What does it mean to have a good day on the water, numbers, size or just being out?

[MainelySmallmouth]

I was driving home from a recent fishing trip where I caught a few nice fish, but not great numbers, and I started thinking, what does it mean to have a good day on the water?? Historically, I have always thought that a great day on the water centers around the number of fish I catch each time I hit the water. Don't get me wrong, I have always LOVED being on the water and find the time I get to spend on the water to be the white noise I need in my life that keeps everything in balance/perspective. I am sure we can all agree on that.

Recently, I find myself getting frustrated when I don't catch numbers, despite the fact that I really enjoy the "hunt" of trying to find fish, but we all love the tug on the end of the line. My stated goal each season is to catch my PB brown and green fish, as well as beat my PB best bag of each fish and mixed bag, but I still find myself getting frustrated / disappointed when I don't catch numbers and it got me thinking, how do other anglers view this topic....

So I thought I would come to BBC to get your thoughts, feedback and perspective on when it comes to a day on the water, what is it that makes a day on the water great for you?

[Highcentered]

My idea of a good day on the water is when I'm able to relax and everything performs as it should. Putting the puzzle together to get a consistent bite is all part of disconnecting from life on land. The days where you can't buy a bite just makes the days where you can't do anything wrong even more rewarding.

[HiTorq]

"Many men go fishing all of their
lives without knowing that it
is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

[twitch]

As I get older just being on the water and enjoying the peace and quiet ,is a good enough reason but catching fish is the prime goal. Sometimes catching numbers is good or maybe just a couple decent ones ,and all in all it's the hunt or trying to figure out what is going on with the current conditions that make it fun.

[MainelySmallmouth]

"Many men go fishing all of their
lives without knowing that it
is not fish they are after."

Henry David Thoreau

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!

[pabasshawk]

I've loved being on the water since I was old enough to cast a line but the older I get the less a good day is dictated by the size or number fish I catch. Still love feeling that tug on the line but just being on the water and enjoying the day is what matters most to me.

[Slicefixer]

When I was a kid it was catching, now it's fishing.....

[BigFishSteve]

I love catching. I don't like not catching. If I need too, I'll tie on a crappie jig or smaller and go catch bluegill on ultra light.

[Lou]

A good day on the water is a day that is relatively stress free and recharges you. That is not the same as a good day fishing, lol. I have had great days fishing that were not good days on the water. It's not a good day on the water if you catch a huge bag but the drunk in the pontoon boat misses you by two feet as he goes racing by.

[DaveBrabec]

Good day for me is just getting out with kids or grandkids

[AndrewM-Fishing]

For me it's about figuring something out or learning something new. I could get completely skunked but as long as I learned something then it's a good day.

[MainelySmallmouth]

For me it's about figuring something out or learning something new. I could get completely skunked but as long as I learned something then it's a good day.

That is a good one! So the follow up is, how do you know you learned something if you got skunked??

[jerzia]

To me it's more of a totality. Trip to the water that went well, launch that went smoothly, no boat issues, some fish or not, easy retrieve, trip home, and back in the garage. Not than any one thing ruins the day, but when everything went well, it's a pretty amazing feeling.

[ifishinxs]

Being on the water is part of the equation. Time to only think about fishing and time away from normal activity’s. Its truly my Church. Catching can make the day better. 30 to 40 fish days are the norm for me. 80 fish days are exceptional. Winter is now approaching, so it will get down to 6 or 7 fish days. Although cold and slow it’s always a great day on the water.

[SoccerBoy2003]

I am in college now and any day to get to fish with my dad who started me fishing is great.

[Mcjenson]

I'm mostly "practice" fishing on regular tournament lakes around here now (even if a tournament isn't coming up soon), so a good day to me involves finding a new spot / area, and catching some fish. If I just go to a community hole and crush fish even though its fun, I don't really consider it a good day necessarily.

[MikeFromMaryland]

Just Having The Wife and/or Good Friend To Enjoy The Day With , Catching Fish Is Secondary.

[cubswin]

Any day on the water is good. Catching fish is a bonus.

Granted if I’m fishing a tournament I look at that differently. Fun fishing is just about being out fishing.

[Rubrail]

A good day on the water is any day that nothing breaks while you are there. No broken rod or engine or trailer…. There are soooo many things that can go wrong.

[Mechanic Bob]

Just being out and getting away from all the "Stuff".