Do You Have Fishing Goals? 2025
RSM789 reply :
In many threads, I see people talk about their fishing goals, whether it be a new PB or catching certain numbers of fish. Goal setting is second nature to me being that I own a business and need to do that to keep in profitable. I also am very competitive and a numbers guy, so goal setting & tracking of results when I am in any competition is done without any thought. However, when fishing, I find that I really don't make any measurable goals.
Don't get me wrong, I don't just go out & fling any old bait at the shoreline. I have an analytical nature, so I enjoy solving the puzzle of what to do to both find & catch bass. I read & study about the sport, devouring as much information as I can. I also enjoy fiddling with tackle, working on my (little) boat, making accurate casts and learning new techniques. I do all this to catch more & bigger fish, but I don't believe that to be a goal since I don't have specifics of what I am trying to catch (size or numbers). All I want to do is catch 1 more, even after I have just released one. I may be a little disappointed on a slow day & run different scenarios through my head to try & determine after the fact what else I could have done, but I don't have the feeling of falling short or having failed. The entire process of preparing to go fishing & being out on the water brings me happiness.
Now I will readily admit that if another fisherman passes by or a homeowner is out on their dock, I do have a goal to catch a fish in front of them, to show off if you will. That is more of a competitive & pride thing, not a goal setting dynamic. Especially if it is some dork that speeds across the lake to fish a certain spot ahead of me that I am moving towards...
This by no means is a judgment on those who do set goals for fishing, more power to you. Goal setting is a powerful & important tool to be used in succeeding at any task. I am just wondering if there are others who choose not to set such goals for fishing.
Scott F reply :
I don't set any goals. I try and do the best that I can, and try and learn something every time I go out, but I fish for fun and refuse to put any added pressure on myself to try and obtain any self imposed goals. I have a pretty short memory and soon forget how many or what size fish I caught yesterday. I don't even remember exactly how long my personal best bass was. I never weigh fish anyway because it really doesn't matter to me or anyone else.
Fish_Whisperer reply :
My main goal is DD bass. I am very close, but so so far away lol. I normally would say it is my only goal, but I have found myself trying to use jigs more often, as I have never used them until last year. With that said, my secondary goal is to catch a 5lb + bass on a jig.
tcbass reply :
I only have one goal. To catch a big musky, 40"+ and then I don't care if I ever catch another one.
Bankbeater reply :
Go out and have fun, and hopefully not get skunked.
einscodek reply :
ya I'm just fishin for fun
the only thing closest to a goal would be
to keep getting more knowledgeable and experienced and keeping the eyes open noticing everything about every catch
to keep geting better catching em and increasing the frequency of sized catches comes by itself afterwards
Catch and Grease reply :
As long as I'm doing my best and learning more about bass fishing I'm fine...
Felix77 reply :
I set 2-3 goals every year.
Tournaments - Try to catch my limit everytime. At the end of the season I assess how I did against that goal. Reflect on what I could do differently in the future.
Finesse Skill (high pressure technique) - The Drop Shot. This year it has been the drop shot. - Highly successful
Power Skill (cover water fast technique) - Topwater. - Marginal at best. Didn't seem to be a great topwater season for me. Have caught them on a Sexy Dawg and Buzzbait.
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Catch a 10lb steelhead on 4lb test. I've done it with 6, but not 4.
reb67 reply :
On 9/24/2014 at 6:22 PM, Bankbeater said:Go out and have fun, and hopefully not get skunked.
x2
However it has happened to many time this season but I still have fun ever time I go out because there are so many people that can't even get out there and enjoy our great sport.
AK-Jax86 reply :
To catch a double digit bass on a frog or crankbait my two favorite ways to fish!
Win a tournament since I am breaking into that world of fishing
mjseverson24 reply :
Goal #1 ---> Catch fish and have a great time doing it...
Goal #2 ---> Do well in tournaments ( winning takes care of itself if you prepare and stay at it long enough )...
Goal #3 ---> Learn how to target and catch the larger fish in each system...
Goal #4 ---> Fish a lot of different lakes ( 22 so far this year )...
Goal #5 ---> Don't fish memories...
Mitch
Heron reply :
Ive accomplised all of my fishing goals - its all gravy after that.
geo g reply :
My only goal is to have a great time and share it with some of my friends. Catching is nice, but I'm not going to make it uncomfortable doing it. 
Oregon Native reply :
After this year:
Acute pancreatitus
Double Hernia operation
Draining of cist's of pancreas (over a liter)
Enlarged (ugh) ********
and Last but not least I lost my little nurse to cancer after a nine year battle.
