Keeping records.

[Lund Explorer]

In the old days, I used to keep fairly detailed records of my efforts, and then tried to tie in each days report into sections based on specific lakes, and by the seasons. 

Most of it was to keep track of tournament results, so I never counted dinks, just keepers and big bass.  I also didn't bother too much with many of the weather factors.  I would breakdown the records by the three seasons (none for winter), and then breakdown each season a little further.  Spring for instance was for water temps, and pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn.

Quite honestly, I could never see the use of a detailed weather record when my fishing days were dictated by weekends when I didn't have to work, and tournament directors who had the final say in what lake/river we were fishing.

I've sort of let my fishing logs fall by the wayside the last couple of years once the desire to fish tournaments left me.  Thanks to Goose though, I'm going to take up the effort again.  It should be interesting to see if I can hit a few goals once I've figured out what they should be.

[Fishing Rhino]

Though I posted the link to the log on this site, I don't keep any written records.  Too much like work.

I was a commercial lobsterman, and I have a stack of notebooks about three feet high, in which I recorded the loran bearings of every trawl I set from the 70s to 1997.

I recorded the date set, the date hauled, the number of pots in the trawl, and how many keepers I got out of each trawl.

The prime purpose for the loran C unit was two fold.  When you are fishing up to 70 ten pot trawls, and you lose both ends, it makes it much simpler to locate, and grapple it up.

The second, and equally important to locating all the gear was that I had a record of the better fishing bottom at various stages of the season.

When prospecting yielded poor results, I could avoid repeating my mistakes and setting there in the future.  Hot spots were easy to return to in future seasons.

I clearly know that keeping accurate records will, in the long run, yield better catches, regardless of the type of fishing involved.

I'm just not that detailed when it comes to recreational fishing.  It's what I like about fishing.  We each go about it in a way that gives us the most pleasure.

Some guys want a trophy even if it means getting skunked several times in the attempt.  For others, it's all about numbers.  Some fish for bass, others for trout, walley, or whatever.

[Fishing Rhino]

Though I posted the link to the log on this site, I don't keep any written records.  Too much like work.

I was a commercial lobsterman, and I have a stack of notebooks about three feet high, in which I recorded the loran bearings of every trawl I set from the 70s to 1997.

I recorded the date set, the date hauled, the number of pots in the trawl, and how many keepers I got out of each trawl.

The prime purpose for the loran C unit was two fold.  When you are fishing up to 70 ten pot trawls, and you lose both ends, it makes it much simpler to locate, and grapple it up.

The second, and equally important to locating all the gear was that I had a record of the better fishing bottom at various stages of the season.

When prospecting yielded poor results, I could avoid repeating my mistakes and setting there in the future.  Hot spots were easy to return to in future seasons.

I clearly know that keeping accurate records will, in the long run, yield better catches, regardless of the type of fishing involved.

I'm just not that detailed when it comes to recreational fishing.  It's what I like about fishing.  We each go about it in a way that gives us the most pleasure.

Some guys want a trophy even if it means getting skunked several times in the attempt.  For others, it's all about numbers.  Some fish for bass, others for trout, walley, or whatever.

[Fishing Rhino]

Though I posted the link to the log on this site, I don't keep any written records.  Too much like work.

I was a commercial lobsterman, and I have a stack of notebooks about three feet high, in which I recorded the loran bearings of every trawl I set from the 70s to 1997.

I recorded the date set, the date hauled, the number of pots in the trawl, and how many keepers I got out of each trawl.

The prime purpose for the loran C unit was two fold.  When you are fishing up to 70 ten pot trawls, and you lose both ends, it makes it much simpler to locate, and grapple it up.

The second, and equally important to locating all the gear was that I had a record of the better fishing bottom at various stages of the season.

When prospecting yielded poor results, I could avoid repeating my mistakes and setting there in the future.  Hot spots were easy to return to in future seasons.

