During the many years spent on the water fishing, I have experienced both disappointing and successful fishing trips. Many times I headed out for a fun, relaxing day on the water and returned home stressed and upset instead. So what happened? More importantly, why does this seem to happen more than we would like?

There are several reasons for a disappointing fishing trip. A major reason a fishing trip can become frustrating is setting unrealistic goals for the day. Often, a successful fishing trip is based on how many fish are caught. People sometimes fail to take into account their skill level and the activity of the fish based on the time of year.

Each fisherman varies in experience and skill. It is important to realize your strengths and limits as an angler and work to learn more about the sport. If you are not proficient at casting, practice on and off the water with aim and distance. Setting the hook may be a challenge for you. Don’t get discouraged. The more often you are on the water, you will get a better feel for when and how hard to set the hook. Some anglers may need extra practice with lure presentation. It takes time and experience to learn when bass want a slow or fast retrieve.

Invite skilled people out with you and learn from their advice and comments.

At different times in the year, fish are more or less active. Knowing this will help you to set realistic goals to avoid disappointment. For most, a successful trip during the summer months would include around 10 bass bites or 20 crappie bites. During that time, fish are in deeper water and more lethargic. They do not feed often, eating only one or two large meals a day. With this knowledge, you can understand why it is not fair to set a 20-30 fish goal.

Being realistic about your abilities and not putting pressure on yourself will allow you to relax and have a successful trip.

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