It's been a year I hope to never see or feel again. Now that I'm able to fish better now but still healing and fearing I'm just glad the good Lord has given me another day on the water with so many other gifts I used to take for granted.
Tight Lines
Skeeter Dan reply :
No.1 Goal is to wake up every day Breathing.
Fish_Whisperer reply :
On 9/25/2014 at 9:58 AM, geo g said:My only goal is to have a great time and share it with some of my friends. Catching is nice, but I'm not going to make it uncomfortable doing it.
How would you make it uncomfortable?
Chris S reply :
On 9/24/2014 at 6:22 PM, Bankbeater said:Go out and have fun, and hopefully not get skunked.
I second this one!
geo g reply :
On 9/25/2014 at 10:12 PM, Fish_Whisperer said:How would you make it uncomfortable?
I'm going to use techniques and skills I'm comfortable with. I'm not going out in 25 winds, predicted thunder storms, I'm not flipping or pitching for 4 hours, I'm not going out in the heat of the day, and I'm not running and gunning all over the lake. I'm not doing those things, because its just not fun for me.
Rhino68W reply :
I want to enter and place in a bank fishing tournament. All I do is bank fish. I haven't heard of any around my area, but maybe when I move back to Texas there will be some.
aavery2 reply :
I have a couple of goals that I often need to remind myself of.
1.) Make sure to have fun, and enjoy the outing to the fullest.
2.) Learn something/ this is the easy one.
3.) Ask why and then ask why again. Why did I catch that fish? Why did I not catch a fish? Why, Why, Why.
4.) Pay attention to everything, animals to insects, flowers, wind, temperature, water color, clarity. Pay attention.
5.) Remember if all else fails to accomplish goal #1
Fish_Whisperer reply :
On 9/26/2014 at 12:53 AM, geo g said:I'm going to use techniques and skills I'm comfortable with. I'm not going out in 25 winds, predicted thunder storms, I'm not flipping or pitching for 4 hours, I'm not going out in the heat of the day, and I'm not running and gunning all over the lake. I'm not doing those things, because its just not fun for me.
Ah, understood there!
Ratherbfishing reply :
I just sold my "old" pickup to my brother so one of my goals is to find the best/most suitable pickup to pull my boat and get around in without breaking the bank (I know-good luck with that one!). My other goal is simply to get out more. If I could learn how to control the weather, that would be a definite plus but I've given up on that one.
RSM789 reply :
On 9/26/2014 at 10:15 PM, Ratherbfishing said:...If I could learn how to control the weather, that would be a definite plus...
Actually that one is easier than you think, just move to Southern California. Every day is the same as the one before it
On the other hand, if you did that, you would have to contend with way too many people, expensive real estate, Dodger fans, democrats and a whole mess of other unsavory things. Better to stay where you are and just fight the weather.
aavery2 reply :
On 9/25/2014 at 9:15 PM, 1990 Skeeter said:No.1 Goal is to wake up every day Breathing.
This goal is unachievable for us mortals.
Skeeter Dan reply :
This is True. As long as I'm still breathing on my own with out life support. My #1 Goal still remains the same.On 9/26/2014 at 11:29 PM, aavery2 said:This goal is unachievable for us mortals.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
My goal is to learn something new every time I'm on the water or confirm some theory I crafted during my off water research time.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
My only fishing goal is to go more often.
Murvf reply :
I have set personal goals for several years now. One year to catch a bass every month in a calendar year. Another was to catch a bass at 25 different locations throughout the year. Last year I set out to catch 2000 lbs. of fish on artificial lures. (All my goals are met using artificial lures) this year I think I'm gonna shoot for catching a fish 183 days in a row. I live in the north, so it's not all easy to do.
Spankey reply :
I guess it might be a goal but I want to continue on this season with pitching/flipping and frog’n techniques. I’ve been bass fishing a long time and these areas are not my strong points. They most likely will never be. Been a live and learn experience. But the last couple of years I’ve been going at it harder. Success with fish and the thrill of nice blow-up. These are area I’ve been scared to fish. Why? Inferior tackle to get in there. Buying what I needed to do it solved majority of the problems. I done ok with a hollow body craw jig last year. Got a few more patterns of it from Santa. Looking forward to this technique on the lake and river this year again. I guess you guys call it power fishing. So I guess I’m starting to learn bout it.
Michigan Finesse reply :
I set a goal for myself last year to catch a 3lber. I was fishing with a buddy last june and catching lots of bass on a ned rig, when I hooked into a pretty big one for me. I swore it was over 3, but when I weighed it, it was 2.99lbs ???? Im not making goals this year ????...
