I'm not real sure what happened in 2018, but I didn't get to go near enough. I think that I beat "MN Fisher" by one trip, I went four times. So sad.

 

So my plan for 2019 is to actually go more.

No goals.  Fishing for me is strictly entertainment. 

I’m not complaining that I’ve caught a couple hundred+ smallmouth and largemouth over 5 lbs... but I have yet to crack 6 lbs.  Biggest are a 5-12 Smb and 5-15 Lmb.  Close but no cigar... So the 2019 goal, yet again, is a Sixer..!

Catch fish in open water, in Massachusetts, every month and break 5 pound mark.

New boat! Let´s see...

I don't anticipate 2019 being a very good season for me, given that I am now working more than I was earlier this year, and it'll be same story next years. So I doubt I'll have as many trips as I did this season. But if I had to choose a few simple but doable goals... here's what I pick:

 

1.) Catch a bass on a swim jig

2.) Catch a bass on a popper

3.) Caught a bass 2 lbs or better for a new PB (sad I know but beggers can't be choosers)

4.) Upgrade my fishing rods and add a new reel to arsenal

To spend time on the water with my grandson 

Short & sweet. Get a new largemouth PB & catch a 6lb smallie up at Rainy Lake in Canada.

I don’t have any real “goals” but I always want to spend more time with this guy. We should be yanking fish together through the ice here real soon once we get a bit more ice on our favourite lakes. 

And now a new goal - have successful surgery/recovery from Trigger Finger in my left hand... I guess that’s technically “Trigger Thumb” I spose..

after what I went through this year just getting to go will be my goal. just to go out and enjoy time on the water will be time well spent.

As always, my one goal is not to make any goals again this coming year ?

6 hours ago, Arcs&sparks said:

Regarding Fly fishing,  take a proper lesson before trying to learn on your own.  It’s way harder to correct your poor form if you’ve already been doing it awhile.  I’m sure Jb will help ya out.  I took a lesson at Eldridge Brothers in Cape Neddick,  he was a good instructor.

Good advice, thanks. JB already has, too!

 

As some of you know medical issues dictated an early retirement for me, so my wife and I came up with a two part set of goals for us. Part one is complete, get a more comfortable boat. We did and couldn't be happier. Part two is our 2019 goal. We fish an area that has four lakes, ponds within five minutes of each other, but are currently an hour away. As we don't have to stay in our current location ( It was close to work) our plan is to sell our current house come spring and buy a place up there. It doesn't hurt that the taxes up there average 1/2 of what we're paying now.

 

So our 2019 goals

move to within five or ten minutes of where we like to fish, and then go fishing, again, again, and again.

8 minutes ago, jbmaine said:

As some of you know medical issues dictated an early retirement for me, so my wife and I came up with a two part set of goals for us. Part one is complete, get a more comfortable boat. We did and couldn't be happier. Part two is our 2019 goal. We fish an area that has four lakes, ponds within five minutes of each other, but are currently an hour away. As we don't have to stay in our current location ( It was close to work) our plan is to sell our current house come spring and buy a place up there. It doesn't hurt that the taxes up there average 1/2 of what we're paying now.

 

So our 2019 goals

move to within five or ten minutes of where we like to fish, and then go fishing, again, again, and again.

Now that’s a goal anyone can enjoy!

My only fishing goal is to have fun. Now that I think of it I do have a goal. To get better at bed fishing to compete better in the early season tournaments. But if I don't I'll still have fun.

7 hours ago, Arcs&sparks said:

Regarding Fly fishing,  take a proper lesson before trying to learn on your own.  It’s way harder to correct your poor form if you’ve already been doing it awhile.

Truer words were never said. I've been fly fishing off and on 50+ years. Taught myself out of a book. It took me years to break the bad habits I used just cause I didn't know better.

I don't like to complicate things, so keep it simple for 2019, so goal is catch more fish.

Same goals as always:

--Catch a new PB largemouth

--Catch a new PB smallmouth

--Catch a MI Master Angler qualifying SM or LM (either would be a PB for me)

--Catch a new lake/river PB in each place I fish

--Increase the number of keeper-sized bass I catch per hour fishing over that of previous years, in each place I fish.

--Fish 3-5 new bodies of water in my area (I'll run out eventually, but haven't yet)

--Enjoy myself

Catch more than 30 bass

Catch a PB largemouth

Catch a PB spotted bass

Learn how to better jig fish

Learn how to watch my line

Catch a bass on a jig, frog, crankbait, spinner bait, chatterbait, trick worm, Senko, and lizard

Break the 8# mark in Kansas, something I've been trying to do my entire life but never managed to do.

 

Spend more time fishing with my boys. 

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Break the 8# mark in Kansas, something I've been trying to do my entire life but never managed to do.

 

Spend more time fishing with my boys. 

Head down to Pittsburg and fish the strip pits. You have to walk or drag a tin boat to the good ones, but there are some monsters living in them.

6 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Head down to Pittsburg and fish the strip pits. You have to walk or drag a tin boat to the good ones, but there are some monsters living in them.

I've fished them quite a bit. The trout pit has state records swimming in it, but they're very wary in that super clear water. I live 30 minutes from the best big bass factory in the state anyways.

 

Not too sure about goals. I’ve been a River Rat for life. Recent (last few years) weather patterns that Mother Nature has put upon us has messed up my home waters. Hopefully they will rebound and heal. 

 

I’ve switched gears and became or becoming a laker. It’s been fun. Every time out is a new adventure. Everything is new, structure, water temps, water depth, lure size, presentation, color and on and on. Adapting is sort of a goal in itself. I’ve caught some nice largemouths this past season. Want that to continue as my goal. I’ve be applying what I’ve learned during my life on the river and smallies to the lake. Have found some smallies in the lake. That was a neat find. 

 

I have ave grand kids that I get out. Want to keep that going. Catch Muskies on occasion while bass fishing and sort of hope that continues. Those toothy critters are fun to catch. 

My main goal is to simply get out and fish more often! I tricked out a 10' pond prowler back in October of this year and bought a trailer to make getting out on the water with it, even less of a hassle. I will post a picture of it when I learn how to lol. With my new watercraft setup, my goal to get out and fish more often will hopefully come true. Another would be to find a great place to fish said setup!! I live in Mechanicsville Virginia so if anyone has any recommendations or can point me to a thread that will help me find a great place, it would be much appreciated!!? Lastly, I'd like to simplify my fishing as a whole. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/profile/2037-catt/ Catt, as well as many others ( I wish I knew how to link just his name lol ) gave me some great advice on a question I posted about lure selection which will hopefully help me accomplish this goal as well!!