Why Keeping a Fishing Log Book is a Good Idea 🎣
If you’re wondering whether keeping a fishing log is worth it, the answer is simple — yes, it is! In fact, all the top anglers keep detailed records of their fishing trips. Why? Remembering every detail from each session helps you figure out what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve over time.
Whether you’re lure fishing from the shore or bait fishing from a boat, a fishing log is a good habit that can lead to more fish caught — and bigger ones too.
What to Record in Your Fishing Log
Here are the 10 key things worth writing down after each session:
🕐 1. Time and Date
Recording the date of each fishing trip might seem like a small thing, but it’s one of the most important habits you can develop. Over time, these dates form the backbone of your fishing log and allow you to look back and find patterns. For example, you might start to notice that the fish tend to show up more consistently during certain times of the year — maybe spring mornings, autumn evenings, or those mild spells in early March.
Having the date also helps you match up with moon phases, spawning times, or when certain baitfish are around. Even if you blank, logging the date is still valuable. It shows you what didn’t work and stops you from making the same mistake twice.
Let’s say you go to a certain beach every year in May. Looking back through your log might reveal that you’ve never had much success there in that month — but smashed it in July. That kind of information is gold. You’ll be more confident in your planning, and it saves wasted trips.
Top anglers don’t rely on guesswork. They keep records. And when you’ve logged trips for a few months or even years, you’ll be amazed at what you learn just from seeing the date and time in your notes.
📍 2. Location
Recording your fishing location is one of the most useful things you can do. It doesn’t need to be exact coordinates — just a simple name, landmark, or rough description will do. Something like “West end of the harbour wall” or “Rocky ledge past the second groyne” is more than enough to jog your memory later.
When you revisit your logs, this info becomes priceless. You might start to realise certain marks fish better on a flood tide, or only come alive at dusk. One spot might produce regularly in flat calm, while another needs a bit of swell to get going. Without writing it down, you’ll forget the finer details — especially months later.
Different locations also hold different fish. Some marks might be bass hot spots, while others consistently turn up wrasse or pollack. Knowing which areas fish well with certain lures or baits will help you make better choices next time you’re heading out.
You’ll also avoid wasting time revisiting places that never produce. Instead of chasing memories, you’ll be fishing with purpose. The best anglers often have dozens of productive marks saved in their logs — and they know when and how to fish each one. That all starts with simply writing down the location after every trip.
🌦 3. Weather
The weather can make or break a fishing session. It affects water clarity, fish behaviour, how your lure works — even your own focus. That’s why it’s essential to record it in your fishing log. Was it sunny and flat calm? Windy with some chop? Was there rain or a sudden drop in temperature? Write it down.
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns. For example, you might find that cloudy days with a bit of breeze produce better bass fishing conditions than hot, still ones. Or that fishing after a storm clears the water out and improves your chances.
Wind direction is a big one too. A north wind might chill the water and shut the fish down, while a southerly breeze could stir things up in a good way. Recording the conditions helps you remember what worked — and what didn’t.
You don’t need to be a weatherman, just take note of the basics. You can even check historical weather apps if you forget to log it on the day. Keeping weather details in your log adds another layer of knowledge to your fishing. It’s one of those things most casual anglers ignore — but the serious ones never do.
🌊 4. Tide
Tide is one of the most powerful influences in saltwater fishing. Logging it is key. It’s not just about whether it was high or low tide — it’s about whether the tide was flooding (coming in) or ebbing (going out), how strong it was, and what stage it was at when the fish turned up.
Some marks fish best an hour into the flood. Others only come alive just before slack water. Without logging the tides, it’s impossible to remember which spots perform at what stage. The more detail you include, the more useful your logs become.
If you’re unsure, just make a habit of checking tide times before your session and jot it down. There are plenty of free apps or websites for that. Even just noting “2 hours into the ebb” or “top of the tide” is enough.
