Single-minded or catch the lot?

[Anderoo]

In the spirit of starting topics that might be interesting, this is something that might get some varied responses!

 

When I fish I am really single-minded about what I am fishing for. It's not something I try to do - in fact I often wish I wasn't like this - but I can't help myself.

 

If I'm lure fishing for perch, I do everything I can to avoid pike. If I'm fishing for chub, I'll do everything I can to avoid roach and perch. I'f I'm fishing for bream, I'll do everything I can to avoid tench. And so on.

 

I'm sure it costs me fish. If I used lobs for my chubbing I bet I'd have fluked a few big perch by now. The weird thing is, I don't want to feel like I fluked a good fish - it doesn't feel the same as catching them on purpose. So strangely enough I would rather go chubbing and catch 1 chub on bread (too big for roach!) than 1 chub and 2 big perch on lobs.

 

Am I alone or are other similarly afflicted?

[RUDD]

In the spirit of starting topics that might be interesting, this is something that might get some varied responses!

 

When I fish I am really single-minded about what I am fishing for. It's not something I try to do - in fact I often wish I wasn't like this - but I can't help myself.

 

If I'm lure fishing for perch, I do everything I can to avoid pike. If I'm fishing for chub, I'll do everything I can to avoid roach and perch. I'f I'm fishing for bream, I'll do everything I can to avoid tench. And so on.

 

I'm sure it costs me fish. If I used lobs for my chubbing I bet I'd have fluked a few big perch by now. The weird thing is, I don't want to feel like I fluked a good fish - it doesn't feel the same as catching them on purpose. So strangely enough I would rather go chubbing and catch 1 chub on bread (too big for roach!) than 1 chub and 2 big perch on lobs.

 

Am I alone or are other similarly afflicted?

 

For the last three or four seasons I have caught 20lb+ carp early season whilst Tench fishing using float tactics -Was I bothered - Was I hell!!!

You can do your best to target a species but if another comes along - thats fishing.

 

Then there are the days when a bite from ANYTHING is welcome - and we've all had them type of days I am sure.

 

On the other hand there have been plenty of sessions targetting a species - only to catch loads of another and yes there is an element of disapointment - especially if a lot of preperation, cash, time has been spent or if alot of travelling has been done to get to a venue.

[John Weddup]

In the spirit of starting topics that might be interesting, this is something that might get some varied responses!

 

When I fish I am really single-minded about what I am fishing for. It's not something I try to do - in fact I often wish I wasn't like this - but I can't help myself.

 

If I'm lure fishing for perch, I do everything I can to avoid pike. If I'm fishing for chub, I'll do everything I can to avoid roach and perch. I'f I'm fishing for bream, I'll do everything I can to avoid tench. And so on.

 

I'm sure it costs me fish. If I used lobs for my chubbing I bet I'd have fluked a few big perch by now. The weird thing is, I don't want to feel like I fluked a good fish - it doesn't feel the same as catching them on purpose. So strangely enough I would rather go chubbing and catch 1 chub on bread (too big for roach!) than 1 chub and 2 big perch on lobs.

 

Am I alone or are other similarly afflicted?

 

 

Hi Anderoo

 

No you are not the only one I feel and do the same targetting different species in different seasons.

 

My angling pal headless catches many quality pike whilst after zander and hates it.

 

I will however this time of year happily catch bream or tench as my tactics are pretty similar and if a big perch came along for my zander bait I would not be too upset.

 

I suppose I also use lobs for chub sometimes in the knowledge I may pick up a big perch aswell but those are all positive decisions to dual target if you like so a decision is made.

 

John

[Mat Hillman]

I think I'm the exact opposite - Although I often go out with a species in mind, I'm generally happy to catch anything that comes along (well maybe apart from skimmer bream - all snot and no fight )

 

In fact some of the things I really enjoy doing now and again is going to a mixed fishery with a float rod and an all-round bait like a couple of tins of corn and just fishing for bites and see what comes along!

 

 

Mat

[Anderoo]

This spring I'm making a real effort to fish in a way that should catch anything in the swim, but habits are hard to break!

[Phone]

Androo,

 

Now, more than ever, I am rather sedentary when angling. I always "say" I am carp fishing. I dearly love to biytch about catching "specimen" nuisance fish. Secretly, I am a catch anything angler with a target in mind.

 

Phone

[Dales]

I fish to catch groups of fish if that makes sense. There is very little difference in the way I fish for Tench, Bream & Carp and so I expect to and hope to catch all 3 on the same session. If Rudd fishing then I feel I am also fishing for Roach, Perch, Dace, Chub etc

 

The only time I can be blinkered is when fishing for predators then I clearly have an idea of what I want to catch be that Perch, Pike, Zander, Cat or Eel and even then I am not overly bothered if I catch one of the others and if its a good one even better. Maybe it's because I do fish differently for each predator species that I can feel that "tunnel vision" that I am fishing for one species and that's all I really want.

[Jason]

Most sessions I plan on catching a certain species and at a certain size. This is not always the case tho. Other times Im happy to catch anything really.

 

Take these last few weeks, Ive been trying hard to get on the tench @ my local water. I have not had the best of success but I did catch a lovely 2lb Roach on single sweet corn and a 5lb common carp on the same.

 

If I can reach my goal or set target then I am happy and if I do not then its still all good because Im out fishing. When the weather is nice, even if Im not on the fish Im happy to just sit and watch what is going on around. To me that is still fishing, patience and serenity.

 

But One of my favourite goals is to set a total weight of a fish. Eg: 6 hours of fishing 15lb of Perch or 10lb of Roach in the keep net. Good Times.

 

Tight Lines

 

Jason

Edited April 24, 2012 by Jason

[Rusty]

No single mindedness here. I honestly believe that it would detract from my enjoyment if I were adopt that approach.

 

Venue/swim selection goes a long way to narrowing the species odds so I do generally go with a plan but the tactics aren’t then so specific that they narrow the odds even further, I wouldn’t want them to be. Trotting maggot for chub at some of my club stretches gives me every chance of a barbel too and I like that.

 

If your targeting larger specimens of a particular species then anything else that comes along could be frustrating I guess, it just depends on your outlook and what aspect of angling provides you with the most enjoyment. I’ve never seen a 2lb+ roach in the flesh so from a personal point of view I’d be overjoyed at fluking one simply because I could then enjoy the spectacle of such a rare beast.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Rusty

[John Weddup]

you know the more I read this thread the more I realised I lied about my intent.

 

Yes I do have those targetted days for certain fish but when I fish the broads or the fens in spring/summer/autumn I am often fishing for all species.

 

You will probably remember some of my postings with mixed bags. But I suppose in a way its still targeting what you want as fishing for a mixed bag is a decision to make.

 

I think Rusty made me realise when I trot a float down a river I do not care what takes the bait. Mind you its a long time since we have had enough flow to trot a float properly.

 

John