Your FishTales Fishing Log Book comes with easy to fill out pages - so it's very simple to record your location, companions, the weather & water conditions, as well as tide and moon phases. On the flip side of the page you can track and record your daily catch information, fish and feeding activity, the bait or lure used, and your presentation and rigging. There's also plenty of space to journal memorable details from each fishing trip. There are blank map pages for sketching details of your favorite honey holes and recording their GPS coordinates. But beyond that, we hope you'll find the tips below helpful as you begin to use your new log to record your valuable fishing experiences.
- Get in the habit of carrying your fishing journal with you on every fishing trip you take. Record outcomes and observations as quickly as possible - ideally, put your pen to paper before you leave the water.
- Record as much information as you possibly can - on every trip you take. In this instance you just can't have too much information!
- It's equally important to note what worked - and - what didn't. Data logged on the days you're skunked is just as vital as that recorded on days when you can't reel'em in fast enough. As time passes you'll begin to see similarities in your entries and patterns will begin to emerge.
- When fishing an unfamiliar body of water, take a look back at past log entries. Look for fishing days with similar characteristics such as water clarity, structure, depth, and temperature - even similar weather conditions might give you a head start in choosing which spot to fish and the equipment to use.
- Use your fishing log to note tips you pick up from other fishermen, ideas or information from articles you've read or television programs you've seen. It's an ideal place to keep notes on boat traffic, or how your boat's handling. Your log is also a great place to jot down something you want to remember after you leave the water.
- Be sure to take advantage of the reference & maintenance sections; they're a handy place to note when you last changed the oil, had the engine serviced, hull scraped, reels cleaned, plugs changed, or gears lubed. Make note of the names and numbers of fishing guides and fishing buddies, bait shop numbers and their hours. note accommodations and your comments about your stay.
- To ensure you'll have plenty of catch to record in you log book be sure you read-the-water for obvious signs like fish tailing, wakes, and jumping bait-fish. Also look for subtle clues like shadows, a change in current, flashes from bait-fish, eddies, ripples, nervous water, and changes in bottom color or structure. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will definitely help. To find the fish - read the water.
- If you're a "techy" angler you may want to transfer the data from your written log to a computer spreadsheet in order to keep running totals.