You can also track neap vs. spring tides. Bigger tides move more water and stir up food, but they might make some spots unfishable. Neap tides are gentler, sometimes perfect for soft plastics and subtle presentations.
Once you start recording tide info alongside catches, you’ll begin to notice very specific bite windows. That’s when you’ll know you’re fishing smart. Top anglers don’t just follow the tide — they follow their logs.
🎣 5. Fish Caught
It sounds obvious, but recording exactly what you caught is important. Don’t just note that you “had a good session.” Write down the species, the number, and if possible, the size. It gives your future self valuable insight.
Maybe you only had two bass, but they were both over 5lb. That’s far more useful than a session where you caught a dozen small ones. Maybe you blanked on bass but had loads of schoolie pollack — still worth recording.
You might also discover trends. For example, wrasse showing up on calm sunny days, or bass preferring choppy water. Keeping a record of fish caught helps track which marks produce what, and when.
If you release your fish, that’s worth noting too, especially if you’re returning to catch-and-release spots. You’ll start to see how healthy a location is and how often it “recharges.”
Even noting when you catch nothing is helpful. That builds a full picture of what works and what doesn’t. And when you look back and see a blank — paired with notes like “wrong wind” or “too weedy” — you’re learning.
Don’t rely on memory. Record it all, and your fishing will improve massively.
🐟 6. Biggest Fish
Every angler loves a personal best, but how often do we forget the details? That’s where logging your biggest fish becomes a game-changer. Whether it’s a chunky bass, a surprise cod, or a hard-fighting wrasse, it’s always worth recording.
Include the length, weight, and any stand-out details. What lure or bait did you use? What part of the tide was it? Where were you? These little clues are gold for future success.
Big fish aren’t always random. Sometimes they show up in the same areas under the same conditions. If you keep good records, you can put yourself in the same scenario again — and maybe top your best.
It’s also satisfying to look back and see your progress. A 2lb bass might’ve been a personal best last year, but now you’re landing 5s and 6s. That’s motivation in itself.
Photos help too — they jog the memory better than anything. Pair an image with your log entry and you’ve got a moment frozen in time. Whether you fish for fun or are chasing records, keeping a note of your best catches adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
The biggest fish logs are about more than just bragging rights. They help you become a more consistent angler.
🪝 7. Lures Used
Let’s be honest — we all spend a small fortune on lures. They look great, feel great in the hand, and often have a backstory of success or failure attached to them. But without writing down which ones you used and when, it’s easy to forget the details. That’s why logging your lures used is one of the smartest things you can do.
After each session, note down every lure you tried — and if possible, how it performed. Did it get follows, knocks, or hook-ups? Maybe one lure stood out while the others got ignored. That’s not luck — it’s data. And if you don’t record it, you lose the chance to build a pattern.
Different lures work in different conditions. A surface lure might work in calm water, while a weighted soft plastic could do the trick in a stronger tide. Colour, size, retrieve speed — these little tweaks matter, and over time, your log becomes a treasure trove of insight.
Also, lures that worked in one session often work again in the same location under similar conditions. If you keep a good log, you’ll remember to reach for that killer lure when the moment feels right, instead of guessing.
And let’s not forget the satisfaction of seeing your favourites deliver, time and time again. A lure log isn’t just practical — it helps you build confidence in your gear. Confidence catches fish. So give those hard-working lures the credit they deserve — log them!
📝 8. Notes
Jot down anything else — like how the water looked, if there were baitfish around, or any signs of life. These little extras make a big difference later on.
Why It Works
Keeping a fishing logbook is more than just writing things down. Over time, it becomes your personal fishing guide. You’ll spot trends that other anglers miss. You’ll return to the right places, at the right time, with the right lure or bait. That’s what separates casual fishers from smart, consistent anglers.
If you want to catch more fish — and bigger ones — keeping a log is one of the easiest and smartest things you can do.
Want a ready-made fishing log book? Check out our Lure Fishing Log Book — designed by anglers, for anglers.
