I'm trying to break this down into a categorial sense, so only one focusing on a location, one on a bait style, one for organization.

1. Try to not flip, lose anything or drown.
2. Try to go more often.
3. Catch larger bass. I largely did good last year in numbers (on the kayak anyway), but not a lot of larger bass.
4. Learn the Crown Point area on Lake Champlain better. There was only one spot I was able to get bit. But I love that area, incredible views!
5. Fish more jerkbaits.
6. Find a cooler that fits on my kayak so I can keep a few.
7. For my organizational goal, I only have one last year, largely after having maybe a dozen last year, which is move all of my soft plastics from an empty 3700 box and 3 KVD bags into a YakAttack Bait Binder, which should be a nice upgrade on the water and save a little time as I can fit it in my Blackpak and I wouldn't have to take out all my rods and then take it out of the bottom of my Yakima Topwater to stick it below my seat.

Go to the gym, eat healthy, and get fit.

Fish WAY more. 

Have fun, make memories with old and new friends.

I am not a big yearly goal guy.  But I came up with a few.

 

1.  New PB smallmouth bass.  I need one longer than 21.5 inches.

 

2. Use more of the lures I actually have.  I have many lures that have never been wet.  
 

3. Explore more waters.  Between the kayak and boat I should be able get on some new water.

 

4.  Hide from the bait monkey. 

My goal is to better understand and use my Helix 9 fish finder, I have been watching plenty of videos and plan on installing it in the house and using it on demo mode to become more familiar with all it’s available functions.

Goal number one is to get out more.  I didn't do a bad job of that in 2025 and was better than 2024, but not nearly what 2023 was.  Some of that in 2025 was due to going to the gym more (3 evenings a week) so I can't say it was a bad reason why I didn't go more. I just need to get a few more days on the water, especially in prime time (mid april to mid may).

 

Goal two is either a PB or a 20 lb bag.  I don't care if it is smallies, largemouth, mixed, etc.  I've had a couple days this year that approached 20#, but didn't tip over it this year.  Last year and the year before yes.  I've lost a couple fish locally (not this year) that would have been PBs so they are around.  And having the boat to open up a couple places more readily should help too.  And being out in prime time will help.

 

Goal 3 is to fish with my dad more.  I usually get 1-2 trips out and I'd like to try to get an extra 1-2 in there.

 

Goal 4 is my usual goal of adding one new waterbody that I either haven't fished or haven't really fished (much or lately) and then to fish one of my known lakes and really get to know it.  I added one this year (and also got to know it pretty well) and I think that will be the one to really get to know through the seasons now.  I have to pick a 'new' to me one for next year.  

 

Lurewise- get better with jerkbaits.  I think I have my rod choice sorted out now after some trial and error that means I don't need a new one.  Fish a jig more- I know they catch fish and big ones.  I just have moved to plastics more.  Refine my lure boxes a little better, take out the things I'll never fish.

 

 

@bigbearstroop122- if you want some in person help with the helix just ping me.  I had a 7 and then a 9 for a couple years on my kayak and had them pretty well dialed in.  

1) Get out more than last year

2) Take my daughter out more this year

3) Hit spring/pre spawn hard

4) Hunt a DD

5) Really work through all of my tackle and cull the stuff I dont like or dont really see myself using. I have all my storage areas packed and I still end up with the same 5 or so lures on deck all the time. I either need to use it or get rid of it.

1 hour ago, Functional said:

Really work through all of my tackle and cull the stuff I dont like or dont really see myself using. I have all my storage areas packed and I still end up with the same 5 or so lures on deck all the time. I either need to use it or get rid of it.

 

Ha, another Nouveau Thoreau. Welcome aboard!

17 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

Ha, another Nouveau Thoreau. Welcome aboard!

Easy now...its a goal lol. Even typing that out I had a nag in the back of my head that says " youll need it right after you throw it out" as it echoes through the cavern of my head. 

8 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Goal number one is to get out more.  I didn't do a bad job of that in 2025 and was better than 2024, but not nearly what 2023 was.  Some of that in 2025 was due to going to the gym more (3 evenings a week) so I can't say it was a bad reason why I didn't go more. I just need to get a few more days on the water, especially in prime time (mid april to mid may).

 

Goal two is either a PB or a 20 lb bag.  I don't care if it is smallies, largemouth, mixed, etc.  I've had a couple days this year that approached 20#, but didn't tip over it this year.  Last year and the year before yes.  I've lost a couple fish locally (not this year) that would have been PBs so they are around.  And having the boat to open up a couple places more readily should help too.  And being out in prime time will help.

 

Goal 3 is to fish with my dad more.  I usually get 1-2 trips out and I'd like to try to get an extra 1-2 in there.

