Whenever I fish, for whatever species, I have goals for the day. When I fish for or guide for catfish, I have three specific goals each day. There is a fourth mixed in if needed, when things go off the rails, and when things get off to a good start.

Number one: catch a fish

The goal for everyone who goes fishing is to catch a fish. It is sometimes a lofty goal, but none the less is the main goal of any fishing trip. You are on the water, baits are set, and the anticipation of catching fish is high.

Over years of guiding, I have noticed that the first stop always has my guests staring at the rods, just waiting for one to bend. I always tell them to, “Quit looking at the rods, it scares the fish.” This generally breaks the tension and gets the conversations of the day started.

As soon as a rod bends and a fish is on and landed, I announce to the boat that goal #1 is complete. I could care less at this point if the fish is big or little; it is just to ensure no skunk for the day.

Catch a big fish

Goal number two of catching a big fish is possible to be wrapped up into goal number one. Fishing the famed trophy waters of the Red River, everyone wants a giant. Most days, we get many, but sometimes, it just does not happen. This is why the goal of catching a big fish is number two on the list.

Many people I fish with (especially the first time) have never caught a fish of any kind over about 5 or 6 pounds, so the pure energy of catching a huge fish can drive the day and keep the excitement high.

Catch six fish

Goal number three of catching six fish comes from years of keeping records. In my nearly two decades of keeping records, catching 1.5 fish per hour is a great average. Of course, we all want to exceed this, and many years we do when the dust settles, but every day is different. The goal of six fish comes from the 1.5 fish per hour based on four hours of fishing. Some days, four hours is our trip, and others, it is the first half of our trip.

Catch twelve fish

Once you catch six fish, it is logical to set another goal: 12 fish. This is always the goal for an 8-hour trip, but you have to build up to it with six fish then move on. If fishing a full day and meeting the goals happens, we just keep extending the goal. Heck, some springs when the stars align, we have had the goal for the day extended to 25 or even 40. Just keep building new goals and trying to get there before the time runs out.

Break the ice

Break the ice could be mixed in with number one to catch a fish, but I save it for when things start out OK for the day and then go south. Something changes in the bite or conditions, and we have to get back on the hunt to find fish. This is when we have to “break” the ice again to keep the day rolling.

I wish I could say that this one never gets used, but it does. Everything is moving along nicely, and the wind changes or the sun gets high, and it’s suddenly back to the drawing board for a while. Sometimes, it is as simple as whose turn it is. That one has never made sense to me, but everyone catches a fish after that one person takes forever to break the ice. Finally, they do, and the others get quick fish again.

You might be reading this thinking that these are all valid goals for a day on the water. You might also be thinking, “How stupid; you are out fishing and that is all that matters.” It matters to me in the boat, whether I am fishing with my kid or with paying customers. We are always trying to reach these goals all day, every day.

If you enjoy catfishing, you’ll find suggestions for locations and techniques in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.