Leave It All At Home 2024
Catt reply :
Are we really helping the inexperienced angler when we recommend they leave all other lures at home when trying to learn a specific lure?
I've recommended this for years since this is how I was taught but in the last few months I've had 2 anglers almost give up. They were throwing mid-cranks but the bass were not on a crankbait bite.
slonezp reply :
Maybe before trying to learn different lures they should be schooled in identifying different types of cover and structure and why you should choose one lure over another one. Or just teach them to use a jig 
Siebert Outdoors reply :
I'm going to have to say no. Mainly for the reason you stated. For an inexperienced fisherman you want to give them every tool you possibly can to catch fish. By restricting this possibility you are only setting them up for failure, loss of confidence, and/or interest. The fisherman needs to set a baseline of what he/she has confidence in and catch a few. Then progress into test runs from there.
Now to cover the one that wants to learn a new technique. The fisherman needs to research where and when are the best times to fish this lure for the highest percentage of success will happen. Once this base line is established and confidence is gained the fisherman can expand into other trials.
eyedabassman reply :
I agree with all of you. And I know I have answered a few posts telling people to do this. What I was trying to say was= say a guy was good at t-rigging and good at jigs but wanted to get good at crankbaits ( myself with cranks )then leave the jigs and t-rigs at home.Because evan if the crankbait bite is not on for him he will not give up fishing but just go back to what he does best,t-rig/jigs. Now for a guy just starting out,that would be bad advive I agree!
K_Mac reply :
Catt I've never been a big fan of the "leave everything else at home" school. If you cannot cover the entire water column you have arbitrarily limited yourself. Catching fish is far more about knowing where and why, than what IMO.
FWIW if I had to fish only midcranks for very long (whether I was catching fish or not) I would find another hobby also...
backpain... reply :
I am by no means a real experienced or good fisherman. But in my experience success breeds success. What I would do rather then tell someone to leave everything else home. I would attempt to set them up for success. I remember my experiences learning different lures with my brother. He would talk about the lake we were on and what the conditions might call for and made suggestions. Those days I learned to throw different lures because that is what he suggested and they worked.
Those lures soon became my "favorites" and I had to learn later to branch out and try different things. But those early days lit a fire in me to keep trying until I found success. Experience cannot be short cut. I had to learn much on my own (some times the hard way) what might work and what might not. But through his teaching, and the success we shared I had gained some level of confidence that kept me from giving up.
I say bring it all with you, but force yourself to branch out and find new confidence. My goal this season is to do just that. I have never been a hardbait fisherman. I was brought up on jigs and plastics. But I know that I am short changing myself on many days. This drives me to try new things and press harder to learn to cover more water looking for active fish rather than crawling something through unproductive water.
eyedabassman reply :
These are very good posts. Another way of getting to be better at fishing a certain lure= If you want to be better at crankbaits than fish with a good crankbait guy and so on! That is why getting into a bass club can help guys/gals to better themselfs.
eyedabassman reply :
Catt and I are old school! That was how I did teach myself as did Catt, Was that wrong,maybe/maybe not.But in the world of fishing today maybe not good advice. I think Catt and myself were very dedicated to get better and learn every technique to better us. And this was evan more inportant for me in tournaments. I was always good at fishing a jig/T-rigging, so when I started to fish my first tournaments I thought I would win or place high in the standings=was I WRONG,I got my butt handed to me.So a very good friend of mine ( and a very good bass fisherman ) told me that I needed to get better at other techniques! So I took a year off from tournaments and I did go out and get better at other lures and techniques. The next year I went back to tournaments and I did alot better!
7mm-08 reply :
I think only taking one type of lure might be a better idea for a more experienced angler trying to learn a new bait/technique. We all know that bass are temperamental creatures and sometimes you just aren't going to catch them but I can definitely see that being frustrating to a new fisherman.
eyedabassman reply :
On 3/24/2012 at 4:04 AM, 7mm-08 said:I think only taking one type of lure might be a better idea for a more experienced angler trying to learn a new bait/technique. We all know that bass are temperamental creatures and sometimes you just aren't going to catch them but I can definitely see that being frustrating to a new fisherman.
Very well put !!!!
whitwolf reply :
This type of thread Is one of the many reasons I think Bassresource Is the finest fishing board on the 'net...
I too have always handed out this advice and after I read the first few replies It made too much sense to disregard.
I suppose In general terms and for analogies sake It's likened too taking a child out fishing. They're not going to have fun If they're not catching fish and ultimately they will lose Interest.
