I had an idea that may seem a little obsessive but I just wanted to see what you guys thought. I'm still new and I haven't been bass fishing long enough to know all the tricks and tips to finding the fish. I thought about keeping a notebook in my tackle box. In this notebook I would make a quick sketch of the lake, labeling obstacles, points, etc. and keeping track of what I caught, where I caught it, and what I caught it with. Along with that making quick notes about other variables, such as water temp, weather conditions, and water conditions would probably be kept too. I'm thinking after a while of doing this, I will start to see how things work better. Any thoughts on this?

Naw, those things don't work!

This will give you a leg up: http://www.bassresource.com/fish/fishing_log.html

I have tried keeping a log while I'm out on the water, and it became quite laborious, information was inconsistent, and the book got messed up by long day kicking around a boat; and my art work was horrible. I gave it up out of frustration. Then as available technology improved I hit on another method.

1. I got myself a Digital Voice Recorder; their now inexpensive, very small and fit well within a shirt pocket. It's a lot easier to talk into than writing in a book, you can even do it while casting ! Then I transcribe my comments into a log book in the comfort of my home. Two tips are necessary here, first have a list of items you want in your log (you can print out the BR log or come up with your own) keep the list on a small card of some type and have it laminated to protect it from the weather; refer to the card as you make your recordings to insure you capture all the points, after a while you won't need the card; second, I found it helpful to use a small set of head phones while transcribing the recordings at home, I could hear better and I wasn't brothering anyone else.

2. If you can, use Google Earth to get areal views of your fishing spots. You can zoom in to get the view you want and then save it to your computer in the *.jpg format. Thin I have them printed on 4X6 photo's that I mark up with a fine tip sharpie pen. I then tape the photos into the log book.

This is one way to keep a log that has worked for me, and most of the work I do from my easy chair.

Cheers, Eric

Alright thanks guys. Just wasn't sure how to handle it but both of your suggestions seem like good ideas. I think I'll give them a shot.

Thats a good idea. I have a notebook as well.

Once I'm off the water I download my notes into an excel spreadsheet.

I have tried keeping a log while I'm out on the water, and it became quite laborious, information was inconsistent, and the book got messed up by long day kicking around a boat; and my art work was horrible. I gave it up out of frustration. Then as available technology improved I hit on another method.

1. I got myself a Digital Voice Recorder; their now inexpensive, very small and fit well within a shirt pocket. It's a lot easier to talk into than writing in a book, you can even do it while casting ! Then I transcribe my comments into a log book in the comfort of my home. Two tips are necessary here, first have a list of items you want in your log (you can print out the BR log or come up with your own) keep the list on a small card of some type and have it laminated to protect it from the weather; refer to the card as you make your recordings to insure you capture all the points, after a while you won't need the card; second, I found it helpful to use a small set of head phones while transcribing the recordings at home, I could hear better and I wasn't brothering anyone else.

.......

This is one way to keep a log that has worked for me, and most of the work I do from my easy chair.

Cheers, Eric

Here's a pic of the DVR I use.