"To be, or not to be, that is,.. the question" and not to go off on a hamlet rant. This actually does have bass fishing relation. And this question came to me merely minutes ago as my dog was bugging my girlfriend for attention, as she's sitting at the desk, on her computer, completing some important online attention for work. She got agitated, and I asked If I could help her, and her reply was, "Yeah,..give me some of your,..Patience!". And that is what this posting is all about,.."Patience".
Do you have it? do you need it? can you see the relation to bass fishing? do you feel it has a place in bass fishing at all? and what is the end result if you do, or do not?
First do you have it?
Think about it for just a minute. Some will immediately state they do, when they dont,.. and vice versa. How can I make such a bold statement not knowing everybody, that could possibly be reading this? It's easy, it's human nature to protect and stand up for oneself. Once someone makes a personal assumption of you, who doesnt "know" you, its typically a automatic defensive response to disagree. Please dont take this the wrong way, this isnt a personal attack on you, just an observation, and something I learned many years ago about human nature from a psychologist that I once worked with,.. No it wasnt a shrink for me!,...lol ,... You see, "patience" is one thing that separates anglers from fishermen. Example: Anglers will consider all pertinent factors and conditions to come to a conclusion as to the what, where, and when, of fishing, using the "angles" to pinpoint their attack, hence the term "angler". Fisherman may employ such, but usually not. Most fishermen, are after the catch no matter how they do so. Perfectly content to sit on the shoreline with a bobber and live bait waiting for a hit, no matter what the why, when, and where,..may be. Or,.. blindly trolling along with a bait or lure trailing the boat,.. again, waiting for a hit. Many fisherman actually harbor more patience than anglers do, as they .,.wait. Many "anglers" do not "always" harbor patience, as they are seeking that hit, constantly considering the angles.
Do you need it?
I do believe bass anglers need it, you may disagree, and thats fine. Why do I say I believe so? Because otherwise, you will be one of the many, and many, of bass anglers, that are flying down the shoreline with the trolling motor on high, just barely making contact with the best looking cover in your search for a active fish. Many think that they will be hitting more area, therefore the active fish will come all the faster., And there may be merit to that theory, but just think of all the possible fish you past by, the ones that weren't quick enough to hit your bait, or, further back in the cover as to not even know your bait is there. Or even worse, just plain old to fat to move that quick at all.
Can you see the relation to bass fishing?
As some of you may be tourney anglers, and others not,,.. I can see a possible difference of opinion,.. due to requirements, restraints, and opportunities. And how these could and would direct ones thought on patience, depending on whether they tourney fish or not. Tourney anglers aren't just fishing against each other, they are really battling time. Patience is a touchy element when time restraint is paramount. Questions like,...when should I move to another spot, how long do I fish this dock, how much time should I put into this dropoff. etc,...Are a tourney anglers boost or bane, considering how they end up going with these decisions.,.. Its usually the tourney's 1st place winner that considers these important questions correctly and uses the right lure. Eventhough patience may seem like nothing needed in a tourney, it truely can be the difference between in the money and not. Anglers fishing a tourney that "give up" to early, are just contributing to the money winners pocket. Many of the tourneys I've fished it was the patient, and diligent anger that rises above the rest. On tough days they often catch their fish right in the last few minutes, and on easier days? their "kicker" was usually due to shear diligence
And on the fun fishing bass anglers side of the fence reguarding patience? Could be the difference between a personal best fish, or fish of a lifetime,,...or just another day out catching a few fish,..much like I explained in the "do you need it" paragraph.
Do you think it has a place in bass fishing at all?
This is really a tough question, as many will see this question useless as it really comes down to how you fish. Like,... a finesse type angler would most likely state they have to have patience as its finesse fishing and you are already employing it to begin with.,. A power type searchbait angler will state there's no need for patience as they are after the active fish all day so patience is a mute point. And a well rounded angler will see it as both a finesse, and power anglers view, while fishing each way respectfully. So,........
My answer? yes, I do,... fishing in a tourney or not, power versus finesse,.I believe it has its place in all scenerio's, and even within every technique I employ.
End result if you do or dont?
Without patience,.. I think one would be off their game, with to many thought's and considerations floating around their mind, clouding up concentration, then losing confidence, and as a snowball rolling downhill gets bigger, so does the impatient anglers losses, and misconceptions, pile up.
With patience,.. I think one is clearly and decisively thinking in a positive manner, taking their time to thoroughly do as they are doing. Creating confidence in their presentation, intently feeling everything, due to extreme concentration, able to do so as nothing is hindering their processes. Whether you've caught a fish or not, you've proved to yourself that you have presented your offering in a proper manner. And you are now ready for the next cast and what it's to offer,..Again,... in a proper and positive manner, and so on, and so on, as the day wears on.
Now,... I'd give my girlfriend anything I can, wholeheartedly, without a doubt, or question, freely,..
But,.. no matter how much I'd like to, I can't just give her my patience. Its something one acquires, or looses by themselves, and it can be at times assisted by outside stimuli, be it good or bad,...nonetheless,. I'd still do anything for her, eventhough I attempt to be a positive outside stimuli for her to "gain" some patience, I still cant just give her mine.
With that being said,.. I cant just give you any of my patience either,.But I can offer this post to you,.. in hopes that in some way it provides a positive stimuli for you to gain some,. that's if,.. you lack any at all. I feel it's a very important element in bass fishing, it's offered me some impressive catches, good times on the boat with others, and alone as well. Also, has provided me with steps and processes in prepping my boat, and gear, before I even leave the driveway for a days outing. I think we all start off with patience in the beginning of our bass fishing lives, but have seen many get on throwing spinnerbaits, squarebills etc,..and becoming search type anglers, and loosing some patience, seeking and expecting that first hit in haste.
So,.,... whether it's "to be, or not to be" ,.... Do you have it?
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