How long to become a good angler?

[scaleface]

Another thing is how do you approach a tough fishing day .  Some people just give up and others enjoy the challenge . Theres been a bunch of times where I have fished for hours without much to show then finish with a fury . Or is it finish with a flurry .

[senile1]

On 1/13/2018 at 5:33 PM, WRB said:

Reading the replies in this thread it appears about half don't believe they are a good bass angler. If you don't have self confidence in your bass fishing skills, the ability to catch bass, means you will never believe your are a good bass angler. 

Why do you bass fish if you don't believe you are a good bass angler or don't believe you will master skills to become a good bass angler soon?

If you can cast and hit a target consistantly you are a good caster.

If you know where to cast to catch bass you are a knowledgible angler.

If you catch bass where you cast and think bass are located you are a good bass angler.

Before you develop confidence in lures and presentations you need to have confidence in yourself.

Tom

I get your point about confidence, Tom (@WRB), but I also get the point of those who don't say they are "good."  Some of these people realize that "good" depends on the person defining it, and to think about it beyond your own definition is just worrying about semantics unless you are competing in a tournament. 

 

For example, you gave this definition in an earlier post:  "This being a bass fishing forum I will assume the OP is inquiring about becoming a good bass angler. The definition offered is consistently having the ability to catch a few bass without regards to size. So I think size is a factor so let's add keeper size bass of 1 lb or more. A good bass angler needs to be able to catch keeper size bass in multiple lakes, ponds and rivers, not just one."

 

By your definition, I meet the standard of a good angler.  In my mind, however, your definition would be a fair angler, not a good angler.  I think a good angler can not only determine how to catch a few keeper fish everywhere they go and do it often, but they can also put together a medium to good sized bag of keeper fish at least some of the time with an occasional trophy.  Of course a good-sized bag is relative to the lake and some lakes yield far less trophies than others.  I am not a tournament angler but I do like to use the 5 fish bag as a measurement.  By this definition, I would say I am on the low end of good or the high end of fair. Part of the reason for this is because of lack of time to be on the water and cutting trips off at 4 or 5 hours, again, due to lack of time.  I suspect that when I am on the water a few times a week, which should happen relatively soon, I will become what I deem to be a good angler quickly because I do have the knowledge and the skills and I am able to catch fish everywhere I go, deep and shallow.  I just don't bring in a good-sized bag as often as I think I should.  So . . . . I have confidence and I catch keeper fish on many different waters, but I still don't believe I meet the bar that I have set for being a good bass angler. 

[RPreeb]

I think that you can become a good angler quite quickly just by using your head and showing some common sense.  Regularly having a good catch is part of it, but there is more to it than just catching fish. 

 

It's handling those fish as little as possible, treating them as though you really want to catch that same one next week or next year.  Following the regulations in the area where you are fishing is part of that.  For the most part, your local fish and game department has a better grasp on the needs for sustaining the area where you are fishing.

 

It's treating the environment with respect, not leaving balls of mono lying around on the shore or in the water for other wildlife to be trapped by (I rarely leave a lake or river without 50 or more yards of some else's line wadded up in my pocket or pack).  The considerate angler will always take his trash out with him, and generally leave the lake, pond or river in no worse condition than he found it. 

 

It's treating others on the lake with respect.  Just being a pleasant person to chat with in passing - you don't have to tell all of your secrets, but it's not that hard to act friendly when someone else drifts by asking "How's the fishing?"  It's being respectful of the other angler's space so that you both have room to fish.  

 

With all that it's nice if you also catch fish, but that won't always happen every outing.  All these other points should apply every time you put out the "Gone Fishin'" sign.

[The Maestro]

2 hours ago, senile1 said:

 

 

By your definition, I meet the standard of a good angler.  In my mind, however, your definition would be a fair angler, not a good angler.  I think a good angler can not only determine how to catch a few keeper fish everywhere they go and do it often, but they can also put together a medium to good sized bag of keeper fish at least some of the time with an occasional trophy.

This is pretty much my standard.  Here in Ontario, if were talking largemouth I would put that 5 fish bag at 15lbs.  It was only this past year that I started to feel like this was a realistic possibility whenever I go fishing.  Does it happen all the time?  Not even close.  But it does happen sometimes and more importantly I feel confident enough that it could happen on any given day.

[bigbill]

The day I switched from using livebait and lures to lures only I knew I was pretty good at bass fishing. When lures started out fishing livebait. The better I became the more I wanted to try and learn every lure. It’s reading the water conditions and what lure size and color to use. What presentation to use too. It’s a matter of staying focused and motivated. Never give up even on a tough day. Determined not to give up.

