Do you keep a journal of your fishing trips?

[bugman]

I have not kept a journal of my fishing trips in the past but I think that I'll start this season. My dad has talked about keeping records but I never knew how long he has been doing it. I have learned that he has records as far back as the late 50's. I can't even begin to say how valuable this information can be on many levels. He kept information on where, what and how of each trip along with weather and lake conditions. I would be interested in hearing from other anglers if they keep a journal and what information they keep.

[fishizzle]

I don't but I should

[JCrzy4Bass]

Haha, funny you should bring it up.  I didn't last year but after reading up on here and some other places I have seen that guys really have learned their weaknesses, strengths, improvement areas and so forth by keeping track of their outings.  So this year (three trips ago) I started my own bass blog which I keep online keeping track of weather conditions and factors, baits I used that day, water conditions and temps, what I fished as far as structure, cover, banks, drop offs, etc and a lot of other factors.  

I haven't caught anything to date because water temps are still pretty low right now and fishing is still tough but once I start catching em' I'm hoping I will be able to look back and see patterns or see what worked under certain conditions on any given body of water and translate that to a day where I am facing those same conditions again.

So I will make it a point to look over my blog before and after every outing so I can see what I may want to do that day and what I should have done.  It looks like it may provide a very useful tool this year.  We shall see.

If you want an example of how I set mine up just let me know.  It's simple in a note pad document but it works.  I will eventually transfer it over to excel when I get the chance to horse around with all of it.

[Guest muddy]

I started with the log found right here at the TACKLE BOX section here is the link

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/fishinglog3.gif

Then I customized it a little for me, a huge help in my fishing  8-)

[skillet]

 What fishizzle said X2, and add REALLY should ...

                                  As Ever,

                                   skillet

[Joel W]

I keep a very detailed journal of every trip. After a few years of fishing the same bodies of water, you will be amazed at how much guess work will be eliminated from your thought processes on where to start based on time of year, weather condtions, what has worked and what doesn't.

[TruflShufl]

I don't, but I think I'll start this year...

[=Matt 5.0=]

I started with the log found right here at the TACKLE BOX section here is the link

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/fishinglog3.gif

Then I customized it a little for me, a huge help in my fishing 8-)

Absolutely! Great fishing log right here on BR. I started doing this last season.  

[Popeye]

I'm CONVINCED!! Starting one today (good thing all the info from this year's trips is still fresh in my stale mind:o)  THANKS, guys!!!

[Bankbeater]

For about three years now. It really comes in handy to be able to go back and look at how you fished certain lakes under different conditions.

[jrhennecke]

Just started this year.

[basser89]

I've been keeping a journal for the last 4 years. I've modified the one here on BR (slightly) to fit my needs. This year's has been running light so far.  >   Must, fish, more!!!!!!!!!!!!    ;D

[Perfect Hook Set]

I don't but I should

x3

 When my friend was going to the Brian Kershal Camp, they were asked to keep a journal which was givin to them...

Keeping one helps out a lot and saves time when fishing patterns etc

[MALTESE FALCON]

Once I get the boat covered and tackle put away, the first thing I do is go to the computer and document everything about the trip.

I've been doing this for three years, and what a great tool it has been.

Falcon

[fooman]

I started mine in '95 and I can go back and see what patterns worked where before I hit the water..Some things change over the years but it pretty much helps me find productive water..

[mattman]

I have since 2004. It really helps, especially here in South Texas. the water levels are never the same from year to year and I keep track of how low the water is. So when it is 30 ft low, I can see where I caught fish last time it was low, or when it fills up over a few days of flooding, I dont have to start all over trying to locate fish.

[THUMPER31]

I dont keep a 'full journal' although that's not a bad idea. I do however keep a log of what the conditions were and what lures were successful under what conditions. :

[bugman]

I started with the log found right here at the TACKLE BOX section here is the link

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/fishinglog3.gif

Then I customized it a little for me, a huge help in my fishing 8-)

I went to the BR fishing log and tried to export it into excel but could not get it to work. Are you guys able to get into a program that you can type in your info or do you just print and fill in by hand?

[Joel W]

[brittlab]

I have kept trip logs for a few years now. I don't get as detailed as I used to but do keep track of the basics.

[HesterIsGod]

Welcome Brittlab

I'm going to go against the grain here and say no. I do not and never will for three reasons

1. I dont like to fish the past, I focus on current conditions and change tactics when conditions change.

2. I already know my strengths and I do not need an annoying little piece of paper to remind me of what they are.

3. I think keeping a journal is way too time consuming and can sometimes take some focus away from other things I should be focusing on that day or the next day, and I am young and my mind is sharp enough to remember when and how this lure/technique worked.

[burleytog]

Yes, on one of these:

http://www.waterproof-paper.com/waterproof-field-book.html

[osbornj2]

Yes, on one of these:

http://www.waterproof-paper.com/waterproof-field-book.html

Burley,  I wasn't sure that they taught you guys how to read and write down there !  Just kidding, my friend!  

I tried keeping a fishing log for a couple of seasons, but it was really more like a diary (i.e. I would just sort of "free-hand" some info that I thought was pertinent, rather than having an actual log book like the one referenced in this thread).  

After printing a copy of this log, I am committed to using it more regularly and maybe even trying to create a spreadsheet on Excel so that I could search by key features periodically.  I would love examples if someone has already converted this into Excel format (pm me and I'll send you my email address) and/or if I ever get around to creating it, I will be glad to share it

[Guest muddy]

Welcome Brittlab

I'm going to go against the grain here and say no. I do not and never will for three reasons

1. I dont like to fish the past, I focus on current conditions and change tactics when conditions change.

2. I already know my strengths and I do not need an annoying little piece of paper to remind me of what they are.

3. I think keeping a journal is way too time consuming and can sometimes take some focus away from other things I should be focusing on that day or the next day, and I am young and my mind is sharp enough to remember when and how this lure/technique worked.

It is the second most important factor to help me understand where and why the fish are where they are. The first being , what I have learned here

If you doubt it's effectiveness ask Zel what happened when we went out with his color c lector and what i was fsihing before he took readings. That was not because i am a genius it is because I logged what I do and what my results were

 BVass are creatures of habit and instinct and they will react the same way a lot ( not all) of the times under similar conditions. Without understanding the past you may be faced with a lot of fishless presents.

[burleytog]

Welcome Brittlab

I'm going to go against the grain here and say no. I do not and never will for three reasons

1. I dont like to fish the past, I focus on current conditions and change tactics when conditions change.

2. I already know my strengths and I do not need an annoying little piece of paper to remind me of what they are.

3. I think keeping a journal is way too time consuming and can sometimes take some focus away from other things I should be focusing on that day or the next day, and I am young and my mind is sharp enough to remember when and how this lure/technique worked.

Wow...just wow.  :-X