Single species or all round specimen hunter?

Because I spend most seasons focussed on Chub and Chub fishing, when targeting this species I am a Chub Specialist. But I rarely, if ever get complete satisfaction from my fishing unless I am aiming for a target species at a realistic specimen weight.

For example, I currently fish a lake and spend the day putting a bag of bits together, but in the back of my mind I am just 'ground-baiting' the area to ensure the big Perch home in the area for the final two hours of last light.

Later this month, the campaign for a double figure tench begins once again - possibly in reality sifting through bream after bream that rarely exceed 5lb in weight - but every time the buzzer goes at night or the float dips in the margins just after that dawn mist has risen, it could just be that fish of a lifetime.

Once a target has been achieved, it is easy to loose interest. I had a roach from the local river go 2lb1oz..... given the venue, a fish of a lifetime. Now, rarely if ever catch roach unless after live baits.

Targets need time and attention, the double figure Cod, Bass, a 30+ Carp, 25lb+ river pike and Double figure Barbel just have to wait. Having said that, there will be some time given to eel fishing in the warmer months.

But typically, as soon as the rivers open again, its back on the Chub and being a single species angler seeking modest target fish from my local rivers and that ultimate but illusive goal of a 7lb Suffolk Chub!

Specialist anglers, what species make you 'tick'? What happens when targets have been achieved? - is it possible to loose interest or is the drive to bigger and better always present? Is it really possible to be a single species angler - or does the single species angler miss out on experiences and tactics that could enhance their fishing in other areas?

I can't do the single species thing. I don't even think I'd qualify as a general specimen hunter. I have gear for barbelling, carping, "match" style gear, pike (lure) gear and a few lighter specialist rods.
I tend not to concentrate on one thing for more than a couple of sessions and I tend not to fish the same water too many times in a row. I'd get bored stupid chasing one type of fish and I tend to have no specific targets, beyond catching a few.

I've long suspected that setting targets, even realistic ones, and failing to meet them is a recipe for fishing disaffection. Unrealistic and unachievable targets are even worse. That probably explains the number of "carpers" tat seem to start up, fish for a year or two, then give up. I know that the tackle trade love them though!

Very much the all round specimen hunter/pleasure angler. There are just too many species that I really enjoy fishing for (predominately tench and crucians at present) and, although the rivers are my favorite venues, I'm equally at home fishing stills, anything from farm ponds to the big pits.
Jerry

I started out as a nipper fishing for all sorts, got waylaid by carp almost exclusively for probably 15 years or so and then rediscovered variety, I haven't looked back I think its wonderful, my only problem is there aren't enough days in the year.

The funny thing is when I was carping I never purposely set out to try and beat my pb, now I rarely fish somewhere that doesn't give me that possibility and in a way that worries me as it can be easy to get caught up in all that and forget that you are actually fishing for enjoyment. Mind you I went down the canal and snatched some bits out on the whip last week and loved it so thankfully I'm not lost yet.

I don't class my self as a match or pleasure angler so you could call me a specialist!
I do like to think I am skilled enough to outwit whatever species I am after which could be 8oz rudd or 15lb pike (I try to be realistic with my target weight!) So yes, I suppose I am an allround specimen hunter!

Definitely an all rounder specimen hunter, but have clear favourites in Pike, Perch, Barbel, Tench and Carp.

Match fishing, commercial carping don't float my boat. The only time I target a big net of silverfish is the once a year session to fill my freezer with deadbaits prior to the winter!

chav professor said:

Specialist anglers, what species make you 'tick'? What happens when targets have been achieved? - is it possible to loose interest or is the drive to bigger and better always present? Is it really possible to be a single species angler - or does the single species angler miss out on experiences and tactics that could enhance their fishing in other areas?

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Whatever species I decide is worthwhile for the period of time (and time of year) I can dedicate to it.
There are a small handful which don't (yet) sufficiently interest me to try. Cru's & Silver Bream for example.

I'm not at the point yet where I've caught any species to the size that I don't want to realistically target a bigger one.
Even if I did catch, say, an 8lb chub, I'm not sure I wouldn't still fish for them. Maybe just with a different approach?

As you intimate, we become "Single Species" anglers while focused at the time, it's just that the length of time within a season will vary as to how long we stay with that species.

I think each species has its best "window" in the season for a Specimen hunter once they've got their eye in and learnt the watercraft pertaining to that species.

Having done that to start with, I'd get bored going for just one species all season long these days when there are so many to choose from and varied venues to explore.
I like the fact that some species are diurnal, some nocturnal and some seem to change the rules on a whim which keeps you thinking.

If I had to pick a couple of overall favourites just for the fun of it, I'd say chub and zander, but don't read too much into that! On their day, I like fishing for them all!

Not too sure about the 'specialist' tag but I've targeted specimen river coarse species, predominantly chub, since I moved to the NE from Yorkshire in the early 70's.

I'm probably an all round river angler, with the exception of pike, and save for a short spell of intensive bream fishing in Scotland in the late 70's, stillwater fishing has never really had the same attraction as the rivers have. My club 4 lake stillwater fisherys

I'll die happy with a 6lb+ Wear chub to my name (almost everyone [and their dogs] who fish the river claim to have had several) but as it took me about 15years to up my Wear PB from 5-12 to 5-13 time 'aint on my side. However as she (the Wear) has given me a 1-03 dace and a 3-04 roach I'll not be too upset

I just go fishing, hoping to top my pb's. barbel,chub, tench,roach,crucian & perch.

