You guys were absolutely right: the best way to get better at fishing is to actually go out and fish!

[JFlynn97]

Recently I've been going out fishing much more often than I usually do. Pretty much whenever I have time, whether it be before work, after work, or going out for a bit in the evening before ending the day, I'm on the water as much as I can be. And I've gotta say, I'm really enjoying seeing myself become a better angler! I've gone out probably 7 or 8 times in the past week and haven't gotten skunked, generally catch more fish per outing than I usually would, and I'm getting better at catching fish on techniques I'm not as confident in! Just today on my way home from work I stopped at a local and incredibly pressured pond, tied on a texas rigged yum thumpin dinger (I've always been super unconfident in soft plastics and bottom baits), and was able to land two fish within the 30-45 minutes that I was there! 

 

People on this website repeatedly say that the best way to get better at fishing is to actually go fish, and I can finally vouch for that! No matter how many videos I watched, how many articles I've read, or how much time I've spent on this forum, all of which can be incredibly helpful, what helped the most was actually going out and getting real-life experience.

[kcdinkerz]

Yup 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Who would've thunk ....

[Oregon Native]

It's downhill now.....pocketbook is going to be damaged!!!

[Catt]

It's a whole lot easier when ya catching ?

[Hog Basser]

I always tell my nephews when they go with me, "you ain't gonna catching anything if your line ain't wet" (while they mess around with their setup).  You definitely have to fish to get better.  I'm ready to go again soon, maybe tonight!

 

[WRB]

You can’t get better at any sport unless you practice by doing it.

Watching others perform isn’t going to make you any more skilled.

Tom

[813basstard]

Crazy right? People tend to lose more weight when they eat less too. You may be on to something...

[soflabasser]

When it comes to bass fishing nothing compares to time spent wisely on the water.

[Stephen B]

21 hours ago, WRB said:

You can’t get better at any sport unless you practice by doing it.

Watching others perform isn’t going to make you any more skilled.

Tom

While I agree that fishing is essential to improving as a fisherman. However, you can learn a lot about fishing and become a better fisherman by understanding basics such as the effect of weather on fish, importance of colors and lure selection with changes in the seasons and weather, and when to use certain techniques in situations through videos by pros, watching tournament footage, and talking with other fisherman. Both supplement each other to improve all anglers. But I agree that regarding casting technique, using/implementing the knowledge gained from other sources, skipping docks, trying new techniques, and applying everything they learned requires practice on the water. 

[WRB]

I have shared as much of my bass knowledge as anyone has. Back in 1974 I created the Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar for a seminar and shared it to anyone willing to learn.

Have you read it? I have spent my lifetime fishing and can only hope sharing a little knowledge gives back to the sport and helps someone.

Being an expert on baseball is a good example; knowing every statistic and every player who played the game will not make you a good baseball player. Knowledge helps but it's worthless unless you know how to use it and recognize when to apply it.

When you can read the water, then you will become a better bass angler.

Tom

[KDW96]

WRB, Id be interested in reading the Cosmic and Bass calender?

[scaleface]

I've been watching MMA and am now a lot tougher . 

[Graham]

I find this to be true and I’m glad it sounds like you had that light bulb moment. It’s really cool to spend time learning and studying tactics and methods in your down time and then apply them. Nothing is better than hands on experience, but I will say having a good conceptual understanding of a method is key to successfully executing it. The more conceptual knowledge I have directly translates for me on the water. The experience of anglers that have come before me has seriously improved my fishing ability and I’m super grateful to all who share this. I always try to return the favor. Tight lines, and cheers to you for getting out there more!

 

@WRB Your knowledge is greatly appreciated, it’s up to the individual how they want to use it, but I’ve learned from you for sure.

[Lead Head]

There is a reason pro athletes all the way down to high school athletes study hours of film. 

 

BUT

 

All the knowledge in the world isn't helpful if you can't apply it.

Almost no two bodies of water fish exactly the same.

Nothing trumps experience. 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, KDW96 said:

WRB, Id be interested in reading the Cosmic and Bass calender?

Glenn was unable to include it on this site, Google search" Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar" to find it.

Tom

[WRB]

1 hour ago, Lead Head said:

There is a reason pro athletes all the way down to high school athletes study hours of film. 

 

BUT

 

All the knowledge in the world isn't helpful if you can't apply it.

Almost no two bodies of water fish exactly the same.

Nothing trumps experience. 

Athletes of any sport must develop physical skills by practicing and playing before they reach a skill level good enough to consider enhancing those skill by studing films.

What I am saying anyone can watch films or video or read about fishing but you must pick up a rod to and practice to cast it with skill and spend time on the water to learn to read it. When you understand what is meant by reading water you will be a skilled angler.

Tom

[Lead Head]

I am in agreement. You just said it better. 

[Glaucus]

[Eric J]

23 hours ago, soflabasser said:

When it comes to bass fishing nothing compares to time spent wisely on the water.

True but some of my best time on the water has been foolishly spent...

[CrankFate]

4 hours ago, Eric J said:

True but some of my best time on the water has been foolishly spent...

Most of the best times in my life was time foolishly spent....

[soflabasser]

12 hours ago, scaleface said:

I've been watching MMA and am now a lot tougher . 

Reminds me of some people I know that are always reading about fitness, act like fitness experts, yet can't run a simple 10K or squat twice their bodyweight.lol

11 hours ago, Lead Head said:

There is a reason pro athletes all the way down to high school athletes study hours of film. 

 

BUT

 

All the knowledge in the world isn't helpful if you can't apply it.

Almost no two bodies of water fish exactly the same.

Nothing trumps experience. 

Well said

[MIbassyaker]

And there's another thing too: The more you fish and catch, the more you will actually make sense of what you watch and read. You'll become more observant when you watch a video because you'll know what to look for.  You will attach terms to concepts that you now have more direct familiarity with, like "feeling the bottom", and "semi-slack line". When you read a description of conditions or structure or cover, you will be better able to mentalize what it refers to, from your experience on the water.