Yours Or Theirs

[Squirmin Wormin]

We all have either started fishing or been fishing and since then we are working on techniques, patterns ,etc... now this came to mind and am wondering ,we all seen fishing shows ,read fishing magazines ,and were taught but question being is do you see yourself using more of the systems you have put together as your own or using more of theirs ? tv shows ,read fishing magazines etc..or some favorite angler's way? so more of your system you have put together being used or more of theirs?

[senile1]

I use my own.  Having said that, the information gathered from shows, books, and sites like this one allowed me to learn the basics of bass behavior, bass seasons, bass use of structure, and how the bass generally reacts to its environment.  That allows me to derive patterns when I am on the water.   

 

A lot of patterns will overlap between individuals because there are generalities of bass behavior that can be applied by everyone to come to the same conclusions.  There can be numerous patterns that work at any given day and time, just as on tough days there may be only one or two that work. 

[Catch and Grease]

Nobody fishes exactly the same as someone else....

[BrianinMD]

Most of what I know and do today has been from what I have learned since joining a bass club 5 years ago. Thought I was pretty good until I started then realized how much I didn't know. Have learned a lot in these last few years and enjoyed every second.

[Jig Man]

I don't watch fishing shows because I don't find much relevant info on them just a lot of high fiving over and over.  I use my own and partners' methods.

[Jigfishn10]

I guess I try and take the advice of what I read and see and formulate it to the way I fish. May not work all the time, but I try to learn and study as much as possible prior to hitting the water but I've also taught myself different things along the way through trial and error or just plain dumb luck. So I guess I'm a hybrid.

[Raul]

I "learned" to fish for bass by reading the few articles of the magazines I could get my hands on ( F&S and Outdoor Life ) I read and then put to practice, but the truth is that I practically learned to fish on my own.

[EmersonFish]

My STRATEGY/TECHNIQUES have evolved through observation/study of various resources (television shows, videos, magazines, forums like this, books, other fishermen, etc...), combined with my spin how doing those things have worked best for me. I'm pretty sure I haven't invented anything, when it comes to fishing. I'm also pretty sure some of the things I do with confidence are not necessarily "by the book" so to speak.

Other things are somewhat self taught. For instance, I just bought a baitcaster one day years ago (a lefty because I didn't think the righty made sense), spooled it, and started using it until I figured it out. To this day, I've never sought out information on "how to use a baitcaster." I basically intuitively taught myself every type of cast necessary to present my bait the way I needed to. Ironocally, I'm now at a point where I find myself looking for advice on how to manage spinning tackle better, as I'm just now getting back into using that gear for certain finesse presentations, which is long overdue.

[K_Mac]

Like most of us, I have read, studied, and watched others to learn what best works for me. That has evolved over the years as I've learned more about bass and what I enjoy. There is no substitute for time on the water. As BrianinMD said fishing with guys who are better will save much time, effort, and money. Taking all of that and making it your own is what separates the best from the rest of us.

[hoosierbass07]

 This is my second year of fishing in my adult life.  I've been buying all the famous fishing books, been watching a lot of the TV shows, been watching a lot of Youtube videos, and been posting on boards and asking questions here on this board.  I probably take what they say and then adopt it to my style or keep what they say in mind.  For instance, a lot of the books on big bass say they use 20 and 30 pound line.  My biggest is 12 pound and I consider that plenty enough.  Actually, I consider 10 pound to be heavy line and my main line I use day in and out is 8 pound and six pound.  

 

 To get right down to it - I have probably learned more from YouTube videos more than anything else.  Particularly Nick the Informative Fisherman, and Thundermist Lure Company videos.  Another person doing fishing videos I learn from is a guy who's channel is called adamitshelanu.   The British Totally Awesome Fishing Show videos are pretty informative too even though they are mostly about British fishing.  

 

 End the end, I fish my own way and live and learn.  

[mwh33]

I first learned to fish from my dad. Then I began watching multiple fishing shows and read fishing magazines. I still use my dad's techniques, but incorporate the professionals way of fishing in too. Essential it becomes a unique style all my own that I feel works very well.

[speed craw]

Reading and watching mainly . You have to experiment on what works for you.Regularly talk to older fisherman and pick there brain . Amazing the things you learn fishing and other crazy stories ha ha . My dvr is 70% fishing the other half disney for the kids. More technology now for learning than ever easily available before.

[F14A-B]

I joined Bassmasters Mag, at 14, in 1977... Learned some things, went to work... Then in the 80's I learned much more exacting info from Doug Hannon, and put it to work... Fishing Shows are much different now than they use to be... Which is why I don't watch them much... I have not learned anything new or amazing in fishing tactics in years, however, the changes in Rods and Reels is still very interesting and still developing.

[fishva]

Both.

I know when I just starting to learn some soft plastics, I'd watch some videos or read some articles for tips.

But when I'd get out there, I'd get a hit doing something a little differently. Then I had confidence in that thing that I did differently, and worked on developing that.

I'm not saying I fish uniquely from anyone else, just that my own technique was an accidental evolution of someone else's.

[FrogFreak]

Good question OP. I really dislike the way fishing shows are going these days. They don't help that much, frankly I think they can confuse people. I watched one that said you should only use walking baits when the water is dead calm. Where I fish, I have more success when there's a ripple to the water. How'd I find that out, trial and error. Really the most important new technique I've learned in the last few years was the drop shot and it was pretty intuitive.

 

I do listen to KVD because he grew up fishing the same types of lakes that I fish. He mentioned using a translucent type of lure in clear water and that has helped me narrow down my color selection. Yes, I know he is selling Strike King stuff but you just have to tune that part of it out.

 

All in all, I like to learn about seasonal patterns and bass behavior but when anyone starts getting very specific with lures, I tune them out. I don't want to be sold to, I want to learn.

[J Francho]

I can easily be sold, if it's makes improvement or something truly revolutionary. Ragetail comes to mind, though it wasn't until the craws and chunks were available that they caught my interest. Braided superlines took me a while to latch on, but I won't live without it. Other things I dis veered on my own, either through curiosity or time on the water. I know swimbaits are something I simply would not had success or patience for without Speed, Randall, and others telling me they don't work, lol.

[RMcDuffee726]

Both.

I know when I just starting to learn some soft plastics, I'd watch some videos or read some articles for tips.

But when I'd get out there, I'd get a hit doing something a little differently. Then I had confidence in that thing that I did differently, and worked on developing that.

I'm not saying I fish uniquely from anyone else, just that my own technique was an accidental evolution of someone else's.

This is the perfect way to explain it.

[MusicCityAngler]

Two things that haven't been mentioned that I have found useful:

 

First, go out with an experienced guide.  Tell him you aren't interested in catching fish - you want him to teach you one or two new techniques.    That  will give you the basic technique to get started, and you will probably gradually change as you get experience.

 

 About 15 years ago, I spent a half day with a guide, and he taught me to use spinnerbaits and tubes.  The tube has become my "go to" bait (I call it "old faithful.")  But I don't use it as he taught me.   I fish in very clear water, so I make a couple of short casts, and watch the tube as I vary the retrieve (speed and pauses) until I have a pattern that looks enticing.  Then I make longer casts and try to repeat the same pattern even though I can't see the tube.