Super User Ratherbfishing Posted February 27, 2014 Super User Posted February 27, 2014 This question is not about how you fare against other fisherman. We all think we're the best. I'm asking how about how you feel you are as a fisherman compared to, say, 5 or 10 years ago-or maybe 20 or 30 years ago (for us old timers). Are there areas you've improved and are there things which have backslid some? Me, I look at a body of water differently. Before, it was more like-motor up to a spot that looks "fishy" and just start casting whatever lure I have on the end of my line. Now, I am a little better at considering the time of year, the weather pattern, and the topography of the lake. I think I'm better at looking for patterns and sticking with them (if they're found) rather than just moving along beating the bank. I also have learned to use and trust my electronics more-especially, strangely, my flasher unit. As I get older, I don't have as much energy so that has probably hurt me some. However, perhaps as a consequence, I'm also more patient and methodical. All in all, I've gotten better though I also think I've kind've plateaued (sp?) in recent years. I still can get overwhelmed with a lake-especially an unfamiliar one-and large reservoirs can still baffle me. Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 When i was younger i caught more and bigger bass . Rode from pond to pond on my bike 24/7 .except winter .i could stay at 1 pond all day long .i had about 20 farm ponds within 5 miles of each other.did this for about 8 yrs.then got my drivers license fished diff places then found girls .now cant even fish a whole day in a week.BUT i have more rods reels and tackle now then i ever did.lol 1 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 I started fishing more seriously in 1988 when I bought my boat. Not tournament serious but I wanted to know what I was doing and I did a lot of reading. there was no internet back then. I was progressing pretty well for a number of years when my wife started going with me on my fishing vacations. I stopped progressing at that point. I was trying to be sure she was having a good time and stopped trying new things. Years later, the wife had to take a different job and she could not go with me anymore. I returned to fishing with friends but these friends were excellent fishermen. I now had someone bring a fresh perspective and new ideas on how to approach each situation. It worked. I was kicking myself for wasting years. I now catch many times the number of fish on lakes I've been fishing for years. I had been driving over and totally missing spots on the lake that are now my go to spots. Being in a fishing club and fishing with talented fishermen has made an enormous difference in my skills. I wish I had been able to take advantage of it at an earlier time. 1 Quote
Super User Ratherbfishing Posted February 28, 2014 Author Super User Posted February 28, 2014 When i was younger i caught more and bigger bass . Rode from pond to pond on my bike 24/7 .except winter .i could stay at 1 pond all day long .i had about 20 farm ponds within 5 miles of each other.did this for about 8 yrs.then got my drivers license fished diff places then found girls .now cant even fish a whole day in a week.BUT i have more rods reels and tackle now then i ever did.lol OMG. At the risk of sounding like a misogynist, don't go down that path (chasing girls, I mean). That will only lead to doom and destruction. Fishing is much healthier! 1 Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 I was a teen 10 years ago. Thought I knew everything about fishing...now I know I was full of crap (and not just with fishin) Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 Efficient: achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. As we grow older we learn to rely less on physical abilities & more on mental abilities. My strength has always been the ability to identify & interpret structure, this has allowed me to pattern the bass quickly & then fish the structure effectively. At 62 years young I've become more Efficient! 2 Quote
McAlpine Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I was a teen 10 years ago. Thought I knew everything about fishing...now I know I was full of crap (and not just with fishin) The realization that you don't know crap is cyclical. 1 Quote
Super User Bankbeater Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 I really got back into fishing back in 2002, after taking about a 8 year hiatus. Back then all I ever used were crankbaits. Over the years I have gotten much more confident with different types of baits, and now I rarely use a crank except in spring or fall. Quote
greyleg33 Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 About women--when you go up to the alter instead of saying "I do" you should say "I'm done". 1 Quote
FishinCop646 Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 This will be only be my third year of bass fishing, as I grew up on small steams trout fishing. Over the winter I upgraded from a 15' 15hp Cajun to a 18' 150hp Gambler. That would have never happened had I not started looking at lakes in depth, rather than "this looks like a good spot." In the past two years i'd say I have definatley learned a lot and can now expand on the techniques I learned, but was never really successful in being good at. Now that I can get to those key spots in no time to fish! Quote
Super User geo g Posted February 28, 2014 Super User Posted February 28, 2014 The greatest thing Ive learned in my third decade of fishing is too slow down and down size when things get real tough. In my early days I fished way too fast most of the time. I thought I could make a fish come up and hit a top water any time, any day. It just doesnt work! They dont want it your way, they want it their way! Yes, there are days when a fish will hit a block of wood with a nail and then there is the other 80% of the time when you better know how to provoke them to play, and have faith in your ability. I will down size to a 4" senko, or zoom centepede and fish it slow with long pauses in between short jerks. I catch alot more fish now then years ago. Quote
FrogFreak Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I would have to say that since I bought my boat last year, I have looked at things much differently and tried new techniques but the most important thing I've learned is to stop every now and then and enjoy the beauty around me. Take a drink of coffee, kick back and enjoy! 1 Quote
papajoe222 Posted March 1, 2014 Posted March 1, 2014 Plus and minus. On the plus side, I've caught more big fish in the last decade than probably my whole fishing life prior to that and 50% of my fishing during the summer is done at night.. On the downside, I don't have the stamina I did ten years ago. Five hours of standing, chucking and winding is about my max now. Then it was sunup to sundown Quote
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