I clearly know that keeping accurate records will, in the long run, yield better catches, regardless of the type of fishing involved.

I'm just not that detailed when it comes to recreational fishing.  It's what I like about fishing.  We each go about it in a way that gives us the most pleasure.

Some guys want a trophy even if it means getting skunked several times in the attempt.  For others, it's all about numbers.  Some fish for bass, others for trout, walley, or whatever.

[SirSnookalot]

When in business I kept meticulous records, not only of my transactions but in detail regarding the exact conversation. Not too often did I have to look back in time, most of the really important information stayed in my mind. In fishing I keep no records at all, either for fresh or saltwater, again most of what I need to know is in my mind. The majority of my fishing is done with just a few different baits, always saltwater in the morning and freshwater in the afternoon, makes recall much easier. A large or personal best fish is always easy to remember, the others don't matter to me.

[SirSnookalot]

When in business I kept meticulous records, not only of my transactions but in detail regarding the exact conversation. Not too often did I have to look back in time, most of the really important information stayed in my mind. In fishing I keep no records at all, either for fresh or saltwater, again most of what I need to know is in my mind. The majority of my fishing is done with just a few different baits, always saltwater in the morning and freshwater in the afternoon, makes recall much easier. A large or personal best fish is always easy to remember, the others don't matter to me.

[SirSnookalot]

When in business I kept meticulous records, not only of my transactions but in detail regarding the exact conversation. Not too often did I have to look back in time, most of the really important information stayed in my mind. In fishing I keep no records at all, either for fresh or saltwater, again most of what I need to know is in my mind. The majority of my fishing is done with just a few different baits, always saltwater in the morning and freshwater in the afternoon, makes recall much easier. A large or personal best fish is always easy to remember, the others don't matter to me.

[Fishing Rhino]

When in business I kept meticulous records, not only of my transactions but in detail regarding the exact conversation. Not too often did I have to look back in time, most of the really important information stayed in my mind. In fishing I keep no records at all, either for fresh or saltwater, again most of what I need to know is in my mind. The majority of my fishing is done with just a few different baits, always saltwater in the morning and freshwater in the afternoon, makes recall much easier. A large or personal best fish is always easy to remember, the others don't matter to me.

Are you sure you're not me?   ;D ;D

[Fishing Rhino]

When in business I kept meticulous records, not only of my transactions but in detail regarding the exact conversation. Not too often did I have to look back in time, most of the really important information stayed in my mind. In fishing I keep no records at all, either for fresh or saltwater, again most of what I need to know is in my mind. The majority of my fishing is done with just a few different baits, always saltwater in the morning and freshwater in the afternoon, makes recall much easier. A large or personal best fish is always easy to remember, the others don't matter to me.

Are you sure you're not me?   ;D ;D

[Fishing Rhino]

When in business I kept meticulous records, not only of my transactions but in detail regarding the exact conversation. Not too often did I have to look back in time, most of the really important information stayed in my mind. In fishing I keep no records at all, either for fresh or saltwater, again most of what I need to know is in my mind. The majority of my fishing is done with just a few different baits, always saltwater in the morning and freshwater in the afternoon, makes recall much easier. A large or personal best fish is always easy to remember, the others don't matter to me.

Are you sure you're not me?   ;D ;D

[SirSnookalot]

Are you sure you're not me? 

Old timers unite.  Gotta say in the early days of biz long before computers, Franklin planners, fax machine and cell phones, I jotted appointments on restaurant napkins.  Had scores of accounts and never missed or was late in servicing them.  My records were kept in a looseleaf binder, which I much preferred before using computers, looseleaf binders don't crash.

[SirSnookalot]

Are you sure you're not me? 

Old timers unite.  Gotta say in the early days of biz long before computers, Franklin planners, fax machine and cell phones, I jotted appointments on restaurant napkins.  Had scores of accounts and never missed or was late in servicing them.  My records were kept in a looseleaf binder, which I much preferred before using computers, looseleaf binders don't crash.

