Most imporant...enjoy your time fishing.
Second most important.....fish with friends and enjoy being with them
Beyond that , its all self defined. If you are a commercial pinhooker and get excited about a 3 foot fish , you probably have your sites set too low. If you have kids who occupy all your time and get to fish 4 times a year , a fish big enough to take home and grill may be the high point of your season.
For the top guys , I undersatnd they want recognition as a top fisherman. But before anyone gets carried away , remember that Stetzko got more fish over 40 pounds in a night than almost anyone I know has in their lifetime. He's always ready to help someone with less skills get hooked up . DZ has umpteen 50's. He'll talk to you about where and when and how and help anybody from beginner to expert but seldom does he talk about the 50's unless asked specifically.
We recreational fisherman cannot even touch the size and numbers of fish the guys "in the business" get. No little leaguer can hit a ball like Sammy Sossa but does he have a right to be proud if he gets a hit in his little league game Sat morning ...hell yeah!!
As far as the fisherman calling a 28 pounder a trophy , well ....maybe they knew the guy and its his first good fish. Nothing wrong with patting a buddy on the back. Take it for what its worth. I once read in the fisherman that to get to the Narrow river you should park at Scarborough and walk along the beach to the left!!
So anyway , remember to enjoy your time on the water. Do it with friends and enjoy your time with them. If by your standards you catch a "big fish" , tell your friends who care about it. They will share your joy.