How Many? 2024
Quarry Man reply :
I just caught my 85 Largemouth bass of the year. How many have you guys caught so far? I live in PA, I don't ice fish, I am 16, is this a good number? I want to hit 300.
AdamV _bassin reply :
hey that is great I have honestly never counted, but I have caught many this year and 4 over five pounds so far.
keep fishing and tight lines
scaleface reply :
zero . I havent been yet . Just too many sick people in my family all at once . I'm a month behind in work .
ICFishing reply :
Largemouth - 16
Smallmouth - 144
flyingmonkie reply :
On 5/1/2017 at 10:03 AM, scaleface said:zero . I havent been yet . Just too many sick people in my family all at once . I'm a month behind in work .
Oooof. Sorry scaleface. Hope everyone gets well, and you can get caught up on your fishing and THEN your work. 
OCdockskipper reply :
Numbers caught really is relative, depending on how much you fish, your experience and where you fish. Don't be intimidated by large numbers that others may post, their circumstances may be different than yours. If you like the goal you set, that's cool.
That said, my 2017 totals as of today are 349 in California, 52 in Georgia & 11 in Texas, for a total of 412. My California numbers are down about 30% from the past few years, my home lake has been a bit off since a weed abatement program was done late last year.
Quarry Man reply :
On 5/1/2017 at 1:29 PM, OCdockskipper said:Numbers caught really is relative, depending on how much you fish, your experience and where you fish. Don't be intimidated by large numbers that others may post, their circumstances may be different than yours. If you like the goal you set, that's cool.
That said, my 2017 totals as of today are 349 in California, 52 in Georgia & 11 in Texas, for a total of 412. My California numbers are down about 30% from the past few years, my home lake has been a bit off since a weed abatement program was done late last year.
Wow, do you fish everyday?
Wayne P. reply :
So far this year 717 largemouth---all in Virginia. It's been warmer than normal.
I don't have a goal, I just go fishing.
Bankbeater reply :
So far this year I am at 1 green sunfish, 2 crappie, and 39 bass. Now that we are in May I am expecting the bite to start picking up.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/1/2017 at 10:01 PM, Quarry Man said:
Wow, do you fish everyday?
No, once a week or so on a lake that is closed to the public. It is completely surrounded by about 300 homes whose residents all have access to it, but less than a handful of those homes have anyone there who fishes for bass.
For 2017 I am averaging about 20 bass per trip. That is down from over 26 bass per trip in 2015 & 2016.
Those numbers reflect the fishery more than my prowess... 
Steveo-1969 reply :
So far in 2017 I have caught exactly ZERO bass...
georgeyew reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 2:50 AM, Steveo-1969 said:So far in 2017 I have caught exactly ZERO bass...
No where to go but up!!
Hog Basser reply :
I don't keep a firm count, but I would estimate about 30-40 so far this year. Sadly, that was mostly on warm days during duck season in January. I've only been once since then. Just moved into a new house down by the river and hoping I can start slipping out more and doing a little bank fishing out the back door, have to finish moving in first, which is why I've been too busy to fish.
lonnie g reply :
that's as great start! cool goal , bet you will make it.
RoLo reply :
I don't mean to come off sounding like the grim reaper,
but 'quantity' (number) and 'quality' (size) are diametrically opposed.
When a fisherman tells me about his 40-bass day, he doesn't have to bother
telling me about their average size, because whether he knows it or not, he already did 
Not surprisingly, I do not count fish, but I do weigh a few.
Roger
Dwight Hottle reply :
The only ones I count are the big ones which makes it easier on my aging mind.
RoLo reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 5:36 AM, Dwight Hottle said:The only ones I count are the big ones which makes it easier on my aging mind.
Dwight, maybe that's why you & I no longer count heads.
Maybe our aging minds simply can't maintain the running tally.
Then again, I have no real excuse, because most days I can rely on my 10 fingers,
and there are only a few days when I need to call upon my toes
Roger
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 5:23 AM, RoLo said:...'NUMBER' (quantity) and 'SIZE' (quality) are diametrically opposed...
When a fisherman tells me about his 40-bass day, he doesn't have to bother
telling me about their average size, because whether he knows it or not, he already has...
No offense Roger, but I am going to disagree with you. Those stereotypes you list are often repeated by the guy who gets skunked every other trip, but rationalizes it by saying "I'm targeting the biggest fish in the lake". Odds are that guy could throw a Ned rig all day and still end up with an empty live well.
