How to make a detailed fishing log to help you catch more Bass!

[topwaterfanatic]

I feel that having a fishing log for bass fishing has made me a better Bass fisherman. It helps me see specific patterns of the places I fish.I like to document the following information of my trips;

1.Date
2.Time of day
3.What I caught
4.Moon phase
5.Temperature
6.Location
7.Water level
8.Wind speed and direction
9.Lures used
10. Technique I used

I can go back years in my logs and notice specific patterns that work better for a population of bass depending on the conditions of that day I want to fish. For example, if I have a day that is overcast with calm wind I can fish a hollow bodied frog over a small patch of lily pads of a lake that has produced bass in these conditions, since my fishing log shows this would be a good day to fish this lure.

[topwaterfanatic]

    Filling a detailed fishing log can be easy! Buy a small notebook where you can write all the information of the trip. The notebook should have at least 100 pages and should be small enough where you can carry it in a small bag. I recommend writing the notes as soon as you finish the trip so you don't forget. You can put the fishing log in a zip lock bag so it can be protected from moisture if you take it with you while you are fishing.

   Having a detailed fishing log is not something that is a quick tip like giving out information on what's the best lure to use or what's the best spot to fish, but its one of the best tips anyone can give to help a fisherman catch more and bigger fish on a more consistent basis. The more detailed the log is with pertinent information, the more it will help you figure out what the pattern will be the day you plan on fishing. Its helped me become a better fisherman overall and I know it will help you too!

[topwaterfanatic]

   This last weekend I went to a new lake that I found on Google Earth and fished it from land for a couple hours. I ended up catching several bass, the 2 biggest bass where over 5 pounds each, and the biggest one well over 6 pounds. I wrote all the details in my fishing log. The most important details where the following;

1.Where the lake is located.
2.Spots in the lake where I caught these bass.
3.What lures I used to catch these bass.
4.Depth I caught these bass.
5.Water level.
6.Water temperature.
7.Moonphase.

I am certain this lake has several bass over 8 pounds, maybe over 10 pounds. Will document all the information I learn form this lake and use this knowledge to catch more big bass from this lake.

[Shep87]

I feel that having a fishing log for bass fishing has made me a better Bass fisherman. It helps me see specific patterns of the places I fish.I like to document the following information of my trips;

1.Date
2.Time of day
3.What I caught
4.Moon phase
5.Temperature
6.Location
7.Water level
8.Wind speed and direction
9.Lures used
10. Technique I used

I can go back years in my logs and notice specific patterns that work better for a population of bass depending on the conditions of that day I want to fish. For example, if I have a day that is overcast with calm wind I can fish a hollow bodied frog over a small patch of lily pads of a lake that has produced bass in these conditions, since my fishing log shows this would be a good day to fish this lure.

I've seen number 4 a few times how much does moon phase effect the fish? I know the moon can effect tides and that will make a difference but are bass like deer and feed more at night with a brighter moon?

[topwaterfanatic]

I've seen number 3 a few times how much does moon phase effect the fish? I know the moon can effect tides and that will make a difference but are bass like deer and feed more at night with a brighter moon?

  The moon affects fishing in many ways. Some of the effects are barely noticeable and others much more. An example of how the moon phase can affect bass fishing is how the moon affects the bass spawn. Many trophy bass fishermen have said that they tend to catch more big spawning bass in or around full moon phases. The new moon can be good as well.

  Moon phases have a big impact on many saltwater gamefish as well. For example many Snook fishermen prefer to fish at nighttime on or around a full moon.Many other saltwater gamefish bite well on a full moon night. I personally prefer to fish at nighttime around a full moon or new moon for both freshwater and saltwater gamefish.

 

[68camaro]

Topwater, if fishing during day do you note moon phase the evening before fishing or the moon phase for later that night? Would a before and after be more helpful?

[flowerjohn]

If you folks are into all this you may want to check out a phone app called fish brain. Once you get hooked up on real time on your gps it records weather etc for you for your area. Lots of great stuff there and you can work off a database generated by catches in your area. You can even list baits used etc.  The only shortcoming I see on it is a lack of moon info but if you put a solunar table app on your phone you can easily work backward to get the fishing efficiency data from the lunar charts. Might be worth the look. Cheers. J.

[topwaterfanatic]

Topwater, if fishing during day do you note moon phase the evening before fishing or the moon phase for later that night? Would a before and after be more helpful?

  I write down the moon phase during the time I was fishing.I don't write the moon phase the day before or after the fishing trip, but that information can be useful as well.

[topwaterfanatic]

If you folks are into all this you may want to check out a phone app called fish brain. Once you get hooked up on real time on your gps it records weather etc for you for your area. Lots of great stuff there and you can work off a database generated by catches in your area. You can even list baits used etc.  The only shortcoming I see on it is a lack of moon info but if you put a solunar table app on your phone you can easily work backward to get the fishing efficiency data from the lunar charts. Might be worth the look. Cheers. J.

  Seems like a interesting app, will read about it! I still plan on writing my fishing trips on my notebooks since I can take my notebooks with me fishing and don't have to rely on my phones battery to read my notes.