Learning new things

[Mobasser]

For the older fisherman, have you been quick to learn new teqniques? I recently tried drop shot fishing. Fished it for 2 hrs with little success. I've had fair success on shakey head worm fishing, as well as a simple split shot rig. Neither of these are new having been around a long time. When I finished with my drop shot fishing, I immediately grabbed my small box of bullet weights and worm hooks. In 3 minutes hooked and landed a 15" bass.This has happened so many times through the years, I couldn't count them all. Once one thing doesn't work, I go to a Texas rig, and can catch some fish.I know many of the newer teqniques work well. It's obvious by tournament wins, and the success of weekend fisherman as well. Do you keep up on all the latest things, or do you tend to use what's worked for you over the years? After 35yrs at this sport, I'm branching out- but I've been a little bit reluctant to change what's worked. Anyone else feel this way?

[PersicoTrotaVA]

It's all about confidence.  I tell myself I need to fish a jig and crankbait more.  So I tie them on and fish them.  I catch 1 or 2 if I am lucky.  My brother catches 4 or 5.  Then I get my wacky rig and start slaying them...it's all about confidence.

[scaleface]

I dont get to put the hours in to fish every lure and technique , so I dont experiment as much as I should with new things  .  I have tinkered with a drop shot and and caught a few . If I fished in deeper cleaner water i'm sure it would be a go to technique . I pick my lures by  asking myself what will fish effectively in the conditions I am facing .  I have decades of experience too and I use that to help me make good choices. I do see Drop  Shots becoming a player out on the points ,it just hasnt materialized yet and I have   caught thousands of bass on other rigs and lures . so naturally I gravitate to what I have had success with . Its not just drop shots  there are several  popular techniques and lures  that I have not used much . There is just not enough time .

 

 

[Hook2Jaw]

I can slay fish on a Texas rigged worm or creature.  I can slay fish on a jig, casting it or pitching in the jungle.  I can slay fish on small paddletails and swimbaits.  I can slay fish on most finesse presentations; weightless plastics, wacky or Texas.  Dropshot, shakyhead.

 

I've been working very hard on learning to catch fish on crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits.  I've had moderate success, but I can always pick up a technique with a soft plastic and outfish myself.  It annoys me.  I badly want to be a better power fisherman.

[TnRiver46]

55 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I can slay fish on a Texas rigged worm or creature.  I can slay fish on a jig, casting it or pitching in the jungle.  I can slay fish on small paddletails and swimbaits.  I can slay fish on most finesse presentations; weightless plastics, wacky or Texas.  Dropshot, shakyhead.

 

I've been working very hard on learning to catch fish on crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits.  I've had moderate success, but I can always pick up a technique with a soft plastic and outfish myself.  It annoys me.  I badly want to be a better power fisherman.

Ditto

[Russ E]

I am fortunate to spend a lot of time on the water. I will try new baits if they look like there is a potential for catching fish.

there are a lot of fad baits designed to catch fishermen more than fish.

I have been guilty of buying a few of them.  I have much more tackle than I need. Some of it does not get used very often.

Most of the waters I fish are shallow stained lowland lakes and reservoirs, so i choose baits based on those conditions.

 

I personally don't use rigs like  dropshot very often. The bass stay fairly shallow in most of the lakes I fish, so there are usually more efficient baits to use.

 

 

 

[Scott F]

The toolbox I have that I use for fishing always has room for more stuff.  I still fish in-line spinners, the same lures I caught my first smallmouth on 53 years ago. When a new tool shows up that fits the way and the places I like to fish I add it. I’m never an early adopter but I try new (to me) tactics. The Ned Rig and the Whopper Plopper have been the best newer things I’ve added, while I’ve yet to do well with paddle tail swim baits, but I’m confident I’ll do better the more I fish them. 

[scaleface]

4 minutes ago, Scott F said:

When a new tool shows up that fits the way and the places I like to fish I add it.

Thats what I should have said .

[Hook2Jaw]

@TnRiver46

 

Nice to know I'm not the only one.  I've found slowing down really helps me catch fish on hard baits.