Hardest Thing To Learn?

[Crankenstein Crony]

1. Patience

2. Willingness to give up on spots/techniques that have produced so well in the past at a certain body of water

3. Learning new water

[aclark609]

Patterning bass quickly and knowing how to adjust with changing conditions can be tough.

[Michael DiNardo]

My problem sounds like the majority of others'. I will fish a spot to death if I think there should be

fish there.

Mike

[BrianinMD]

To me the hardest thing I see for people to learn is patience. No matter how good you know the body of water or how well you researched it before you got there some days are tough. When the bite is slow learning how to stay calm so you can make the right decisions is difficult.

[Rangerphil]

Learning how to use my electronics to find offshore hot spots.

[Hyrule Bass]

another vote for patience...

[Deleted account]

To shut out the marketing din and understand that there is no substitute for time on the water.

[Bass Dude]

My hardest thing to learn was also patience. I would go through an area and burn a crank or spinnerbait and get a couple, then pack up and head to a new spot. Then when I get to weigh in I find out another guy was in the same spot and soaked it with a jig or something slow and picked off quality fish all day.

I had to have that hammer hit my head a couple times before that sunk in!!!

[telmomarques]

hard thing for me to learn, dont buy tons of lures when other people told me to buy it. i

[riskkid 2]

Outside of figuring out patterns I still am trying to figure out fishing a jig. I use them and have caught several nice fish with them but not with any consistency or confidence. I'm probably over complicating it. It's frustrating to see my fishing partner do so well with them and I'm still struggling. I guess I need to go out several times with nothing but jigs and get past it.

[roadwarrior]

On 3/6/2012 at 8:34 AM, riskkid 2 said:

I guess I need to go out several times with nothing but jigs...

Excellent idea!

I struggled with jigs for several years. Soft plastics has always been my strong suit, so you wouldn't think the transition would be that difficult, but it was. Watch Glenn's video for guidance and fish braided line. Braid has significantly improved my jig fishing.

p.s. I strongly recommend GMAN and NorthStar jigs, and RageTail Craws/ Lobsters.

[riskkid 2]

Already use nothing but GMAN jigs, rage or paca trailers and JJ's........it's all the fisherman's fault!!....no excuses!!....LOL

[Nitrofreak]

Outside of figuring out patterns I still am trying to figure out fishing a jig. I use them and have caught several nice fish with them but not with any consistency or confidence. I'm probably over complicating it. It's frustrating to see my fishing partner do so well with them and I'm still struggling. I guess I need to go out several times with nothing but jigs and get past it.

Watch your partner

[redboat]

I had trouble learning the three basic rules of crankbaits:

1) If it's not bumping something - structure, cover, the bottom, weeds - you won't catch anything;

2) No matter how slow I retrieve it - THATS TOO FAST;

3) The best place to throw a crankbait with rattles is the trash can.

[Roach87]

Overall for me it would be figuring out patterns, and technique wise would be the jig as well.

I think I'm going to have to take the idea of going out one morning with nothing but a few jigs and just really force myself to practice and gain at least a bit of confidence.

[SausageFingers]

For me, fishing the moment. My outings are usually limited to a 3 or 4 hour window once or twice a week.

That causes me to rely on history rather than assessing the water each time. A bad habit and tough to break with such a small window of time.

[roadwarrior]

I had trouble learning the three basic rules of crankbaits:

1) If it's not bumping something - structure, cover, the bottom, weeds - you won't catch anything;

2) No matter how slow I retrieve it - THATS TOO FAST;

3) The best place to throw a crankbait with rattles is the trash can.

I wouldn't agree with any of those statements.

1. I catch big bass along structure and cover. Ridges and weedlines are examples.

2. Lots of the time you cannot reel fast enough! Running a Bandit 100 over grass?

3. The Rat-L-Trap and today's enhanced liplesss crankbaits are classic.

[J Francho]

Kent, it's hard to learn that there are no absolutes in fishing.

[redboat]

I wouldn't agree with any of those statements.

1. I catch big bass along structure and cover. Ridges and weedlines are examples.

2. Lots of the time you cannot reel fast enough! Running a Bandit 100 over grass?

3. The Rat-L-Trap and today's enhanced liplesss crankbaits are classic.

Good advice from the Caffiene Kid. Of course he didn't win the Classic this year, due to lack of burning Rattle-Traps in clear water no doubt::

http://www.bassresou...-speed-kvd.html

[craww]

Personally? I often will stick with using a technique that I enjoy doing (topwater and jigs) even when i know it ain't the best way to catch em' at the specific time. I have an idea what to switch to but, convince myself to keep throwing a lunker plunker or the like, lol.

Generally? I think alot of fisherman are intimidated by big/deep waters.

[.ghoti.]

Welcome aboard Steve.

Please include the following topic.

After several years of observation, I've come to the conclusion that very few bass fishermen know how to play a fish. They set the hook, point the rod straight up, and crank as fast as they can. Absolutely the wrong way to go about it. Teach people how to use the power of the rod and the control of the drag to fight the fish.

If not, somebody on this forum is going to have their heart broken. When that elusive 25 pound world record is on the end of the line, pointing the rod straight up and cranking like a man possessed is going to leave somebody crying.

[J Francho]

After several years of observation, I've come to the conclusion that very few bass fishermen know how to play a fish.

A few trusted angler friends of mine and myself actually snicker that this fact has earned us money in tournaments. Bad "net jobs" have been known to change the outcome as well.

When that elusive 25 pound world record is on the end of the line, pointing the rod straight up and cranking like a man possessed is going to leave somebody crying.

Probably already has, but they'll never know it! I know I've relayed to you the story about yours truly just literally locking up on a HUGE brown last year after seeing it roll. One flick of the tail, and good by 8# leader. Probably was about a 24-26 lb. brown trout. Put simply, I choked, LOL.

[Bankbeater]

I'm still working on letting the bass go when they hit a frog. I tell myself to let the fish go and then I pull the frog right out of the water.

[wakeeater]

i have a hard time locating fish in the heat of the summer. i bought a hb with side imaging to help me out.

[OneFisher85]

PLEASE HELP! I am new to lake fishing. Mostly pond fished my whole life. Recently bought a 98 nitro 640lx. I can catch bass when I find them. My biggest problem is locating bass. I don't have any fancy down or side imaging, just an old humminbird pro angler 400 which doesn't do much more than tell me the depth. Any tips, techniques, or advice would be greatly appriciated.