Ten techniques to master

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

In your opinion what are the ten most important largemouth techniques for any angler to master to become a better and or more well rounded fisherman, regardless of where you live in the country? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this

[king fisher]

1- Getting out of bed in time to go fishing

2- Buying tackle

3- Getting tackle in to boat or kayak

4- Picking out back lashes

5- Untangling birds nests.

6- Getting lures out of trees

7- Casting near targets, not in them.

8- Setting hook into bass not snags.

9- Landing bass

10- Making bass appear larger in photographs.

[Rockhopper]

bottom contact jig

spinnerbait/swim jig

texas rig

weightless

ned rig

crankbaits

jerkbaits

flipping/pitching

froggin

drop shot

 

[MIbassyaker]

28 minutes ago, August said:

In your opinion what are the ten most important largemouth techniques for any angler to master to become a better and or more well rounded fisherman, regardless of where you live in the country? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this

knot-tying
accurate casting
sure hooksetting
careful landing
researching your waters
observing the environment
identifying bass-holding locations
seasonal behavior
depth control
speed control

 

[D'oh!  @king fisher beat me to it!]

[Brian11719]

drop shot
fluke
texas rigged worm / craw
wacky rigged senko
spinnerbait
chatterbait
hard jerkbait
lipless crankbait
frog
...wow out of spots already for the 10th either a jig or a ned rig or shakey head...also Glen actually has a top 7 (I think it's 7?) lures video that's worth looking into and what led me to his youtube channel and eventually this site...and if you want another one I found this video interesting / informative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dKujlxezKQ

[WRB]

Top water

walk the dog

hollow body frog

Poppers

Mid water

Diving crank baits

Jerk baits

Lipless

Structure spoons

Swim jig

Swim baits 

Bottom

T-rig w/bullet weight

C-rig

Bass jigs

Essential Dozen

Tom

 

[Catt]

Topwater, mid-depth, & bottom contact. 

 

Open water, wood (timber-brush), & grass.

 

Winter, spring, summer, & fall.

 

Oh!

You meant lures?

Dealers choice 😉

 

[LrgmouthShad]

I really like @WRB’s list

[Mike L]

Yes, there are certain bait choices and different presentations for all 3 levels of the water column to master 

But asking for “Techniques” is different…

Flipping

Pitching

Bottom contact

Skipping

Walk the dog

Long distance casting 

Different Cadences for moving baits

(which in itself is a Technique)
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

[Catt]

@Mike L Exactly my point

 

I can give you 10 lures for each technique. Learn the technique with whatever lure your comfortable with. 

 

One I seldom see mentioned is Deep Diving Crankbaits. 

[Mike L]

👍

[Choporoz]

16 hours ago, August said:

In your opinion what are the ten most important largemouth techniques for any angler to master to become a better and or more well rounded fisherman, regardless of where you live in the country? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this

10 is arbitrary, and likely counterproductive.  Few are able to 'master' any unless/until they narrow focus to one or two at a time....maybe three.  Long before you get to ten, you will adjust your focus to your waters, skill level, equipment,  etc 

  You will be much better served mastering understanding of bass behavior and their environment. 

[gim]

16 hours ago, king fisher said:

4- Picking out back lashes

5- Untangling birds nests.

 

Aren't these two the same thing?

 

Lol

[king fisher]

43 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Aren't these two the same thing?

 

Lol

Back lashes occur on bait casters.  Birds nests usually are on spinning gear.  Both require unique talents to fix.

[Functional]

 

1) boat positioning

2) reading weather/lake conditions

3) knowing bass behavior (seasonal and weather effects)

4) knowing and understanding primary forage for the lake

5) Your own strengths and weaknesses

 

*6) knowing how to use your sonar

 

Thats it, if you cant find them and put yourself in the best position to catch em you are just spending time on the water. Nothing wrong with that but if you want to be good at it and catch numbers or quality you arent doing it without the 5 above.

 

beyond that lure selection will come down to what you how you like to fish (power, vs finesse), where you fish and techniques you like. There is a huge range of baits/styles that fit multiple situations, which is nice we arent shoe horned into one type and can pick something that fits us as individuals better. 

 

*added 6 because my thoughts are jumbled today and I forgot about it. 

[A-Jay]

15 minutes ago, Functional said:

 

1) boat positioning

2) reading weather/lake conditions

3) knowing bass behavior (seasonal and weather effects)

4) knowing and understanding primary forage for the lake

5) Your own strengths and weaknesses

 

Thats it, if you cant find them and put yourself in the best position to catch em you are just spending time on the water. Nothing wrong with that but if you want to be good at it and catch numbers or quality you arent doing it without the 5 above.

 

beyond that lure selection will come down to what you how you like to fish (power, vs finesse), where you fish and techniques you like. There is a huge range of baits/styles that fit multiple situations, which is nice we arent shoe horned into one type and can pick something that fits us as individuals better. 

 

Yup, finally.

I'll add casting accuracy to the above most concise list.

A-Jay

[Craig P]

I will only add 2.

 

1. Casting Accuracy

Applies to any species of fishing.  If you can place your presentation where the fish lives, your bite count will go up.

 

2. Know your region

What works down south may not apply up north and vice versa, the same goes for east - west.

 

With that said, when you seek advice on the internet, you’re going to get an amazing amount of variation.  Understand that poster is giving you advice based on what works for them.  All is great knowledge but make sure it actually applies to your region or world, you will save a ton of money!

[Pat Brown]

I don't even need to say it because a bunch already have and I've said it in your threads a few times now:

 

Learn the fish and the fishing and the catching - not the lures.

 

They all work fine at the end of the day - pick the ones you like. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

Back lashes occur on bait casters.  Birds nests usually are on spinning gear.

 

Can't argue that.  I've definitely heard the term birds nest with a back lash on a bait caster though.

[GRiver]

Have fun

10x

ya gotta have fun fishing…. Catching is the bonus.

[2tall79]

I've got to say that casting in general is at the top of my list.  I've been bass fishing for over 60 years and I can't even come close to the things I see the pros doing.  Over hand, under hand,left hand, right hand, roll cast, skipping, behind the back, long, short, flip, pitching......it just amazes me what a "kid" 1/3 my age can do that I can't.   I guess I'll just have to keep practicing. lol

[Swamp Girl]

You guys have posted so many essential skills. I'll only add two:

 

Stealth: To borrow from Frank Zappa: If you go where the bass lie low, don't bump anything don' cha know!

 

Memory: This has happened so many times that it's freaky; I'll cast to a spot and just know that a bass is about to hit and then it does because that spot looked just like so many other spots where bass hunkered. If you remember the specifics of where you've caught bass, you'll catch more bass going forward. 

[Backroad Angler]

I'll add one, patience.

 

[Umphreak]

I know it’s not a technique but number one and two are super important for a reason

1. Time on the water 

2. Boat control

3. Wacky rig 

4. Drop shot

5. Flipping/pitching/skipping