What do you expect when you go fishing?

In my opinion an average fisherman should expect a good days fishing to be one that ends with 10-25 fish in the well and something new learned by the anglers. Same for a good day with a guide except maybe a bit more learning.

To many average anglers read about the results when two really good anglers have an exceptional day, catching hundreds of fish, and expect that to happen to them before they feel that they had a "good day".

Don't compare yourself to someone who's a guide or very experienced angler. Remember that these guys fish almost every day and are just more experienced and tunedin with the bite. Form your own idea of a good average day and try for that and eventually you will get better.

Just being in the right place at the right time is not the whole game, being able to make them hit and being able to adjust to their weird moods is critical.

Be realistic and have a "good day".

I agree with Earnest. I have been fishing Texas waters for over 30 years and have had plenty of skunk days as well as gang busters. Mostly, I catch 10-15 keepers and it always feels good to go fishing either way. People do tend to get a little "fever" when reading the posts and want to slay them on every their fist attempt. (even I get excited when I see a picture of some one's limit). I have never fished with a guide and I have a question: How do the guides set expectations for their trips? I would think that they try to set expectations a little low and if things work out, it's that much better.

That somes it up in a nut shell, right place right time! Hard part about is time! Good post! Brad

My hope is to get enough to eat, usually at least 10-12, but my main goal when I go out is to develop some sort of pattern.

A good day is when I feel like I've figured something out.

Great question but I think it's the exact opposite. I think a lot of our well known guides here on the TFF have a high expectation for themselves. Look at Cliff's post earlier today and his frustration. This is the reason I respect Good People guides so much. They wear it on their sleeves and work hard.

a good day for me, is finding fish on a pattern. if I can duplicate the pattern in other areas of the lake- then my chess game is complete for the day- and time to reap the rewards by catching some fish counts dont really matter to me anymore as I know some days will excel the majority of the other days. a few thumps, and I am happy sho nuff beats the heck out of work, anyday!

wow... by those standards I haven't had a good day yet...
(but I have only been fishing a year)

Now I know where I've been wrong.... I expect way too much...
Good point Ernest!

Up until recently, I was frustrated more often then not. Growing up fishing the same lake every day, I got spoiled. With the military moving me all over the country, I have found fishing alot tougher. I watched Ernest's video and took a guide trip with Chuck on CC and I feel 10 times more confident. Even if I don't catch much on days, I learn something new. But wouldn't ya know it, right when I get handle on a lake, Uncle Sam tells me I'm moving to Mississippi..........

To me, just getting the chance to get away and go fishing, makes my day. I believe I'm a proficient fisherman, so I expect to catch fish on every outing. I'm hardly ever disappointed.

To me fishing the spring time is the hardest, because the days I get to get out aren't always the best days for fishing. Cold fronts and storms are a big part of why I say that. The weather usually seems better during the week and the weekends aren't so good.

I can only speak for myself, but,, I have a good time everytime I get out. If I catch something or learn something, that just makes it that much better.

Guide trips are all different. To some people, they judge the success of a trip strictly on the fish count. Others on what they've learned. And still others on how much they enjoyed the overall trip; all things considered. I personally think a trip is successful if my customers go home happy. Right now I'm averaging about 5 trips a week and there's not a one of them that I don't give it 100% in finding and catching crappie. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. Guides have bad days just like everyone else. But Ernest is right....don't judge yourself on your ability to 'keep up' with the guide on the catching part.

Any time I'm on the water, and it aint raining, is a good day.

And some days when its rainin, its still a good day.

If I catch fish, its a great day. If I catch so many that I have to fillet them and eat them, its a really great day.

If I learned something about catching fish better than I used to, then its a stellar day.

shane

I went to Conroe alone yesterday. Caught about 20 with about 5 keeper crappie. Released them all. Then I decided to try and learn a few things about my 797 side scan. Was cruising looking for activity when I found the edge of a creek with lots of bait and fish activity along with structure. Saw tons of bait fish on screen and decided to throw the cast net. Snagged on something..possibly brush pile. Got it loose and low and behold ..a 8" crappie in the net..in 30' of water. Trolled around and caught another. Think if I had minnows could have possibly caught more. All in all....a great day for me.

Me to, even if I only take home 5-10 fish, as long as I learn something about them, bc next time you have a new pattern to throw at them.

These days a good day is getting to at least SEE the lake. Not much time to fish.