We have many options for our arsnel. In fact, we have way too many options which cause us to purchase baits that we will use once or never or shy away from techniques that we are unfamiliar with.
Our armed forces has a lot of weapons in their arsnel. And they practice with each one to become proficient when the time comes to select the most effective device to serve their purpose. We bass fishermen have to do the same with our baits, tackle and techniques.
You will not be fishing your current pond your entire life. You will venture out and fish other ponds, lakes, rivers, reserviors and creeks along the bank and in a bass boat. You will encounter other challenges when fishing and you need to be familiar with other baits and techniques to use. You may leave the island and come to the mainland and work and you will have to be able to adapt to that part of the US you will be living.
So how do you do this? You read books and magazine articles plus purchase DVDs regarding baits and techniques. You start a library and file the written articles for future reference. You watch and rewatch the DVDs during the winter down time or before you head to the pond to practice that technique even if you do not really have a winter in your area.
You mentioned spinnerbaits and that they don't work at specific times of the day. On that day at that time they did not work. On another day and time they can be extremely productive. But you you have to have the knowledge regarding their size, colors, blades, water clarity, structure and other variables to make them work better. Check out Hank Parker's spinnerbait DVD plus others about fishing the spinnerbait and master the spinnerbait technique for future use.
As tbone mentioned, leave all other baits home and rig up for one specific technique and practice, practice, practice. It does not matter if you catch anything. You want to learn the presentation so when the time arrives that you want to change baits and techniques you will be familiar with the one you will be using. You want to learn how the bait feels without a fish on it so when it feels "different" you will set the hook.
And by doing this you will have to learn about fish habitat and their habits. You have to know when to throw a shaky head, a wacky Senko, a drop shot, a Texas rig, a Carolina rig, the many different sizes and styles of crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and buzzbaits plus other topwaters. You can drive yourself nuts with all of the options we now have at our disposal.
Please read about rods, reels and line. As a part of your weapon platform you have to make sure you have the correct rods, reels and line as you mentioned in your post regarding line selection for each presentation. Read the reviews at Tackle Warehouse and also what rod lenghts and power ratings the pros use for various techniques.
So how do we do it? We read. Watch TV fishing shows. Watch DVDs. We monitor this Forum and read the suggestions from fellow bass fishermen. We go to the pros web sites and read their tips. We read the tips at the top of this Forum's page. We join a bass club to learn from guys who have years of experience. We go fishing with a guide from time to time to learn a specific body of water. We fish with each other and learn from that experience. We talk to other bass fishermen. And we go out and practice new techniques or update old techniques.
Consider suscribing to various bass magazines. Join B.A.S.S. or FLW and receive their publications. Visit the pros' web sites, especially Hank Parker and Woo Daves and read their articles.
And start to think like the military and have a good arsnel of baits and techniques at your fingertips so you can be the top bass fisherman on the island.
Good luck and remember to read, read and read some more as you practice, practice and practice!
