I am kind of weird about this. Deep down I think I am a big fish fisherman. I have no problem going all day catching no fish if I know that I can catch a big one before the day is over. On the other hand, if I go all day trying to catch a big one, and I don't catch either size or numbers, I will wish I had just went for numbers. If you commit to trying to catch big ones, you pretty much have to be prepared to get skunked occasionally, or at least catch fewer fish. That's what I have trouble with.

Need you ask ?

I can go out and catch small fish all day, yet feel like I've done nothing. But if I catch just one big fish... one worth taking photos of, then it was a good trip.

I've heard that the normal progression for most anglers is 1) to catch a fish, 2) to catch a bunch of fish, and finally 3) to catch a giant fish ! This has certainly been true for me.

Size matters !

Fish

you pretty much have to be prepared to get skunked occasionally,

Occasionally ??? How about, all the time ! Doesn't bother me very much at all though. I call it, paying the dues

That's how I am starting to feel about it lately. I think I must be between stages, because I am still having trouble with going out and catching nothing.

The last time I went to FL I hired a guide. We were trying to pick the best place to go to fit my goals for the day. He said "Would you rather get 25 to 30 bites today, or get 5 to 10, and have a chance at a monster?". At that point I was torn, deep down I knew I would rather get the chance at the monster, but I also knew if we only caught 5 dinks and not the monster, I would feel like I didn't get my money's worth. I chose the latter, mainly because a cold front came through and he thought the bites would be stingy either place, so we might as well try for the big momma. I caught 7 fish, 6 that might have weighed a lb each, and one that was in the 9lb range.

Catching a whole lot of quality fish is a different story, however. When I fished with ghoti at Trophy Country we easily caught 80 between the two of us. We had some dinks scattered here and there, but 90% were 21/2 to 31/2 lbs. That was a blast.

I prefer quantity over quality, but I won't be mad if I catch some big ones.

I get bored catching dinks. Nobody cares if you caught 100 12 inchers anyways, but you catch one 5 pounder and you had a good day in my book. So I guess I'm a size guy .

I fish for size usually, but sometimes I'm in the mood to toss buzzbaits and topwaters for large numbers of small aggressive bass, especially if I bring guests out with me who don't fish very often.

I like catching, so numbers are great. However, I do love those days when you hall a bunch of 3+ pound bass.