Post your best fishing tip

[Munkin]

Based on some of the replies over the years I am asking everyone to post a good fishing tip tp help other anglers. This isn't a use my second cousins hand poured worms because they are the best but a generic what works. What got me thinking of this is when Tom WRB posted that he uses worms in a muddy bottom and jigs on a hard bottom (Didn't mean to call you out I just want to express what a good tip that was from experience). So without pimping a particular manufacturer please post something that will help other fisherman regardless of location.

 

Here is my start: Jigs, if you don't know what color jigs to use starting out just use ones in the same color of soft plastics that work for you. While this is a simple statement and concept I caught more bass the first day that I applied it than in the previous several years of fishing jigs I had no confidence in.

 

Match the hatch: This has always worked for me and I know people will disagree but if bass are eating say shad the shad do not change color when the water is murky because of rain.

 

What color to use in soft plastics: One of the KVD videos he explains that if you do not know what color to use try something that matches the lake of river bottom you are fishing. His explanation is that any prey will try to blend in with their environment to escape predators so you want a bait that matches the local prey.

 

This is what I can think of for now and I am hoping this post is populated with useful information that can help others besides the "what is your favorite"

 

Allen 

 

 

[dday07]

Fish as much as you can...Def. my best tip

[Munkin]

18 minutes ago, dday07 said:

Fish as much as you can...Def. my best tip

TOW= Time on water is invaluable.

 

Allen

[papajoe222]

I had 'BUMP SOMETHING' written on a sticker that I'd placed on the screen of my depth finder, for years.  It was a constant reminder to make my bait do something erratic. Change speeds, twitch the rod tip, bump the bottom or a piece of cover, regardless of the lure you're using.  You'll get bit more often than using a constant retrieve.

[A-Jay]

I've never thought of a jig or Texas rigged plastic as a "Reaction" bait, so I don't routinely fish it like one.

 I prefer to look at it from the stand point of the Predator & Prey relationship.

Most anything a bass eats is probably trying really hard to avoid that whole scenario. 

Doing anything that would draw attention to itself is often highly undesirable and could easily lead to its demise.  

  So rather than hopping & popping a bait, there is a time & place where sneaking the bait along every so gingerly works well.  Move it while imagining that you’re actually attempting to toss your bait out there and get it back without getting bit.  Sounds kind of backwards I know, but the bait is in the bass's world, and she knows it's there; without the extra action.    

You'll find yourself fishing spots slower and more thoroughly while at the same time affording your bait the time it needs to work it's magic.   Works really good at night.

A-Jay

[CroakHunter]

-Finesse doesn't only mean light weights, light hooks, and spinning gear. You can finesse a 3/4 ounce jig through a lay down. Similar to what a-jay mentioned.

-What one person believes is the best, whether that be rod, reel, line, or lure, doesn't mean it will be the best for your situation.

-If the fishing is slow or You're on a new body of water, start fishing how you like and how you feel most comfortable. This is a fun past time and confidence is key to catching and having fun.

-Have a game plan before you get to the body of water.

-You don't have to stick to your game plan of conditions change.

 

[punch]

I don't know if it's my "best" tip but it's one of my favorite USEFUL tips that's a direct carry over from the ice fishing world... "any information you get on a bite is old information". 

 

Meaning if someone said "oh yeah, the fish are in such and such area and hitting jerkbaits right now".... two things are very likely: A. they might have gotten 1 bite and been embellishing and B. that was the bite window THEN and won't be when you get there. 

 

Obviously if you fish the same body of water often, you'll find reliable spots and patterns that work in specific times of the year... BUT don't build your game plan around what someone at the local bait shop told you or something you read in a online fishing report, or even worse, a facebook group. 

 

The ice fishing world suffers from this a lot. People chase someone else's old bite instead of trying to figure out their own. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

Electronics is your most important tackle. Learn how to use them.

[KP Duty]

Join a bass club and fish as  non-boater in some tournaments.  Before the internet, it was this and watching 'the bassmasters' or reading bassmaster that taught me everything I knew.

[soflabasser]

Try to learn from every single fishing trip you have and have a open mind when it comes to fishing. 

[SWVABass]

Slow down, I use to fish a worm as topwater because I thought that bite would happen on the initial fall. Took three years of fishing behind more experienced anglers to really see what they were doing. There is a time and place to cover water fast, but slowing down and truly fish the cover or structure has done me well. Follow what @A-Jay and @CroakHunter said.

[scaleface]

Fishing reports are in the past .

[Deleted account]

9 hours ago, dday07 said:

Fish as much as you can...Def. my best tip

This ^.

[Choporoz]

Use sunscreen

[jtipton91]

Move till you find fish

[Rpratt]

Do not be afraid to change/mix things up. I think it's one of the hardest things to actually do. You get stuck in a pattern or with a favorite lure and stubbornly won't change tactics. Don't do that ?

[sully420]

10 hours ago, punch said:

I don't know if it's my "best" tip but it's one of my favorite USEFUL tips that's a direct carry over from the ice fishing world... "any information you get on a bite is old information". 

 

Meaning if someone said "oh yeah, the fish are in such and such area and hitting jerkbaits right now".... two things are very likely: A. they might have gotten 1 bite and been embellishing and B. that was the bite window THEN and won't be when you get there. 

 

Obviously if you fish the same body of water often, you'll find reliable spots and patterns that work in specific times of the year... BUT don't build your game plan around what someone at the local bait shop told you or something you read in a online fishing report, or even worse, a facebook group. 

 

The ice fishing world suffers from this a lot. People chase someone else's old bite instead of trying to figure out their own. 

Love this tip. I watched a Gary Klein seminar on bass U and it really resonated with me. Find your oun fish don't listen to dock talk do your own work. Thats the way i have fished an i really think it has helped me become a better fisherman.

[InFishingWeTrust]

Have confidence in your bait. Dont be afraid to think outside of the box and believe your self that you are going to catch fish. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Don't forget the plug!

[OkobojiEagle]

When buying socks always buy two pair of the same style/color.  When you put a toe through one or the dryer eats one, you still have a pair and an extra.  When you lose the second sock, you're still golden.

 

oe

[Columbia Craw]

12 feet is not deep.

Find em' with a crankbait and catch em' with plastics.

176

If you're fishing the bank, the majority of the fish are behind you.

Most of the very best anglers are not pros.

You don't have to have super expensive equipment to be successful but it makes the experience a bit more enjoyable.

It does no good to have the entire tackle store in your boat if you don't know when and where to apply it.

Have fun !!  Life is serious enough already. 

[MassYak85]

Fish when you can despite the conditions. Sometimes terrible days by our standards can surprise you. 

[Jelvas]

 Unless you´re a pro angler and your livelihood depends on fishing...  don´t take things to serious! Enjoy your time on the water and have fun.

 

 I always come home with a big smile on my face after a day of fishing...  even when i get skunked. That´s the beauty of fishing and the best tip i can give.

[Peddiesake]

I usually pick one side of the lake and start with 6-8 targets. Fish them very thoroughly. I usually bring two baits in several colors ie Senko and Ned rig. After I fish them all, I usually fish them again especially the ones where I scored. I mostly bank fish, so that cuts way down on what I carry and the days game plan.

[Phil B]

Forget the mindset of " I have to catch a big bass". Get into the mindset of " I'm fishing and not at work".When you try  to hard you make more mistakes, fishing to fast, inaccurate casts, and so on. So slow down and have fun. I might surprise you how many fish you will catch.