Fishing Log

I know this topic has been visited before but I was curious if keeping a log/journal was still going on for many. I have threatened to do this many many years and I believe this year is the one where I make the commitment. So I ask: Do you have a computer based log? If so what kind, name or program is it? I have heard of many that use an excel based program but I cannot seem to make one myself that I would find as useful as it could be - to help pinpoint the exact conditions I was in for a repeat. Sooooo what do you use (if any)?

I use a log and it's a great tool. I use an iphone App called ifish Journal. It even lets you take pictures and attach them to GPS waypoints so you can do winter time scouting when the lake is low and take pictures. Another one i used to use is [url]www.onlinefishinglog.com[/url]. They even have a printable form you can print out and fill out by hand and keep a notebook.

I made one in an excel spreadsheet, add all the info you can. The longer you keep one, the better your results will be. I've been keeping one for the past 4 years, and now have enough info that I can go back and figure out the patterns that should produce best. You gotta stick with it for it to pay off, even enter info you get skunked or have a bad day.

I use Excel too. Been keeping a log since 1996. Shows me what day, who I went with, what lake, how many days there, notes on fish caught and technique, and notes on boat repairs or damages/lost equipment. I then sum it up to see how many days a year I go, what lakes I've been to most, etc.

Nice thing a bout Excel is that if you want, you can add columns for each trip to show gas costs, bait cost, boat repair costs. That is smart business cause it can help you to balance how much you are spending on fishing.

Doing that, I found out trips to the Ohio River cost me less, yet net just as many fish, as when I take a trip to Barren, that normally costs me more, and nets no more fish. Of course, some lakes choices are based on what I want to fish for, hybrids, cats, Stripers, etc. But just knowing helps me to keep costs in check and still have lots of fun.

[QUOTE=HURRICANEBOB;439002]

Nice thing a bout Excel is that if you want, you can add columns for each trip to show gas costs, bait cost, boat repair costs. [/QUOTE]


If I did that and my wife found it, I wouldn't be allowed to fish anymore :D

I also use onlinefishinglog.com.

"So I ask: Do you have a computer based log? "

No, as of yet I do not use any electronic log. I know they have there benefits, from what I read anyway, but I prefer just me and the notepad. I believe it can be much faster and easier to get to or put away. I believe that you will better achieve that connection you're looking for by keeping a log when you use writing. I buy the cheapest notebooks I can find and use certain colors of notebooks for certain seasons and such. It's not hard to keep them from getting wet either, and even a good washin from heavy rain, if it ever happens, doesn't mean lost info, depends on the ink you use or if you prefer lead. Thats only happened to me once when a window wasn't rolled up before the rainstorm.
Maybe take you a pocket-sized notepad to jot it all down and expand on it later at home in your fisherman's journal.
I guess it's a variable factor. Take as many variables out as you can, lord knows they're infinite. If it's not necessary, leave it out.
Knowing about how the elcronic logs work give you a better idea of what to include when starting a hand-written journal.

[QUOTE=offdtop;438902]I know this topic has been visited before but I was curious if keeping a log/journal was still going on for many. I have threatened to do this many many years and I believe this year is the one where I make the commitment. So I ask: Do you have a computer based log? If so what kind, name or program is it? I have heard of many that use an excel based program but I cannot seem to make one myself that I would find as useful as it could be - to help pinpoint the exact conditions I was in for a repeat. Sooooo what do you use (if any)?[/QUOTE]

I've been keeping one for 20 yrs. Had one for the 20 before that but lost it. Here's what I do now. I take a micro recorder in the boat with me unless I'm fishing a tournament. I start the morning by recording the conditions, sky, barometer, wind, water clarity, temp, water and air and anything unusual. When I catch my first fish I record everything, location, angle, lure, speed, depth, size and any change in conditions. That way there is no guessing at the end of the day. In a tournament I keep it in the truck and record all the same info including what place I finished and what I think I might have done differently. When the tape gets full I save it until cabin fever time. Then I put it on microsoft word and print it. Then when my puter crashes I have a hard copy. I keep these in a binder. You will be amazed how your memory changes things. But with a log you have the fact. God bless, good fishing.

Tape recorder and video would be a good back-up if run continuous.

Kept one in a log book on my boat back in the 90's. Then did not keep one. After I got a blackberry started keeping one on there because my phone is always with me...but often too tired/lazy to make entries when fishing.
Started dictating it to a phone voice note on the drive home and typing it in the phone log later. Can update the log from my phone or computer and sync so same thing is on both and backed up.

[QUOTE=bluesman;439013]If I did that and my wife found it, I wouldn't be allowed to fish anymore :D[/QUOTE]

I like showing it to her. That way she knows what it costs her everytime she "throws me out of the house". Sometimes it takes me 2 or 3 weeks to get her mad enough, that I get to go fishing. :cool: