What's everyone's targets for the year mine are
A 30plus mirror from my local canal
A 35 plus from the canal
A few more mirrors than commons( had more commons than any other type last year)
Try new areas on my local canals(fed up of tried and tested spots)
Travel more on my day offs to try different areas
Catch a grass carp(one in my local lake apparently)
Target of 10 carp or more this season (averaging 6 a season)
To go with no fish losses all year(1 last year)
And a 8lb tench from canal (done a 6.14 on my canal last year)
Also want to target eels on my local canal Seen one dead last year that was a good 36” long
And me and 2 work colleagues have got a friendly bet on this year one of the lads is 19 and other is older we got a friendly competition running between us who has the biggest carp from 1st jan till end of December £20 each all in money goes to winner,pictures must be provided as proof.

I'll add to enjoy being on bank and enjoy being outside regardless of weather
Also to catch a carp from my town lake that's hit depths upto 50'

In reply to Post #1
Nice targets Canalcarper,I did the grass carp recently ,even the owner didn't stock it with them ,was surprised..

My targets this year,as in any year is to fully enjoy and appreciate the countryside for as long as I can..

That is all.....

In reply to Post #2
Thanks mate it's only a rumour of the grass carp in the lake and also already had a 32 common few years back from my local canal and rumours there was a 35 come out last year but I do know to 3 x 30's in there one was the common I had other 2 were mirrors,apparently one has died but I'll believe it when I see it and it was a known carper who has his own bait company near me that told me about the big carp in there

To keep on enjoying my fishing, and hopefully catch some good fish from the syndicate lake.

Best thing is there are some cracking fish in there, both proper beautiful stockies that have put on 10lb in a year, and some 'perfect' originals including some big fish; it's in a park estate, with tawny, barn and little owls and buzzards.
I've seen both roe and muntjac deer, hares, rabbits and stoats.

In reply to Post #1
No target weights for me, I never have done. I just want to spend more time on the bank and try out new tactics, different baits and different mixes.

In reply to Post #5
Oh and that my mom is a lot better health wise this year as she had a stroke scare late last year and it was horrible seeing her the way she was as she's already blind and deaf too but she's an old school fighter and she's getting better every day.
🙏🙏🙏

In reply to Post #6
5 fish from a new lake I'm joining and a couple of trip to linear, that will do me nicely, and some huge steaks for my bbq.

In reply to Post #7
Sounds good to me and the 5 fish to top it off 😂

In reply to Post #1
Just to go
haven't been since September 21

In reply to Post #9
Thanks for the contribution canalcarper

To actually make some time for myself and get out and do what I know I love doing. Securing a ticket on a water that I've fished previously with a lot of happy memories will help. That and take my lad night fishing for the first time...which ties in with the 'new' ticket also. Cant think of anywhere better

In reply to Post #1
There's a 30lb+ Ghosty that i've pulled a floater out of twice last summer. Caught his mate at 29, wouldn't mind meeting her again if only to check on the wound she had on her tail when I had her. There's also a 30+ grassy in there that loves a floater, so all three of those this year would be fantastic.

Other targets? A big croc i've seen a fairly recent picture of. It may not even be alive, but i've not seen it reported dead neither. It lives within a sea of hungry jacks, so i'll have fun whilst dreaming of the biggun. The same water holds loads of Tench too, and i've not quivertipped for Tincas in around 15 years so that'll be fun.

Summer holidays i'll be after the Eels in a marshland reservoir. Never targeted them before, nor have I ever caught a catfish, so a few midweek overnighters at the complex down the road will be in the pipeline.

To try and be a little more diverse. I've got plenty of big fish to aim at across waters I have available, but I'd like to catch my first Barbel and first Catfish this year.

As for carp, a 30lb Common is still on the list, and a 40lb mirror. Both possible on waters I fish but I'm more hopeful for the common

In my syndicate there is a 33lb grass carp that I would like to get and there is also a mid 30lb common that hasn't been caught this year but has been seen still so I'd like that aswell either would do me this year, had a great year last year and had most of the other named/big fish in the lake so would like to complete the pack at some point in the coming years if not this year but tbh just being on there I love it so not fussed what I catch from there

In reply to Post #1
I'll be happy if I just get to spend more time fishing

In reply to Post #1
That's quite a list, good luck. My target is to get more proficient with the old fly gear. I also need to be more zen on my circus / circuit water and avoid dickheads winding me up .

No targets. No campaign lol. Just to continue fishing regularly
at my club water. The last 3 years have been my most prolific
and biggest but then I've been there over 15 years what were 20s are now 30s.

At 55 it's just keep working out and stay fit and strong enough to keep
enjoying it.

I never set myself targets other than try to and improve on last season and to enjoy my fishing .

My target is to get out for more than 10 sessions this year. Youngs kids and work sucks

In reply to Post #19
Agreed entirely. I normally like to look back at my fishing at the end of each year, but when I did recently there wasn't an awful lot to look back on. I'm certainly going to try really hard to make time on some work nights and a bit of time on the rivers in evenings

In reply to Post #19
I'd be more than happy with 10 sessions. Working 6 days a week and looking after mum with dementia and alzheimers make it impossible to do the long sessions I prefer to do. Can't be arsed to shift all the gear for an overnighter. Not as young and fit as I used to be.

In reply to Post #21
Good luck with your mom mate my mom has had a stroke but we are lucky we got family around her

My fishing targets are;
- do more fishing that this year.
- catch a 30lb mirror
- catch a 20lb pike on the lure (managed a. 17 on the 2nd of Jan - when it first broke surface I thought I'd completed my mini mission int he first session).

In reply to Post #21
Hope all goes well for you and your Mum.
I'm dealing with the same with my Dad.
Alzheimers is cruel, taking away the person you love to a shell.

In reply to Post #24
Yes it's bloody cruel. My dad died of it. Worst thing I've ever had to endure.

In reply to Post #1
A 15lb Barbel, same as last season. Thought I'd done it in September when an absolute monster came up out of the depths of the Trent, as soon as I saw it I thought ‘PB'. Netted it and still thought the same, it's frame was huge, lifted the net and I knew it wasn't even close, 12lb dead! It was easily the biggest framed Barbel I've caught but just didn't have the weight.

Also after a 20lb Pike, got a couple of new fishing mates I met when they were working on my house and it's nice to have a social now and again.

I did have a PB Chub at 6.6 this year though.

In reply to Post #1
I'd just like to enjoy some uninterrupted peaceful time on my WAS club waters this year.

Go without any expectation or pressure and provided there's no disaster at home involving my three teenage kids and I get there and back safely that will do me in 2023.

A hassle free year please.

In reply to Post #21
Hope everything goes ok mate, I really do my Nan passed two years ago from it and now going through exactly the same thing with my other nan it's horrible she doesn't even no who we are

Target this year is to enjoy my retirement and make the most of it angling wise and just maybe catch a rather large scaly 0ne.

Got a few targets for 2023
1 to hopefully catch the Box Common from the North Met Pit
2 to catch a double figure Barbel and a 20lb carp from the River Lea in the same session
3 the most important one is just to enjoy my fishing

In reply to Post #1
I'd love to meet just a couple more residents from eh bigger end of the lakes stock this year. that being said i am happy just getting out and enjoying trying

Mine is to explore my new area and fish for a variety of species. I'm moving to Hertford, so looking at clubs to join and nice venues.

PB bass and seatrout on the fly would be nice but been saying that for longer than I can remember.

In reply to Post #33
Sadly, ive have no angling targets whatsoever for some years now, nothing but when i do go, just enjoy the company im within. Ive no desire to catch bigger or better fish these days.

I do however have a target of keeping the lake i run protected and healthy. I would actually love to do a bit of tench fishing under a little red quilled float.

My only other fish related target is get get my Chagoi to 90cm in my koi pond and add a few more additions

Still trying for that elusive 35lb plus pike but only a few weeks left and more bass fishing .

A return to beachcasting for me. Moved house before Christmas and I'm back on the doorstep of a wild and windy beach with a new rod and reel all set to go.

The carp aren't going anywhere for a bit. I can see them in the summer

In reply to Post #36

In reply to Post #1
The standard get out more but as I've recently stopped running it frees up a lot of time and money.

But ideally I'd like to get a few fish out the river. I would day I'd like to get a 20lb but as it my first year I think that is unlikely but it only takes a bite.

3lb perch would be nice too

Get more confidence in lures

Get out with my boy more he turn 3 tommrow and ge out out for 1st trip his year and loved it

I've always been lucky to find getting on the bank regularly a obstacle free privilege, other than work which as a self employed decorator afforded me a reasonable amount of discretion with hours etc.
Unfortunately that changed abruptly just over three years ago when I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Over the last intervening years removal of tumours and rounds of chemotherapy turned my life upside down forcing the reluctant sale of treasured tackle due to the financial cost of recovery.
However this year finds me looking forward to spring and exited to get back out there.
The replacement of tackle will be a long process but as for targets for the year it couldn't be simpler just getting back on the bank that will tick my box.
I'll leave the chase of a forty for next year.

In reply to Post #1
Just the usual, a 40lb + pike and a 20lb + zander. I got my 5.04 perch last year, so at least that was one off the list. Have come close on the other two, so I'll keep on going. Carp fishing, none. Just to enjoy it. I don't session fish anymore and my UK PB's would take some effort to beat. I can get a dozen 20's in a day on some waters I fish, so for me, carp fishing is something I do for fun and the serious stuff comes when I get the boat out later in the year for the predator fishing. Good luck to everyone in 2023, I hope you all have amazing fishing.