Hi Salenity reply :
On 3/23/2012 at 11:31 PM, Catt said:Are we really helping the inexperienced angler when we recommend they leave all other lures at home when trying to learn a specific lure?
I've recommended this for years since this is how I was taught but in the last few months I've had 2 anglers almost give up. They were throwing mid-cranks but the bass were not on a crankbait bite.
This is how I learned to fish a jig.
Michael DiNardo reply :
If you are trying to learn how to fish a lure, then you fish that type of lure. If you are trying to learn to catch fish, than you use whatever it takes. It all depends on the mission. Beginners should learn to catch fish.
Mike
slonezp reply :
It still comes down to adapting to what you're fishing. I'm a jig/finesse fisherman. I have learned thru experience this technique does not work all the time. I continue to learn how conditions dictate what I throw. It may get more complicated depending on what body of water I fish. I know on my home water what works most of the time. Change the body of water, the structure, cover, forage, conditions, time of year, and it's a whole new ball game. The cooling lakes in my area, finesse works but cranks kill. Just got back from Guntersville. Caught more fish on cranks(and got really sick of throwing them) but bigger fish on jigs. KY Lake for me is 50/50.
If you follow the leave everything at home theory, then it needs to be on a lake to lake basis. What works here may not work there. Or you can just fish a jig.
Dwight Hottle reply :
Yes. Sometimes we have to fail in order to suceed.
Mountain Angler reply :
On 3/24/2012 at 9:09 AM, Michael DiNardo said:If you are trying to learn how to fish a lure, then you fish that type of lure. If you are trying to learn to catch fish, than you use whatever it takes. It all depends on the mission. Beginners should learn to catch fish.
Mike
I agree with you they should learn how to catch fish then move on to certain baits, lures, and so fourth. So they are well rounded because Ive seen it many times when I take someone fishing with me and it may take a little skill to work the fish out(certain locations and times), they will get mad and quit and they wont want to fish anymore and learn the basics at all. Now if you take someone fishing and they catch tons of fish then they will want to learn everything to know to catch more and bigger fish. This is how I view it and thats what I do with people that are beginners at fishing.
retiredbosn reply :
I know for me personally it took leaving everything else at home. I grew up with a limited exposure to different lures, I used a 1/8 jig head and 4 inch curly tail, that's it. So when I took fishing seriously I had alot of catching up to do. I quickly learned t-rigs and jigs, I thought senkos were gimmicks. I left everything at home and guess what started catching fish on them. The same for cranks, spinnerbaits, etc. This was the only way I could learn a new technique, if I had the t-rig stuff in the boat, after a couple of hours I had quit trying the new technique in favor of catching fish. Did I get discouraged you bet, but my personality is such that it is harder for me to go home without catching fish than it is if the bite is hot. I can easily leave when the fish are biting, but man let me be out in the boat for a half of a day without a bite and I'll stay as long as I can till I at least get a bite, physical limitations aside, sometimes I have to quit.
Catt reply :
After talking to a dozen previous students and reading the answers here it boiled down to the individual angler.
Some of us are born with it
Some of 'em don't ever, ever get it
eyedabassman reply :
On 3/25/2012 at 9:37 PM, Catt said:After talking to a dozen previous students and reading the answers here it boiled down to the individual angler.
Some of us are born with it
Some of 'em don't ever, ever get it
Very true. I do know if someone goes fishing with a ( I don't care so much attitude ) they really don't want to learn. But someone that puts there mind to it and strives to get better will have success.
Diggy reply :
Just give them senkos/copies and they will probably be happy. Even my friend's wife is catching 3lb fish...I like to bring all my lures with me
Traveler2586 reply :
I feel the instruction to "leave it all at home" should only be given to those that really want to learn, and are interested enough to ask questions to advance themselves. I would think these individuals have caught fish, and have gotten interested in the sport, to the point they are asking questions.
If you want to get someone interested in fishing, or, all they want to do is catch fish, then give them a cup of night crawlers, a bottom rig, and set them on the end of a pier. When I was a kid, I went to the bay with some friends. The adults set us up with hand lines (hook, line, and sinker) and some night crawlers and told us to set on a dock to fish while they worked on a boat; we had a great time and looked forward to doing it each weekend that summer. From that, for me, is the fasted way I know of to get someone hooked on fishing. To this day, I think a hand line is the best way to teach someone what a bite feels like.
