One of the things I've committed to being much better about this year is keeping good logs. I've found from experience that the more I have to write out in a log, the less likely it is that I get it done. (Which is surprising, I know, based on how long my posts can get...) I've tried a few different online logs but frankly I haven't found one that really felt right for me.

So, being the techie that I am, I decided to just write up my own web page front end so I can enter data via check-boxes and drop-down lists. I started off by more or less using the BassResource log as a template and figured I'd just write some code to export it as a savable document once all the data was entered.

The more I got to thinking about it, though, the more I started thinking how nice it would be to export the data in a spreadsheet-friendly format so I could sort and organize the accumulated data and watch for trends.

Herein lies my predicament and the reason why I'm looking for input from all you log-keepers out there. Finding the right balance between ease-of-entry vs. usefulness downstream.

To really be able to mine the data down the road it seems like EACH fish entry should be it's own record with it's own associated values: structure type, water temp, wind, etc.

If I just say that I went out for 5 hrs and caught 10 fish from points, weeds and laydowns on a windy, cloudy day, then I don't really get the specifics related to each fish so I can compare things later on. If I have to re-enter a bunch of the same data for each fish caught though it seems like I might be turning it into more of a hassle than it should be.

I'm sure that each person here who successfully keeps logs has their own way that works best for them - so I'd like to hear them.

How do you keep logs and what works for you? How detailed do you make them and how useful are they to pour back over later on? Does anyone actually use spreadsheets or databases to graph or chart data?

I have kept a bass fishing log for 16 years. It is very useful to look back over. Very useful. I use excel spreadsheet.

Like so much of this sport, log keeping is a matter preference, many do it & like it, many do not.

 

 This site is loaded with very successful anglers who have at some point in these forums discussed their own log keeping exploits.  Hopefully some will chime in here as well.

 

I have kept fairly detailed logs on and off for several years; starting some time before the word "excel" means what it does today.

 

I kept my logs daily, whether I went fishing or not; Off days included the days weather.  Trip data included weather of course and then everything else; water temps, time, depth, baits, locations fished & fish caught.

 

I started log keeping hoping to unlock the where, when & how of Big Bass angling. Over the years I have learned at least one thing from the logs.  Every year is different. Some locations can be somewhat consist, so a section of the "where" was learned.  However, the way the fish, the bait, the weather, the water levels, and who knows what else, all change - the when and how pieces of the puzzle still remain the parts that must be solved individually each and every trip; often times several times during a fishing day.

 

With so many variables to log each trip, I even tried monitoring only 2 or 3 factors, like the moon phases, barometric pressure and water temp.  There were some minor trends but nothing that I felt so strongly about that I believed there was a real break through at all.

So, in the end, I am no longer a Log Keeper.  I do like pictures of Big Bass though.

Your results may vary and please do not allow my findings to deter your plans in any way - what the heck do I know any way.

 

Good Luck.

 

A-Jay

The Free Fishing Log found on this site is one I created and started using back in 1989.  Not only does it work well as an archive to learn from, but it forces me to pay attention to all the details while on the water.