Record-keeping software—In recent years, several fishing diary software packages have emerged, allowing easy recall and analysis of the information entered. You can then select for review by time of year, fish species, trolling applications, reservoir type, moon phases, and more. Obvious advantages to electronic records are quick analysis of data for time of year, fishing location, or species sought. With a keystroke, all pertinent records can be summoned, rather than thumbing through scores of loose hardcopy.

The most advanced record-keeping system we’ve seen so far is the Prologue Systems (prologuesystems.com), a fishing log that works in conjunction with today’s fastest growing data management device, the hand-held Pocket PC PDA that uses Windows Mobile. With the unit in a waterproof pouch, you can record catches and information as you fish. The system costs $39.99 (not including your mobile hand-held computer).

When using GPS, it’s wise to record locations of waypoints in a hardcopy logbook. Daily fishing records work fine for this too, as key information will include body of water, waypoint number, and date, as well as latitude and longitude. Handwritten records serve as back-up in case of unit loss or power failure, and also help organize a growing collection of GPS data.

Many anglers object to the time required to keep full and accurate records. Indeed, it can be tedious when work schedules or other activities become demanding. Some simply cannot sit down and do this, or don’t care to.

It’s also admittedly possible that going back and checking past patterns and catch locations might keep some anglers in a rut. Constantly referring to records could keep you doing what worked in the past, instead of breaking new trails and perhaps discovering a better fishing pattern, bait, or location. To avoid such a rut, try to balance following old paths with new experiments, based on changing water conditions, season, or other variables.