"leave it all at home" is just another technique at teaching the art, it's one of many......IMHO
flippin and pitchin reply :
This is some of the best dialogue I have read since joining. Newer anglers need to read this exchange. For me, bass fishing is situational. I love to expierment by nature. My bank account proves it. I always tried to find what lure or technique was best suited for success in a situation and then EXPLOIT that and give that lure or technigue a fair shot. That is eactly how I developed my skills for flipping back in 1980. The same practice worked for drop shotting. I advocate that more than " whats your favorite brand of thisanthat." Thanks Catt.
Traveler2586 reply :
IMHO
I can't get hung up in all this "brand" stuff, or buying something just because it has a full page add in BassMasters. I advise against it; to those that ask, I tell them not to get hung up with colors and having one of everything (but don't look in my boat).
I went into BPS one day, and just inside the door it hit me square in my minds eye; all the displays were Structure, the isles were migration routes, the next floor up was the shallows, the items on the displays were forage, and the shoppers were bass, the manufactures were the anglers. I stopped dead in my tracks, the image was so strong.
During the many hours I've spent reading fishing articles on line, I came across one where the angler was talking (discouragingly I think) about angler/sponsor relationships and pushing products to the hobbyist. I think every angler should read that article, especially the new angler.
There is no secret lure, scent, ect.; a given rod or reel wont really help you catch more or bigger fish. The only thing that can really help most of us is time on the water; learning about our equipment, our lures, about how the bass lives and reacts to changes in the water and weather, and (in my mind) learning to read the shoreline to find structure that attracts the bass. This may seam undaunting, but taken one step at a time it's easy and fun.
Go fishing, enjoy the day, where your at, what your doing, and who your with. Don't get hung up on do you have the best stuff for that hour of that day, of that season.
Secret - for your eyes only - The bass don't read magazines and don't go to tackle shops. 
ww2farmer reply :
Your totaly right about the some "get it"......"some don't". Go to any tournament weigh in, the "don't get it's" are usually asking "what color"...."what brand"......while donating there money to the pot.
WookieeJedi reply :
I recently started training myself to use a spinnerbait. While I don't leave other lures at home, I keep a spinnerbait tied on to one rod all the time, just to remind me to use it and learn it.
Globadoc reply :
My son loves crankbaits. But if they're not working, he's ready to go within the first 45 minutes or so. I'm still trying to pull something new out of the bag - worm, jig, spinnerbait, yum craw, something. Now, he's not so interested in fishing unless the conditions favor his crankbait skills. Honestly, they fit his temperament best anyway, because he hate to fish slow. Boring to him.
So, if I tried to get him to leave the cranks at home and fish with a T-rig and worm all day, he may never go back. Sometimes, temperament and skills are everything.
Traveler2586 reply :
Yes, you have to consider the student before the instruction. Suggest Spinnerbaits; depending on where you fish, try different color and blade combos. And you can run a Spinnerbait where you can't run a crank.
BassBoy10 reply :
I went out yesterday and "left it all at home" well, since im a beginning angler, my knot slipped on my jig and the next thing i know its 40ft out and gone! Any recommendations on knots?
Catt reply :
Palomar 
eyedabassman reply :
A San Diego Jam Knot. 
eyedabassman reply :
look up fishing knots .com ( fishingknots.com ) it will show you all the knots and how to tie them.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 3/28/2012 at 8:28 PM, Catt said:Palomar
X2... And check your line (about 3 - 4 ft out) and knot often.
TommyBass reply :
I agree... I think it is entirely angler oriented. Here is how I feel about it.
If you are basically new to fishing, then take everything with you and learn whatever you can. Get a feel for it, learn where fish tend to locate and how to approach them. Get all of your basics down well.
Once you get past the beginner stage and you start becoming a 'serious' angler, then it changes. Take only one or two lures / techniques out with you and learn them if you struggle with them. You do this KNOWING that your likely to fail. If you are serious enough about bass fishing to want to learn techniques that bad, then you won't "walk away" from the sport because of it.
If you get burnt out on it, do it with a different technique and give yourself a break. You just need to realized your doing that for a specific reason and that reason only, to become a better angler. Not to go out and have a heck of a good time. Its not for the light of heart, but definately well worth it.
PS... you don't actually have to 'clear your boat out'... you just need the will power to tell yourself that you are going to practice on this technique, and not revert to fishing your worm or whatever when times get tough.
redboat reply :
Good thread.
