What Are Your Fishing Goals For 2009 ?

[Mike T]

Catch more fish

[stratos]

spend more time on the water

[Whack'emGood]

My goals for the 2009 season are to catch a limit of bass every tournament this year and make the Championship fish off. Last season for 2008 my goal was to make the Championship tournament, which I did, but I didn't have a very stellar catch ratio.

I would like to win a tournament this season, but I think thinking that way will put to much undue pressure on me, so I'm saving that for next year.

S&M-- You and I have similar goals this year... One of my goals in each tourney that I fish is to catch a limit. Also, my buddy partner (my Dad) and I, won 1 tournament last year... my goal for this year is to win 2. I would also like to catch more kicker fish (5lb +) in tourneys this year-- because that is what it takes to at least get in the money and have a shot at winning-- and finishing in the money is always a goal of mine when I fish a tourney. Also, we finished 6th in our night tourney Championship last year... I would like to improve on that this year.

Also, one of my goals is to give different baits and techniques an honest shot more this year (instead of always reverting back to the good ol' standbys that I have the most confidence in). I know this stubbornness (is that a word??) keeps me from catching more and bigger fish from time to time.

Also, I would like to quit being stubborn about blacklights and try one for my night fishing this year. I know most of the good night fishermen use them, but I (and my partner) are pretty stubborn and set in our ways and have never given them an honest try... I think, if we do, we may just catch more fish... we had a good year last year, but there is always room for improvement.

That is my two cents... great topic S&M.

Have a great new year everyone.

Whack'em

[S&M]

I'm going to respond to each and everyone of you who have taken part in this discussion. It just takes a bit of time to type., but here's a start

Flippin,

That's a good goal. Focusing and applying yourself to a specific seasonal pattern will do wonders to improve your catch ratio. I also agree the information that can be obtain from the other members here is priceless, a darn good bunch of folks.

Bill,

Thanks for the information. I use the tech achieves here all the time, that's how my eyes where opened to stick bait fishing in the first place. I had never heard about it until I read it here. I actually have a copy of the well written article in my boat for reference. That is a wonderful list of guides you listed, but you should have included yourself. From what I have read on this board you are one of the best. I don't consider any ones suggestion to use a guide as any type of promotion; it is simply the best way to get hands on, one on one experience. I don't think that fact could be argued.

It's nice to see that after 30 years of fishing table rock you still want to enhance your skills and knowledge. That's a testament of a true professional.

Techo,

Your enthusiasm for bass fishing is the best I've ever seen. Your constant support of others on this website really shines, but more evident to me is your desire to learn and apply what you've learned.

You have set up doable goals for this year and one of those goals that YOU CAN accomplish is making the Championship tournament for AIA. As you most likely already know you need to fish a minimum of 4 out of 5 events to be illegible, and accumulated enough points to be in the top 40%.

Here's how you do that. Fish at least 4 events and weigh in at least "one" fish per tournament. One fish will usually yield anywhere from 200 to 250 points towards overall point standings. 1000 points at the end of the season has about a 99% chance of being in the top 40% for the Championship. Also remember that 5 wild cards from each division can be picked for the championship as long as they meet the minimum 4 fished events. Trust me your chances of making the championship are way better then you think. Hopefully your work schedule or any other prior events won't cause you to miss any tournaments.

As it stands now, your qualifying position in the AIA standings is very good. Remember, weighing in just one fish is so important. I see many guys at the tournaments who don't weigh in that one fish they caught that day, and it's a HUGE mistake, if your looking at the big picture or goal of making the championship tournament.

[techo]

Thanks for the kind words. Much to my supervisors consternation.....I have already put in for vacation for each of the tournaments!

Now you have doubled my enthusiasm.

[Don House]

Pretty much for 2009 is to find more locations and catch more fish, Plus a few Guide Business Goals. Pretty Simple, and Mr. Bill, Yes I do love to stickbait fish it's one of my favorite Winter and Early Spring things to do..

Techo, as far as making the tournment championship, S&M is right on the money, just show up to every tournament and catch at least one fish and you will get the call, been there done that.. Good Luck to you!

