Path to becoming a better fisherman

[MichaelCopeland]

5 hours ago, Pro Logcatcher said:

Since I wear glasses, I bought myself a pair of clip-ons. I never understood why anyone needs polarized lenses above $40!

You got that right. My polarized sunglasses only cost  $5 at Wal Mart. Yum brand. The work fine for me.

4 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

• Go with experienced anglers

•  Go by yourself and apply What you learned from experienced anglers.

  For me ,this was probably 75% of it.

The other 25 % would involve quality forums like this one, watching fishing videos, mags, and books.

I'd like the chance to fish with at least one experienced angler. I do, however, my best at applying what I learn from this forum, books and videos when I get out to a body of water. Since my move back up here to Shreveport I don't get near the chances to go fishing as I did down in Pineville. Hoping that changes soon. I'm having withdrawls...lol. ?

[gobig]

The fastest way to get good at something is to surround yourself with people that are better than you. Join a club, start fishing the back seat in big events or hire guides. Ask lot's of questions. When you get out there you will meet people that will be willing to help you. There is a lot of good information out there that you can read and build on but there is no substitute for being out there on the water.

[Ben Miller]

These are better than any sunglasses for seeing bass!  No fish finder needed with these because u can see em a mile a way!  My first joke on BR!

[68camaro]

On 8/21/2017 at 8:25 AM, D3FT said:

I try to keep good notes and when I catch a fish I ask myself some questions,  what was I doing when that fish hit? and why was that fish here? 

I take good notes afterwords, but while retrieving I really try to pay attention to how I was presenting the bait, once I caught a fish with all the excitement I would sometimes forget if I was presenting fast, slow, swimming it, popping, how twitching was etc.....really concentrating on what I was doing helps me remember "exactly" what I was doing.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Never forget that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work. Don't get yourself flustered when you're having a bad day on the water, always remember to relax and enjoy your happy time. Keep away from the negative waves. That's what I keep telling myself, at least. 

 

Really though, all of the above is great advice, but none of it will be worth a d**n if you drive yourself crazy following it. KISS, Keep it simple, stupid. That should help to keep you from going broke while you're at it, too. 

 

As for the gear, the folks above are spot on with the polarized glasses. Mine are probably the best $20 I've spent on equipment, and they are probably the only item money can buy that will make you a better fisherman, all the other stuff just gives you more choices and makes them easier, sometimes. Another highly recommended $10 purchase is a product called Bull Frog. It's Sunblock with DEET, and it won't help you catch fish, but it will keep you from being a miserable S.O.B. while you're out on the water, and that really helps to get you back to where I started with happy time. 

 

Being a better fisherman doesn't have to be about catching more fish, either. It's about conservation and sportsmanship, too. Volunteer, help clean up. Take a kid fishing. Be kind. You can catch all the fish in the world and you'll never be a good fisherman if you're not a good person while you're fishing.

[WDE]

I had a 15 year hiatus from when I put the rods and picked them back up last year. I’ve caught more (bigger)fish in the past year than I ever have...much thanks to this forum. 16 years ago, we didn’t have the resources we do now—so unless you knew someone or just played trial and error you were on your own. The internet is a wonderful thing(at least when it comes to fishing).

 

Anecdotal: funny thing is, is that I spent the past year ripping cranks(and having success), that I almost stopped using soft plastics—which is what I used 16 years ago. I didn’t understand the draw of the Senko, I all but abandoned the Texas rig. However, some of my biggest fish have come off a Senko and I restarted using the t-rig last week and it’s been killing it. 

 

A lot of fishing is circumstantial. You need to know what to throw and when. Water temps, air temp, wind, etc. But that’s when you Google and you’ll ultimately be brought back here, commit the advice to memory, and then you’re prepared for the next time the conditions arise. 

 

I do believe it’s helpful, but not necessary to keep two rigs(I go with 3, all relatively inexpensive). One for plastics/finesse, one for power fishing(cranks, spinners, etc.). For the mere sake of not having to constantly switch out baits. 

 

Keep pliers and scissors in your pocket or at least nearby at all times. 

 

Most importantly, fishing is fun and should always be fun—unless you take a treble to the face or something. 

[geo g]

A few thoughts about this topic.

1). Spend as much time on the water as possible, under all types of conditions.

2). Fish with as many other fisherman as you can.  You will learn something each trip from others you fish with.  Some  good , some bad.    All part of the experience. I got a boat in the early 80's and invited as many others to join me as possible.  I have learned as much from them, as I ever taught anyone.

3). You want to learn a new technique, go out with that bait and nothing else.  You will learn it quick, if you can't escape to a comfort bait.

4). Join a club and fish with with more experienced guys.  Be a good watcher, and listener, and not a talker, while you  fish.

5). You never know it all, no matter how long you have been fishing, there is always something new to learn on every trip.

[IntroC]

I can't emphasize enough, fish with an experienced fisherman. A good fisherman, a great one is even better. Id pick an experienced angler over books and the internet any day of the week and two times on Sunday. 

[Deleted account]

10 hours ago, IntroC said:

I can't emphasize enough, fish with an experienced fisherman. A good fisherman, a great one is even better. Id pick an experienced angler over books and the internet any day of the week and two times on Sunday. 

This ^. Just like chess. 

[thinkingredneck]

I think fishing from a kayak has helped me.  When fishing from a a kayak you have to plan, you can only paddle so far and you can only take a limited amount of gear.  You cannot run and gun.  You pick apart structure, because new structure is a paddle trip away.  You are in the water and more aware of surroundings.  Stealth is easier. I have caught fish under the kayak.  I just started bass fishing in late middle age/early old age and come from a trout fishing/fly rod background.  It all crosses over.  Now, would I buy a big bass boat if I could--of course.  But I honestly think wading streams and kayak fishing have helped me become better, because it forces me to plan, slow down and pick apart structure.   I may get a bass boat when I get some more kids off of the payroll!  

[Alan Reed]

I am rightwhere you are as this is my second year fishing. I have there are two really good methods on how to do this. 

1. Depending on the area you like it might not be feasible to open water fish year round. That is a great time of year for research. Learn about techniques, learn how to break down a body of water. 

2. When you can be out fishing, do it. Time on the water is where you take the skills you have learned  and mesh then all together. Take note as to what works where, when did it work, and most importantly why.

[DINK WHISPERER]

On 8/20/2017 at 10:10 PM, Ksam1234 said:

This made me LOL for real. I love watching fishing videos and they got all there sponsors on the shirts and they start throwing "random" companies .. oh and you must use this and this.  Oh no that pole won't work you have to buy this or you won't catch the fish .. and everyone has 65 pound braid.. I don't understand you gonna do with 65 pound braid? Didn't know we had freshwater whales ? Prob lost

them not using that 65 pound braid

You obviously have never flipped/punched heavy cover. And those random companies are their sponsors. So of course they're going to push their products. It's a pretty regular thing in the sport.