taking inventory........

[paul.]

well i haven't been on here much lately.  2 weeks ago was vacation with the family at the beach.  we had a great time.  but since i have been back, the fishing has been crappy to say the least.  i have all but given up on catching a lunker until cooler weather gets here.  truth is that's probably a good thing 'cause i'm kinda burned out on the whole "targeting big fish" thing right now.  i just can't seem to catch one here lately and it's tough to try in 90 degrees plus when you go for an hour without a bite and know you coulda caught a bunch of smaller ones in that time.  i just don't have what it takes to be a full time trophy hunter i guess.  :-[

so at least for now, i have gone back to just focusing on just going fishing and trying to catch a few.  but must of all, just trying to relax and have fun.  for me anyway, it's tough to beat a fluke when the fishing is tough, at least it is where i fish.  so i went out a few minutes  this afternoon and caught a nice 3 pounder (give or take a couple of ounces) on a mann's hardnose.  even though this is certainly nothing special, i was happy.  it's amazing how the best cure for bassin' burnout sometimes is just setting the hook.

but during these tough times i also do something else.  i take inventory of my fishing.  i examine everything and make whatever changes i think are necessary to catch more and/or bigger bass.  even though i fish for fun and relaxation, i take catching these little green fish pretty seriously.  when i am not achieving the standards and goals i set for myself, i start taking a look at things.  there's always 2 possibilities.  either i have set unrealistic goals and expectations, or i could be fishing better/smarter.   so that's what i'll be doing for a while - taking inventory.  :  until i have it figured out, i'll just be trying to have some fun and catch a few.  here's tonight's fish.  the good news is that i think  the g-loomis rod i got in the mail today will ease the pain until i catch another decent fish. ;D  hope y'all are catchin' 'em better than i am.    

[JShrock07]

Nice fish Paul!!!! 8-)

Its all about having fun and not to many people enjoy it when you are not catching them!!!

Great job with the one you have.

[skillet]

Glad ya'll had fun at the beach! It's hard enough to stay focused with the temps. we've had lately without getting a strike every now and then . Love the Flukes myself ...

                              As Ever,

                               skillet

[roadwarrior]

The heat has been oppressive. I'm glad you are still catching a few.

8-)

[Daniel My Brother]

I enjoyed your post and like the idea of "taking inventory", never thought of it like that. Just keeping it fun is what it's all about.

[Sam]

Sounds like you have your mental health under control.

Right now, in the Virginia heat, I have been tuning  up my shaky head and wacky fishing techniques.

Today I will attack the drop shot.

Also trying the Rage Tail products to see how they perform.

So you are on the right track.  Just enjoy yourself and that lunker will come along and take your bait later this fall. Or during the winter. Maybe at the prespawn state. Or after the spawn. Or next spring and summer. Then it's onto fall again.....and the beat goes on.  ;D

[Eddie Munster]

The heat has been oppressive. I'm glad you are still catching a few.

8-)

X2. Fish jumpin out of the water at night to cool down to 88 degrees.

[CJ]

Nice fish Paul! Things will get better... and bigger!

Nice thread man.  

CJ