What has made us all better bass fishermen? 2024
Blue Streak reply :
Over the years there have been some great innovations that have had a serious impact on bass fishing. Here is my list I am sure you all will have some to add.
The electric motor
Sonar/Lowrance's Little Green Box
Free spool casting reels
Rod technology
Line technology
Soft plastic baits/Creme Scoundrel and the improvements over the years
Improvements in hard baits/crankbaits and such
Bass boats
Tournaments
Magazines
TV
The internet.
Electric motors. When I started fishing they were not readily available and we used oars that were padded to stop the noise. This one would have to be my top pick.
Sonar no doubt this has really helped us find some great hot spots and to learn more about our waters
Free spool casting reels a big advance, if you ever used one that wasn't you know what I mean.
Rod technology no doubt what we have today are a big improvement over what was available 40 years ago.
Line technology again we have come very far since the original Stren
Soft plastics no doubt about it , these have made me a better fisherman and the selection today is awesome.
Improvements in hard baits I am not so sure about this one, some of those old baits were outstanding.
Bass boats definitely, after fishing for years in vee bottom aluminum boats they are pretty dog gone nice.
Tournaments I am not a big fan of tournaments although I did fish many years ago. But I think there has been a lot of information exchanged and it seems it speeded up the advancements in fishing tackle.
Magazines we came from Field and Stream and Outdoor Life that may contain only one article per issue about bass fishing to publications that are loaded with information from cover to cover. I give them a big thumbs up.
TV you bet. Years ago we had one fishing show which was Gaddabout Gaddis. Today we have several excellent programs and I learn volumes from them.
The internet. Another big thumbs up. What a great place to learn about fishing tackle and techniques from fisherman who know what they are talking about and are willing to share. But beware, there are a lot of phonies that will make a comment about something they don't know a thing about just to be ornery and too many testimonies about products just to promote them without substantial proof it's all about sales.
OK there is my list and why I think they were big events, let's hear what you all think.
TRYTOFISH reply :
Money!
T-Bone reply :
Definitely the internet, and this website. ;D
Bad to da Bass reply :
I would have to say the internet also.
8-)
Blue Streak reply :
QuoteMoney!
Good point. None of that is free for sure.
Sam reply :
Pros willing to share their secrets and information.
Excellent DVD and video productions as learning tools.
Outstanding written publications to help us understand the bass and how to fish for them.
Just to add to Blue Streak's excellent list. 
BassnMan Mike reply :
I would have to say that the one thing that has made me a better bass fisherman is the insane amount of time I am able to spend on the water. The more I go, the more I learn.
Stringjam reply :
The biggest leap in my bass fishing knowledge came from reading books and publications - - - this was before the internet age. It took a lot longer to learn or get confidence in techniques, because you really had to figure out a lot of stuff for yourself.
I believe the internet has been the biggest advance in the transfer of knowledge - - - not just in fishing, but in everything. Now you don't have to rely on just reading something that an outdoor writer layed down, you can talk on a daily basis to guys who are experts in almost every field. You can ask specific questions to help you out that might have taken you a LONG time to figure out for yourself (back in the dark ages).
That's righteous!
I also believe one of the most important boosters of my own catch rate on my home waters was (and still is) paying close attention to local tournament anglers.
The old publications and books were great for general knowledge base, but when it came down to being consistent and learning patterns on my HOME WATERS, I think this might have helped me the most.
Jeff H reply :
What gave me the biggest jump was the teachings of Buck Perry, introduced to me by a guy named Roger Betts. I cannot thank Roger enough for sending me down this path.... and Buck for creating it. Without that foundation to build upon, everything else wouldn't have mattered.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
www.BassResource.com
=Matt 5.0= reply :
Making new friends and fishing with them.
hawgchaser reply :
The sonar technology has taken fishing to a new level.
I can honestly say that rod/reels have become more comfortable but have in no way made me a better fisherman or helped me catch any more fish. I like new equipment but rod/reels are very overrated IMO.
eyedabassman reply :
I would say time spent on the water. Money,Magazines,ect. OH and just getting older and Smarter!
Fish MD reply :
Fishing with as many different people as I can. I've taken complete stragers on my boat with me and learned stuff. I guess that can be lumped into time on the water but everyone does something different so I feel it's the people not always the time. The possibilities are endless with an open mind.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
www.bassresource.com especially the forums. Went from using only spinning tackle to doing quite well with bait-casting tackle in one season because of this place.
More time spent fishing
Better fishing Buddies
The Internet, Versus and Outdoor Channel
2 Private ponds to experiment on, nothing better than to be able to walk the ponds alone no matter what time of day or year without having to worry about anyone else out there but me.The ponds on are on my buddy's property but I'm the only one who fishes them.
Money helps too.
BASS fisherman reply :
1- This site
2-Experience on the water.
swilly78 reply :
Mentoring programs and the "Take a kid fishing" days. This sport would be nothing without keeping interest going throughout the generations.
Blue Streak reply :
A lot of interesting comments here, I always wondered how people would answer that question whether they have been fishing 6 months or sixty years.
Is there anyone else on here that fished that period before electric motors or free spool reels and when Stren was about the only monofilament you could buy, or am I just the oldest guy on here? :-/
Muddy reply :
Three things for me
1.The info shared here
2, Sharing this ,especially with the recipients in our giveaway
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY; THE NEXT CAST
time on the water... paying attention to the lessons learned with each cast
Catt reply :
I think the single most important factors that have made me a better angler were as follows:
Night fishing during the new moon; I was introduce to night fishing in 1973 and have continued until the present. These years of having limited or no visibility has heightened my awareness of what is taking place below the surface. This heightened awareness has made me better at fishing deep water where feeling the bite is harder than finding structure.
