I would suggest listening to the guys and gals here and taking a few notes...litterally write down a few pointers in short form and take them with you fishing, this way if you have probs just check the notes. The other thing I'd like to add is try to be confident and have fun just fishing (easier said then done right); I've taken this aproach lately and for whatever reason it has seemed to change my fishing experience; two 4+ lb'rs and a 6lb'r in two days not to mention the little ones, and the 6'r was from shore...in this area that is pretty good! From what I understand if your trully confident in knowing your gonna catch fish (gut feeling thing) [i guess you have to convince yourself] studies from either Harvard or Oxford states that your subconscious mind does the "math" for you and tells you where to cast etc to catch those big ones and incease your probability...whether there really is truth to all this...they know! It's workin for me! A tip for you...I read that in the fall the bass are closer to shore or in heavy cover. I use "real" bait; frogs. Really though you'll learn alot here, these guys are experienced. a friend of a friend told me he uses 20lb test and fishes the heaviest cover he can find; he says he goes where most wouldn't bother and tells me that's where the big ones are!