Tbh after having to have injections into my back to sort out the problems I have been having with it and so far the results being good I just hope to do a few socials with some mates just incase I have any problems with my back, just to get out and do some nights will be enough for me this year

I'd like to have a Scottish salmon or two this year. I really enjoyed my brownie fishing last year too, so will be after some of those again.

No carp targets for this year as the opportunities may be a bit limited, unless I get Castle Loch ticket and things change.

I saw someone mentioned protecting their lake earlier in the thread and as I'm well into clearing for a fencing project it would be nice to get that fully cleared, fenced and stocked this year.

Two main aims this year, one is to try to do a mid week overnighter after work once the clocks change, carry minimal gear and try to drop on the fish when its not as busy. Plus still do my friday night with a bit more luxury. Going to get a power conversion for my barrow to stop me being lazy and not pushing round to the other side if the fish are there.

Aim number two is the same every year, given the waters I fish, its try not to blank the whole season.

In reply to Post #43
The work overnighters have certainly given me my fix this year, although I'm fortunate I can finish a little earlier on certain days so can be at the lake for 4 and get the rods out just before dark.

I think as the spring rolls around, they will certainly become worth the effort!

Also helped me scale my gear down massively, even at the weekends as I go through my stuff now a lot more brutally as to what I'll use etc

I had a 12 month blank in 2021. Managed two fish last year, one being pretty special. If I can get 3 or 4 this year I'll be very happy.

In reply to Post #44
I've gotta get my backside in gear and get back into a mid week routine. I did it for a while and enjoyed it. But drifted away from them after a few soaking wet pack ups. I use the same van for fishing as work and having it full of water all day wasn't much fun. Plus I was finding i was regularly packing up on showing fish to beat the m25/m1 traffic home and not be late for work. Became very frustrating. But I'm sure if I stick at it I will get a few bonus fish, even if it's just by putting a load of bait in on a weds morning when I leave and trying to drop back on it on the Friday night.

To stop impulse buying fishing tackle...

Other than that no specific targets, just to continue to enjoy it and hopefully catch a couple along the way...... although having said that I have just got a ticket for a water I never thought I would have the chance to fish which holds an ancient looking and very dark mid/upper 40 that I would dearly love my photo taken with!

In reply to Post #1
To get fishing again in time for my annual October France trip.
Have ankle surgery next month which will involve several months rehab, No prespawn fishing for me this year. Will be watching you lot catch them all😁
Last autumn was good to me, pbs in France and my home state of NC (a 41+ target fish), so it's all good.

In reply to Post #1

Just to get back out on the bank. After a busy few years of having children, working to many hours to scrounge a house deposit together, moving house and other commitments I've not been out for a few years and now my home life has settled down a bit if I can get one overnighter in a month ill be more than happy with that.
I've got my first 24hr in longer than I can remember booked in for my birthday weekend in February and I cant wait.
As a bonus come the warmer months start to take the oldest along with me and hope he enjoys it as much as I do.

5lb Tench on a centerpin.

In reply to Post #1
Ill stick mine up as hopefully a kick up my backside to stay on course.

Im doing a full house renovation from now till (hopefully) end of April. My aim is to catch 9 perch (>1lb) and 3 pike of any size from my local stretch of canal. This will be the off hour i get walking the dog rather then dedicated sessions.

Then from may onwards try to average a minimum of 4 nights a month on my syndicate and have a couple.

All sound straight forwards but a huge increase from last year and i desperately want/need to get some momentum in my regular fishing

In reply to Post #1
Just joined a new syndicate 6 hour round trip low stock big pit hoping to just get one will make me a happy man

As per framey #9.

June last year for me, did my ankle, 3 months later just recovering then tore my achillies, now chemo looming and all that while trying to dodge covid in its many guises!

I had set myself up for a good go at the predators in winter having written off summer, now here we are and I'm advised against getting cold

Spring/Summer it is then

In reply to Post #54
Focus on your recovery first, then once your ankle is fully fit, and this years chemo treatment/warmer weather allows you to sneak a quick day trip, or session in. go for it.
Vossy - wishing you a speedy recovery

In reply to Post #54
Sorry to read about chemo,hope you make a speedy recovery

All the best Vossy

January 18th saw me two years clear, unfortunately my eldest daughter has been diagnosed with cancer so not been out since beginning of October except for a single day trip where I blanked ands felt as guilty as F@ck just being there! My daughter has a long road in front of her and as long as the chemo, radiotherapy and surgery are successful I hope to be back out in the summer months.

Targets? just getting out because you only live once and nobody knows whats around the corner!

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones

In reply to Post #57
Hope everything goes well for your daughter and she makes a full recovery,life is a real ******* at times

In reply to Post #57
All the best mate
My mom hasn't been well but with a good family behind you it makes it easier

Zero targets.........just getting out as much as possible will be good for me.....

In reply to Post #58
Cheers mate 👍🏻

In reply to Post #59
Cheers mate 👍🏻