Fishing Log

["BRB"]

I just posted about fishing history. Another thing I have been wondering about is fishing logs. I was looking around this site a found the free fishing log. I printed it off thinking about starting one. I have read in the past that there a good thing to become a better fisherman. Just like to see what's people thoughts on it. If you think it help or what. Do you take time after ever fish and log it down? Or at the end of the trip or what.

[Red]

I log all my trips. Sometimes I do as soon as I get home, other times I wait till the end of the weekend or whatever. This is the first year I have kept one. I think it will be very helpful next year.

[SirSnookalot]

No logs. Fishing so often and for so long I have a pretty good idea of my target species. I use few baits, so remembering what I caught my significant fish on comes easy, the small ones do't matter to me. I understand how the seasons and tides affect my targets, I know exactly what I'm fishing for based on the marine forecast. What I did last year has no bearing on what's going on this year, conditions are never the same, the fish come and go on their own timetable. Day to day is never the same, I went out caught about 20 5-8 # fish, same place same time next day got 1.

Keeping a log for me serves no real purpose, what I don't know I can easily find on the internet before my outing.

[Goose52]

I keep detailed records. I record each fish as I land it on a pocket card. In the evening, I transfer the data into an Excel spreadsheet. It gives me interesting data to review and it takes little time to collect/compile the data.

I probably use my data more for discussions on this site than I do to improve my fishing success. When a topic comes up like "how well have you done on lipless cranks this season?" - Instead of replying "pretty good" - I can reply: "I've caught 184 fish so far this season on lipless cranks, the nicest being a 5.42lb LMB caught on April 5." That info took me less than 30 seconds to obtain from the spreadsheet...

BTW - we had a long discussion on fishing records late last year on this thread: Keeping Records post

[Crestliner2008]

Years ago when I first started bass fishing, I kept a pretty detailed log book. Even included pictures! Then, in years following, whenever I tried to replicate fishing conditions by revisiting the place, time and conditions, from the previous year; I quickly figured out that nothing in fishing can be counted on to repeat itself! Weather & water condition vary considerably, as well as the structures your fishing.

Consequently, I gave up on the logs as being non-value added. They did teach me the basics to start with. Sort of like repeating the multiplication tables over and over again in school (do they do that anymore?). But after many, many years of fishing repetition, you do things rather automatically anyway, like driving a car.

I would never discourage anyone from keeping logs however; they make for some interesting reading during the winter time.

[Crestliner2008]

BTW, for those of you interested in pursuing a log, bring a small pocket tape recorder with you. Helps tremendously with the details after you get home, have dinner, shower and settle in to record your entries.

[Revo_Carrot Stix]

I've kept a detailed fishing log over the last 4 years when I re-kindled my bass fishing addiction. It helps me build upon experience and forces me to try different techniques when I see myself using the same lures/technique. Weather patterns don't matter to me because I fish when I have time even though I record the weather information. If anything, it gives me something to look at during the winter when cabin fever sets in.

[Catt]

I have detailed logs that date back to the early 70s and while I do not use them to duplicate weather pattern or conditions I do use them to glean other valuable information about structures. There were not any Global Positioning Systems back then so if I want to fish a body of water I have not fished since the 70-80s I have a way of finding productive structure.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I keep a log, though not that detailed. Just the species/length/weight(sometimes) of fish caught, on what body water, date, and what lure I used.

[flippin and pitchin]

I keep a few records but not near as detailed as those mentioned. The most important issues were the date, water temp, the water level, the wind/weather, time started and time the trip ended. I fish a body of water and the water level is a critical piece. For some reason, I remember the lures, presentations and all that other information fairly well. That works well enough for me.

[Glenn]

The log on this site is the one my fishing buddy and I created back in 1989. I've been using it ever since.

In 1998, I thought maybe others might like to use it to. So I posted it on this site back then.

Ever since, there have been dozens of duplicates and copy-cats have been made, but none as good as the original.

If logs were worthless, then that would've never happened.

'nuff said.

[Volman482]

BTW, for those of you interested in pursuing a log, bring a small pocket tape recorder with you. Helps tremendously with the details after you get home, have dinner, shower and settle in to record your entries.

I use a recorder also. It is quicker and I also can't read my own writing!!!!

[SirSnookalot]

Many cell phones have a voice memo option

[bassfisherjk]

I have kept a fishing log for years.Mine is close to the one on our site.I do it for enjoyment,and info.Give it a try.