I Used To Be A Better Fisherman, What Happed?

[Super Fluke]

THEN;

as a kid i was fishing off the banks from the local creeks for bass and perch. Fishing the local golf courses every evening became a habit as well as driving around in the country looking for the never been fished farm ponds. Finally was given a boat with a motor that only had forward gear, a 1969 Invader w/120 evinrude, needless to say after joining a bass club not very many non-boaters who drew me would show up to fish. I nicknamed the boat "Lucky", (lucky to be floating). From that moment on i was hooked, only problem is that i was poor. I wanted to compete in bass tournaments and win so i could fish even more.....well, that didnt work. After i was divorced from my first wife, I started to realize that the dream was...well just a dream.

I slowed down on the fishing, started working more, found different hobbies to ease my mind away from fishing. I fished some hear and there, but nothing solid. Im telling you the truth when I say I could catch fish out of my bath tub If I wanted to. I was really good and could find the zone quick!

I got married and have three children and got a pontoon boat for the family. I was able to get a Stratos later and fished a bunch of local lakes in the area, finished runner up as angler of the year, but still had a tough time getting back to the zone. Ending up selling my boat because i couldnt stand to see it deteriorate in the yard because i didnt use it enough.

NOW;

Met a man when i financed a pontoon, so i could take my kids fishing, and we became friends instantly. He said he fished alot as well and maybe we would see each other on the lake. Months passed and then one day he and his family joined the church where i worshiped. We instantly started fishing as much as possible. We started fishing tournaments and even got sponsored, but I still cant find the ZONE that i once had. Dont know if I'm just scared of being heart broke and not as good of a fisherman that I thought i was.

My Question is: Has anyone ever been in the same situation?

[bilgerat]

It's all in your head. I spent last season trying new baits too often and got away from my fishing strong point - light and ultra light tackle. I lost focus on what I was doing and why I was doing it. I was going through the motions. It was my worst fishing year ever.

This winter I cleared out my tackle bags and went back the basics. I started the season with a clear head and focus on what works for ME, not what the latest trends are. I'm off to a great start this year.

Your zone is still there, it's behind all of the clutter.

[Grey Wolf]

Sometimes memories become a little blurred and weren't quite the way we remember them but if you had it then , you've probably still got it now . You've just got to find it.

[Oscar O.]

And try not to stress/think about it too much, it'll only be a hindrance to getting back into it.

[Uncle Leo]

Being in the zone is clarity, you need to clear your mind and be in the moment. Once you do that you will start to see and feel as you once did. You had the knowledge at one point but something is blocking it. Once you do that it will come back, at times on the water I need to just set down and take a moment and take in what is around me. Then I focus and achieve the clarity I need to make sound decisions.

Hang Loose

[Big Fish Rice]

Getting back to the basics would be my suggestion. We all learn and read as much as we can, and sometimes you can overload. It's just like cramming for a test; don't overdo it the day of the test.

Walk the fine line of using your knowledge while absorbing as many hints as possible while out on the water.

[Raul]

From the last samurai:

"Too much mind Alrgren san"

A lot of knowledge can block your vision, you tend to overthink, overthinking cuses overcomplication, simplify and ....

From Star Wars:

"let yourself go Luke, trust your feelings"

[Blue Streak]

Just too many distractions now, raising a family and working does not ever let your mind clear enough so that you can forget everything else and just concentrate on fishing or whatever. It is a tough period in everyone's life.

[Hyrule Bass]

i think you need to think about what caused you to love fishing in the first place. im sure it wasnt the tournament money or about being in a zone.

[Bassin18]

Call me crazy I don't care lol every time before I go fishing I watch a fishing show and watch the pros tear em up so I have confidence fishing, then go and catch em and if they're not biting whatever I'm using I switch to an old classic bait, like spinnerbait, rattl traps (lipless crankbaits) or a texas rig worm and then if that doesn't work then hey I enjoyed fishing. Don't forget that fishing is FUN trust me time and time I've tried beatin myself up over havin a bad day and then I tell myself "Hey even Kevin Van Dam has bad days" so just have fun with it

[bass or bass ?]

Your story sounds like mine. My answer? You got old (like me)! Give up fishing and take up napping on the sofa! Just kidding. I just got back into fishing @ 4 or 5 years ago and it seems that I don't catch anywhere near the number of fish I did as a teenager. But last weekend my partner and I definitely had a 100+ fish trip (Friday, Friday night, Saturday morning). Just relax and have fun, don't worry about the fish count. When you least expect it you'll slay 'em!

[Super Fluke]

Pre-fish this last weekend, and took advice from some, went back to the basics- Super Fluke-Wow! when nothing else was working went to my old reliable and found alot of confidence there, caught some good fish and saw some monsters swipe at it. Will be alot more aggressive next weekend on my tourney.

Thanks all!

[zach t]

Im in the same boat. By this time last year, I was up to over 250 keepers. I have a 10th of that right now and I have fished MORE!

Now, the average size is WAY up. But still. I am really tired of 1-2 fish outings.