters I fish with some regularly, in terms of sizes, numbers, times of year, and so on.  My fishing time is limited, so I want to make informed decisions of where it is most worth spending a free morning when I have one. 

 

I've discovered some places fish very well at certain times of the season, and less so during others, in ways that are not always predictable ahead of time.  Some places with reputations for "lots of big fish" turn out to be pretty mediocre when you actually keep track of quantitative information about what you've actually caught, how many, and how big, and how frequently per hour of effort.  Meanwhile, other places that people dismiss or ignore turn out to be quite underrated. 

 

 

 

[Tackleholic]

7 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I physically cannot keep track once it gets beyond 3 

Agreed, I used to have the same problem.  I now use a golf score counter and simply give it a click each time I catch a fish.  When I get home, my OCD takes over and I record everything, I do mean everything, about the day.

57 minutes ago, Spankey said:

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. 

100% agree.

[Bankbeater]

I've been keeping logs ever since I got back into fishing, and there is no way I'd ever remember the details of each trip. Besides the usual information, pictures let me gauge the size of the forage in the lake compared to the bass.

[Swamp Girl]

2 hours ago, Spankey said:

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. 

 

Spankey, I pretty much do just ^this^ with my trip reports, which, come winter, I'll reread and wonder, "What if...?"

 

1 hour ago, MIbassyaker said:

Some places with reputations for "lots of big fish" turn out to be pretty mediocre when you actually keep track of quantitative information about what you've actually caught, how many, and how big, and how frequently per hour of effort.  Meanwhile, other places that people dismiss or ignore turn out to be quite underrated. 

 

For sure.

[Bird]

I've never kept a log and many times forget my phone for pics, guess the excitement of fishing. 😂

I do keep a round about total in my head of catches and always remember what part of a lake is most productive.

 

Love seeing fish reports of others catches.

 

[Functional]

So straight off the bat, if I need more than 2 hands to count the fish I catch its a really high count day. On the other hand, the fish I typically bring in are 3.5-6lbs and my numbers will be 2-5. Not always, but I fish spots not everyone and their mother have hit and if I'm catching small I typically move. I'm looking for a DD and when I start catching 1-2.5lb bass in an area I move. Historically I have not been able to pull a sizeable fish from the same area as small ones. 

 

I keep track of how many sizeable bass I catch per lake though. Shows me which ones are more worth hitting. 

[Swamp Girl]

7 hours ago, Functional said:

Historically I have not been able to pull a sizeable fish from the same area as small ones. 

 

I'm always alert for big fish hangouts, but where I fish, the bigger bass and smaller bass share territory. 

[Functional]

@Swamp Girl I've decided not to pay any attention to your fishing. I've determined you are just a messenger from above showing us glimpses of what fishing will be like if we make it to heaven. No way you are calling me in early! 

 

Id honestly have to learn your area because I have no doubt your bass rich places hold both together. Just been my experience in the lakes I've fished. Or maybe I'm not good enough or patient enough to pick the big ones in the school of small ones. 

[Zcoker]

There are certain times out there the glades when a mechanical counter is necessary in order to keep track of all the fish, which can go way north of a hundred if the arms are up to it. Often, the lure may even have two fish hooked. They are that condensed and they are that aggressive. My focus, indeed, is to avoid all that, instead going after the big kahunas! 1 cast 8 pounders suits me just fine, yes indeed. 

[Swamp Girl]

14 minutes ago, Functional said:

I've determined you are just a messenger from above showing us glimpses of what fishing will be like if we make it to heaven. No way you are calling me in early! 

 

Ha! No worry. I just checked The Book and you've got decades ahead of you.