Trophy Hunter Vs Big Numbers Of Fish

[ness]

Really doesn't matter. As long as I'm fishing.

I would love that 20" smallie, but being on fish all day and catching 15" + or - an inch or two is a great day.

I know when we go fishing that our group has thier "go to" lure/bait. One of us usually catches smaller fish all day long. I usually catch less fish but catch larger ones on the average. Somedays I catch the numbers and the larger fish.

I do like too try and hit as much water as possible, but like too try and go over a good producing hole at least twice.

I'm with you. This pounds/inches/fish per unit of time stuff is not my cup o'tea.

[Justin Spencer]

I'm with you. This pounds/inches/fish per unit of time stuff is not my cup o'tea.

That reminds me of an old blog post I wrote back in 2010 on this way of measuring success, might be mildly entertaining if you have nothing better to do.

http://justinsfishingpage.blogspot.com/2010/04/206-inches-of-fish-per-minute.html

[Wayne SW/MO]

The first thing I count is time on the water.

I understand the concept of trophy hunting for trout, but I have a hard time understanding what the process would be on a flow?

[KCRIVERRAT]

The first thing I count is time on the water.

I understand the concept of trophy hunting for trout, but I have a hard time understanding what the process would be on a flow?

Referring to a free flowing stream Wayne?

[KCRIVERRAT]

Numbers over size in my book. Simply, I love the Jacks Fork. Overnighters on the upper, skip the Eminence area. Long day floats on the lower.

Biggest smallie I've ever caught is 17 and a half. I was thrilled and it wasn't on the upper.

Just fish the time of year you're comfortable with and what works for you and don't measure yourself against others.

[ColdWaterFshr]

I'd like to recant a statement I made earlier about loving just getting out and all that touchy-feely nonsense. I like big fish. 16" is nice, 17" is special, 18" is a cause for celebration, and around 19 inches you are getting into spiritual conversion territory.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Referring to a free flowing stream Wayne?

Yes, and I see I kind of left that one hanging. I meant trophy hunting smallmouth. Trout tend to cull themselves when it comes to lure size and can be fished to, so to speak. Smallies on the other hand don't seem to about lure size and they can be impossible to spot when they're large.

So I don;t understand what someone would differently if he or she were trophy fishing for smallmouth on say the Gasconade?

[Gilly]

I'm good with just being on the water. Catch some fish....great for a rush, I'm even happier! I just enjoy trying to guess what the presentation needs to be and if I'm right....cool.Grandkids on the fish, now that's what I can get excited about.

[Feathers and Fins]

I have enjoyed reading these posts; perhaps I should explain my idea of a trophy fish. As I told Duane the other day I get as much a kick out of catching a wild born 4 inch rainbow then a 10lb bass. A trophy to me is not the biggest or most weighty fish but something unique! That wild trout means so much to me knowing its odds of surviving an egg to become a fish let alone its struggle to get bigger.

I also love catching the biggest fish around, but on line that puts every element possible to the advantage of the fish once hooked. Hence Light line for targeting them. I love the trophy size as much as the trophy beauty of the little trout. The trophy size fish is a trophy because of its power and the only way to experience that power is IMO to go light on line. I want to feel the run and the head and tail shakes to feel the weight of the fish pulling against the line and see the wakes and swirls on the surface as it fight.

A trophy can be big or small depending on the angler. Beauty is as much a trophy as size.

[Gilly]

Ron,

Totally off topic....anyone ever told you that Ted Nugent kinda looks like you?