Having a science-oriented mind, I love keeping statistics and observing patterns in my fishing. I have kept an excel worksheet that contains the data of every bass, measuring 12 inches long and up, and what lure they were caught on, what date, conditions, location, size, etc. Looking back on this data, I have compiled an analysis of “periods” during my fishing seasons, which consist of Prespawn, Spawn, Postspawn, Summer Pattern, Fall Transitional Period, and Fall. I have recorded what lures were most effective in each season and tallied up the number of fish caught on that lure. This will provide some direction for me in next year’s season. This is not to say that these patterns will apply year after year, or let alone apply ever again, but it provides a good starting point. Each year I will add to the tallies of numbers of fish on each lure, in each period. The accuracy of my analysis will only increase each year. Being that the current analysis only provides data from this year’s fishing, it lacks strength. This is only an experiment, not a declaration of how Largemouth Bass will act each season on Long Island, New York. My observations are only based off last year, keep that in mind.

 

 

I feel like this might be interesting to some of you, check out my data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

p.s. I know some of you could care less about how much your fish even weighed and think I waste my time on this.. please don't comment if you haven't anything positive to say

Really cool stuff man. Seems to me like over the years and as the data becomes more precise it will be really helpful for you to look back and see what they were biting on. This will definitely help you catch more fish in the future

Really cool stuff man. Seems to me like over the years and as the data becomes more precise it will be really helpful for you to look back and see what they were biting on. This will definitely help you catch more fish in the future

That's my plan!! Thanks!

Hey Welds aren't you boarding a plane soon to increase your data collection on some South Fl pigs!?!

Hey Welds aren't you boarding a plane soon to increase your data collection on some South Fl pigs!?!

I am, tomorrow afternoon is my flight. That will be a different analysis though, the patterns are quite different for the bass down in Florida! I always record the fish I get in Florida just like I do in New York, but I didn't make the "period" analysis for Florida because I am not there year round.

 

I can't wait to get down there though!!!! The fish are waiting!

I thought it was very intresting.  Thanks for sharing your data.  Great job.

I thought it was very intresting.  Thanks for sharing your data.  Great job.

Thank you!

It's a good start, and I never kept data on fish, although I did for whitetails & eastern turkey.. It will begin to show details later that you simply could not imagine, IMO, plus, it's fun. I always enjoyed to re- study notes, etc.. I can tell you it absolutely contributed to me being a better hunter. Can't imagine it not helping in fishing either. Nice work!

It's a good start, and I never kept data on fish, although I did for whitetails & eastern turkey.. It will begin to show details later that you simply could not imagine, IMO, plus, it's fun. I always enjoyed to re- study notes, etc.. I can tell you it absolutely contributed to me being a better hunter. Can't imagine it not helping in fishing either. Nice work!

Thanks! I hope it does help!

good job.  Now i am not sure how you have the raw data set up but you could make it so all those calculations and numbers all calculate based on the data entered into your table so you would have zero manual work to do once it is all set up.....i am a bit of an excel nerd lol 

good job. Now i am not sure how you have the raw data set up but you could make it so all those calculations and numbers all calculate based on the data entered into your table so you would have zero manual work to do once it is all set up.....i am a bit of an excel nerd lol

I have it so the total fish for each section updates on its own as your change the numbers of fish above. I have a different excel file that has all the bass, lists the size, lure(very specific) and conditions and date too

It will be pre spawn in Florida, good luck with your research and let the data be your guide and keep your mind open as it is now

Tom

It will be pre spawn in Florida, good luck with your research and let the data be your guide and keep your mind open as it is now

Tom

Thanks Tom! I will! And good luck to you, im sure you'll catch a DD

Nice! I have a document I log in after each fishing trip, but nothing so detailed as that. That's a really good tool. Keep it up.

Actually, that is a very smart and clever thing to do. Always nice to know when you caught fish, what you caught them on, line type and lb test, hook size, lure type and color, weather conditions, water conditions and clarity. All of that is very valuable information for future outings. That is a pretty good bit to keep up with, but it is an excellent idea. Doing that can also probably give you information into what kind of patterns the fish may be in, very heads up to do that.

In the winter when you can't get out it's always good to look back and see how you did and what baits you were using. 

Nice job and applaud your effort, it will pay off in the future. Data points which could be included are water temp, and approximate depth of fish. Those two factors are vital in the "rest of the story". 

Nice job and applaud your effort, it will pay off in the future. Data points which could be included are water temp, and approximate depth of fish. Those two factors are vital in the "rest of the story".

Thank you!

I fish from bank so no depth finder, and water temps could be helpful but i can pretty much determine that by season and air temps

Thank you!

I fish from bank so no depth finder, and water temps could be helpful but i can pretty much determine that by season and air temps

Understand your limitations but you'd be surprised to find how much a couple of degrees (water temp) makes. I mainly fish small bodies of water and temps can vary by as much as 5-8 degrees just within local (< 2 hour) area. Also, light level seems to make a big difference as to where the fish locate on any one day, at least in the clear water. Not so much in stained or muddy water.