Sticking with it #embracethegrind...

[DitchPanda]

So we have alot of threads on here about what are the important things for new anglers to learn. Of course the normal things of locating fish...learning seasonal patterns...reading cover and structure...bait rotation etc always come up. One of the most important things to learn in bass fishing in my opinion is patience. There are times when it is just tough and your gonna have to put your head down and just work. I bring this up now as we are getting later into winter and I know my open water season will be starting up in the next 1-2 months. Ice out largemouth are challenging but I love it...the bites tho few and far between are very rewarding and can often times be some of the biggest of the year. Id be willing to say my strongest suit as an angler would be that grind mentality.

 

So who else is a grinder? Do you enjoy the struggle?

[TnRiver46]

I wouldn’t say I “grind” but I was sitting out there last Saturday in big waves with snow blowing sideways . I enjoy sitting in a boat, I’m more comfortable there than dry land. I wasn’t necessarily “grinding” but I was on the water when only 1-2 other boats were. Caught a white bass and a bluegill, but at least I wasn’t at home watching tv 

[MGF]

I get through the grind ok but there are aspects to my fishing that I can enjoy during the periods I'm not catching fish.

 

On the river or one of our shallow weedy lakes I can have a blast skipping baits up under things even if there aren't any fish...ok maybe that's kind of strange. LOL

 

On water where there's more "structure" I get to play with my electronics that I don't spend enough time with (because of all the shallow waters I fish).

 

In good weather on scenic waters it's nice to just be out in the boat or canoe.

[A-Jay]

While we all can occasionally stumble upon Nirvana,

a basshead often needs to put as many factors in his or her favor as possible.

However that certainly doesn't mean any of that has to be easy.

I expect to put in the work, ie 'Grind'.

Clearly, it guarantees nothing.

But when it's all said & done,

The harder I work, the luckier I get. 

A-Jay

 

 

[Bigassbass]

I wouldn't ever call fishing grinding, just stay home and do something else if the conditions are that bad.  I will say fish when you want to no matter the conditions.  Thats why it's called fishing instead of catching. lol

 

[scaleface]

Those who dont grind it out usually find another hobby .I paid my dues and had lots of skunking's as a young angler . Didnt mind it . I just like to fish , always have always will . Its  a rewarding feeling  when I  grind  it out for hours and then finish with a flourish . 

[J Francho]

Grind it out.

[GreenPig]

I've caught ONE bass in the last 5 trips on my primary big lake. Going tomorrow and will happily continue the struggle.

[Bluebasser86]

4 fish last Saturday. 1 was 7.22lbs and 1 was 5.09lbs. I'm all about the grind. 

[Darth-Baiter]

It’s hope for me.  Every cast I anticipate a bite.  Hope. 
 

im addicted to the chase. 

[DitchPanda]

3 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

4 fish last Saturday. 1 was 7.22lbs and 1 was 5.09lbs. I'm all about the grind. 

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Had a day like that last April...fished all afternoon for 1 bite. Luckily she was a 7!

[plawren53202]

I find that my willingness to grind depends on the water I'm fishing. For instance, if I haven't gotten a bite in an hour on my subdivision pond (small, shallow), I call it quits and head home. I feel like there just aren't that many options that might work, so once I've tried without success for a little while, I'm done.

 

Contrast that to Kentucky Lake. There, on any given day there might be at least 2-3 bites that can potentially catch fish...e.g., in summer, a deep ledge bite, a shallow cover bite, and main lake point bite...and of course mile after mile of water to find those bites in. That, combined with electronics that let me know there are at least fish present that I'm not catching, makes me much more willing to keep grinding in search of the fruitful pattern for the day.

[Bankc]

I was raised to believe that you don't go fishing to catch fish.  You go fishing to go fishing.  And if you catch fish while you're out there, well..., even better!  

 

 

[DitchPanda]

1 hour ago, plawren53202 said:

I find that my willingness to grind depends on the water I'm fishing. For instance, if I haven't gotten a bite in an hour on my subdivision pond (small, shallow), I call it quits and head home. I feel like there just aren't that many options that might work, so once I've tried without success for a little while, I'm done.

 

Contrast that to Kentucky Lake. There, on any given day there might be at least 2-3 bites that can potentially catch fish...e.g., in summer, a deep ledge bite, a shallow cover bite, and main lake point bite...and of course mile after mile of water to find those bites in. That, combined with electronics that let me know there are at least fish present that I'm not catching, makes me much more willing to keep grinding in search of the fruitful pattern for the day.