While it is true that specific techniques or specific places will tend to produce higher numbers or larger sizes of fish, they are not mutually exclusive. On the Elite & MLF tours, how often have you seen KVD have days where he catch's large numbers of fish as well as the biggest five (or has the biggest average)?
Personally, last July I had my highest number day for the year (60 keepers). That number included a 8.0 (second largest of the year for me) and a 5.5, which were both caught on what some folks describe as "numbers only" baits (Zman TRD & a GYB 4" Senko, respectively).
I fully understand when someone like WRB talks about the methods he used to catch some of the historically large bass in his resume, that is indeed trading numbers for size. However, those were fish of a lifetime, fish that no longer exist in the lakes that Tom visits. I would say that history is more of an exception, a specialty, that most fisherman wouldn't do even if presented the opportunity.
Quarry Man reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 8:10 AM, OCdockskipper said:
No offense Roger, but I am going to disagree with you. Those stereotypes you list are often repeated by the guy who gets skunked every other trip, but rationalizes it by saying "I'm targeting the biggest fish in the lake". Odds are that guy could throw a Ned rig all day and still end up with an empty live well.
While it is true that specific techniques or specific places will tend to produce higher numbers or larger sizes of fish, they are not mutually exclusive. On the Elite & MLF tours, how often have you seen KVD have days where he catch's large numbers of fish as well as the biggest five (or has the biggest average)?
Personally, last July I had my highest number day for the year (60 keepers). That number included a 8.0 (second largest of the year for me) and a 5.5, which were both caught on what some folks describe as "numbers only" baits (Zman TRD & a GYB 4" Senko, respectively).
I fully understand when someone like WRB talks about the methods he used to catch some of the historically large bass in his resume, that is indeed trading numbers for size. However, those were fish of a lifetime, fish that no longer exist in the lakes that Tom visits. I would say that history is more of an exception, a specialty, that most fisherman wouldn't do even if presented the opportunity.
Id rather catch 1 and 2 pounders all day than one big fish. I like to stay busy.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 8:14 AM, Quarry Man said:
Id rather catch 1 and 2 pounders all day than one big fish. I like to stay busy.
The great news is you don't have to make that trade. Large fish are indeed different than smaller fish, but they do exist in the same lake and bite lures that you have on your deck.
Dereck W reply :
Nice numbers guys. Gonna have to agree with OC. As long as you're throwing a bait you never know. Take this past Saturday, fishing home lake here in Virginia. Caught smallmouth, largemouth, spotted bass, a flathead and a crappie all while throwing known bass baits. If it swims it eats.
RoLo reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 8:10 AM, OCdockskipper said:No offense Roger, but I am going to disagree with you. Those stereotypes you list are often repeated by the guy who gets skunked every other trip, but rationalizes it by saying "I'm targeting the biggest fish in the lake". Odds are that guy could throw a Ned rig all day and still end up with an empty live well. While it is true that specific techniques or specific places will tend to produce higher numbers or larger sizes of fish, they are not mutually exclusive. On the Elite & MLF tours, how often have you seen KVD have days where he catch's large numbers of fish as well as the biggest five (or has the biggest average)? Personally, last July I had my highest number day for the year (60 keepers). That number included a 8.0 (second largest of the year for me) and a 5.5, which were both caught on what some folks describe as "numbers only" baits (Zman TRD & a GYB 4" Senko, respectively). I fully understand when someone like WRB talks about the methods he used to catch some of the historically large bass in his resume, that is indeed trading numbers for size. However, those were fish of a lifetime, fish that no longer exist in the lakes that Tom visits. I would say that history is more of an exception, a specialty, that most fisherman wouldn't do even if presented the opportunity.
I'm never offended by disagreement, and provided the rebuttal has merit, that's what a healthy forum is all about.
When you say: "Those stereotypes you list"; I'm not sure what stereotypes you're alluding to.
If you're referring to Quantity versus Quality, that's a fishing fact that's been affirmed & reaffirmed repeatedly,
before you and I were born. If you're hunting for a trophy fish of any species, it's important to select a waterbody
that 'does not' have high population density. There's no shortage of reports of forty fish per day,
but you'll never see a report of forty 6-lb+ bass per day. Do a limnological study of world-class waters for different species of fish, and it soon becomes obvious that world-class waters
are typified by low population density of that species. I'm not aware of a single exception (i.e. Quantity vs Quality).
If you're referring to 'counting fish', well, that's a lame endeavor that I stopped doing about 40 yrs ago.
