Tackle Tactics Surfcasting Message Board

Tackle Tactics Surfcasting Message Board
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keep a diary

Posted by The druid on 23/7/2016, 8:09 pm

Every year or so I start a diary but I never seem to keep it going more than a few months. I think maybe I put too much stuff in. Does anyone have a simple, easy to fill in, easy to follow formula, of what's important for future fishing plans.

Re: keep a diary

Posted by Team Century on 24/7/2016, 6:24 am, in reply to "keep a diary"

Must be an app for one?

I used to use the tide book. Comparing and recording wind and catch rates for the BOP until I saw the common characteristics that influenced catch rates, tide, swell, moon, wind direction for each location.
Did the same with Aotea last summer and will use these again to check the new west coast locations in August into the spring. Usually worked

Re: keep a diary

Posted by The druid on 24/7/2016, 10:24 am, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

So tide, swell, moon, wind direction are starters then I suppose bait, rigs used and time in the water?

Re: keep a diary

Posted by Team Century on 24/7/2016, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

I tended to stick to baits that work consistently along with the rig/s suited to the venue. So have these with me each time. Different baits fish effectively at different length of time in the water. Octi can sit there for 45 minutes, squid slightly less and fish less again and can be washed out by the swell. Shellfish even less again especially with small fish around. All these are learnt with time.
I would focus on the moon phase that catches along with stage of the tide, low throughout or over the top and ebbing tide. Time of the year is also a factor for a number of species they are not always within casting range.
Different venues produce at different times. (Usually, sometimes).

Re: keep a diary

Posted by racepics on 25/7/2016, 5:55 am, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

I tried to keep one once but it was always depressing reading when you got the the "fish caught" entry..
Best not to

http://www.paniasurfcasting.org
http://www.surfcaster.co.nz

Re: keep a diary

Posted by Team Century on 25/7/2016, 6:18 am, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

That's why perhaps forming a picture when it does fish well is the best approach rather than recording actual catches.
Last Thursday is an example. High tide after dark, good moon phase, but a 20cm swell hardly encouraging and a venue that seems to only produce over the high when a big moon would have been up. Decided to stay home and I probably made the right choice.

Keep the Same Diary

Posted by Rod Walloper on 29/7/2016, 11:30 am, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

I started a diary in 1977. A whole page for each day. I still have it and have made new entries over the years. Place fished, moon phase when it rose and set, bait used, fish caught and observations such as what stage of tide produced best. No need for a new diary every year.

It shows me seasonal changes in catch - when to fish where for snapper and moki and lemons etc. Probably most useful for Wairarapa/Wellington where different areas fish very differently at different times of the year. It also shows how fish populations have changed over the years - once upon a time (believe it or not) a spiny dogfish was a rarity!!!!!

I can thumb thru my diary and actually remember many of the fishing sessions from 38 years ago from my notes.

I figure that when I am relegated to a retirement home I can sit in the lounge with my magnifying glass and the diary and trip down memory lane.

Re: Keep the Same Diary

Posted by The druid on 29/7/2016, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Keep the Same Diary"

Thanks for your responses. It seems I should take more notice of the moon, though I must confess I tend to fish when it suits the rest of my life rather than fit my life around fishing. Perhaps a change of focus to go with my 'new diary'. All good points worth noting.

Re: Keep the Same Diary

Posted by Team Century on 29/7/2016, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Keep the Same Diary"

Arguably if all other conditions are right, swell, time of day/night, moon phase is arguably the biggest single influence.

Re: keep a diary

Posted by Naki-Fisher on 7/8/2016, 12:56 pm, in reply to "keep a diary"

Are you any good in Microsoft Excel?
I can send you a template

Re: keep a diary

Posted by The druid on 7/8/2016, 8:29 pm, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

Absolutely. I can manage the basics and fill stuff in. Love to see your plan, thanks.

Re: Keep the Same Diary

Posted by WellieFisher on 20/8/2016, 7:11 pm, in reply to "Keep the Same Diary"

Are you selling copies Richard?

Re: Keep the Same Diary

Posted by Rod Walloper on 23/8/2016, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: Keep the Same Diary"

WellieFisher only the last 10 years of entries are of much use because the individual fish populations have changed so much. Spotty sharks for instance are now so much smaller and fewer of them - although I did catch my biggest one ever a couple of months ago. In some places where I used to catch them they are basically gone. (and so is the commercial guy with his f@*^ing 500 meter set nets - havent seen him for 4/5 years).

Re: keep a diary

Posted by Naki-Fisher on 17/9/2016, 8:00 pm, in reply to "Re: keep a diary"

PM your email mate and ill send you a template
I have spent a hell of a lot of time on this and the biggest problem i have found is i need a program that can handle and interpret the information.
Ive had a few knocks over the last few years (non-fishing) that have put this on a bit of a back step but it's something i love.

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