08-02-2019, 10:21 PM
"So I set my goals for this year accordingly. I set out to catch 300 cats hoping that would lead to 3 fish 30" or longer."
[#0000FF]Don't overthink this stuff. Catfish happen. It's a lot like walleyes. Most walleyes are caught by anglers fishing for something else. And a lot of the biggest cats are HOOKED...if not landed...by fisherfolk who are not expecting and not prepared for big fish. That is why a lot of the larger fish we bring in are trailing broken leaders or have one or more hooks in them.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]On the other hand, there is an old saying "Good things come to he who waits". In other words, if you keep putting in the effort the laws of average should reward you in time. Whether or not it works out to be 1 in a hundred...or more...or less...who cares? In the meantime you are having a great time and honing your skills so that you are better prepared to do battle with a biggun when it comes along.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I personally believe that it is better to gear up and fish with positive expectation for the fish you are hoping to catch...rather than to simply "chuck and chance it". Most seasoned anglers believe that you will always do better fishing with a bait or lure in which you have confidence...and to stay attuned to what is going on at the other end of your line. Then you will be properly prepared to set the hook and to safely subdue that monster when it does come around.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I'd like to say that I believe that patience and persistence will always be rewarded. Unfortunately I have been on too many trips where some newby or complete fishing doofus ended up catching the most and/or the biggest fish. Sadly, I have too often been the guy who was properly outfitted, greatly experienced and with vast (half-vast) knowledge...who got handed his fishing hat by someone else who just didn't deserve it. Whimper whimper.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]In short, it is unrealistic to expect that we will be rewarded in direct proportion to the amount of time and effort (and money) we put into our quests. But when it comes to catfish, the journey is its own reward.[/#0000FF]
[signature]
[#0000FF]Don't overthink this stuff. Catfish happen. It's a lot like walleyes. Most walleyes are caught by anglers fishing for something else. And a lot of the biggest cats are HOOKED...if not landed...by fisherfolk who are not expecting and not prepared for big fish. That is why a lot of the larger fish we bring in are trailing broken leaders or have one or more hooks in them.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]On the other hand, there is an old saying "Good things come to he who waits". In other words, if you keep putting in the effort the laws of average should reward you in time. Whether or not it works out to be 1 in a hundred...or more...or less...who cares? In the meantime you are having a great time and honing your skills so that you are better prepared to do battle with a biggun when it comes along.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I personally believe that it is better to gear up and fish with positive expectation for the fish you are hoping to catch...rather than to simply "chuck and chance it". Most seasoned anglers believe that you will always do better fishing with a bait or lure in which you have confidence...and to stay attuned to what is going on at the other end of your line. Then you will be properly prepared to set the hook and to safely subdue that monster when it does come around.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I'd like to say that I believe that patience and persistence will always be rewarded. Unfortunately I have been on too many trips where some newby or complete fishing doofus ended up catching the most and/or the biggest fish. Sadly, I have too often been the guy who was properly outfitted, greatly experienced and with vast (half-vast) knowledge...who got handed his fishing hat by someone else who just didn't deserve it. Whimper whimper.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]In short, it is unrealistic to expect that we will be rewarded in direct proportion to the amount of time and effort (and money) we put into our quests. But when it comes to catfish, the journey is its own reward.[/#0000FF]
[signature]