Going against the grain??

[SENKOSAM]

I know I can catch fish on a Senko. Been there, done that. I want to improve on other aspects of the game and challenge myself. But if the day is real tough, I will switch back to ol relieable.

Bill beat me to it.

I've been in a boat where a buddy was catching fish on one type of bait, but I've caught fish on many lure types and colors and find challenge in trying to find and catch fish on baits new to me. I'm happy even when someone is outfishing me because 1. I know we're on fish and 2. it gives me an opportunity to find out what else bass might bite.   

Every square yard of water is different - and like Gump's box o choc-o-lates, you never know what you'll get unless you try. If fishing with me for the first time, my partner may think I suck because he's catching and I'm not, but I'm fishing for a different kind of challenge and enjoyment. I see what he's using and if it's something I've done well on in the past, there's no point - it's like I was using the same thing he just caught fish on.

Tournament fishing is different. Use what is working in the same boat and screw experimentaion if fish are biting a specific lure at a specific depth! Same speed and presentation also makes sense if either gets zoned in. 

Anecdote: I once fished a tourney on the Hudson R. and all we had caught in the first five hours were were dinks in the creek. I suggested fishing the main river sand bars using buzzbaits on the falling tide. Not until after my third two lb bass did my partner reluctantly change. He didn't have a clue for the first five hours and was becoming more and more frustrated. He would have been skunked if he hadn't followed my lead. 

Stubborn is as stubborn does and the window for catching fish a certain way in a certain location can be quite small. Adaptation is the rule - either you set the example or your partner.

[Fishing Rhino]

Maybe this is off topic but....

I feel that the more acomplished fisherman on here look down upon the Senko type bait as if it is almost like cheating. Just too easy. Anyone can catch fish on it.

To a good extent this is true. If I have a newbie person on my boat, I hand them a spinning rod with a wacky Senko.

They do catch fish. Anyone not using one because they think its too easy is missing out. If they allowed aluminum bats in the major leagues, I bet some guys would still stay with wood.

That being said, as a non tournament fisherman, I know I can catch fish on a Senko. Been there, done that. I want to improve on other aspects of the game and challenge myself. But if the day is real tough, I will switch back to ol relieable.

......Bill

Color me a cheater.  I use what I feel will produce the best.  If it's a senko or similar, that's what I'll use.

I find it humorous that some think using a landing net is not sporting, or that using a particular bait is cheating.

Yet, some of these will have every electronic gadget known to man, plus state of the art nav/structure displays to find fish.  Several thousand dollars in electronics, a boat that will zoom around the lake at speeds over 60, 70, 80 mph, and they will call a guy fishing from the bank, kayak, canoe, tube or wading a cheater.  Unbelievable!

I do not know a single fisherman who told me his goal was to catch fewer, or smaller fish.

[georgiaken]

I read somewhere that when you first start fishing, you want to catch fish, then you want to catch lots of fish, then you want to catch them the way you want to catch them.

I think that tourney fishing and pleasure fishing are very different circumstances. That said, fish how you like and enjoy your time on the water.

If you're in a tourney, use what works. If you're fishing just for pleasure, do whatever you like. There are days when I fish a lure, just to learn the lure, with catching fish being a by-product. Last year, I used to go down to the river in the dead of winter, just so I could learn how to use lures, so when it warmed up, I'd be fishing and not learning. Yes, I threw topwater and yes, anyone watching me would have thought I was a fool. But, I learned, and when the water warmed up, I caught a lot of fish on topwaters (I had plenty of practice).

When you're out there on the water, your time is your own, so use it however you please.

I used to think that "live bait fishing" wasn't "real" fishing, but you know what I learned?

The point of fishing is to catch fish.

As long as you stay within the law and you aren't distressing other anglers (and other water lovers) around you unnecessarily, have a good time.

I think that some people take this far too seriously. I fish because I love it and it's relaxing...I could care less what others think of my methods or success/failure.

If others have no idea what my objective is, how can they measure my success?

[K_Mac]

I read somewhere that when you first start fishing, you want to catch fish, then you want to catch lots of fish, then you want to catch them the way you want to catch them.

I think that tourney fishing and pleasure fishing are very different circumstances. That said, fish how you like and enjoy your time on the water.

If you're in a tourney, use what works. If you're fishing just for pleasure, do whatever you like. There are days when I fish a lure, just to learn the lure, with catching fish being a by-product. Last year, I used to go down to the river in the dead of winter, just so I could learn how to use lures, so when it warmed up, I'd be fishing and not learning. Yes, I threw topwater and yes, anyone watching me would have thought I was a fool. But, I learned, and when the water warmed up, I caught a lot of fish on topwaters (I had plenty of practice).

When you're out there on the water, your time is your own, so use it however you please.

I used to think that "live bait fishing" wasn't "real" fishing, but you know what I learned?

The point of fishing is to catch fish.

As long as you stay within the law and you aren't distressing other anglers (and other water lovers) around you unnecessarily, have a good time.

I think that some people take this far too seriously. I fish because I love it and it's relaxing...I could care less what others think of my methods or success/failure.

If others have no idea what my objective is, how can they measure my success?

Excellent post. Very well said.

[georgiaken]

Thanks...