Working on Becoming a Better Angler

["hamma"]

S

3 hours ago, contium said:

Having more fun!

Seriously. It will make you a better fisherman. I fished tournaments and took this stuff way too seriously for a couple of decades. The best thing you can do is lighten up and have fun. Ask any pro. They catch way more fish fun fishing than when they are serious. Fishing really isn't that complicated. Don't complicate it. Plus, the point of fishing is to have fun.

So true !

[Airman4754]

I put together a plan before I go based on the information I have of where I am going to fish. When I get home I go over what I would do differently given the situation. 

[Luna2406]

On June 9, 2016 at 9:12 AM, scaleface said:

At this stage , I dont work on it , it just happens . I know where the bass are on the lakes I fish .I can read a depth finder for information and just go fishing  . I'll  often try something different but  theres always a reason behind it , some thought process that suggest to me what to do to catch more  , bigger or at  times any fish.

I agree with him, after spending hundreds of hours reading articles/forum topics, sometimes I'm fishing and a situation presents itself that I might have read about one time. It just comes to me and I try whatever that bit of knowledge told me to try. My best advice is read and do research, a lot of the things I've learned was from watching youtube videos. I wasn't raised fishing, I taught myself once i joined the military. 

[Nitrofreak]

There is no better way to learn than to gain experience, practice, practice, practice, patience, patience, patience.

One thing I wish I had done differently is to join a good reputable bass club, clubs often provide that one on one local knowledge that you can't get anywhere else, most will provide a tournament type environment for you to participate in but I wouldn't worry so much about that, that's about as competitive as one may or may not have to experience but can be a blessing in helping you grow as an angler with lots of knowledge from other local and not so local anglers.

[frosty]

Man there's a ton of good info in this thread. I've been fishing for 30 years or better, started pounding the banks with dad drowning nightcrawlers, we got into it more, bought better equipment, got a small boat and had a blast. Many many good memories sitting in that little boat bs'ing with dad, but one thing I've learned that carries over is to trust your instincts. I'm a beginner when it comes to fishing with lures, but I can usually find a decent spot to try out, you just have to trust your gut. 

[Fish the Mitt]

On 6/7/2016 at 9:39 AM, Senko lover said:

What are some ways you work on making yourself better every time you hit the water?

I don't fish tournaments regularly and don't really have the need to be super competitive, but even in just a quick trip to the pond, I'm always trying to focus and grow better at presentation, mindset, and overall fishing ability. Nothing beats time on the water, but I'd love to hear other ways you guys try to up your game.

Some of the things I've learned are simple, but effective. Nothing mind blowing.

-Use good hooks, knots, and line
-Always be mentally prepared for a bite on every second of the retrieve or cast; try not to be surprised by a bite.
-Keep a fishing log or record
-Polish your casting skills and learn to present a bait quietly
-Fish your strengths but don't be afraid to have an open mind and be versatile
 

Chime in!

 

 

The biggest thing is understanding. Understanding that we aren't born the best but rather, it's something we have to work toward. Every day is a step in that direction - but only if you allow it to be. Never stop listening, never stop learning, never stop growing. 

[wnspain]

Never stop learning and there are no absolutes. Way too often I find anglers that have had success in the past continue to make presentations that are clearly not working at this particular time and/or location. Variety is the spice of life, that holds true even in approach to fishing. Fish the entire vertical spectrum, not so much the horizontal. Relax and enjoy the journey, life is not a tournament, it's an experience. These forums are a vast treasure of useful information and it's up to you on how to take what is being said and use it to become a better angler. My particular goal this year was to learn jig fishing and I'm happy to say the process is going well, but sometimes I just can't buy a bite. It happens, get over it, try something new/different...enjoy the journey. 

[Choporoz]

1 hour ago, wnspain said:

.... there are no absolutes.

[josh colley]

i would say open your horizons to new baits and also just fish baits you dont normally or fishing bait that you do normally fishing and understand how they act in the water and what they are imitating. it will help you make a better bait choice when you need to "match the hatch" or when you know their primary food source. also perfect you casting your flipping/pitching and also roll casts etc. when i go to make sure that i understand what my lure is acting like under water and that has helped me start to catch more fish

[GORDO]

Go out with a specific technique that you want to become better with or build confidence. Bring only that type of bait and use it. Then when you feel confident with it, change it up. You will be surprised how much fun you will have as well! Also, fish different water. Get yourself out of the comfort zone and you will be able to adapt to situations a lot better. Tight lines my man!

[Felix77]

Hard to believe that I am going into my 5th year and I still feel like a noob at times.   FWIW here is my take on becoming better ...

Take the time to learn the lake.  Contour and structure.  Pick techniques which maximize your chances under those specific circumstances and master those.  You will quickly learn what techniques you love (or hate) and want to focus on those.  If several will work begin with the fundamental one and work up from there.  

How this translates to being a better angler is as follows

1 - React to change quickly.   As a co-angler I end up in situations which I was not rigged for from time to time.  If I get to a spot I can quickly determine what will maximize my chances and change up if necessary.  The lakes will vary but you will find circumstances can/will be similar across them.

2 - Find your "strengths".   You will know what your preferences are and that will become your strengths.  Once mastered you can almost replicate that no matter where you go fish with confidence.

3 - Discovery your weaknesses - You have 2 choices here ... you can 1 - build it into a strength OR 2 - Avoid those conditions altogether and fish other ways.  Clearly depends on your personal preference.

Good luck!

[Tommy Pugh]

I agree with continum. I was just going to say that enjoying it is important. Every time that I feel frustrated or just am not catching a lot I think to myself that I could be at work. I just try to look around and enjoy the beauty in nature. Sometimes I will just change things up completely and throw on a bobber and some wigglers and just sit and relax. There is nothing wrong with mixing things up and keeping things fresh. It is always good to slow things down and fish slower. I also will very things up. I will try different lures, different colors, and make sure that i  fished that area thoroughly. 

[BiteFiend]

The longer I fish, the more I realize that one of the biggest ways to improve as an angler is to fish the day. I try to fish the present and be contiuously aware throughout the day. While this may sound somewhat zen and perhaps overly simple, it keeps me from trying to maybe force a bite that isn't there, or fish "spots" that have been fruitful in the past but do not fit with current conditions or a pattern that I may have established. By trying to be aware, I can "see" what my lure is doing in the water and the type of cover it is in. I continuously check my line for nicks, and re-tie often. I try to be aware of how the weather conditions are positioning the bass on cover and structure and try to be open-minded enough to make the adjustments necessary to catch them.