 

i was spending $50+ on livebait per week. Once I learned how to use lures I purchased more lures with that $50.

 

one day I went through every lure in my tackle box. I know in the past where the bass are. I didn’t give up being skunked was unacceptable. I put on a firetiger crankbait with those black triangle shapes and caught a few bass. This made me think about having different water conditions within the water column. It’s looked slightly stained to stained on top. But as it goes deeper it becomes a darker stained to muddy. My motto is now when in doubt chartreuse can be your friend. Be flexible don't stay with one color.

 

you can be as good as you want to be your I Control of your destiny. Read everything here, watch every video, then get on the water and try what you learned. Nothing beats time spent fishing. Again stay focused and motivated. Forget all other thoughts, think fishing only. Focus on your presentations. Don’t get caught up fishing too fast. Slow is better.

 

just go out and practice the fish will interrupt you when you get it right.

 

im no pro but I have the heart of one.

[LadiMopar]

Being a "good" angler is a relative term, but the best anglers I have encountered are not the ones who think they're good by way of those usual measuring sticks...big boat, tons of tackle, tournament wins etc...for me the measure of a good angler is the one who takes the time to help a newbie, teach a child, respect the environment..and loves doing it for no other reason but the love and future of our sport.

 

and if we catch a few memorable ones along the way, all the better.

[soflabasser]

1 hour ago, LadiMopar said:

Being a "good" angler is a relative term, but the best anglers I have encountered are not the ones who think they're good by way of those usual measuring sticks...big boat, tons of tackle, tournament wins etc...for me the measure of a good angler is the one who takes the time to help a newbie, teach a child, respect the environment..and loves doing it for no other reason but the love and future of our sport.

 

and if we catch a few memorable ones along the way, all the better.

Well said. Having the best gear does not guarantee you will be very successful in bass fishing, there are plenty of bass fishermen with nice boats and gear yet they struggle to catch 5 pound bass on a consistent basis or rarely catch bass this size. There are those who can fish anywhere, figure out a pattern, and catch quality fish, even from land with inexpensive gear. Being a ''good'' bass angler is relative term and means different things to different people, but for me it means to be consistent at catching big bass in pressured public waters, which is something I am good at. As for helping others, I am more than good enough to be a fishing guide and charge people, yet I help people for free and do not expect money in return. I have helped in boy scout competitions( and other events) and taught kids how to fish, have taught many people how to fish in person, all for free. I do this since I have had the good fortune to have been taught how to fish by many skilled anglers and none of them charged me money to fish with them. They just want me to respect the fishing laws and pay it forward by teaching others how to fish.

[Mike L]

I fish tournaments as a co angler all year round.

If I cash does that make me "good"?

 

If I win does that make me better than the last one?

 

If I zero does that mean I'm worse than I thought?

 

What's my point?...All 3

 

 

 

Mike

[scaleface]

  I'm a lot better than I was in 1975 . The biggest differences are

 

: selecting the right lure for the job 

: boat positioning 

: deep water fishing 

 

I still dont think of myself as a good caster . I watched the video of Glenn and that backhand cast .  I struggle with that.

[LadiMopar]

12 hours ago, soflabasser said:

Well said. Having the best gear does not guarantee you will be very successful in bass fishing, there are plenty of bass fishermen with nice boats and gear yet they struggle to catch 5 pound bass on a consistent basis or rarely catch bass this size. There are those who can fish anywhere, figure out a pattern, and catch quality fish, even from land with inexpensive gear. Being a ''good'' bass angler is relative term and means different things to different people, but for me it means to be consistent at catching big bass in pressured public waters, which is something I am good at. As for helping others, I am more than good enough to be a fishing guide and charge people, yet I help people for free and do not expect money in return. I have helped in boy scout competitions( and other events) and taught kids how to fish, have taught many people how to fish in person, all for free. I do this since I have had the good fortune to have been taught how to fish by many skilled anglers and none of them charged me money to fish with them. They just want me to respect the fishing laws and pay it forward by teaching others how to fish.

 

My point exactly Sofla! Thanks for sharing that and elaborating on my personal "definition" of what a " good" bass angler is. Keep paying forward! ??

[toni63]

If I ever get there, I'll let you know.....

[slonezp]

22 hours ago, scaleface said:

  I'm a lot better than I was in 1975 . The biggest differences are

 

: selecting the right lure for the job 

: boat positioning 

: deep water fishing 

 

I still dont think of myself as a good caster . I watched the video of Glenn and that backhand cast .  I struggle with that.

