Hardest Thing To Learn? 2024

Steve Horvath reply :

I'm currently working on a project and looking for some feedback and here is the question:

What is the hardest thing to learn or hardest concepts to grasp for bass anglers?

J Francho reply :

That fishing is problem solving, pure and simple. Not about the right rod or reel. Not about a special bait. It's about solving the problem in front of you: How do I catch a bass right now?

lmoore reply :

^^^Great post.

Adjusting to the fish. I've had too many bad days in the past because I fished where I caught fish the day/week/month before instead of adjusting to the conditions that day.

00 mod reply :

I think the hardest thing to learn for most is when to set the hook on a bottom contact lure. There are a million different opinions on it from as soon as you feel the first thing to wait three seconds and swing away to make sure you see the line moving off first. It is much debated and nobody has the PERFECT answer.

Jeff

backpain... reply :

For me the hardest thing to learn is how to fish the moment. I too often find myself reliving past experiences and using certain techniques becasue that is how I want to fish and how I had success in the past. It is very difficult for me to read a certain day and figure out the puzzle because I all too often rehash old stuff.

Elk River reply :

For me it was learning to be patient.

Darren. reply :

Finding the pattern on a given day. Which is perhaps another way to put what J Francho said. The pattern (for me) is the problem needing solving.

grimlin reply :

On 3/2/2012 at 11:49 PM, J Francho said:

That fishing is problem solving, pure and simple. Not about the right rod or reel. Not about a special bait. It's about solving the problem in front of you: How do I catch a bass right now?

Simply put!

Gangley reply :

I read the question 2 different ways:

What is the hardest technique to learn and what is the hardest concept to learn.

The hardest concept for me to learn was that fish can always be patterned. They are not mindless and do not float around aimlessly from place to place for no reason. Identifying the pattern for the day or week is key, and it takes time to learn it. You will not learn a pattern by catching one fish in one spot, but combined with multiple fish in multiple spots you can form a rough pattern by which to work from.

The hardest technique for me to learn was how to pitch a jig and make it skip multiple times across the water surface and into a specific location (ie under docks or large overhangs).

GREAT TOPIC by the way.

Sam reply :

Weather and water conditions.

We get set on throwing a KVD 2.5 Sexy Shad crankbait and no matter how the weather or water conditions change we just do not put down that biat and change to something more appropriate.

I think it boils down to our "comfort levels" and we continue to do the same things over and over as we have confidence in what we do be it right or wrong.

How many times have I kicked myself after a tournament when my friends kicks my butt using the same lure I have in the boat and the techniques I know???

bayouXpress reply :

for me right now is reading a contour map and translating that onto the body of water. I'm starting to get the picture with the maps with the creek ditches and finding humps and flats and how the bass use these little highways to come up stage then spawn, BUT when your on that big ole body of water its not as simple.

NCbassmaster4Life reply :

Accepting confidence in a bait and trying to find the same confidence in another. Also moving to spots that have bass opposed to staying in the same spot for to long.

islandbass reply :

Very good points so far!!! One thing I have struggled with at times and it too is a part of the problem solving is knowing when to stick with a spot or move on, or when being systematic in the lure selection process to got with a change in size first or color or both.

quanjig reply :

I think everyone has touched on it, making good decisions on the water! You have an idea of how you WANT to catch them, but once you get out there, things have a tendency to change. How you adapt to those changes is how your success is going to be determined.

bowhunter63 reply :

Dropping water is always tuff for me.

Blue Streak reply :

Processing all of the information you have for that time, place, and conditions, to come up with the proper location to fish, the proper presentation, and the right bait for that particular time and conditions.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 3/3/2012 at 12:14 AM, Elk River said:

For me it was learning to be patient.

There it is, that one word which really sums everything up for me... patience... with out that you can't do any of the other stuff nearly as effective.

It takes patience to learn, understand, perform, and overcome any given day on the water.

To me, patience builds confidence, confidence builds success.

Clash City Rocker reply :

Another vote for patience!

zip pow reply :

Recognizing a pattern fast and applying it correctly

scrutch reply :

I've spent hours on end reading on this and other sites, reading magazines, and talking to people about bass fishing, not to mention the hours out on the water "putting together the puzzle" for that day.

The hardest thing for me is focusing on where to start. Some days I get out on the water and just go blank on what spot to hit first, what bait to start throwing, when to switch or when to believe in my technique and be patient. It's a comedy of guesses.

In golf I called that " paralysis by analysis"

K_Mac reply :

Great questions Steve.

I think the hardest thing for me to learn is that close is not always good enough. Whether it is deep water structure or flipping/pitching tight to cover, there often is what KVD (and others) calls the spot on the spot. The difference in not getting bit, or getting bit big can be very small and attention to details is a vital part of fishing.

I think the hardest concept for to get my head around is that being versatile doesn't mean being good at everything. It has taken years for me to figure out that a handful of colors and a fairly small variety of baits, fished properly, in the right spots, at the right time are all I really need. I am not saying that having one of everything is a bad thing; just that if I'm not careful I can be distracted by searching for exactly the right color, size, wiggle, etc, instead of location, speed, and depth. My goal at this point is to be really good at a few things and confidently do them in the right spot. Finding the right spot consistently is a function of applied knowledge and experience, and I'll have to get back to you on that.

McAlpine reply :

I'll completely agree with a couple of the earlier posts. The toughest thing for most fishermen to learn is that what worked for you before might not be what you should be doing today. We are creatures of habit unfortunatly. We would all be much better fishermen if we could forget everything we did every time we left the lake.

StinkyBass reply :

The hardest thing for me is learning to adapt to the weather conditions. i learned that if bass want your lure...THEY WILL EAT IT! slow days are mostly slow because i want to stick to what i think works rather than throw something different. sometimes i have to go back to the basics... "Shut up and fish!" That helps...

gr8outdoorz reply :

How NOT to buy everything in the tackle shop!

Phranchise1213 reply :

Learning how to read my electronics.....

Crankenstein Crony reply :

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 reply :

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

Michael DiNardo reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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

Hyrule Bass reply :

another vote for patience...

BassWhole! reply :

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

Bass Dude reply :

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 reply :

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

riskkid 2 reply :

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 reply :

On 3/7/2012 at 12:34 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 reply :

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

Nitrofreak reply :

On 3/7/2012 at 12:34 AM, riskkid 2 said:

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

On 3/7/2012 at 2:00 AM, redboat said:

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 reply :

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

redboat reply :

On 3/7/2012 at 2:28 AM, roadwarrior said:

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 reply :

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. reply :

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 reply :

Quote
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.

Quote
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 reply :

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 reply :

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 reply :

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.

loodkop reply :

It took me years to start believing that bass actually could be caught in water so deep that I couldn't see the bottom. Putting faith in my electronic eyes is still a struggle but I'm learning at last.

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