[SirSnookalot]

Are you sure you're not me? 

Old timers unite.  Gotta say in the early days of biz long before computers, Franklin planners, fax machine and cell phones, I jotted appointments on restaurant napkins.  Had scores of accounts and never missed or was late in servicing them.  My records were kept in a looseleaf binder, which I much preferred before using computers, looseleaf binders don't crash.

[senile1]

I'm sure that keeping extremely detailed records in some cases is useful.  I think that more often than not though, the time it takes to do the record keeping does not balance with the benefits.  Recording every little specific detail for 10 - 15 inch fish doesn't seem to me to be an efficient use of time.  Obviously, knowing what pattern resulted in catching fish under specific environmental conditions is important.  At the end of the day, knowing what patterns worked under which conditions would seem to be the main benefit.  In my opinion, everything else is extra data to comb through with much of it being useless. 

[senile1]

I'm sure that keeping extremely detailed records in some cases is useful.  I think that more often than not though, the time it takes to do the record keeping does not balance with the benefits.  Recording every little specific detail for 10 - 15 inch fish doesn't seem to me to be an efficient use of time.  Obviously, knowing what pattern resulted in catching fish under specific environmental conditions is important.  At the end of the day, knowing what patterns worked under which conditions would seem to be the main benefit.  In my opinion, everything else is extra data to comb through with much of it being useless. 

[senile1]

I'm sure that keeping extremely detailed records in some cases is useful.  I think that more often than not though, the time it takes to do the record keeping does not balance with the benefits.  Recording every little specific detail for 10 - 15 inch fish doesn't seem to me to be an efficient use of time.  Obviously, knowing what pattern resulted in catching fish under specific environmental conditions is important.  At the end of the day, knowing what patterns worked under which conditions would seem to be the main benefit.  In my opinion, everything else is extra data to comb through with much of it being useless. 

[Goose52]

I have always kept good records, both in business, and in personal endeavors. Computers have made it easier in the 30 years that I've been using them. My primary hobby for most of my life was shooting and I have logs for rounds fired in each firearm, as well as annual records for total rounds fired each year. These records allowed me to set goals, as well as to set up maintenance schedules for the various guns. For fishing, I'm not entirely sure what the records are for. I too sorta know what my successful baits are, and where my "hot spots" are in the 11 lakes that I fish.

The fishing records only take a few minutes a day to compile (on the water and then at home on the computer) so they are not a burden to keep.  One thing for sure, these records, and some dated/labeled file photos, give me something to play with and to remember the good catches when all my water is hard...like right now.... ;D

[Goose52]

I have always kept good records, both in business, and in personal endeavors. Computers have made it easier in the 30 years that I've been using them. My primary hobby for most of my life was shooting and I have logs for rounds fired in each firearm, as well as annual records for total rounds fired each year. These records allowed me to set goals, as well as to set up maintenance schedules for the various guns. For fishing, I'm not entirely sure what the records are for. I too sorta know what my successful baits are, and where my "hot spots" are in the 11 lakes that I fish.

The fishing records only take a few minutes a day to compile (on the water and then at home on the computer) so they are not a burden to keep.  One thing for sure, these records, and some dated/labeled file photos, give me something to play with and to remember the good catches when all my water is hard...like right now.... ;D

[Goose52]

I have always kept good records, both in business, and in personal endeavors. Computers have made it easier in the 30 years that I've been using them. My primary hobby for most of my life was shooting and I have logs for rounds fired in each firearm, as well as annual records for total rounds fired each year. These records allowed me to set goals, as well as to set up maintenance schedules for the various guns. For fishing, I'm not entirely sure what the records are for. I too sorta know what my successful baits are, and where my "hot spots" are in the 11 lakes that I fish.