If your reflections are anything like mine John the 3.04 roach is THE memorable one. I remember catching mine in the mid 60's in an LAA match on the Kennet as if it was yesterday (one of only two fish out of many that I could actually weigh in).
Jerry
PS Might also possibly be because my PB dace is only 1.1....................:wh

Simon K said:

We become "Single Species" anglers while focused at the time, it's just that the length of time within a season will vary as to how long we stay with that species.

I think each species has its best "window" in the season for a Specimen hunter once they've got their eye in and learnt the watercraft pertaining to that species.

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Couldn't agree more... I try not to get bogged down targetting one particular species (doesn't always work tho!) and try to hit conditions/ species seasonally as I find it...

A good example would be the end of this season on the Severn... I was still zander-obsessed but the conditions screamed barbel, so I bit my lip and swapped end-tackle and swims...

In five hours fishing I had two doubles, four nines and a raft of 'smaller' samples of bream and barbel all in excess of 6lb...

My mate zandering had 2 modest pike and a 3lb Z...

I'm not saying I was clever just that experience has taught me that sometimes you just know when a change of target is due...

That's what keeps it fresh for me...

barbelboi said:

If your reflections are anything like mine John the 3.04 roach is THE memorable one. I remember catching mine in the mid 60's in an LAA match on the Kennet as if it was yesterday (one of only two fish out of many that I could actually weigh in).
Jerry
PS Might also possibly be because my PB dace is only 1.1....................:wh

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Ah the old size limits, I remember Keith Arthur telling me about our (CSG) old President Charles Landells costing him a LAA match because he wouldn't weigh in a couple of scraper chub.

Ha...that is me to a tee. Totally obsessed with whatever I'm obsessed with at that particular moment to the complete exclusion of everything else. I endured [and that is precisely the right word] a very mixed winter after zander when [at times] I really ought to have had carp baits out or gone chubbing...and missed out on some superb fishing in the process.

I have set myself two new challenges this season. I intend to do a bit of carp fishing for at least a couple of months...but I also need to master the art of pole fishing....when I'm not trout fishing of course...or after tench and crucians. Then there are sea trout to be had and I really must do some barbelling this year...and river roach.

Single species must be so easy by comparison.

I shall be interested to see how many carp I can catch when I'm actually trying to. The bu$$ers follow me around when I'm NOT trying to catch them.

Long been a do whatever you're doing well all-rounder. Broadens the mind no end ... no PB fetishism (my 2-14 roach / big-double "barb" makes me a better Dangler and person than you with your mere 2-13 / mid-double / whatever), no silly species one-man-upmanship, just fishing for fish that happen to take your fancy and sod the current, media-led fashion...

I couldn`t see myself getting obsessed with a single species, I might spend a little more time pursuing one species or another but ultimately I enjoy the varieties of water and the different species that inhabit them.

With me obsessions come and go, but when one arrives I am pretty single minded in my quest for my target. Chub, barbel and grayling have been the constant in my fishing over the years, but I'm not one to travel far afield to achieve an new personal best.

I suppose that I'm an all round specimen hunter as over a year I'll fish for a variety of fish.

I walk with some lofty company on this thread, including my fishing guru Sean (get a good stock of feeders in Ginger, we have got to get a couple of sessions in this next season .

I cant claim any lofty personnel bests, but the spread of fishing I do has really helped me with watercraft and improving my overall game, also fishing through the close season on the still waters means I am primed for the new season on running water.
It was refreashing to see Terry Hearn fishing for barbel and perch last season in the angling press, all rounders are no 1 in my book I would be bored just with one species to go for.

Paul Boote said:

Long been a do whatever you're doing well all-rounder. Broadens the mind no end ... no PB fetishism (my 2-14 roach / big-double "barb" makes me a better Dangler and person than you with your mere 2-13 / mid-double / whatever), no silly species one-man-upmanship, just fishing for fish that happen to take your fancy and sod the current, media-led fashion...

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One-man-upmanship? Doesn't this miss the point of the term 'PB' - by definition, its the personal bit that is important. My PB barbel is 6lb4oz - The fun bit is building up.

It takes a LOT of time, effort and miles to reach a CV of PB's that stand up to scrutiny. I get satisfaction from my PB list, but not because it demonstrates one-upmanship, just its the best I have been able to do so far. Some PB's are just pure luck and are accepted as a blessing from Issac All fish are gratefully recieved.... trust me I would rather catch a 2lb Chub than go home with a blank.

Yep, and me too.

chav professor said:

One-man-upmanship? Doesn't this miss the point of the term 'PB' - by definition, its the personal bit that is important. My PB barbel is 6lb4oz - The fun bit is building up.

It takes a LOT of time, effort and miles to reach a CV of PB's that stand up to scrutiny. I get satisfaction from my PB list, but not because it demonstrates one-upmanship, just its the best I have been able to do so far. Some PB's are just pure luck and are accepted as a blessing from Issac All fish are gratefully recieved.... trust me I would rather catch a 2lb Chub than go home with a blank.

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Scutiny? From your now increasingly envious, ill-disposed, even homicidally inclined peers?

Nah. The fish are worthy of much better than that. Just go fishing for yourself, for your own private satisfaction, and leave those doing it for other reasons to play amongst themselves and to score points off each other online.