Magazines And Other Useful Learning Tools!

[RossCo91]

Hey guys,
I’ve been quiet since my introduction, but I’ve been reading more then I write.

For a those of you who didn’t see it, I am a Rookie angler who is getting into the competitive scene here over in South Africa. Fishing for around 18 months now, and enjoy learning every chance I get.

Anyway onto my question. I follow this forum, and two local forums and google plenty of articles on *** and  bassresource as well as watching the FLW and BassMasterElite series on youtube ( As we don’t get them here ) also plenty of other stuff on youtube.

What else can I do? Where else is there to look and to learn. My best biggest curve is to turn diving crankbaits into a confidence bait, not something I am managing to do too easily at the moment.

Also my main question on this thread is what are the best bass magazines to subscribe to in the states?
I was hoping to see if I could get 2/3 subscriptions going ( cost dependant ) as a way to learn, but I haven’t a clue what magazines are the best/ most informative.

Anyways thanks for the time!
Tight lines!

Ross

[OkobojiEagle]

Stick with the web...

 

 

 

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[papajoe222]

I didn't catch your intro, so let me start out by saying welcome.

I admire the way you've challenged yourself. Unlike yourself, when I started out all that was available in the way of information were publications and often times that information was unreliable. Although I still love to read a few publications, the information they contain pales in comparison to what is available via the internet.

Bassmaster and FishingFacts are two magazines that I still subscribe to. The first is offered as part of my BASS membership and the second is a multi-species publication that is packed with information.

Although your learning curve is well advanced, your experience needs to to rise to drive home those lessons.

To truly gain confidence in a bait or presentation, may I suggest, as with a crankbait, only using it on a few outings.

Good luck and don't forget to jump in and post now and then.

[travis23]

My biggest advice is to go fishing. Get on the water and put what you have read into experience. I came to a point where I felt like there wasn't much else reading was going to do for me. I had to get the experience for myself and learn my strengths as an angler. I must say though, the hundreds of articles and post I read, definitely helped give me some general knowledge! As far as magazines, I get FLW, BASS, and Bass Angler magazines. Really though, that's just something for me to read at work when I have down time. Everything is on the Internet. Good luck!

[J Francho]

Take a look at Basswest magazine.

[RossCo91]

My biggest advice is to go fishing. Get on the water and put what you have read into experience. I came to a point where I felt like there wasn't much else reading was going to do for me. I had to get the experience for myself and learn my strengths as an angler. I must say though, the hundreds of articles and post I read, definitely helped give me some general knowledge! As far as magazines, I get FLW, BASS, and Bass Angler magazines. Really though, that's just something for me to read at work when I have down time. Everything is on the Internet. Good luck!

I try get on the water twice a week, which while Working and studying on an evening is quite a bit! Nothing compares to time spent on the water, but I enjoy filling those gaps.

I can easily say every time I am on the water, if the fishing is easy or tough I always take away a new lesson, I'm extremely driven.

Our Frog bite here is just starting again, so it will be very hard to put that rod down for a good 6 months!

[Felix77]

The web is the best source by far.  I am also a big fan of the Bass Pros DVD series available on BassPro.  I own all 8 seasons and watch them every winter when I can't fish.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-The-Bass-Pros:-Season-8-DVD-2Disc-Set/product/1406131126/

[Mike L]

Read, read and read everything you can.

All the sugestions you've already got are all excellent choices.

What I would add is to join a local club and pick eveyones brain. Many guys won't have a problem and most will welcome being able to help someone who wants to learn.

Also, spend some time at your local fishing spots just walking around and watch what others do.

Another tip is to hang around your local bait stores, talk to the counter men they are just regular guys like us who probably won't mind talking about what others use, where and how.

Good Luck and Welcome

Mike

[buzzed bait]

could only echo that time on the water is what drives it home for me.  it's almost like i study here all week (while i'm supposed to be working) and then take the exam on the weekends....

[RossCo91]

Read, read and read everything you can.

All the sugestions you've already got are all excellent choices.

What I would add is to join a local club and pick eveyones brain. Many guys won't have a problem and most will welcome being able to help someone who wants to learn.

Also, spend some time at your local fishing spots just walking around and watch what others do.

Another tip is to hang around your local bait stores, talk to the counter men they are just regular guys like us who probably won't mind talking about what others use, where and how.

Good Luck and Welcome

Mike

Done and Done already.

Clubs been invaluable.

Tackle store makes me poor but spend alot of time there, the shop assistants don't even try sale me stuff anymore

I must be doing it right then.

 

[Raul]

.

Anyway onto my question. I follow this forum, and two local forums and google plenty of articles on another site and  bassresource as well as watching the FLW and BassMasterElite series on youtube ( As we don’t get them here ) also plenty of other stuff on youtube.

What else can I do? Where else is there to look and to learn.

 

GO FISHING ! nuff said ! you will never know how to fish if you don´t practice what you read/see, not even the best video, the best article, the best book is going to substitute practice.

 

I am a Veterinarian, I may learn a surgical procedure down to the most insignificant detail but if I never put it on practice it´s like not knowing anything at all.

[Fishes in trees]

If you can only subscribe to one magazine, I'd recommend In-fisherman magazine.  I think that the quality of the mag has decreased significantly since the Lindners sold it, but it is still the pick of the litter as far as I'm concerned.  Please note that I don't know a thing about any of the bass magazines published on the west coast.  On the In-fisherman web site, there is an ongoing thread about mid-west finesse fishing that might or might not change your mind about finesse fishing, but it is an interesting read none the less.

 

Bassmaster magazine is a good magazine if you are looking for lots of ads about the newest stuff out there.  Any discussion of techniques is primarily tournament oriented.

 

BASSIN magazine has been resurrected lately.  It is more oriented toward the recreational fisherman, IMO.  Decent articles, a lot more simplistic in focus compared to the In-fisherman ones.

 

Please note that these are my opinions and not necessarily any one else's.

[Trap-n-Fish]

could only echo that time on the water is what drives it home for me.  it's almost like i study here all week (while i'm supposed to be working) and then take the exam on the weekends...

On the weekends or anytime work takes me near a place where i can put a line in the water. I keep a rod in my work truck for "pop quizzes".

[OK Bass Hunter]

In-Fisherman Bass Series 1-3

In Pursuit of Giant Bass

Get on the water and fish. Keep a log of as many details of the when, how, where of your catches. Log even the days you don't do so well. It'll add up and help you in the long run.