Data Analysis Possibilities With Your Fishing Log
by Jon Keller

Part One – Get Empirical

Let’s talk a little about the word empirical. Most dictionaries define it something like this: Based on experimental data, not on a theory. Empirical data in fishing has become more and more important over the last few decades. Lure manufacturers use it extensively. If they want to sell lures, they have to sure the lure attracts fish to bite it. They do this mainly by two methods: (1) they tank-test lures. They have large, multi-thousand gallon tanks containing fish, and they actually swim their lures in there and collect data on how the fish react to it. And of course (2) they field-test lures. I’m sure many of you have conducted field tests for manufacturers in exchange for free lures, tournament sponsorships, or other incentives. The point is, they have to rely on empirical data in order to know that the lure will work if used right, cannot just rely on theories (this lure looks like a gizzard shad so it should catch fish).

While you may not be in the business of manufacturing lures, if you are reading this you are somehow in the business of catching fish…or more properly trying to catch fish, it is called fishing and not catching after all. What that means is that you need to understand the difference between anecdotal data (theory) and empirical data (fact), and how to keep your fishing log up with data that will support fact. You need your log to be empirical. To learn how to do that, read on….

Read Part Two >>