My goals for this year were to develope techniques for fishing deeper in the water column, and to catch a 47 or better.

I did develope confidence in fishing deeper, and I got a 47" natural beauty from the I-Chain. I'll call it a successful year!

Goals for next year are:

New PB
Catch a legal Michigan fish on a figure 8
Fish Ovid
Fish at night at least 3 times

Scott

Well 2008 found me finishing college and traveling to the West Coast for most of the summer so I did not spend copious amounts of time on the water. 2009 will find me trying to not suck… and I have a rematch with some fish in the SE corner of the state to take care of. I also plan on targeting lakes that meet my criteria for beautiful and isolated whether they have many fish or not doesnt matter as long as the fisherman count is low. I will spend more time in the land of John Esox providing gas prices stay sane and I have three outings planned with my Outdoor Adventure Club at school where I hope to turn a few teenagers on to the thrill of the Esox and the beauty of nature.

Kevin

I had only 2 goals, and I met them both. Hit more lakes and get some new people their first fish. This year, I fished Ovid and Webster which are 2 lakes I did not do last year. I also got 3 people their first muskie.

Goals for next year:
-Catch more fish (of course)
-Bring up my % on the figure 8
-Fish St. Clair
-Fish more suspended fish
-Catch a legal fish out of at least 3 lakes in Michigan
-Get to know T-Apple better

Well, I caught one little fish this year 28 inches. I am still in a death struggle with this house. My wife says we start fishing in January this year. Goals for 09, one fish over 40 pounds, 100 muskies over 30 inches and 1st place in Muskies inc Mens division. Michelle wants to win the Womens Masters this year. I hope the gas prices stay down so we can accomplish these goals. Mike and Michelle

Even though I far outdid my wildest expectations this last year as a newbie muskie fisherman, I still know that what I don't know about fishing and muskies could fill a set of encyclopedias.

My goal this year is to become a better angler overall, and a better muskie fisherman in particular.

And maybe figure out where them dayum muskies go in August. (I suspect N. Ontario… )

I'm torn again for 2009, the muskie addiction has definitely impacted the pike addiction, so part of me wants to take a whole year going back to focusing on a really big Michigan pike or two. It's extremely challenging in my view, since I stumble on more 40"+ Esox in one muskie season than maybe a lifetime (or at least many years) of Michigan pike fishing, so when one gets a pike over 40" in our state it's a helluva accomplishment, maybe like a 50" muskie depending on where you do your fishing for both. So who knows, I might continue my ways of both species in spring, mainly pike in summer and winter, and mainly muskie in fall, but that reduces my chances of a real giant of either species (it's still a lot of fun though!).

What a great thread Jason.

In 2008 I had one goal. I wanted to earn my first legal muskie. I had caught some muskies (GLS) in the past, but they were on accident. Last year, I wanted to intentionally catch one.

In 2009 I plan on catching my first 50 incher. I also plan on catching my first legal (GLS)

The last two goals are 1) To run my first marathon. Late June is the race. 2) To do a better job of putting other people first.

2009 goals

Land a Muskie with Kim, my 9 year old son and 14 year old daughter.

Learn Bankson, Austin, and make at least 3 trips to Webster.

Make friends and learn from others in our group.

Get on the water an hour earlier and stay an hour later.

Learn to troll effectively.

Fish Ovid when its not as windy!

Now that i finally joined as a member, thought id add to this post.

in 09, id like to learn the michigan lakes more, as this is the first full year ive targeted muskies in michigan, before i usually only fished Canada several times throughout the year.

Also getting some of my friends to get their first muskies.