Personal Bass Fishing Reference Manual

[abelfisher]

Has anyone put together their own fishing reference manual?  I am in the process of putting one together for my own use, (ie. best written articles for each type of bait presentation, from top water to jigs, etc)  

Including knots, best fishing times, just something to have handy where I can quickly reference.  I will use a number of the threads here for specific applications, a number of different articles from "Tips & Techniques".  Has anyone put their own together?  I would be interested to read how you put yours together.\Thanks!

[clooney]

   I'm not big on paperwork, so I would opt for a book already written with all the info I need.  I would obviously buy a book written by a well know professional.  Call me lazy! ;D

[abelfisher]

The problem with that is there are so many books on each subject.  I am wanting to do a ref. manual on things such as " best technique and locations to u se jigs" , " best way to fish a CR lizard", etc.  Really just trying to distill it all down to a handy little ref. manual.  Maybe it's a crazy idea, but I read so much on each subject, it's hard to keep all in the head.  Just trying to fine tune my knowledge on each use and techiques of baits to build my own confidence up in using these techniques.

[scbassin]

Keep a fishing log each time you go. Put down what you do weather you catch fish or not. I keep mine on my computer. I have a program from Gold Bass Produtions. Then go try 1 of the Tips or Techniques. If it works for you or you like it log it in. If not, do worry about it. Once you learn the techinque you know it & don't need it written down. Pratice is the way you are going to learn how to fish. Pay attention to what you were doing each time you catch a fish & write that down & under the same conditions try it again. I'll bet you catch another fish.

[Aaron_S]

I have a binder I put together with articles that I have found and read on the internet.  I put them in catagories such as techniques,  sensonal presentations, equipment, ect.  I refer back to it when it comes that season ie. prespawn is coming up.

[GamblerFL]

I also keep info on my computer. One other thing I started doing years ago is saving some write ups out of the paper. Our local paper (for the most part isnt very good) on Sunday always has a write up on fishing. I will sometimes cut them out and save them because they usually will mention lakes by name and areas on the lakes and what people are using. On the computer I will track what time of year, water temp, depth and what I used and caught. I also will keep where I was on the lake.

[Gatorbassman]

A couple of years ago I started keeping maticulate records. I feel it is a great advantage to find a computer program that organizes your fishing logs into a searchable database. This has helped tremendously. I fish almost 200 days a year, in a number of different lakes and it is impossible to remember all the details of each fish I catch. With this program all I have to do is type in a key word i.e. time if year, name of lake, etc. and it pulls up every fish that I have caught under those conditions. I recommend that you research what fishing log programs are out there and find the one that best suits your style of record keeping. There are some great free ones out there but the ones that cost a little money tend to be a lot better. Mine even keeps a file of digital pictures that are attached to each individual log page. Remember no matter how you decide to keep a log. Just do it. You will find yourself becoming a more better, consistent bass fisherman.

[L.D.]

I keep a daily fishing log with a ton of info on it.This goes from an extencive paper version on the boat to my computer. I put a modified version on my website newsletter.

L.D.

[Chris]

I guess the only thing I do as far as any reference guides or log books is I do mark on my tournament schedule what should be working where. I also mark on them areas that past tournaments where won and on what. I just take it as a guideline and a starting point because conditions change. We might have high water or low water or a bad winter that might  cause a shad kill or the bait could be running small or areas that where productive for whatever reason are not anymore. It is a good starting point.

[abelfisher]

anybody else?

[johnbr19792003]

i have kept a bass log since 1999. In the winter its fun to see the amount of bass ive caught and how every year the amount goes up. I keep my best bass in each lake   ie:fish records smallmouth and largemouth. Total for the year and many other things. Something to keep me busy.