Newb Question About "confidence"

[kllrbee]

Hey all,

I am a newb at bass fishing. Started last year and just tried to learn as I went along. Read alot and tried out alot of different things.

I hear many experienced bass fisherman say that confidence is the key. While I understand what they mean, I think its easier said than done.

Most say go to your confidence bait/lure.

Well, how does a newbie establish a confidence lure? Waht I mean is last year, I tried out a whole bunch of stuff and while I caught fish on many of them, I felt like it was more right timing or where I was located than lure choice. I never felt absolutely confident in anything I used.

So how did u guys gain confidence in your specific confidence lure?

Fwiw, I like spinnerbait/buzzbaits and cranks cuz they give me somthing to do (just quit smoking so I like to have something to do with my hands). I like topwaters for night fishing and rain/drizzle. And I like TR curly tail worms for the lilly pads and weeds.

Is that what is meant by confidence? Just going with what yo like?

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but I gotta learn somehow.

Thanks everyone!

[dhami013]

My confidence baits are plastics. Because one, they have over time become my favorite way to fish. And two, because they're my favorite I know how to use them better than all my other baits. I know what to look for, what to throw, where to throw it and how to move it. Because I've fished that technique so much. You like using buzz baits and spinners, I would look at a selection of spinners and buzz baits and think what is going on here?

It's all preference. You gotta find what you like, master it, and it'll be your confidence bait.

[Grey Wolf]

Confidence is the knowledge to understand "the how and the when" to use the correct technique.

[Crestliner2008]

Your confidence baits can only come from experience. Don't try to rush it. It will come in time. Just enjoy every outing as a learning experience and before you know it, you'll be catching bass and knowing what works for you.

Above all, do NOT fall into the trap of being a "one method Pete". Try something new every time out, even if you know that you can catch something on your "confidence" baits.

Sometimes it's best just to pick out a lure or presentation and only take that one to the pond or lake. That way you are forced to spend enough time with it, to prove if it will work for you or not. And always give a particular bait another chance or two. You might be pleasantly surprised.

[Marty]

There's more to confidence than having a confidence bait. There's confidence that the spot you're fishing holds fish and that the presentation you're making is the right one.

The conventional wisdom says that when you are confident you will fish more carefully and thoroughly and be more alert, thus increasing your chances for success compared to a more lackadaisical approach that you might take if you're not confident.

[clayton86]

Like crestliner said make sure you build confidence in multiple techniques. Its tough I know I have a hard time with it I used to be a all top water guy then plastics guy then jigs. Now I'm trying to get the crank bait thing down but I find it hard to resist a weightless fluke every now and then I crack and start throwing it and usually don't put it down once started.

But I mastered the jig thing by takeing 1 pole and one pole only and a box full of jigs and paca craws. It worked took a few outings but by the 3rd outing I was looking at the water visualizing a bass under a dock or tree pitching it in there and bam fish on. Its now one of my most confident presintations second to weightless fluke

[dulouz]

My thought on the matter is that confidence really means persistence. A long time ago someone suggested I try a spinnerbait. I did and didn't catch a thing and thought they weren't worth what I paid for them. I didn't use one again last year, but I didn't give up and kept using them and had good luck. Now I love them.

My wife won "The Strike" fishing game for the Wii using only a white tube on a jig. She is now into fishing and that is all she uses. The past few times we have gone fishing she has out-fished me. That, my friend, is confidence.

[kllrbee]

Thanks alot for the replies guys!

I think I may have made it sound as if I had no confidence, which is not the case. I just dont have a "go to" or "confidence" bait/lure.....yet. I understand that confidence is more than just the lure too. Much more to it than that. I just wanted to specifically ask about those though.

I really enjoyed Crestliner response. I think what I may need to do is just go out with one type of lure instead of bringing the whole arsenal. That way, I can get familiar with it. At this point, I tend to try something out for a little while and if it doesnt produce, I just switch. Thats probly why I dont have much confidence in anything specifically. I dont give anything enough time.

Anyways, I dont want to become a 1 trick pony either. But I need to learn somehow and if I dont bring the rest of the stuff with me, I wont be tempted to change.

Also, I like what u said about just learning by experience. It seems everytime I go out, I try to learn something new. Tahts really what makes it alot of fun.

I think I may feel "hurried" in a way, cuz Im 36 and just started, so I have alot of catching up and learning to do....LOL. I know this is the wrong way to think about it, but the truth is the truth.

Thanks again for the help.

I will have many more questions as time goes on.

[Jigfishn10]

You know kllrbee, you're well on way. Crestliner is dead on. Success breeds confidence. I make sure I bring my fav 3 lures with me, because those are the ones I had success on in the past. I try new techniques and lures out as much as possible and I always learn new things on my 3 favs as well. I don't think you will ever stop learning. Fishing is that dynamic (to me anyway).

Good luck out there!

[grimlin]

My signature has that.....I refer to confidence as the right bait for the right situation.I don't believe in a one magic lure.My signature is dissing the gimmick lures you see on TV...LOL

[NBR]

While Crestliner's suggestion is used a lot with good succeass I don't use it. If you take only one lure or type and catch nothing, ie. no runs, no hit and plenty of errors you might discount a method/lure as unproductive when in fact on that given day you picked the wrong locations or the bass just were shut down. I prefer to experiment when I am really hammering the fish then if I get nothing on the new approach I know that either I don't do the new way very well or it just isn't effective.

The lake I fish often would be a good example. From shortly after ice out to late June or early July 10 fish an hour is reasonable. By mid July until fall a 5 fish day is excellant and a good skunking is likely. I think the bass suspend over deep water but I can't say that with any confidence since I haven't solved the puzzle yet. Wash my mouth out with soap, I've even trolled with poor results. It's not just me since everyone I ask says how tough the lake is in the summer.

[Clancy Wiseman]

Good topic. Once you have a "confidence bait". Continue to try to learn other ways to fish. That way you will be more versatile. However, in a tournament, you should go with what you have the most confidence in that will work in your current situation. Tournaments are not the place to learn a new technique. 

[laus]

I remember the first time I ever used a wacky rigged senko. I fiddled with it in the water a bit, watching it's action and trying to get a feel for it. Then I gently threw it out at a rock pile, wiggled my rod tip, focusing curiously, trying to imagine it's appearance underwater....and BAM! Needless to say, wacky-rigged senkos will always be a confidence bait for me because, like the guys here said, I've had success. Sounds like you're well on your way