After you've boated over 100 Boston mackerel in one day, over 100 red hake, over 50 summer flounder (fluke)
or over 50 bluefish, you begin to realize what an empty, meaningless endeavor counting fish really is.
It's nothing to catch 100 snapper blues, but a day with 15 slammer blues (blues over 10lbs) is a red letter day.
After I land a legal limit of bass, I lose tract of number, and someone else will have to count my fish, it won't be me.
High numbers of fish in one day is an indication of high population density, favorable fishing conditions or both.
If it was a measure of angling prowess, why can't you do it "every time"?
Do I target big fish and get annoyed at snagging small fish? Yup, guilty as charged.
Although I've caught more than my fair share of double-digit bass, I'm always working hard
to land one more, and I have no interest in the numbers game. Go big, or go home
Roger
Bluebasser86 reply :
No idea how many I've caught total this year. I've had 2 100+ fish days so far though.
I'd trade a big numbers day for a few big ones any day though. My best most recent day I don't know if I even caught 20, but my biggest 5 went over 20 pounds so it was a really good day for me.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I do agree with both OC and Rolo, the quality is the best but let me have fun with quantity first.
meaning, I normally don't just target big fish, but once in a blue moon I would take my big swimbait out. If I can constantly catch 10-15 fish every trip I would not mind getting skunk once in a while for one of those giant bass. BTW I don't even bother to take pic for fish less than 2 lbs unless it caught on special occasion.
To answer the question here, I did not count my catch but most of the time I caught just one or two per trip, I fish roughly 3-4 times a week 2-3 hours each trip. I'd say 40 fish so far for 2017.
NYWayfarer reply :
I have decided to keep a fishing log this year. My goal is to go fishing at least once a week.
So far I have had 11 outings. On 4 of those trips I got skunked.
I have a total of 27 fish caught so far.
I have caught a total of 5 different species.
Biggest fish caught was a 2lb Largemouth Bass.
I expect the numbers and quality to go up once I get my canoe registered and on the water.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 9:21 AM, RoLo said:... Quantity versus Quality... If you're hunting for a trophy fish of any species, it's important to select a waterbody
that 'does not' have high population density... it soon becomes obvious that world-class waters
are typified by low population density of that species. I'm not aware of a single exception (i.e. Quantity vs Quality).
If you're referring to 'counting fish', well, that's a lame endeavor ... a day with 15 slammer blues (blues over 10lbs) is a red letter day.
While I have never been there myself, maybe some of the members who make the trips down to the Mexican resort lakes can chime in. Their reports from those lakes seem to have both numbers (80 fish days) as well as size (plenty in the 6-12 lb range). I believe these are world class waters not because they have a low population density, but because they have low fishing pressure combined with the right environment to grow larger than average bass.
Your comment regarding counting fish being lame is interesting when you later give the definition of a "red letter day" being a certain number of a certain sized fish. In that scenario, you too are counting fish, but only those within your parameters. To summarily dismiss what interests others as lame and try to classify your preference as worthwhile is wholly subjective. If someone felt spending 5 days on the water for 1 bite from a double digit bass was lame, they would be wrong. Not because that kind of trophy hunting is somehow more worthwhile, but because for most of us, bass fishing is recreation, something we do to relax & enjoy ourselves. Who am I or you to declare that an activity that accomplishes that for someone else is lame just because we don't like it?
I count the number of keepers I catch because I enjoy recording such information and looking back at it over the years, both for recollection and for comparison purposes. I enjoy every fish I catch, no matter the size - each one is different and I never get tired of checking them out. I will use the techniques and methods designed specifically for larger fish, but I won't do it at the exclusion of catching as many keepers as I can figure out how to. I don't begrudge what interests you, I won't call it lame, it is your deal & I am glad you enjoy that.
As an aside, my older brother is similar to you in regards to fishing. He has very little interest in fresh water fishing, he instead loves to go after Marlin, Sailfish & big tuna. He spends a lot of money to pursue this passion, but enjoys every bit of the process. Different strokes for different folks.
IndianaFinesse reply :
In an attempt to get this thread back on track... So far this year I have caught 546 bass and counting.
I use a clicker type counter to count fish on. I hang it from my pliers, which are always in my pocket, so all it takes is a push of the button to add a fish to my total.
gimruis reply :
Season isn't open yet here so the bass count is still zero. Got into some panfish a couple times though.
