How have you progressed this year?

[Pitchinkid]

Ryan, was the BR trip to Guntersville your first spinnerbait bass? i thought i heard you say it was but i wasnt sure.

[Pitchinkid]

3 things

1. Drop shot more!

2. Deep structure cranking!

3. Get away from the $@^# bank!!!

ALL failed horribly except for deep cranking, there are actually fish in water deeper than 5 foot, i couldnt believe it lol ;D

[paangler3117]

Fished a jig on every trip, actually caught some fish on one, and really feel good fishing it now. I'd still rather throw a crankbait, but hey!

I also fished some deepwater structure on three different occasions this year. I got one, so there is some promise there too. All in all a good year.

Jim

[senko_77]

Ryan, was the BR trip to Guntersville your first spinnerbait bass? i thought i heard you say it was but i wasnt sure.

Yes sir it was.  CJ gave me some pointers, and we WHACKED them on the blades.

[Gatorbassman]

Holy Crap what a great year it's been for me. I got a job as a private bass guide. Me "a professional"....... yea right. lol

Because of that I've been working hard on my weaker techniques.

My power fishing has become stronger. I've developed an effective search technique.

Jigs are now a confidence bait.

My main goal for this year was to get better at crankbaits. Now I can't put them down.

I still hate spinnerbaits but I do catch fish with them.

Next year I'm going to put a JJ's Magic lure art book together. lol

[BassNub]

Improvements:

Topwater hook sets: I have gotten alot better at doing that, last year as soon as i hear the water splash my rod tip would go up and flying in the air already trying to set the hook. But now, I've taught myself to wait until i feel the fish or count " 1, 2".

Soft Plastic's: I've gotten alot more patience in using soft plastic's instead of getting lucky bass on them I actually have a technique using them now.

Still need more fishing though, can't never and will never get enough of fishing

[HogHunter]

Wow this was a great year for me. I was able to go on two different week long bass fishing vacations. I found my new love the swim bait. Most importantly though i was able to take 7 people fishing for the first time, four of them being my nephews.

[supreme]

Well this has been my first official year of bass fishing. I have caught my fair share of LMB & SM bass in 2008. I have accumilated some great bass fishing equipment & some awesome fishing tackle. I am officially hooked on plastic. GYMB & BRENTS. I have caught bass on every trip out thank you god. I caught a 21" small mouth & a 24" LMB.

I caught a 7 lber, 6 lber & several 5 lbers. I am hooked thank you all.

I can't wait for next season.

[Flywatersmallie]

This is the first year that I really targeted bass. Until this point it was whatever bites is fine with me. I progressed quickly from numbers to now I only target larger fish (smallmouths anyway, they are 5 min from home). Largemouths I am working on consistant patterns to find them and make them play ball. I am far more successful with them than I was in the spring or even mid summer. Caught my first senko fish, learned how to effectively search, burn, yo yo and slow roll a spinner bait. They quickly became my go to lure. Learned to cast a BC and havent picked up a spinning rod since, I now own 3 baitcasters and will likely add another over the winter. My gear collection has exponentially grew, though I dont buy random baits, I know what I am looking for when I shop. largely in part to all the info here. Recently started playing with jigs (again, I have fished the curly tails for smallies and walleyes as long as I can remember, targeting cover for green bass now). Learned to truly appreciate braided line in heavy sizes (50 lb PP is my friend sometimes).

I'm excited for next year as we dont have much of a winter fishery here in the north. tough to cast a baitcaster into an 8" hole. Thanks to all for adding so much knowledge and advice!

[A.Do?]

This year has been great for me. I'm a little over 1.5 years for bass fishing and believe my progression is due largely in part to this awesome BR community.

-My 5 biggest of '07 would have totalled around 15lbs, with a 7lbs. 2oz. PB

-My 5 biggest for '08 so far almost at 25lbs, with the biggest being 5lbs 6oz. but I've lost a few that would have easily broken this.

-In '07 I only threw senkos, this year I learned to use buzzbaits, topwater frogs, flukes, tubes, drop shots, shakey heads, and swimbaits!

Hopefully I break my PB this fall. ;D

[fishfordollars]

I spent less time on the water than any year I can remember. So far I have only fished 12 tournaments. That is a record low for me. Not ONE fish over 10. I have five more tournaments schelduled for this year. Will finish this mess out and plan on getting a big headstart on next. Hopefully my neck issues are behind me and I plan on better things in 2009.

I am still leading our club, but have let it tighten up due to missing several tournaments. Got to put some distance on the guys on Fork in October.

[Muddy]

Quote: How have you progressed this year?

Ans. I CAN WALK UP-RIGHT NOW

[snapper G]

My biggest improvement.....that would have to using a bait caster...better. I've been able to use them at age 11, but i neaver really got really good at it 'til now.

["Lunker Hunter"]

Did good this year moved my personal best for LM from 3lbs to 8lbs 12oz. Caught this with a baitcaster on a crank and lost two good ones on jigs. This was the first year I used a baitcaster and jigs. Real with how I am fishing with the baitcaster so far. Still need work on the jigs though.

[tritz18]

Well before this season I was alright with a baitcaster but now I can cast perfectly and longer than any of my friends. Also I have gotten confidence in other lures besides senkos. PB hasn't gone up but I am stil trying before the ice comes in.  

[Mobydick]

I think i've progressed a lot on finesse fishing and jigs. Most everywhere I fished this year I tried either a dropshot or a carolina rig, and also I tried jigs. I have caught fish on all 3 when nothing else would work. I have caught 7 bass on a carolina rig, 5 on dropshot, and 44 on jigs, last year I dont think I caught anything on any of them. So that makes me happy!

[farmpond1]

Well, I made a fishing buddy and I lost one.  The latter person wasn't much of a friend really (more of an aggravation) so I'll call it progress.

I've learned to be a little more flexible.  Still haven't learned to fish open/deep water very well but I'm working my way out/offshore a little at a time.

I've gotten better-more confident with a crankbait.  I've slipped a little on my flyfishing but there's always next year.

[Castamasta]

really got comfortable with jigs. they have started to produce more and more bass for me. i also have been attempting to learn cranks with some success.