-Brad
A-Jay reply :
Resurrected ~
My goal is to fish like I'm going to live forever and die tomorrow, both at the same time.
A-Jay
Bird reply :
2020 will be my first full year of retirement and have been blessed with outstanding health and it won't be taken for granted.
My biggest goal.....a HEAVY diet of bass fishing.....preparing for tomorrow as we speak, brrrrrr.
NYWayfarer reply :
My goal has been and always will be to catch a fish on each outing.
the reel ess reply :
My largemouth bass goal is always the same. A new PB.
I wanted to catch some peacocks in S FL and I got that out of my system.
Back to the new PB!
Hook2Jaw reply :
Short term
New PB.
Try to qualify for the KBF NC.
Tarpon from my kayak. I jumped one last year. If you've ever wanted to feel like you've got nothing for a fish, hook up with a silver king on a man powered watercraft.
Long term
Pass my passion to my 11 month old when the time comes, if he wishes.
CaptMikeStarrett reply :
On 1/14/2020 at 11:13 PM, Bird said:2020 will be my first full year of retirement and have been blessed with outstanding health and it won't be taken for granted.
My biggest goal.....a HEAVY diet of bass fishing.....preparing for tomorrow as we speak, brrrrrr.
Same with me.. Just want to guide full time while healthy enough to do it again. 28 years ago I was full time and looking forward to doing it again.
Oh and fish Caddo in 2021.
Capt Mike
WRB reply :
Old thread 2014 the year I finally decided to retire, my employer kept me around 5 years longer offering benefits I couldn't pass up. Looking back time is more valuable then $$.
I was going to fish more and ended traveling the world more often. When you think you have all the time needed for everything you tend to waste it. Fishing becomes a lower priority and getting out of bed at 0 dark 30 when it's cold or bad weather going fishing becomes I will go tomorrow.
Sitting in the ICU with my son hoping he will servive to celebrate his 38th birthday the 17th puts time in perspective....it's precious.
My goal for 2020 is spending every minute possible with my family. I achieved all my fishing goals, now just quite time on the water if I decide to go fishing agian.
Tom
billmac reply :
I think all goals can be boiled down into one goal: To get better. We set goals for the things we don't think we are good enough at yet. While I suppose it can be overdone, I think for the most part it's a good thing.
GreenPig reply :
Get as many of these possible from my boat and beat my states record LM.
geo g reply :
My only goal is to have fun and enjoy the experience. I do things the way I like, fish with people I like, and do it as much as possible. I don't stay out in heavy winds, or in mid day in hot weather. When things become a burden, I leave. It's all about enjoyment.
kayaking_kev reply :
My goals were to catch species I have never caught before and catch 300 fish overall and earn the Master Angler Pin from my State. I ended up catching over 500, and at least a half a dozen new species, and got my pin.
This year it they will be the same, but I want a 5 lb. Bass and a 10 lb. Catfish also.
Shimano_1 reply :
Catch fish...win money. Plan on fishing a lot of tournaments this year so yeah that's the goal
FishinBuck07 reply :
My goal is to get better at fishing out of the boat. I have fished from shore my whole life for the most part, until July of 2019. I didn't have a lot of time last year to really learn how to fish out of my new boat. This year I am hoping to learn all the nuances of fishing from a boat. Also to figure out one lake that is local that I have fished since I was a kid.
Sam reply :
Yes, my main goal is to return home safely with some wonderful memories.
That is all I can ask for.
JediAmoeba reply :
On 9/26/2014 at 8:55 AM, Rhino68W said:I want to enter and place in a bank fishing tournament. All I do is bank fish. I haven't heard of any around my area, but maybe when I move back to Texas there will be some.
You are better off getting a Yak and entering some kayak tournaments.
J Francho reply :
On 1/23/2020 at 4:25 AM, JediAmoeba said:You are better off getting a Yak and entering some kayak tournaments.
Perhaps in the nearly six years since he posted he's gotten off the bank? 
JediAmoeba reply :
On 1/23/2020 at 4:46 AM, J Francho said:Perhaps in the nearly six years since he posted he's gotten off the bank?
I didn't notice the date! Lol.
NOC 1 reply :
No real goals for me, though I do aim to enjoy time spent outdoors getting away from the goals and score keeping that I've had to weather over the last 45 years or so of making a living.
I like fiddling with the gear, running around in boats and catching fish. I like it more if I'm catching a lot of fish, but even if I get skunked I still will have enjoyed the day fishing more than I would have if I hadn't gone.
No better way to ruin something you love doing than taking it seriously or God forbid, trying to make a living at it.
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