I absolutely log my trips! You've got the right idea. I mostly write down the basics that will help me look back the previous seasons and see what worked, what didn't work and what's changed. I don't get so detailed that I lose track of the information liking back. Like many others have mentioned, I like to record weather conditions, water temps, productive underwater structure locations, baits used, colors used and speed of retrieve. I may not record moon phase, but that's totally up to you. Only you can decide what works best for you. Tight lines!

I don't.  I'm a generalist when it comes to fishing.  If it looks good I fish it.

If my memory serves me correctly Down Imaging and Side Imaging came out around 2009. This technologies eliminates the need for logs and keeping track of your fishing conditions.    http://www.in-fisherman.com/gear-accessories/side-imaging-and-down-imaging/  Just saying...

42 minutes ago, Hot Rod Johnson said:

technologies eliminates the need for logs and keeping track of your fishing conditions

I see where that may be interpreted that way. But to me if someone was going to log info this technology just made a lot more stuff to possibly include in a log. Again depending on how in depth the person doing the logging wants to get. Since you can see a ton more as the fellas describe in the link you provided.

The entire setup(s) used rod, reels, line, lures, retrieve speed, lucky hat, and water clarity to name a few could be included into a log. A fishing log can include as much or as little detail as you choose, but the more information you track, the more useful it ultimately becomes. I don't have one of the thousands of dollar units and they may have software to enter these parameters but someone still has to put the info in there. Or can the new fish finders detect a 1/2oz spinnerbait, its brand, its skirt color, the head color, number of blades, size of blades, style of each blade, what brand of trailer, style of trailer, was there a trailer. See my point. Fishing logs are to give you greater insight into why a fish was caught as well as where to find the fish.

All that being said I hunt pretty much with no electronics as mine are really old and basically show depth and occasionally some fish and some structure along with the water temp. I never had that stuff my whole life fishing from the bank and did good enough for me. And no I don't log anything I fish to relax not go back to school writing pages and pages of info.   

 

I to have fished like you are saying for a very long time. I made the change about 20 years ago when I got my "Hinny" kicked all the time. I was forced into making changes how and where I fished if I wanted to improve. Some times now I will go with another fisherman and fish out of the rear of their boat. Now for all practical purposes I am fishing like you are fishing, and I don't have a problem with that type of fishing. I just ask him how deep of water are we in... I don't log all of the information because bass fishing isn't static... The conditions are constantly changing by the minute, I would spend more time longing information than fishing. That's just me, for other fisherman they may/will log their information, nothing wrong with that. I realize the the cost of electronics have sky rocked to the point that they are now out of the price range for allot of fisherman. That is really ashamed that this has happened, but there are allot of units on the market that wont break the bank and can be a great fish aid. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

No, I don't keep any type of log other than what is stored in the space between my ears.

When I was a commercial lobsterman I kept detailed logs with the Loran bearings of where every trawl was set, when it was set, and when it was hauled.  It also included the count of legal lobsters caught by that trawl.

When I'd start setting gear in the late winter/early spring, I'd  go through those books to select where I would set my gear.  When it was time to move offshore from the Bay and Rhode Island Sound, I'd again consult my books from prior years.

I would also include how the traps were baited, whether the bait was in a bag or on the bait string in the trap.  If I used a different bait, I'd also make a note of that.

But, I was doing that commercially, to make a living.

I fish for fun, and will admit that I do not put a lot of effort into it other than getting the gear rigged and maintenance on the boat.  I respect those who are meticulous in their record keeping.  But for me, it would be more like work, something which is a dirty word nowadays.