Quarry Man reply :
caught 40 today, all around 2lbs, makes it 125 for the year
N Florida Mike reply :
I've caught 90-100 this year. This is my quantity vrs quality input.Somedays I feel like fishing for big fish.Somedays I like fishing for numbers.Usually it's somewhere in between,with a lean toward numbers.If I catch enough fish,theres usually a few big fish mixed in.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/3/2017 at 9:24 AM, IndianaFinesse said:I use a clicker type counter to count fish on...
I recently changed from that to an app for my phone (Android) called "Thing Counter" because it lets me count catch per lure type. It also gives voice feedback, which I smile at every time I add a fish & hear that robotic voice say "5 Ned Rig" or "3 Shakey Craw".
shimmy reply :
0. Still working on building my boat. I do have a MN fishing trip in 3 weeks though. I am dying to get out. Counting numbers is always fun. I usually find myself counting numbers until I have a few big number days, mistrack the amount caught, and then give up counting. But, I do count the amount of 4+ lb fish in a year. That has always been fun.
Sword Lord reply :
On 5/3/2017 at 9:25 AM, gimruis said:Season isn't open yet here so the bass count is still zero. Got into some panfish a couple times though.
Do you think the change in bass opener will effect fishing? I used to live in Minnesota and go there at least 4 times a year and recollections of opener usually happening around post spawn was a bummer. A few times when the weather remained cold until opener it was fantastic. But I also fear that guys who live well their catches until the end of the day for pictures might impact the quality of fishing. Taking a fish far from it's bed might impact reproduction.
Back to topic though I've been out about a dozen times this year just bank fishing and have caught about 60 bass. I don't keep an accurate count.
Ratherbfishing reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 7:22 PM, Sword Lord said:
Do you think the change in bass opener will effect fishing? I used to live in Minnesota and go there at least 4 times a year and recollections of opener usually happening around post spawn was a bummer. A few times when the weather remained cold until opener it was fantastic. But I also fear that guys who live well their catches until the end of the day for pictures might impact the quality of fishing. Taking a fish far from it's bed might impact reproduction.
Back to topic though I've been out about a dozen times this year just bank fishing and have caught about 60 bass. I don't keep an accurate count.
Personally I think tourneys can hurt the population but not the expanded season.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Make it 3 100 fish days on the year after yesterday
scaleface reply :
Quantity vs quality . I go after both . It a lot funner catching 70 dinks and one six lber than 2 dinks and 1 six lber .
Dwight Hottle reply :
Older anglers are less likely to count numbers without clarifying a minimum size to keep track of simply because they have already experienced number successes. I have kept a running total by year of smallies caught in my boat but only of 5 lbers & larger. But I don't care if someone else wants to keep count of all fish caught if that is what motivates you. I have always said I will fish all day long for one trophy but my most frequent fishing buddy has always valued quantity as well as quality because he wants both.
jimf reply :
I can't count past 3 when I'm fishing. Once I catch my fourth, I can't remember it was my third, fourth, or fifth. By the time I get my tenth, I can't remember if it was my fifth or twentieth. I caught I think 4 last night in the pond on my property, but it could have been 3 or 6. I can't remember. And since I can't remember it was probably not 3.
I actually tried once to come up with a system one year and it was a giant fail. I just can't count when I'm fishing, unless they are in the livewell. Even then I've surprised myself, open it up and you ask yourself how 2 fish managed to get out without you noticing, or fishing alone who put 3 extra fish in there behind your back?
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 5/10/2017 at 3:30 AM, jimf said:I can't count past 3 when I'm fishing. Once I catch my fourth, I can't remember it was my third, fourth, or fifth. By the time I get my tenth, I can't remember if it was my fifth or twentieth. I caught I think 4 last night in the pond on my property, but it could have been 3 or 6. I can't remember. And since I can't remember it was probably not 3.
I actually tried once to come up with a system one year and it was a giant fail. I just can't count when I'm fishing, unless they are in the livewell. Even then I've surprised myself, open it up and you ask yourself how 2 fish managed to get out without you noticing, or fishing alone who put 3 extra fish in there behind your back?
No system necessary, just get one of these.
basseditor reply :
There's a guy in our bass club whose goal is 3,000 bass/year. I used to think quantity vs, quality requires different approaches but he almost always is in the top 3 every tournament. He says if you're catching enough fish, the big ones will come too. And, he's over 70-years old. I have a lot to learn. He uses 4-inch worms on a Brewer pro jig head primarily.
Hez reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 9:21 AM, RoLo said:
I'm never offended by disagreement, and provided the rebuttal has merit, that's what a healthy forum is all about.
