Tips & Tricks - Keeping a Fishing Log

Post date: Jun 2, 2017 2:19:15 PM

Do you keep a fishing log? For those that do, you know the treasures found in your black book. If not, you're missing out on historical data that will make you a better pattern fisherman year-over-year. You'll notice trends in baits, weather and season patterns emerge, and will help you find fish quicker the next time you head out.

For those that don't currently keep a log, I have attached a copy of a fishing log I keep with a basic example entry. I hope this helps each of you become a better angler on and off the water.

Here are some basic tips to get you started:

• Find a system and data that works for you and stay consistent.

• One thing I do is try to save a voice memo on my iPhone on my way home with the details so I don’t forget anything. I can’t tell you how many times it’s taken me a week or two to go in and update my log with my outing(s) and had to rely on the voice memo to recall data.

• Go to websites that have historical weather data for Detroit to pull the weather for that day if you didn’t note/remember it.

• Be as detailed as you want.

  • Baits, weights, keys to that day’s presentations, etc.

  • In the waypoint fields I log the names and in some cases the actual waypoint coordinates and details around how it set up. Example, if you setup a drift (from which direction, is there a spot on the spot, casting angle, which dock on a string of docks was best, etc.)

  • Did the wind shift, if so, what did it do

• Some of the most critical data I keep is the water temperature, water clarity, and weather trends before that day. I input general weather patterns in my additional notes.

  • Example: Full moon, new moon, 5 day warming trends, 2 days of storms/heavy rain, heavy winds for last 3 days, cold front pushed through 2 days ago.

  • These items are often more important to what is happening on the lake that day than the current weather.

The more you log, the more historical data you compile. The more historical data you compile the more you’ll see patterns emerge. There is a wise saying, "Don't work harder, work smarter," and it couldn't be more true when it comes to your time on and off the water.

Tight lines!