Fishing Logs

[AndyS]

I got 5 log books going:

1.) Back bay, crabbing, clamming
2.) Offshore
3.) Inshore
4.) Freshwater
5.) Surf

All hand written dating back as far as 1992

You learn what NOT to do again, PRICELESS !!!

[SplitShot]

The most important thing about logbooks.... is you HAVE TO USE THEM!! When I did a handwritten one, I had to go back and decipher all the trips I recorded when I was looking for info on certain spots, conditions, etc.

What sold me on FishersLog, once the data was in there, I could analyze everything I was looking for in seconds with the click of the mouse...

For example, if I wanted to know how many bass I caught between certain dates, with a NW wind, at a certain location, etc, with a few mouse clicks, up pops a color bar chart with the answers. Since I don't know Excel good enough to build a program to do this, it was certainly worth the $20 to get FishersLog. I've certainly spent a lot more then $20 on crap I really didn't need, but this time it was worth it.

But no matter how you keep a log, the key is referring to it to help your catching!!

[bassnblues]

When I had a boat, I would mark my gps waypoints with a code. For example "06-06-r-F" would mean June 6, rising tide, fluke.

Just another way to keep track...

Bassnblues,

Codes are great especially if you do an alpha sort on way points and your way point codes have an alpha character in them to identify species. For instance for fluke you could have fluke way points which all start with F FRC1 (fluke red church 1), FRC2, FSROC (Fluke shrewsbury rocks outer can), FAC65 (Fluke Axel Carlson 65 feet) etc etc. Easier to set up routes as well when you incorporate a naming convention into your way points. Sounds like FishersLog incorporates some of this functionality, as can an excel spreadsheet if your familiar with excel. The biggest mistake most of us make and in the long run the most important thing anyone can do to have continued success on the water is pay attention to details and if you have a boat learn and use your electronics. Every trip good or bad was good or bad for a reason. Taking the time to really learn the functionality of your electronics and keeping a log will significantly increase your knowledge of the water over the years and track the impact conditions have on the fish your targeting. You'll be amazed the patterns you see develop when you start logging and analyzing trip information. Most fish are creatures of habit and their patterns and behaviors are the same year in year out. Just have to understand how they'll behave relative to changing conditions regarding water temperature, barometric pressure, sky condition (clear / overcast), tide (if salt water), moon phase (since it influences tide and some fish migrate / feed more at night), water clarity, wind, bait, etc. etc. When you find a pattern and it all comes together, it will almost certainly make your future fishing trips more productive. And if not, like I mentioned earlier, noting conditions when you have bad trips is as important as noting conditions when you have killer trips. Both will tell you something about your target species behavior and or your presentation.

[SplitShot]

Very well said Dakota

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by bassnblues

When I had a boat, I would mark my gps waypoints with a code. For example "06-06-r-F" would mean June 6, rising tide, fluke.

Just another way to keep track...

Originally Posted by dakota560

Bassnblues,

Codes are great especially if you do an alpha sort on way points and your way point codes have an alpha character in them to identify species. For instance for fluke you could have fluke way points which all start with F FRC1 (fluke red church 1), RFC2, FSROC (Fluke shrewsbury rocks outer can), FAC65 (Fluke Axel Carlson 65 feet) etc etc. Easier to set up routes as well when you incorporate a naming convention into your way points. Sounds like FishersLog incorporates some of this functionality, as can an excel spreadsheet if your familiar with excel. The biggest mistake most of us make and in the long run the most important thing anyone can do to have continued success on the water is pay attention to details and if you have a boat learn and use your electronics. Every trip good or bad was good or bad for a reason. Taking the time to really learn the functionality of your electronics and keeping a log will significantly increase your knowledge of the water over the years and track the impact conditions have on the fish your targeting. You'll be amazed the patterns you see develop when you start logging and analyzing trip information. Most fish are creatures of habit and their patterns and behaviors are the same year in year out. Just have to understand how they'll behave relative to changing conditions regarding water temperature, barometric pressure, sky condition (clear / overcast), tide (if salt water), moon phase (since it influences tide and some fish migrate / feed more at night), water clarity, wind, bait, etc. etc. When you find a pattern and it all comes together, it will almost certainly make your future fishing trips more productive. And if not, like I mentioned earlier, noting conditions when you have bad trips is as important as noting conditions when you have killer trips. Both will tell you something about your target species behavior and or your presentation.

FANTASTIC ideas, thanks for sharing. definitely more useful than the marks names i've been using.

[Capt. Lou]

Yes definitely , lakes , ocean , streams ! Over time patterns develop especially in freshwater that become good info!
Oceanside the patterns r more difficult to ascertain due to so many factors that govern species .
When alls said N done the most important factor for any fishery boils down to water temps , all others obliviously play a part but this is my go to point !
My original patterns for lake fisheries R still accurate from 40 years ago !
Offshore Canyon don't go anymore but I'll bet my temps prove valid if taking from modern day satellite program !
Bear in mind temps useless if ur in bad location , case in point I stream fish several days a week in winter , if ur not in proper holding water then temps will not buy u a fish , so no matter location & temp even in stocked streams once trout develo holdover patterns must be located & it's surprising some days what u'll catch even under trying conditions !