When you say: "Those stereotypes you list"; I'm not sure what stereotypes you're alluding to.
If you're referring to Quantity versus Quality, that's a fishing fact that's been affirmed & reaffirmed repeatedly,
before you and I were born. If you're hunting for a trophy fish of any species, it's important to select a waterbody
that 'does not' have high population density. There's no shortage of reports of forty fish per day,
but you'll never see a report of forty 6-lb+ bass per day. Do a limnological study of world-class waters for different species of fish, and it soon becomes obvious that world-class waters
are typified by low population density of that species. I'm not aware of a single exception (i.e. Quantity vs Quality).
If you're referring to 'counting fish', well, that's a lame endeavor that I stopped doing about 40 yrs ago.
After you've boated over 100 Boston mackerel in one day, over 100 red hake, over 50 summer flounder (fluke)
or over 50 bluefish, you begin to realize what an empty, meaningless endeavor counting fish really is.
It's nothing to catch 100 snapper blues, but a day with 15 slammer blues (blues over 10lbs) is a red letter day.
After I land a legal limit of bass, I lose tract of number, and someone else will have to count my fish, it won't be me.
High numbers of fish in one day is an indication of high population density or favorable fishing conditions. If it was a measure of angling prowess, why can't you do it "every time"?
Do I target big fish and get annoyed at snagging small fish? Yup, guilty as charged.
Although I've caught more than my fair share of double-digit bass, I'm always working hard
to land one more, and I have no interest in the numbers game. Go big, or go home
Roger
Very well said - I wish I could "like" it twice
On 5/10/2017 at 3:30 AM, jimf said:I can't count past 3 when I'm fishing. Once I catch my fourth, I can't remember it was my third, fourth, or fifth. By the time I get my tenth, I can't remember if it was my fifth or twentieth. I caught I think 4 last night in the pond on my property, but it could have been 3 or 6. I can't remember. And since I can't remember it was probably not 3.
I actually tried once to come up with a system one year and it was a giant fail. I just can't count when I'm fishing, unless they are in the livewell. Even then I've surprised myself, open it up and you ask yourself how 2 fish managed to get out without you noticing, or fishing alone who put 3 extra fish in there behind your back?
Sounds like me...I caught a few too - don't remember how many- but I caught
RMax reply :
You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages. My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.
Quarry Man reply :
On 5/10/2017 at 11:03 PM, RMax said:You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages. My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.
Thats how i usually am, but this year my average is about 20
Texas_Rig reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 5:23 AM, RoLo said:I don't mean to come off sounding like the grim reaper,
but 'quantity' (number) and 'quality' (size) are diametrically opposed.
When a fisherman tells me about his 40-bass day, he doesn't have to bother
telling me about their average size, because whether he knows it or not, he already did
Not surprisingly, I do not count fish, but I do weigh a few.
Roger
This may come off "bad" as my first post, but this statement rubs me a little. If your fishing on a lake with numbers of quality fish, then someone who catches 40 could be catching 40 good ones. One of my friends caught and released 54 four plus pound fish out of one school on KY lake last summer. BTW, hello to everyone. I love visiting this site
OCdockskipper reply :
On 5/10/2017 at 11:03 PM, RMax said:You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages. My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.
If that is your average on every lake you fish, then just know you can learn how to catch more (& larger, most likely).
If that is your average on a certain body of water, check with another angler that you trust what he averages there. If his is low too, then it may be a tough lake.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 5/10/2017 at 11:03 PM, RMax said:You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages. My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.
Don't feel bad man, I also avg. 1-2 fish or may be none each 2-3 hours trip, and I fish private lake.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 5/10/2017 at 11:03 PM, RMax said:You guys are all talking about 20 fish averages. My average for 3 hours trips is probably 2 fish.
I'm in your boat, err, kayak... dunno what it is, or what I do wrong.
I've fished with members, used the same bait, and am generally out fished 5 or 6 to 1. Most trips are 2 or 3 fish.
Just no fish KARMA ?
RMax reply :
On 5/11/2017 at 1:15 PM, OCdockskipper said:If that is your average on every lake you fish, then just know you can learn how to catch more (& larger, most likely).
If that is your average on a certain body of water, check with another angler that you trust what he averages there. If his is low too, then it may be a tough lake.
Most bodies over water are really tough in Omaha, at least from what I've heard and experienced.
Fisher-O-men reply :
While most may not keep a running tally, I have not met a fisherman who does not keep a daily count. I seldom have to take off my shoes.
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