Good Fishing and Happy New Year Everyone

[Donna G]

Great topic and one that gets you thinking. I have actually been mulling over fishing goals ever since I had my recent surgery. I love tournament fishing and I decided that after losing a kidney to cancer, life is too short not to 'go for the gusto.' I made the CPAA championship as a co-angler last year, which was my first year to ever fish a tournament circuit (with the exception of two tournaments when WBT kicked off). I was really proud of that, so my number one goal is qualify again this coming year.

I would like to cash a check this year. So, that's goal number three. Yes, I know I skipped number two. Number two is to catch that elusive one fish in each tournament. As a co-angler, sometimes my chances are better than others depending on what my pro is doing, but I am still striving to catch at least one each competition day. I know everyone gets skunked sometimes, but I have a tendency to give up as weigh-in approaches and I still don't have anything in the livewell. I try not to, but it's hard. That's a definite goal - to hang in there. (I refuse to say 'never give up').

My final goal, but not in the numbered order, is to pursue opportunities for writing and having my efforts published. The CPAA Fishin' Magazine has been printed and I understand is being mailed. Check me out. I have a column called 'Angling for More' and have been asked to write a column for each of the upcoming issues next year. I was so excited. It's not a how-to. I'm a rookie and don't have any expert advice to offer, but I think it is an interesting read. When I came up with the column name a friend asked me to define what 'Angling for More' was to me. I liked the title and considered it catchy, but hadn't given any thought to meaning. Now that this year is ending I've come up with a few definitions.

Angling for More -

More success at tournament fishing

More knowledge about fishing and tournament fishing

More time on the water with my best friend and fishing buddy (love ya' Champ)

More kindness showed toward others

More respect for me from myself

-and last, but not least -

More thanks given to Him from whom all blessings flow

God bless you all. Thank you for letting a 'girl' chat with the boys and being so nice to me.

Happy New Year's.

Donna G

[focused fishing]

I have always tried to set goals in my angling career. This year will be much different with taking on the T director job at CPAA. With that in mind this is what I've come up with:

CPAA:

Do everything with in my power to rebuild the reputation and stature of Central Pro Am, increase tournament participation by 40% in the Pro-Am and maintain a 70 boat average in the buddy events.

General Angling:

Get back on the bank....... well sort of, stop depending on deep fish and get back to fishing a jig 90% of the time.

Tournament:

Win a AiA event and have a top five in one of the Skeeter Tour events. (With being the T director it is going to be tough to fish any more than this)

Guide:

Increase guide business by 10%

S&M,

Bill is right if you want to learn to fish a stickbait your learning curve would be cut down a bunch by hiring a guide. Anyone Bill mentioned would be a good choice, I would add Pete Wenners, every year it seems likes Pete catches a double digit fish on Table Rock with a stick bait. A few years back he almost won a derby on the Rock with two fish that went almost 15 lbs.

I can catch 'em on a stickbait but nearly as well as the others listed.

Good topic and one that doesn't get enough attention.

EP

[Ealy]

One of my top goals is to fish better under pressure. I always fish better when fun fishing because I'm not afraid to take chances and experiment a little. I seem to have my best trips by flying by the seat of my pants and fishing the current conditions instead of trying to duplicate what worked last time. I'm hoping more time spent fishing this way will build confidence in myself and making the right decision. It seems like in a tournament situation I'm afraid to fish somewhere I haven't fished or caught fish before even if what I'm doing isn't working. I need to get over that.

As far as techniques I need to learn more about shallow fishing and power fishing on lakes like Truman, Stockton, Pomme i.e. squarebillin and deep cranking, and summertime offshore structure fishing.

And last but not least, I'd like a year free of boat problems. Last year my outboard popped 3 times, problems with trolling motor, batteries, etc... It seems like every time I go out something else happens.

[Tom Spence]

Glad this got brought up cause its frankly something I've needed to sit down and think about. I finished 52 in points last year in the Heartland as a co-angler. Moved to the front o' the boat this year not so much cause I thought I was ready to compete with those guys, but because the things I need to learn now revolved around decision making and time management. I don't think those are things you learn on the back deck. So with that said:

1: Finish in the top 50 in the field in the Heartland. I know, "Why not top 40 for the championship?" Well, I like to keep things realistic and within reach. Anything else is a bonus.

2: Finish at least one event in the top 20

3: Get my co-angler a fish in every event

4: Win the Make a Wish Take a Kid tourney this year with my son. Took 4th in it 2 years ago and he had a blast doing it.

5: Get more confident with deep cranks

6: Keep having fun