"Take nothing for granted," Buck states flatly. "Never assume bass are shallow, because they may be deep. Never believe they will hit a fast-moving lure, not a slow one. You've got to work an entire structure from shallow to deep with lures that touch bottom [but do not gouge trenches in it], and at different speeds, to be certain the place has been completely checked. If no fish are found, move on to the next good-looking structure and repeat the process. By checking two or three or more structures in this manner throughout a fishing day it's a good bet an angler sooner or later will hit a school of active, feeding bass. When that happens, you can fill your limit fast, and you gotta work quickly, because a school won't stay on a break or breakline long. Elwood L. " Buck" Perry
The sooner you accept what is stated in that paragraph as gospel the sooner your catch ratio will increase 10 fold.
Finally a simple statement made over a cup of coffee by Tommy Martin For every bass you catch on the bank there are 5 behind you.
FordNFishinLover reply :
QuoteDefinitely the internet, and this website. ;D
AGREED!
hjerk24 reply :
Shaw Grigsby. Met him at a Bassmaster University, and it changed my life, which in turn, changed my fishing. Also, Being around good guys who love to fish, and share what they have learned over the years. Lastly, as guys always say, "time on the water". Can't forget---My wife, who allows me to follow my passion, and supports me in the occasional tournaments that I do fish. Kinda sappy...I know, but that's my story.
LCpointerKILLA reply :
SALT IMPREGNATED
FishinDaddy reply :
High speed internet and this site.
Bassn Blvd reply :
QuoteI would have to say that the one thing that has made me a better bass fisherman is the insane amount of time I am able to spend on the water. The more I go, the more I learn.
x2
J Francho reply :
Some of it is the internet, but most of it is the connections I've made with people over the internet. I've had the privilege to fish with some great anglers that were not only willing to meet a stranger, but also willing to share their experience. So my answer is other bass anglers, as it has always been.
Not everyone you meet on the net is an axe murderer...
NBR reply :
In my opinion Ray Scott was the single most driving factor. By establishing tournaments that grew to significant money. A few could work full time honing their skills has led to all or most of the advancements in every thing from boats to hooks to information transfer.
I have bass fished for over 65 years and there has been more advancement of equipment and knowledge in the past 10 years than in the previous 50. I believe this was financed by tourneys. I have a circa 1953 Pflueger Supreme that I bought for $35. The Supreme and the Shakespeare President were the leaders at the time and they didn't match up to the lowliest in any catalog of today's reels. The same can be said about any other of the equipment we use.
I don't fish T's but I sure thank those that do for driving the technology and Ray Scott for his vision.
basspimple reply :
i think a lot of what has helped me and what most people take for granted is the conservation and environmental improvements from state and federal DNR's. without them, there would be no fish to catch!
also the fact that i dont care what you fish for, you can walk up to any angler and have a conservation with them. its the only sport i know that has such great commaderie. no one trying to gloat at being the best, just guys and gals just out to enjoy the great outdoors.
seyone reply :
for me time on the water is number 1
a close second would be the helpful tips and hints from other anglers, either in person or from internet sites like this one.
Bass Dude reply :
SENKOS!!!! Made good fisherman better and bad fisherman good.
There was a guy in a club I was in, and he would use nothing but Senkos..and I mean nothing!!
roadwarrior reply :
#1 & 2 in either order, fish finders (sonar) and trolling motors.
Improved equipment is more about comfort or "The Fun Factor",
not catching.
However, the GYCB Senko stands out. This single bait has improved
fishing for the average guy by at least 200%. A common complaint
about "below average" tournament competitors is their ability to win
or place highly when "all they know how to fish is a Senko!"
8-)
Blue Streak reply :
I have to agree with NBR about what Ray Scott has meant to bass fishing. His tournaments and magazine really got things moving in the fishing world. I think his state federations encouraged fishermen to form clubs and fish tournaments and that is when knowledge was shared like never before.
NBR you have got me beat in seniority I have only been at this about sixty years, and my first casting reel was a Pflueger Supreme also.
RW makes a good point about the Senko, a lot of people believe in that bait like no other.
Bankfisher reply :
for me i think the biggest thing is when im having a good day i will make a mental note of what the weather has been like, what it is like on that day, water clarity, time of year, and how im fishing. I compare this data to what it supposed to work for these types of conditions I am experiencing that day and for the season that i am in. It helps tremendously to know what the fish are supposed to be doing at that time of year and at the water temps that you are experiencing. the weather on a givin day can play a huge role as well. Taking some time to read about seasonal patterns can really help bring a lot of big fish into your boat. Other than that, practice practice practice. it is crucial to know how to present the lure that you are fishing. It could be the difference between getting bites and getting skunked. being comfortable with your gear is paramount. Your gear can make or break your day on the water.
thetr20one reply :
Money, observation, and most of all time on the water.
rickster reply :
My father who introduced me to fishing, Internet, fishing guides, fishing seminars where I could ask the pros questions one on one
cart7t reply :
I could put tackle I used 30 years ago into the hands of a newbie bass fishermen and he could still catch plenty of fish IF he's spent the time to gain knowledge from all the sources available today that weren't there 30 + years ago.
It's all about the educational side of the equation. Boats, motors, rods, reels and tackle have all advanced but none of that makes a lick of difference if the angler using it has no knowledge of how to place himself into a position to catch fish or how to use the equipment properly to begin with.
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