Are you "Successful"?

Just out of curiosity, when do you all classify yourselves as a "Successful" fisherman. I was thinking about this the other day. Now, I haven't ever limited out on crappie down here, but I would say at least 3 out of 5 trips to the lake I end up walking away with enough for dinner. Rarely do I ever go and NOT catch anything at all... I would say I feel like I am a fairly successful fisherman. Considering up until last weekend I have been limited to fishing from the bank. I am pretty sure that forced me to be a better fisherman. I had to find areas that could potentially produce fish that were within casting distance, and had the wind going in the right direction to be able to fish from that spot. Just curious.

Success is enjoying some time on the water, out in the fresh air and away from the pressures of jobs and other stuff that gets in the way of fishing. Every time I turn into the ramp, my adrenaline goes wild and my heart starts pumping faster and I am just plain excited to be alive.

If you hav e enjoyed the time out on the water, then I think its been a sucessful day out on the water, if you measure success by your limit then I would be disappointed most days but I do catch enough fish to feed our family of 5, 8-10 10 inch crappie will stuff my crowd.

I have to agree with Chief, and CrappieTuttle. Some of the most "successful" days, I never put a fish into the cooler. I normally put the fly rod into the boat anytime I go fishing, except when its cold. If I don't find a crappie, I usually revert to the fly rod and always seem to draw some attention from some kind of fish.
Successful ? Not sure, but we always have a great time, fish or no fish.

Chris

100% agree with everyone else, its a successful trip the minute I pull up to the lake, even if I only fish for 5 minutes :)

Thank you guys. Yes, I do have to agree with you. It is successful when we get some time to just fish. Although, my view has changed a lot over the past few years. Kind of like when I go out bow hunting. I don't see myself as successful just when I get to harvest an animal, but when I just get to see deer, and they don't see me. Hunting and Fishing are just about the only things I do on "my" time. Everyone keeps telling me that when I have kids (God willing) the time will be much more limited that I get to spend out there on the water or in the woods. I can see that... Some of my greatest memories are when I was up at our cabin in the fall, with my dad or uncle. Just fishing, hunting, or even sitting around the cabin on a crappy day. I truly feel that I learned more of what it meant to be an adult up there than anywhere else. Heck, I probably learned more about Biology hunting and fishing, than I did sitting in those classrooms over those years. All that being said, my view of success changed a bit this past weekend too. Now that I'm in a kayak, My success comes when I get back to shore safely, and not falling into the cold waters of Jordan. haha. Thank you all for letting me ramble on.

Nope. Not successful. I find myself spending an inordinate amount of time managing the winds in my pontoon boat. I can usually locate bait and fish, but staying on them is very difficult. I am now trying to hard anchor so I am not always blowing around and drifting off my target. I have an anchor feature on my i-pilot, but, it is just too much for my 55 lb thrust V2. Back years ago, I bank fished for crappie, trout, catfish and did better than I do today! So, you asked, and I am being painfully honest. I stink. But, my wife loves to fish and, like her, I love to be on the water. So, that part is successful!

i measure "success" as a trip where i go out, and make it back to the dock/trailer boat back home safely without incident. Successful trip.

Sounds like a pilot..any landing is a good landing!

As ive always said, as long as the plane is in 1 piece and no one is bleeding!

I agree with all the previous sentiments, but it sure feels good to have a full livewell!

Always wear a life jacket

One body still missing after two anglers drown on Santee - South Carolina Sportsman

After reading all these replies I agree with all of you. We all measure success in different ways. I'm in business for myself and everyday I go out and when I get back if I made enough to take care of my obligations then I've was successful that day. Some advice for the gentleman with the pontoon boat I would recommend a 80lb thrust motor to start but still that's a lot of boat to try to manage in the wind, Ive had one.

Yep, I know. 80# is more better!

Totally agree pontoons are spacious and roomy but I was unsuccessful finding it a good fishing vessel

A successful day for me starts when I get on the boat. A bad day fishing is better than a good day working.

Success to me is beating out a mess ( whether or not you keep em ) when the fishing is tough. If I can overcome high water, poor weather, and tight lipped fish, which I usually can, then I believe I'm successful. Anyone can catch em on the beds or when they just wanna eat. I like to think that's what separates the good from the lucky.

Yep, I agree with all. At 75 years old, I have gotten used to no fish days, lost the big one, darn near froze to death, getting beat by 3/4 inch hail, having to get back to the dock on a trolling motor with a low battery, flat tires on the trailer, got the runs while on the water, and most anything else that can go wrong, and will, go wrong. The only thing that can ruin my day is skiers, jet skiers and boaters that have no manners, but - - - - I've figured out how to turn that into a bit of entertainment, just put on a heavy spoon (with the hooks removed) and cast towards the b****rds. They will usually back off real quick.

Every day on the water is a gift from God; just remember that and you will never have a bad trip.

B-

It was like reading something that _I_ wrote! LOL!