Rate Yourself As A Fisherman!

[BigFish]

Curious how you would rate yourself ability wise as a fisherman be it boat or surf or kayak....just a general rating and if you would like to expound on it in a post please do....just a fun analysis!

[numbskull]

Unfortunately, the fish do the actual voting.

[BigFish]

I will go first! I have to say I am a pretty average fisherman! I do enjoy my share of success but it is about the entire experience for me just being on the water and enjoying it all whether I catch fish or not! My knowledge of surf fishing and my skills are good, I have done the chunking thing (bores me) and I spent alot of time fishing live eels down the backside (always loved that) but fishing plugs is where I get most of my enjoyment as I make my own and love tempting stripers with wooden lures and I find it the most enjoyable and satisfying method I have found! I just feel as though I am ALL IN fishing with plugs!

From the kayak....same thing.....I know I tend to limit myself by tossing wood all the time and would like to expand my knowledge in this type of fishing by doing more tube and worm fishing (though I find trolling a bit mundane) would also like to do more fluke fishing and target several other bottom fish as well! My numbers are improving from the yak but I want to get better!

[Stewie]

If I am in an area with fish, I do well enough. I don't consider myself a great fisherman because I don't do the moon phase. wind direction, approaching storm, where should I be, stuff.

Luckily for me, I have friends who are much more in tune with the "where will they be?"part of the game.

I'm happy to get one small fish a night or even take the skunk.

[macojoe]

In my bot I caught my share and much more!! But on shore I have caught crap!! I would love to learn plugs but have never fished from shore much and the things cost so much!
I have always caught most of my own bait so it was not a big deal.
I love Fluke, Sea Bass, Tog, all bottom fishing. OI use to love Stripers back in the day but got tired of the chase all the time, and then fighting the commercial fleet to get a spot on the water, even though I was one of them.
I say I was good in the day, and SUCK now!

[basswipe]

Average at best for me and I'm good with that.I for the most part enjoy myself when I fish and when I catch something decent its a bonus.

I'm 44 and have been fishing since my eyes opened and yet have not landed a bass bigger than 26lbs and the biggest fish I've caught from shore was a 34lb Amberjack,both were absolute thrills for me and I can live with that!

[GonnaCatchABig1]

I'm terrible, compared to the guys on here.. but I think it has more to do with lack of a honey hole than anything else. I think I'm getting close to finding one or two this season.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[PRBuzz]

Where's the GOOGAN category?

[ivanputski]

My answer fluctuates... like the stock market

[Slipknot]

I think I used to be a little better than average, but now just average.
I use winds, tides and weather and past years results because I don't have a big network of info sharers, I have maybe a handful. So when I go the the canal let's say, I am on my own to find fish unless my one or 2 friends that share with me give me a clue. Catching has gotten a lot worse for me this year even though I am putting in lots of time when I am able, the sizes are pathetic also.

[bart]

These days I'm more into what got me started, and that is fishing plugs from the rocks of the lower Bay at low light periods. Really taking in the beauty,and watching the surf come to life early and late in the day has made me love fishing again. I've been getting a lot of fish this summer but nothing bigger than 15 lbs. But it's been the most enjoyable season I've had in a while and has really put things in perspective for me. I've seen some amazing views and have had more fun taking pics than fishing at times.

I think if I had the money and the drive again and fished eels, I could get into some good fish. I know big fish spots and know what conditions they produce big fish under. But most of these spots require a wetsuit to really fish them effectively and for some reason I still haven't taken the plunge (pun intended). Maybe I'm ascared, maybe a surfcasting purist, I keep telling myself the latter. Also, most of these spots are not so secretive and almost require permission from other anglers as to not intrude. But I do have the utmost respect for the guys who consistently bang fish in the wetsuit. Such a cool way of fishing and obviously productive.

Again, I would rather fish alone or with a good friend, fish plugs, catch a beautiful sunset or sunrise, or preferably both, and catch smaller fish than go hard and step on peoples' toes to go large. If I get a 30 on a plug from the rocks at one of my spots this fall I'll be happy

Ok now I'm fired up for Fall fishing

[iamskippy]

Master baiter here! HAHAHAHHAHA i couldnt resist!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[5/0]

I'll bite,currently I think that I'm below par, due to not fishing as hard as I use to.
Work,age,finance's being a father/husban ect...
I've excepted all of this and wouldn't change a damn thing,I feel that it's a constant struggle to balance as to what's important.

There's something to be said of just getting out there enjoying the vistas, harassing comments and fishing with my good friends. catching fish is an added bonus.

The season isn't over yet and plan on hitting it every chance I can.
Maybe I can break par for the year.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JFigliuolo]

I suck... But I enjoy it.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Clammer]

JF Where were u all day Friday ???

