My advice to another newer bass angler

[ABurk]

Don’t be afraid to try some new gear out. Fishing is a sport where you will find where your budget runs. You can catch fish with knowledge and not gear. I started new on baitcasters about a whole year ago and I can skip and pitch and do all kinds of this with a baitcasters. I read plenty of questions and reviews on the website....  you won’t learn it until you feel it. Especially with fishing. Read more. Educate yourself more. Be successful. 

[geo g]

Very simple and very true.  When things get tough, down size, and slow way down.  Good fisherman have patience, and focus on what mother nature gives you!

[soflabasser]

The best bass fishermen I have known focus on mastering a couple techniques well and they put in the time on the water needed to succeed. They rarely purchase tackle that is ''trendy'' or tackle that some sponsored fisherman tells them to buy, instead they purchase tackle that has proven itself to them or they know will work in the places they fish. Experience is far more valuable than any rod, reel, lure, or other tackle you can buy.