Over thinking

[Mobasser]

I think it's human nature to over think fishing sometimes. When you enjoy fishing and your not successful, it's easy to over think, wondering "why"?

[operationgrass]

Every point made in this thread is excellent.

 

It seems as the common point made is that the decisions we make on the water through educated guesses and trial and error effect our day on the water.  Taking in all of the information off and on the water we can to come to a conclusion then executing is the hardest part.  Mechanically fishing is simple.  The putting the evaluation, decision making, and execution all together at once and making the right call is what separates a bad, good, and great day.

 

I am not a firm believer in the fish just are not biting. I have been in to many tournaments or been back to the ramp and someone has had a stringer while I am scratching my head thinking they should fill the a lake with concrete or drain it.

[geo g]

When I'm fishing on a tough day, I will always go to my confidence baits, slow down, down size, and methodically fish areas that look like they should produce. 

 

Things I will not do, is run and gun, and keep switching baits that I don't already have a track record fishing.  You can't catch while you rod is laying on the deck of the boat.  Keep it simple STUPID, and don't over think it.  Grind it out and good things will usually happen.  Keep your bait wet and in the most likely strike zone!

[MAN]

There are days where everything is perfect but the fish just are not biting. I tell that to any newbie before he sets foot in my boat. When it happens some still enjoy the day out on the water and some say it was a waste of their day. (those don't ever get invited again).  When the bite gets tough....I go small and then smaller.   

[Alex from GA]

I'm sure everyone thinks, after a "bad" day what could I have done differently to put fish in the boat.  I've been fishing several different small lakes, I haven't fished before, this week, in central FL, and have caught fish at each one.  After throwing big fish baits for naught I've gone to the same stuff I've used in the past to catch a fish.  Not thinking just doing what I've always done.   

[MrPeanut]

A lot of great points already made.

 

For myself, the toughest part is not getting immediate feedback.  Loose comparison - when you're on the golf course and leave the club face open on a swing, you know within a few seconds of watching the ball flight what went wrong.

 

In contrast, the majority of your casts even on a great day will come back without a fish hooked. It's the nature of the beast.  Deciding when to change and what to change becomes a bit of a puzzle, and everyone has different ways of putting it together.  To me, that's the enjoyment of fishing - even on a bad day I still enjoy the outdoors.  The challenge brings me back.