The only cast that counts is the one that catches a fish. All the rest are practice.

[LonnieP]

My answer depends on how I did on the water that particular day. Some days I think I’m Bill Dance, other days not so much. ?

[Jaderose]

I'm the greatest angler in the world.  My world, that is.  I enjoy every single outing.  I catch fish, I learn new techniques, I try things out.  I can read the conditions decently and I rarely get skunked any more.  I'm a better than average frogger.  Will that make me money or win me a tournament?  Doubt it.  Care?  Nope.    I don't use electronics, I never take pictures, and my phone isn't even with me when I'm on the water.  I buy decent gear and take care of it.  I battle the bait monkey and as I've gotten older, win most of those battles.  Not all!  I tinker around with building a bass boat from an old jon boat and it works pretty good.  I tow that with a 1968 Ford F100 that I also tinker around with.  While doing all that, I listen to vintage stereo equipment which I ALSO tinker with and rebuild.  You put ALLLLLL that together and you have a 50 year old guy that is pretty d**n satisfied with life and has enough to keep him busy.  I'd say that makes me the greatest angler in Jade's world.  (But I always try to be better!)  

[OCdockskipper]

On 1/19/2018 at 6:08 AM, scaleface said:

  I'm a lot better than I was in 1975 ... I still dont think of myself as a good caster . I watched the video of Glenn and that backhand cast .  I struggle with that.

We started the same year.

 

As for casting, it depends on the technique.  I don't do or have the need for pitching or underhand roll casts on my lake, so I am average at best with those.  However, I am very accurate overhand, both with casting & spinning gear.  I can also skip real well, both forehand & backhand.  

 

On vacation this year, we got to know a man who lived on the lake we were at.  As luck would have it, his dock was the sweet spot of the lake.  One morning, he watched as I fired small jigs & Senkos under his dock, pulling out a half dozen bass including a 4lber.  He shook his head & said "amazing", because he had never seen that technique or how effective it could be.  Ironically, I had the same feeling warching some pros while marshalling for an Elite event.

[OCdockskipper]

On 1/15/2018 at 10:35 AM, Vinjints said:

I'm generally good enough to beat most of the people I'm bowling with and probably average around 130 or so.  Got close to 200 once or twice, but generally stay pretty consistent with the occasional high and low game.  Doesn't make me a good bowler, except by those that aren't as consistent. 

 

@Catt

Bowling was the other way I spent my youth, but since I married a woman who enjoyed bowling, I never took a break from it like I did fishing.  

 

I was fortunate to befriend a man who had been on the PBA tour when I first started.  It sped up the learning curve because I understood what was possible and avoided having to unlearn bad habits.

 

 Statistically, 140 is an average average, while 180 is considered good.  200 used to be considered pro level, but recent advancements in ball materials and lane conditions have raised that to 220.  Those who don't bowl much have trouble understanding how much easier the scoring has gotten for higher average bowlers. 

 

To use a fishing analogy, bowling now is like fishing in a So Cal lake that receives weekly trout stocking.  It may not make a difference to the average angler, but someone like Tom is able to take advantage of the conditions and "score" higher at levels most find amazing.

[scaleface]

5 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

Bowling was the other way I spent my youth, but since I married a woman who enjoyed bowling, I never took a break from it like I did fishing.  

 

I was fortunate to befriend a man who had been on the PBA tour when I first started.  It sped up the learning curve because I understood what was possible and avoided having to unlearn bad habits.

 

You have any 300's ? I have two 299's . Left the 10pin both times . 

[OCdockskipper]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

You have any 300's ? I have two 299's . Left the 10pin both times . 

Five. One in 1999 (age 36), one in 2005, the last three in 2011, 2012 & 2013.  I think that is evidence of the easier scoring conditions I mentioned, for one does not round into athletic shape as we approach 50 .  I actually haven't picked up a ball in nearly 3 years, as I began to fish more in 2012, I cut back on leagues until I stopped completely in 2015.

 

Knowing that you left 10 pins for your 299's tells me you are right handed.  That is good, that means your scores count (a little biased sarcasm to our lefty brethren).  I have been fortunate in that I have never shot a 290+ game, all five times I have had the first eleven, I struck in the 12th.

 

Have you ever shot an Andy Varipapa 300?  That's 12 in a row, but stretched between 2 games.

[scaleface]

8 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

Have you ever shot an Andy Varipapa 300?  That's 12 in a row, but stretched between 2 games

Three weeks ago . I had a 279 .