Before you discount the "leave it all at home" teaching technique consider how frustrating it is to be a new angler trolling the aisles at the local Big Bass discount store (I'll skip the names; there are a couple in my area). See all the pretty lures; that rattlin' triple jointed hard bait in lime green and flourescent bright red with double string trailers than emits secret scent GURANTEED to catch a limit of bass, and all the other "sure fire" things they sell that just flat out don't work. So you load up with a couple thousand dollars of that crap, zero for a year or two - now that's frustrating!
I learned by trying things that work, not necessarily catching the biggest fish on the lake at first, but catching something. I worked up from beating the banks with Senkos and T-rigs to Carolina rigs, spinners, cranks, jigs, topwaters, always experimenting primarily with one technique at a time. Not a bad way to learn. Not necessarily "leave it all at home" but rather "learn one thing at a time".
tnbassfisher reply :
So what are the exact things that you want to do if you follow the leave it all at home plan?
Traveler2586 reply :
The "leave it all at home" is just a metaphor for a practice of concentrating on one bait/lure at a time until you learn the in's and out's of that bait. You can, if you want, take it all with you, but most people loose their focus because they think about what's in the tackle box, and start switching baits. If you only take one bait, you force yourself to stay focused. DON'T worry about catching a fish - worry about learning the feel of the bait, the cast, how to un-snag the bait, the little things. If you catch a fish in the process - all the better.
FishinDaddy reply :
I would never recommend this to a newbie but I do it to myself all the time. Only 1 rod and 1 type of bait on the deck at a time. Everything else is put away. I will work on 1 technique for an hour or two and then switch it out for something else.
I learned the value of this when I dislocated my right shoulder and was forced learn to cast left handed or not fish. There is not a cast or pitch I can't make from any angle because of it. Same thing happens with the single technique. Everyday I do that I come away with much more confidence in that bait, whether I caught fish or not.
Traveler2586 reply :
On 3/29/2012 at 10:09 AM, FishinDaddy said:I would never recommend this to a newbie but I do it to myself all the time. Only 1 rod and 1 type of bait on the deck at a time. Everything else is put away. I will work on 1 technique for an hour or two and then switch it out for something else.
I learned the value of this when I dislocated my right shoulder and was forced learn to cast left handed or not fish. There is not a cast or pitch I can't make from any angle because of it. Same thing happens with the single technique. Everyday I do that I come away with much more confidence in that bait, whether I caught fish or not.
Your right this isn't for a newbie, it's intended for an experienced angler who wants to advance their repertoire of casting techniques.
Deadeye-1 reply :
I'll admit that this would probably be the best to do if you are wanting to learn a new lure or style. Just the other day I was trying out a lure that I always have tied on and rarely use (a fluke). After awhile of not getting any hits, I put it down and went back to my worm rod that I have confidence in. Ended up with a decent catch day.
Now If I left the worms at home, I probably wouldn't catch as many. I usually get to fish 1 day a week, due to my work. So for me it comes down to: do I want to learn and possibly not catch fish OR fish what I know works for me and catch fish. Hard choice, but I can see where in the end it would make you a better and more diverse angle.
Dakota wendt reply :
This year I would like to get confident with hard baits as well I went to a lake last Friday and threw some rattle traps and a 3xd cought nothing so I threw a jig and Texas rig caught fish. I think it is important to catch fish anywhere you go just to boost confidence and keep you going strong.
Jim_M reply :
Still new at this but I land squarely in "where and when to fish" as THE primary area to help new anglers.
There are thousands of lures, literally. What good are any of them if the guy is fishing the 90% of the
lake that contains...no fish? Hands down IMO, where when, and a few good lures.
tnbassfisher reply :
On 3/29/2012 at 9:04 AM, Traveler2586 said:The "leave it all at home" is just a metaphor for a practice of concentrating on one bait/lure at a time until you learn the in's and out's of that bait. You can, if you want, take it all with you, but most people loose their focus because they think about what's in the tackle box, and start switching baits. If you only take one bait, you force yourself to stay focused. DON'T worry about catching a fish - worry about learning the feel of the bait, the cast, how to un-snag the bait, the little things. If you catch a fish in the process - all the better.
I understand the principle, but what exactly are you looking for when you do this?
eyedabassman reply :
I think it comes down to how much time you spend on the water! If a guy can fish 2 days a week to 5 days he can do this leave it at home. But the guy that only can fish one time a week or less, that would be a hard thing to do to learn some new tech. or lure!
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