What is A Successful Fishing Outing?

[Johnny wilkins]

An interesting question was posed by one of the many great BBG visitors-

How do you measure success in YOUR fishing?

How many fish? What type of day, outing? (( be realistic )) don't post outrageous numbers here no need.  We are not the braggey type and this isn't the point of this.

This post is all about reality, good and bad.  This is such a difficult question - think of your fishing outings last year and help us all out - answer realistically - I would love to see what success is group-wide - not interested in inflated numbers. To help you out - you can give two different types of success or even find success in adversity - tougher fishing...

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

@LOFR... THERES THE TRUE MEASURE: getting you and all your gear back home in one piece. Thats a real expert. LOL :)

[Vic Tankersley]

Man, all of you guys have some great answers and lots of wisdom posted. I have to agree with most of you who measures success in fishing by what fishing means to the fisherman instead of how big or how many. Mostley the time spent in Gods world with your mind free of the every day worries of this cluttered up society we live in, and trying to scatch out a living for our families. Teaching someone who has never fished, a new way of life and how he can enjoy life and feed his family on his ability to learn and use those things he has injested from you to bring home some great table fair. That my friends is real fishing success........Big Trophy Bluegills can't hurt either...LOL

 

[Troy Dorman]

I'll take the bait because I certainly do find myself measuring a particular trip by the numbers we catch. I do have two different scenarios that I measure though, one is when I'm fishing alone and the other is when my wife and three year old son are involved.

 

When fishing alone, I put a lot of pressure on myself and while I can certainly appreciate the beauty of the outdoors, I find myself wanting to catch at least 15-20 to take home for a good mess. Aferall, when spending 30-50 dollars between gas and bait, there's certainly a real performance factor that needs to be met IMO. I'm always fishing for redear too, much harder than bluegill fishing IMO. Rarely do I suspend a bobber in the depths of the water column, I fish on bottom.

 

When fishing with the wife and son, I just try and enjoy their company and teach each of them all of my knowledge. The pressure is still on somewhat but not nearly as much as if I were fishing alone. There's only so much fishing one can do in a small jon boat when a three year old boy is jumping around in his lifevest. On these days, it's truly a family outing and I'm not as concerned about the numbers game.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

I posted some answers to this question yesterday and wanted to add something.

The more I fish with kids now the better I like it. Most of the time with my grandkids they do not care how big the fish are , only that they are biting. When I take some pics of them IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE FISH , BUT THE SIZE OF THEIR SMILES!
   TOOTY

[dick tabbert]

Your so right David It really don't matter to the kids how big the fish are just how many the more they catch in the shortest time it keeps there minds active and they have fun. Kid are great.

[Johnny wilkins]

You know you are ALL successful because you like fishing for the greatest species of fish on the planet - the bluegill!

When fishing with kids there is a different measure of success for certain as getting fish on others' lines is a great challenge but it won't help you catch - this is for sure. If you are catching fish with kids then you either aren't doing it right or you have genius angler kids who never need help. Pass them on to me because I can get them in the Junior World Championships...

I too measure success with a group of 13 kids having every single kid catch 1 fish first - after this I move on to trying to get the group to 10 fish. Try this some time for a massive challenge.

SO there is the kid measure of success- what about adults. If you were fishing alone what would be successful for you? These answers are really good by the way!

[Mark Stine]

I agree with most it's not the size or number of fish caught its experiencing the outdoors.  I do kinda have a little issue with getting skunked.  Love it if I catch a fish, Friday I caught a 4 lb bowfin, a white perch and a catfish and  went home happy,  everything in one piece, no lost tackle etc.  I am just happy I've been blessed with good health and I can have the boat in the water in about 30 minutes after I get the notion I want to fish. 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

That is a blessing, Mark. When My wife and I decided to relocate, my one 'condition' on the deal was to live near a large lake. Right now, it is a significant haul to reach a body of water with any size to it. My goal, too, is 30 minutes or less. :-)

Like you I also dont like being skunked. It happens, and I remain philosophical about it, but I admit that I prefer the catching part, to the mere fishing part. Bowfin, cat and white perch, all in the same outing? I'd call that a huge success.

[Johnny wilkins]

Neither Size, Nor Number, Nor Species, but some action. I think some action at the end of the line, some good scenery, some nature even for us city folk - there are places I know that the fishing is going to be tougher but the scenery is amazing. I might have to work harder there and know sometimes the fish just won't be cooperative so a few fish and great surroundings works.

I think no fish is tough on people but very few fish and no fish is a too-common occurrence. 

I don't think some anglers are realistic. I think the industry has driven us away from good success and realistic expectations. I went through the (Big Aggressive Species) Pro Shops catalog. It was very thick. It had a lot of pictures of people with patches all over their shirt.

I was very disappointed with the tackle offered for bluegill anglers - and REAL fisherman (( US )).

I think you can improve your success by chucking that in the recycle bin. It's SO bad for catching fish - I would UNSUBSCRIBE. Next-to-worthless. I will write a blog post about it. I am also going to have a contest connected with it.

One of the tasks you can accomplish to improve your success- don't get so excited when you see the "big box catalogs" - especially when they tout one species...

[Tony Livingston]

What about those of us who wish to use artificial lures to catch our Bluegill? May we continue to subscribe?

[Johnny wilkins]

eh... you may, but even for artificial bluegill anglers - their offerings are pretty sad. Their lines are built to fish larger artificial baits, their jigs for larger species and only large fish. If this doesn't inhibit you or make you stoked to seek someone who does care about more than just one species- the go for it. I jus think to them , we are low class, not worth the effort and not even an afterthought.

[Johnny wilkins]

Are you talking exclusively artificial??