 

Goal 4 is my usual goal of adding one new waterbody that I either haven't fished or haven't really fished (much or lately) and then to fish one of my known lakes and really get to know it.  I added one this year (and also got to know it pretty well) and I think that will be the one to really get to know through the seasons now.  I have to pick a 'new' to me one for next year.  

 

Lurewise- get better with jerkbaits.  I think I have my rod choice sorted out now after some trial and error that means I don't need a new one.  Fish a jig more- I know they catch fish and big ones.  I just have moved to plastics more.  Refine my lure boxes a little better, take out the things I'll never fish.

 

 

@bigbearstroop122- if you want some in person help with the helix just ping me.  I had a 7 and then a 9 for a couple years on my kayak and had them pretty well dialed in.  

I will see how much I absorb between now and the spring, I really do appreciate the offer though.

thank you 

I need to get into the 10+ pound PB!

Just continue to enjoy my days on the water. I know that my time on the water is nearing its end as I will soon be 72 so I try to just enjoy every day and every fish I catch regardless of its size. 

My yearly goal is simple and unchanging:

 

 Fish more.

11 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

My yearly goal is simple and unchanging:

 

 Fish more.

 

Good goal!

@Swamp Girl You know my goals. And they DO include fishing. I honestly hope to be on the water in April, my favorite month of the year for bass fishing. Not only are all the fatties shallow. All the hunters are chasing turkeys.

21 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

I honestly hope to be on the water in April, my favorite month of the year for bass fishing. Not only are all the fatties shallow.

 

I caught my PB in April. I just wish that it was such a scary month for me. However, with my new Old Town Predator 13 on my pal's pond, I won't be as scared because it's a big, stable kayak. The problem with April is that my two big bass bogs require me to launch my tippy Kevlar canoe. I'll probably do it, but hug the shorelines.

6 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

I caught my PB in April. I just wish that it was such a scary month for me. However, with my new Old Town Predator 13 on my pal's pond, I won't be as scared because it's a big, stable kayak. The problem with April is that my two big bass bogs require me to launch my tippy Kevlar canoe. I'll probably do it, but hug the shorelines.

I hug the shores when the water is cold, getting too old to hope I make it out from the middle if I dump, although in 30ish years I have yet to do so. Do you find a big difference in your confidence in staying dry when in the yak?

1. Fish more. Must. FIsh. More...

2. Get good at catching fish in sub 50 degree water. New England is in a dark and dreary state for about 1/3 of the year, and it would be very beneficial if I figured them out to keep my mind occupied during that time.

3. Scale down what I bring on my kayak, I brought way more than I needed on my trips and I felt clunky at times. Slimming down would increase my enjoyment greatly.

4. Fish earlier in the day; life threw a few curveballs at me in the second half of the year and it derailed my motivation to fish at times, and oftentimes I would head out 2-3 hours later than I wanted to. I missed out on a ton of good bite windows as a result, so this relates to goal 1 a bit.

5. Target more species. I caught the highest number of bass in my life in 2025, and while trying to beat that number would be cool, I also have a ton of saltwater gear that basically went unused. I live in the mecca of striped bass fishing, it would be a shame if I didn't take advantage of it next year.

 

1. Get out and fish more. (always something in the way) family, friends, health, yardwork, etc.

2. Explore new water

3. Fish the extremes more. (BFS & large swimbaits)

19 minutes ago, padlin said:

I hug the shores when the water is cold, getting too old to hope I make it out from the middle if I dump, although in 30ish years I have yet to do so. Do you find a big difference in your confidence in staying dry when in the yak?

 

I haven't paddled it yet, but I watched a guy online stand on the edge of it without tipping, so I'm pretty sure it'll be hard to tip.  

 

6 minutes ago, AverageAngler said:

Fish earlier in the day

 

Good goal. I catch a lot of bass when I launch at four in the morning.

 

 

I didn’t get out in the boat as much this year than prior so goal next year is more boat days.
 

I just purchased an Eagle Eye 9 so goal for next year will be to spend time learning FFS.

 

Another  goal will be to try a new lake or two. 
 

read more and reply less!

Tom

On 12/10/2025 at 8:34 PM, WRB-2.0 said:

read more and reply less!

Tom

Don't do that Tom,we love your perspective on every topict hat you reply to. Plus it can take you down memory lane while you post. 🙂

On 12/8/2025 at 1:58 AM, Glenn said:

Go to the gym, eat healthy, and get fit.

Start now so that momentum carries you into the next year 

8 hours ago, Gutierrez said:

Start now so that momentum carries you into the next year 

We'll never 'feel' ready.

Because ready is a decision, not a feeling.

A-Jay

Same as every year - to NOT set any fishing goals for the year  😉