[tysdad115]

Sub par at best, lucky as hell every now and then. But I'm fortunate enough to go alot and learn from some great people.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JohnnySaxatilis]

Jesus if all these people are just average, IM WAYYY BELOW average LOL. I like to put my fishing skill on a handicapp scale like in golf. I'd consider myself like an 15-17 handicapp. My gear is better than my skill level...one of those guys that has nice clubs and loves the game with enthusiasm, but just plain sucks, and hits like 2-3 good shots a round that for some reason brings him back to suffer the next time

[N.ShoreFisher]

yeah, I'm the one that put himself as a novice. Everytime I think I might be able to consider myself a decent fisherman, I do something stupid, or have a equipment fiasco that reminds me of the first few times I picked up a rod. I am also humbled by the massive and vast amount of knowledge the members on this site have. I tend to be the type of fisherman who learns a few things, or learns a few spots, but learns them really well. I rarely move out of my comfort zone, no matter how much nightfighter tells me I don't need to go all the way to Gloucester to catch fish...lol. I rely on the people on this to make me ask the questions I never even knew I should be asking, and now, having been a member for a little while, I actually know less than when I showed up. But I guess that's a good thing. Just keep learning and catching!

[niko]

I'm pretty good - just ask me
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[jonserfish]

I'm probably the best fisherman I know. Best for the species anyway. .....They'd should be around a while we me after them
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[5/0]

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

Jesus if all these people are just average, IM WAYYY BELOW average LOL. I like to put my fishing skill on a handicapp scale like in golf. I'd consider myself like an 15-17 handicapp. My gear is better than my skill level...one of those guys that has nice clubs and loves the game with enthusiasm, but just plain sucks, and hits like 2-3 good shots a round that for some reason brings him back to suffer the next time

Johnny I like your style your one of the good guys that flys under the radar...
Your laid back,more like one speed happy go lucky , your a good fisherman as far as I'Am concerned
I'd put you up there with T O and Backbeach,Angler229,Keeperreaper,Bronko and the Chitbag Westport!
Keep fishing my man!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Swimmer]

The egret beat the chit out of me this morning.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Cohenfishin]

I don't consider myself a great fisherman by any means. I have logged over a 1000 hrs on the water in the last few years and 2013 has been my best year to date, boating around 200 bass. I learn more each time out but still have a lot to learn.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[blue oyster]

i used to think I was just above average until this season can't get it going at all

[PRBuzz]

Average: I happen to have a boat, I have friends with boats, I have lots of opportunities to fish for different species of fish, I fish all around and far out, I usually come home with the target of the day species and sometimes many more species. I bring people boat fishing to have FUN!

Am I fixated on stripers NO, am I fixated on any other species NO, am I fixated on big (record sized? what's a 40 or a 50?) fish NO, I just fish! I really don't know anything about fishing the ditch, night fishing, suck on party/head boats, don't know a dahrter from canal special! I don't pay attention to tides (except to launch the boat) as I fish when I have time not when the tide/moon is "right". I rarely fish wood and don't know proper technique for this or that plug. I do know a lot more about fishing today than I did 6 yrs ago. I have met a lot of guys that know a lot about this or that type of fishing and have learned what I need to know about that style from them. BIG THANKS to all for that.

[ProfessorM]

Fishing is pretty humbling so I'm happy with average. God knows I spend more time than most doing it. One would think I would be better at it.

[Higgie]

I'm just happy to get out on the water. I've been lucky enough to fish a bunch with another member from this site who's has taught me a bunch when it comes slinging eels which has improved my success rate. I think it's all about watching, listening, and trial and error.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Jackbass]

Every time I think I am good something happens to tell me I am not. I try and follow patterns think like a fish. Follow movements etc. Then I have a moment where nothing happens as it should either for good or bad.

I had a learning experience this weekend as a matter of fact. I stood on top of a dune looking down at fish swirling slurping finning etc. eating ravenously. Decent sized as well. I grabbed my to headed down and proceeded to cast everything in the bag on top of splashes in between etc so on and so forth. I could not buy a bite. If I had a teaser with me or a fly rod it would have been game on I am certain. But I was completely unprepared to present a lure that could match. Never again.

I think being good above average has a lot to do with preparing yourself adequately to be able to catch. Not just knowing how to catch. But how to catch no matter what the forage base is. Wether it be chunks eels lures tin doesn't matter. If you want to b successful you have to be prepared.
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[Raven]

i tend to Over prepare and bring everything
even the kitchen sink like a doomsday prepper
instead of traveling lighter ....which keeps me
from having as much success as i might have with
less gear. i can't walk hardly now, so therefore i
am horrible at best. i like to float my boat the most.

[bassballer]

Whenever I think I know what I'm doing I fish with someone who actually does. I then spend every opportunity picking their brain.
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