Ill go even further and say size potential aids in this as well. For instance I've got a lake 35 miles from my house where a biggun is 3lbs...I'm alot less likely to grind as long there as the county park pond close to me that has produced several 6-8 lb slaunches the past few years.

[Crow Horse]

My average day fishing lasts between 5-7 hours. It's not leisurely in the physical sense. It's 5-7 hours of non stop casting. I eat lunch between casts. No breaks unless answering the call of nature. If the bite is off, evaluate location and presentation. Adjust accordingly and repeat. 

[Junk Fisherman]

I guess I don't view fishing as a grind or a struggle.  I have a process I go through as a I fish- almost a process of elimination and fine tuning approach.  Really, the only time I feel I am grinding is during a tournament where I am just hoping for a couple fish to salvage a tough day and get on the board.  I can think of a tournament a couple springs ago in which it was TOUGH fishing.  I knew that my best odds were to just keep throwing a jig in deep water and hope to stumble onto to something.  Caught a little keeper and then a 5.5 lber which was nearly enough to win.    Usually, I don't do that when fun fishing.  I will keeping trying new stuff or look for new water.  

[gim]

There have been plenty of days that were a grind or a struggle for this guy.  Too many to count.  Those days I often remember what didn't work based on the conditions I had and I try to avoid them in the future because quite often history will repeat itself given a similar situation.

 

On the flip side, I also remember the successful days and the presentations that worked well given the conditions.  I try to repeat them and more often than not, it works again.  And again.

 

In a tournament it may be different because the challenging conditions could exist on that day and there's nothing you can do to avoid it.  That is what I would call a "grind."

[padon]

the whole summer can be a grind on my lakes around here. july august and september are just really tough. i know several guys who have fished these lakes for 20 plus years and they even struggle. its not unusual for me to fish 6-7 hours and catch 2 keepers and a couple of dinks. or nothing....but you gotta keep grinding, and more importantly keep thinking and experimenting because  every once in a while you put something together and put a good bunch in the boat. never know when its gonna happen and it all builds on itself and helps you put the puzzle together long term. all part of the process.

[Armtx77]

Depends. Wading shallow rivers is a really pure way to fish for me. I feel the grind the next day, but it is more of a mental drain/grind for me. You have to watch every step and it is just work sometimes, but river fish are what gets me up in the morning.

[slonezp]

Patience can't be taught. You either have it or you don't. Fishing is no different than gambling. Put your dollar into the slot machine, cast your lure into the water. The retrieve is the same as watching the wheels on the slot machine turn. Every cast you make, you are hoping the 3 cherries will line up and you get the jackpot. And, just like gambling, if you're not at the right place at the right time and the stars aren't all in alignment, you lose.

 

Speaking for the old guys...I've caught so many fish that it just doesn't matter anymore. I'm like a billionaire playing penny slots. Winning is nice but I don't need to win. Just showing up does it for me.

[Biglittle8]

I just like to fish. I don't mind catching either. When it comes to "Catching" some days are diamonds...some days are coal but at least I'm able to be tossing bait!

[Big Hands]

I fished last Saturday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Didn't eat a bite, or even take a single sip of water, from the time I got up until I got home close to 5:00 pm. Eight bites, four fish in the boat. Didn't have time to take a sip of water or eat. I couldn't even estimate how many times I've done the exact same thing.

 

Admittedly, in the summer, I do have to at least take water with me ?

[TnRiver46]

14 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I fished last Saturday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Didn't eat a bite, or even take a single sip of water, from the time I got up until I got home close to 5:00 pm. Eight bites, four fish in the boat. Didn't have time to take a sip of water or eat. I couldn't even estimate how many times I've done the exact same thing.

 

Admittedly, in the summer, I do have to at least take water with me ?

I’m shocked that’s humanly possible!!! I have skipped food for a whole day many times but water????? I would physically die 

[Big Hands]

15 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’m shocked that’s humanly possible!!! I have skipped food for a whole day many times but water????? I would physically die 

 

Sometimes, in the winter, I don't even bring food or water, and even when I do it is mostly ignored. As the weather gets warm (regularly over 100° in the summer), I eventually have to bring water or I won't be able to stay on the lake without it. Food is still often ignored in the summer. Looking back, it does seem silly that I couldn't find a few minutes to choke down a sammich, but that's what happens when I'm 'busy' fishing

[roadwarrior]

15 hours ago, Big Hands said:

 I couldn't even estimate how many times I've done the exact same thing.

No estimate, an exact number of times for me:   -0-