Confidence

[tyrius.]

If you've studied sports psychology at all, you'll find your answer. There is a well documented connection between confidence and performance. It's why some people or teams "choke" under pressure and why others excel. It's why Tiger nearly always wins with the lead going into the last round, or why MJ always seemed to pull off the winning shot. Or why otherwise really smart kids score poorly on tests.

For tournament anglers I could this having a slight impact, but for those of us who are just out there to enjoy all aspects of fishing I don't see that it will matter.

If you have confidence in a bait, you'll simply fish that bait harder, smarter, and more attentively than if you don't believe the bait is any good, which will frequently translate into the number of bass you're likely to catch that day.

I don't agree with this either.  As I said in my original post prior to this year I had no confidence with jigs.  That was relates solely to my lack of knowledge in the hows, whys and wheres of jig fishing.  Once I rectified my knowledge problem I caught fish on jigs.  Even though intially I still had little to no confidence with jigs.

I still believe that confidence is basically meaningless.  The most important aspect of fishing is most certainly not confidence, it is knowledge.  Knowledge of the fish we seek, knowledge of the prey that the bass seek, knowledge of the structure that we fish, knowledge of the proper use of the significant types of lures to be able to properly choose the correct lure for the correct application, and the knowledge in how to fish that lure.  

One's confidence should be in one's knowledge of all of the above, but without that necessary knowledge then your confidence means diddly.  

[FordNFishinLover]

Also, there are people who are confident in what they are doing, but really have no idea how to properly present the lure given all of the variables.  This person won't really catch fish either

I disagree with that completely. First off there is no "wrong" way to fish a lure. If people didnt try different ways to fish something than we wouldnt have nearly as many techniques as we used to. An possibly fishing it the supposed "wrong way" may just be the ticket to the day!

Now as for confidence in fishing a technique. I completly agree that confidence is a key to fishing. No its not everything, i mean you gotta know where and when to throw something. But if you have confidence with something than i personally can fish it longer, more accurate, and keep my focus on it better. I know if i just tried a new technique than i dont have much confidence and i can stand to fish it long. So i definitly think there is some confience in fishing!

[fishfordollars]

Also, there are people who are confident in what they are doing, but really have no idea how to properly present the lure given all of the variables. This person won't really catch fish either

I disagree with that completely. First off there is no "wrong" way to fish a lure. If people didnt try different ways to fish something than we wouldnt have nearly as many techniques as we used to. An possibly fishing it the supposed "wrong way" may just be the ticket to the day!

Now as for confidence in fishing a technique. I completly agree that confidence is a key to fishing. No its not everything, i mean you gotta know where and when to throw something. But if you have confidence with something than i personally can fish it longer, more accurate, and keep my focus on it better. I know if i just tried a new technique than i dont have much confidence and i can stand to fish it long. So i definitly think there is some confience in fishing!

Perfect example would be the Wacky Worm.

[Team9nine]

I don't agree with this either. As I said in my original post prior to this year I had no confidence with jigs. That was relates solely to my lack of knowledge in the hows, whys and wheres of jig fishing. Once I rectified my knowledge problem I caught fish on jigs. Even though intially I still had little to no confidence with jigs.

I still believe that confidence is basically meaningless. The most important aspect of fishing is most certainly not confidence, it is knowledge. Knowledge of the fish we seek, knowledge of the prey that the bass seek, knowledge of the structure that we fish, knowledge of the proper use of the significant types of lures to be able to properly choose the correct lure for the correct application, and the knowledge in how to fish that lure.

One's confidence should be in one's knowledge of all of the above, but without that necessary knowledge then your confidence means diddly.

Knowledge is certainly important, and everyone can point out an example of someone with lots of confidence but little knowledge and the poor outcome that would result, but that is only one piece of the puzzle (the 'Misinformation' quadrant). You are neglecting the bigger picture.

In the larger picture, confidence and knowledge are intertwined. They ultimately help create behavior and trigger action (or create inaction). There is a whole methodology termed Confidence-based Learning (CBL) that covers this subject. In your case, good knowledge but little confidence (in jigs) would ultimately create 'Doubt' and lead to little action or action with hesitation.

Every time you hit the water you are faced with a myriad of decisions when it comes to fishing. Lots of baits will work in lots of situations. Sometimes there will be one ideal bait for the circumstances at hand. That ideal bait that fits the situation perfectly will maximize your catch at that moment. What causes you to pick one bait over another given what you're facing? Do you always pick the ideal bait right out of the box every time? What causes you to change baits and why, and after fishing a bait for how long? If you just enjoy the outdoors and want to catch a bass, none of this really matters. But if you want to try and catch a lot of bass, a lot of the time, then you should be paying attention. 8-)

-T9

[Matt Fly]

I am confident that I can go to a new bass lake and not get skunked!!!!!!!!

Why is that?    Past results, which equates to past experience.

Confidence is based on each individuals strengths.

Confidence is believiing in what you are doing.

Why is everyone so confident that KVD is a threat at any tournament?

Past results.

Confidence isn't a technique, it isn't a piece of equipment,  its purely mental based on results.

[Big-O]

I think that each of us have seen and felt the ill effects of lacking confidence while fishing. We also know the bad habits it allows to propagate.

So to avoid these ill effects by whatever means necessary is not only the key to understanding exactly what confidence is but more importantly how to gain confidence in fishing.

With this said, Catt's response is not only the most simple but absolutely correct and complete...

Big O