The fishing records only take a few minutes a day to compile (on the water and then at home on the computer) so they are not a burden to keep.  One thing for sure, these records, and some dated/labeled file photos, give me something to play with and to remember the good catches when all my water is hard...like right now.... ;D

[BassThumb]

I think you'll learn more by spending an extra 20 minutes on the water, rather than entering all the data when you get home from your trip. Spend that 20 minutes fishing a technique or lure that you're unfamiliar with, like for me for example, flick-shake worms, open-water frogging, or Great Lakes-style snap-jigging of heavy tube jigs, that would be even better yet.

I've found that focusing on the patterns of yesteryear is often a counterproductive and misleading waste of time.

[BassThumb]

I think you'll learn more by spending an extra 20 minutes on the water, rather than entering all the data when you get home from your trip. Spend that 20 minutes fishing a technique or lure that you're unfamiliar with, like for me for example, flick-shake worms, open-water frogging, or Great Lakes-style snap-jigging of heavy tube jigs, that would be even better yet.

I've found that focusing on the patterns of yesteryear is often a counterproductive and misleading waste of time.

[BassThumb]

I think you'll learn more by spending an extra 20 minutes on the water, rather than entering all the data when you get home from your trip. Spend that 20 minutes fishing a technique or lure that you're unfamiliar with, like for me for example, flick-shake worms, open-water frogging, or Great Lakes-style snap-jigging of heavy tube jigs, that would be even better yet.

I've found that focusing on the patterns of yesteryear is often a counterproductive and misleading waste of time.

[piscicidal]

I keep a yearly journal, each year starting out with a new composition pad. Each trip I record by jotting out a crude map and recording spots I fished, the time at each spot, what lure used, water temp. Also, for each trip record barometer, basic weather (sunny/cloudy/etc) and wind direction.

I usually record the data that evening. I find this exercise helpful...to go through a play-by-play account of your day.  Make notes about things that worked well/things you maybe should have tried but didn't/etc. I used to do this when I was trying to become a scratch golfer. Go through a stroke-by-stroke account of each round...helps you identify areas of your game which need work.

I think it has been very beneficial to me. For example, if I'm fishing Loxahatchee and I've got 65 degree water with a west wind I can go through the logs, find similiar conditions and make a note of areas where I caught big fish. That will give me a starting point to help set up a game-plan for my upcoming trip.

[piscicidal]

I keep a yearly journal, each year starting out with a new composition pad. Each trip I record by jotting out a crude map and recording spots I fished, the time at each spot, what lure used, water temp. Also, for each trip record barometer, basic weather (sunny/cloudy/etc) and wind direction.

I usually record the data that evening. I find this exercise helpful...to go through a play-by-play account of your day.  Make notes about things that worked well/things you maybe should have tried but didn't/etc. I used to do this when I was trying to become a scratch golfer. Go through a stroke-by-stroke account of each round...helps you identify areas of your game which need work.

I think it has been very beneficial to me. For example, if I'm fishing Loxahatchee and I've got 65 degree water with a west wind I can go through the logs, find similiar conditions and make a note of areas where I caught big fish. That will give me a starting point to help set up a game-plan for my upcoming trip.

[piscicidal]

I keep a yearly journal, each year starting out with a new composition pad. Each trip I record by jotting out a crude map and recording spots I fished, the time at each spot, what lure used, water temp. Also, for each trip record barometer, basic weather (sunny/cloudy/etc) and wind direction.

I usually record the data that evening. I find this exercise helpful...to go through a play-by-play account of your day.  Make notes about things that worked well/things you maybe should have tried but didn't/etc. I used to do this when I was trying to become a scratch golfer. Go through a stroke-by-stroke account of each round...helps you identify areas of your game which need work.

I think it has been very beneficial to me. For example, if I'm fishing Loxahatchee and I've got 65 degree water with a west wind I can go through the logs, find similiar conditions and make a note of areas where I caught big fish. That will give me a starting point to help set up a game-plan for my upcoming trip.