I like to catch big fish but I also like to catch a lot of fish. The problem seems to be that concentrating on one prevents the other. When you go fishing are you concentrating on one or the other or do you just go fishing and see what happens?

It depends. Usually when I am trying to put a pattern together I am catching more but when I go with one technique in mind I catch bigger fish.

When I go I try big jigs in deep waters because I feel that is what will give mi quality, but sometimes you just gotta go and see what happens. You might be trying to get a big one but instead your catching lots of small fish! However in my latest trips the jig has produced quality fish. If I wanted to catch many fish I would probably go with a small crankbait or square bill along the shore but personally, I like to go more for a PB!

This time of year I focus for big fish only. You won't get allot if bites this time of year so u might as well make them good

We all do the same thing you do there in Minnesota. We have our go to lakes during certain times of the year and of course everything is bigger in Texas so most of my friends are looking to get down to places like Falcon, Amistad or Ivie so there are dreams of catching a 5 fish stringer that will be one of a life time.
I enjoyed your website and you sir also have a wealth of knowledge to share along those lines. Your photo gallery proves that!
If you ever get tired of just going after those 5 bites each day or 20 to 30 smaller fish give me a shout and I will try to convience you to do something about that.

Knock out a few dinks early then search for pigs! I've noticed most of the 6+ pound fish I catch tend to happen later in the morning/afternoon anyway.

just fun fishing i usually try to get bit as much as possible, unless i'm on fork then i'm usually looking for something bigger. tourney's are different of course.

I like to fish for that one big bite, year round. I've caught too many one two and three pounders. I really like flipping and pitchen a big jig into shoreline cover, for some hand to hand combat. I use the jig for deep water also.

I like to fish for that one big bite, year round. I've caught too many one two and three pounders. I really like flipping and pitchen a big jig into shoreline cover, for some hand to hand combat. I use the jig for deep water also.

Thanks Donald for the compliment. I think you are correct about anglers being somewhat alike wherever they live. I really enjoy this forum and I will contribute as much as I can, but there are so many knowledgeable anglers here, such as yourself, that someone has usually made a similar comment before I get the chance to post mine.

I posted this question because I was curious about what other anglers are interested in or are thinking about (strategy wise) when they go fishing.

To answer my own post, I enjoy fishing for both quality fish and quantities of fish from time to time, but even when I just want to cast and wind to let off a little steam I still find myself looking to catch a larger fish. That's just how it's always been for me. I admit that it might be an illness of mine.

Thanks for all the great replies so far, they have been very interesting.