Is the goal always to catch a monster of a fish or just catch a ton of great fish.  I understand that any bass is a good bass, but what is important to you? I caught my first big bass today, and then hooked up to a bunch of dinks.  I still found catching the dinks equally fun as catching the big fish (I did enjoy the picture with my PB though).  So what is it?

 Big fish are fine, but my thrill comes with the hit. I need action to keep me interested. Even if I caught my personal best earlier in the day, If I haven't caught anything in the last 3 hours, I'm not happy. I'm not saying I'd like to catch 10" fish all day,  but I'd rather have numbers than just 1 or 2 big ones.

My mind changed when I caught an eleven pounder. Totally different experience! I'm adicted. I hunt big fish. I want 8 lb plus bass and I fish accordingly. If I catch small fish I'm in the wrong spot.

I prefer the hawgs!! But that is probably because we have several ponds and lakes to fish where it is nothing to rack up 50+ bass a day in the 1-2 lb range.

Only recently have I made this transition to prefer the big boys over numbers but don't get me wrong thinnin the herd in an overstocked lake and heatin up the grease is a ton of fun too!

I'm fishing for moby dick. Haha

But I have to agree with Scott. Sometimes 3 hours of nothing gets boring. I had a buddy that used to down scale and start catching bluegill when the bite was off.

Numbers of big bass.

Size, it only takes one good fish to make my day.

Unless I'm fishing for smallies, then I'd at least like to catch enough to have fun.

I think a lot of it depends on where you're at with your fishing skills. I am not the greatest fisherman so it just makes me happy to catch a few bass and know that I'm doing something right or found a pattern.

Numbers are great, and staying busy all day catching a lot of fish is fun. But I'd rather catch one 10 pounder than 10-20 one pounders any day.

Since I'm fairly new to bass fishing I just look to catch numbers. Catching some big ones are awesome. But I have days when I catch none. I have thrown huge baits in order to land some of my biggest bass. But to me, catching any on a giving outing is a success.

^{Size matters.}

I only need 5 (three on a couple lakes)...  sure would like it when I have a >25# sack to weigh in (someday)... 

I go for size... I am happy with the one hookset that feels like you've set into 10 ft wide stump.  After fishing my spots for quite a few years, coupled with the homework away from the water (BassResource videos ) I am fairly confident that if i'm in a slump, or just wanna catch A bass, then I will dial something in and catch one.  

 

I take people fishing.  I show them a good time and we catch numbers.  If I am by myself, I'm going after the lake or state record.  

Size, but more important the fight.  60 second battles don't get it for me.

Size, it only takes one good fish to make my day.

Unless I'm fishing for smallies, then I'd at least like to catch enough to have fun.

I agree 100% it only takes one good fish to make my day. But when I take my young son its a numbers game to keep him interested.

I can have a good time just catching fish when I have someone with me who is a novice or occasional bass fisherman. Catching a lot of fish when one of my grandkids is along is my only goal. With that said, I quickly lose interest catching dinks under normal circumstances. I have a friend who I used to fish with regularly that will throw little crankbaits, catching mostly little fish, all day. I have no desire to do that and rarely fish from his boat. When I have mine I can choose the water and speed at which we fish, and he can fish whatever technique he wants-from the back of the boat!

 

Fishing for most of us is a time to relax and enjoy nature. We are all wired differently and what relaxes me on the water may cause someone else to dig their golf clubs out of the closet. Enjoy the process, whatever it is!

When I was a child all I cared about was catching fish, now I specifically target size when fishing for LMB. 

Whichever makes you happy..

if every catch were a big fish I think I'd get bored

Im looking for a surprise

I like to see the lil dinks too..

Everybody loves to catch the fat girls, but a great day of catchin 2-3 pound fish is fun as hell in my opinion.

If I want #'s, I'll hit Oroville hard for a day. 100 spotted bass in a day out there is fairly common. If I'm targetting toads, it's all about the Cal delta or Clear lake.

Size is more important to me.

I hate the days when the dinks decide it's an all you can eat buffet on my lure.

I'm in it for the size where I fish. But on a slow day I do start targeting smaller fish. Some action is better than no action

I just like to catch fish. Don't get me wrong I love the fight of a big fish and the challenge of trying to land it. But when the days over I want to be able to say I caught xx fish.

If the LMB bite is off or I just can't find them I will break out the ultra light lures and target sunfish. Son of them put on helluva fight for their size.

All fish other than crappie are returned to the water to fight again.

Wouldn't numbers mean you're really doing something right. If I caught 15 smaller ones wouldn't that mean that my bait, presentation, and lure selection is spot on?