I first started fishing on Beaver lake, in Arkansas, in the late '70's, and regretted having to come back after 4 years to the Windy City. When they were spawning, it was not unusual to throw out my Rapala 1-1/2" Original Minnow on a light rod with 4 lb. monofilament line and have 2 crappie hanging on the crankbait. The Chain O'Lakes in Illinois is far less productive, but I I am enjoying a fair catch when I go out. Some are of a nice size, too, and i should measure and weigh them in the future.
The outline below is something I created for my own learning process. Instead of just saying I caught some fish, my aim is to document the capture in a more constructive way. The trend of cooking has created a concept called "The Science of Cooking." Well, Im not a scientist, but I hope to use a similar approach which is based more on factual conditions vs. wishful thinking, exaggeration and tall tales of fishing. Documenting is how I learn and retain information. Perhaps it will also help you. Offer some feedback through the comments below. This is an interesting video with underwater photography, some techniques and bait styles.
Conditions
- Weather
- Clear Skies
- Overcast Skies
- Before the Rain
- Fishing While Raining
- After the Rain
- Sky
- Clear
- Partly Sunny
- Overcast
- Location
- Open Water
- Near Shoreline
- Channel
- Water Clarity
- Clear
- Murky
- Muddy
- Water Structure
- Sand Bottom
- Rocky Bottom
- Partly Rocky, Slight Weed
- Partly Rocky, Medium Weed
- Partly Rocky, Heavy Weed
- Light Weed
- Medium Weed
- Heavy Weed
- Water Depth
- Thermocline Depth
- Water Temperature
- Surface
- At 5 Feet
- At 10 Feet
- At 15 to 25 Feet
- Cooler Water
- Warm Waters
- Current
- Winds
- Speed
- Blowing toward Shoreline
- Blowing Away From Shoreline
- Surface Waves
- Barometric Pressure
Natural Forage
Equipment
- Rods
- Lures
- Rig Setup
Fishing Techniques
- Cast
- Retrieve
Comments
Conditions
- Weather
- Clear Skies
- Overcast Skies
- Before the Rain
- Fishing While Raining
- After the Rain
- Sky
- Clear
- Partly Sunny
- Overcast
- Location
- Open Water
- Near Shoreline
- Channel
- Water Clarity
- Clear
- Murky
- Muddy
- Water Structure
- Sand Bottom
- Rocky Bottom
- Partly Rocky, Slight Weed
- Partly Rocky, Medium Weed
- Partly Rocky, Heavy Weed
- Light Weed
- Medium Weed
- Heavy Weed
- Water Depth
- Thermocline Depth
- Water Temperature
- Surface
- At 5 Feet
- At 10 Feet
- At 15 to 25 Feet
- Cooler Water
- Warm Waters
- Current
- Winds
- Speed
- Blowing toward Shoreline
- Blowing Away From Shoreline
Surface Waves
- Surface Waves
- Barometric Pressure
- Minnows
- Leeches
- Rods
- Lures
- Rig Setup
Fishing Techniques
- Cast
- Retrieve
Comments
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