Getting better at bass fishing

[Catt]

 

[LrgmouthShad]

The bait monkey’s worst nightmare. Catt and his favorite Gary Klein speech ?. 

[Deleted account]

LMB anglers are their worst enemies when it comes to catching fish. The entrenched beliefs, nomenclature, and approach is keeping many from catching fish as efficiently as they might, sure some of it is generational, and it occurs in other types of fishing, and indeed, many other endeavors, but not to the same degree. 

[Big Hands]

If I am fishing for fun, I don't have to be the absolute most efficient angler possible. That's probably why I rarely fish a tournament. I don't want every trip to be about pre-fishing or being in a tournament. Tried it and didn't care for it. Some people love that type of fishing. More power to them, but that's not me.

 

I take one satchel that holds five 3700 boxes, and that holds all of my tackle that I will use on a given day, plus my tools, scale, sunglasses, license, etc. I will take anywhere from 3 to 5 rods, a landing net, and an anchor (and any required safety equipment). That's it.

 

If I can't catch 'em on what I have with me, I'll enjoy trying with what I have with me. 

 

[Trox]

This video clip is always a good reminder.

[Tennessee Boy]

@Catt you've posted this video before.   You should post it everyday. 

[king fisher]

7 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I take one satchel that holds five 3700 boxes, and that holds all of my tackle that I will use on a given day, plus my tools, scale, sunglasses, license, etc. I will take anywhere from 3 to 5 rods, a landing net, and an anchor (and any required safety equipment). That's it.

 

If I can't catch 'em on what I have with me, I'll enjoy trying with what I have with me. 

Only a fisherman will take all this and still think they are somehow being a minimalist.

[txchaser]

I just want to know when bass fishing is going to be ok with the idea of a caddy boat. 

[the reel ess]

The single best thing I ever did for my fishing is to join this board. Second is to watch tons of YouTube videos. There's no substitute for experience. But, when it's sleeting sideways, you can gain from someone else's experience. 

On 6/13/2022 at 6:20 PM, king fisher said:

Only a fisherman will take all this and still think they are somehow being a minimalist.

Well, he didn't take a boat. His arsenal sounds a lot like mine, except I take a kayak.

[jdp29]

Love this...I fell prey to the overwhelming amount of Youtube secret lures over the last couple of years.  Now I am focusing on a core of 5 or 6 baits that I have confidence on and am having a great season so far.  I bring in a few others based on season and I have my arsenal.  

[Big Hands]

I fished Saturday night and caught 11(3 others sawed me off on rocks on the hookset), with over 20 bites. I could have taken the tackle I used in the cargo pocket of my shorts:

 

1 @ bag of 5" Senkos #297

6 @ #4 Mosquito hooks

Leader material

Scissors

Needlenose pliers

Scent

 

I had my daughter with me and was trying to keep things simple. I used one rod; the "Senko Cannon" (didn't ever touch the other four I had with me). Even though the water had dropped over six feet since the last time I fished, I didn't even turn on my fish finder (that's a first).

[Pixel Grinch]

For me it's all about the challenge.

 

After fishing a body of water multiple times, discovering all the hot spots, successful lures, colors and times of day, it's time to change tactics.

 

I have a section in my tackle bag of 'never caught a fish' lures. I love those days when I pull them out and spend the day figuring out how to make Bass interested in them!

 

I was fishing with a buddy of mine one fine day, and I was telling him it's all about how you fish the lure, not the type of lure. He disagreed, as he pulled the tab off of his beer and said, "If you can catch a fish on this today, I'll become a believer."

 

I rigged it up and started fishing with it. It took a little over two hours with constant funny remarks, but I finally did land a large Bass. It was the largest fish caught that day. He is now a believer.

 

I LOVE the challenge!

[soflabasser]

The best way to get better at bass fishing is to put your time on the water and do your best to learn from each fishing trip. No amount of time you spend on a forum will compare to going out and fishing for bass. Same can be said for any other hobby. Another advice I can give to those who have not reached their bass fishing goals is to not overcomplicate bass fishing, it is not rocket science. Learn how to fish a handful of lures well and you should be able to catch lots of nice bass.

[gim]

8 hours ago, soflabasser said:

No amount of time you spend on a forum will compare to going out and fishing for bass. Same can be said for any other hobby.

I also think that there is a fair amount of time that should be put into learning a specific body of water. It’s pretty hard to have a good day on brand new water. Experience on the same body of water has really helped me learn those lakes and rivers over the years. Almost to the point where I rarely even fish new waters now.

[soflabasser]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

I also think that there is a fair amount of time that should be put into learning a specific body of water. It’s pretty hard to have a good day on brand new water. Experience on the same body of water has really helped me learn those lakes and rivers over the years. Almost to the point where I rarely even fish new waters now.

One of the best ways to improve your skill in fishing is to fish new bodies of water. Anyone can catch fish in places they have fished for years, but it takes much more skill to do well in places you have never fished before. Techniques you learn in the past can help you in new bodies of water, so it is worth using what you know and not overthink things while fishing. That is why I mentioned earlier that it is best to learn to fish a handful of lures well, it forces you to improve your presentation, which  will increase your success in the long run.

[padon]

location, location, location. there is usually several lures that will work as long as they are being fished in the right location. the best thing i ever did for my fishing especially in the summer and early prespawn was to get behind the graph and ride and look. dont stop looking until you find what your looking for.dont fish stuff that looks kind of right, find the right stuff. brush piles , rock piles on channel swings, hard spots in and on the end of grass beds. when your fishing the right spots youll be amazed at the number of lures the bass will hit.

[Boomstick]

I own 11 rods and 9 reels. Pretty content with my setup, might add another reel sometime to fill a fairly minor gap. That said I usually take out 3 on the kayak with me. I usually make an effort to know the lake I am fishing and where the fish should be, what the cover and structure looks like and what lures should work for where I am fishing. If I'm wrong, I'll make adjustments with what I have with me or bring different rods and reels the next time until I get it figured out. Sometimes the first day on the water is the biggest challenge to keep the rods down, and some lakes there's so many different spots I may load up as many as I can carry, but this is generally my approach.

 

For tackle, I always carry my box of jigs (and chatterbaits) and my box of tackle with me and soft plastics. I will then fill the gaps with whatever else I plan on throwing. What I need to do is get a box that I can load with a collection of other lures I may throw but I've been bringing the box of spinnerbaits when I'm throwing spinnerbaots, crankbaits for crankbaits etc

 

I don't fish tournaments or anything but I try to approach each day on the water as a chance to learn something like I am pre fishing for a tournament, so the next time I am better prepared.

[slonezp]

Getting better at bass fishing? I couldn't get any worse...

[AustonW]

On 7/3/2022 at 8:38 PM, slonezp said:

Getting better at bass fishing? I couldn't get any worse...

I feel this same way every time I go fishing.