Jack Of All Trades Or A Specialist ? 2025
WildmanWilson reply :
So do you guys run the gamut of fishing styles and lures or do you narrow it down to a few specialty techniques? Whats do you do the best and most successful at ?
Bluebasser86 reply :
In this area, you almost have to be a junk fisherman. We don't have the bass populations to really be a specialist, you just have to catch fish however you can at that moment. I have my preferred ways to do it, but I'll do whatever to catch fish.
a1712 reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 2:24 PM, Bluebasser86 said:In this area, you almost have to be a junk fisherman. We don't have the bass populations to really be a specialist, you just have to catch fish however you can at that moment. I have my preferred ways to do it, but I'll do whatever to catch fish.
Amen. Brian.
SirSnookalot reply :
First thing is you have to know your own waters and use what's going to be the most effective. Secondly at least for me it's more about having fun, I only fish a few lure types and a limited number of techniques. I fish ponds and canals here in South Florida, very little structure. In the mornings I fish a top water lure close to 100% of the time, my afternoon sessions are jerkbaits, bucktails and crappie jigs I tie myself, spoons, weedless fluke if I'm dealing with vegetation, roostertails have been hot for me this week.
I fish for species other than bass too, I don't fish them much different or use different lure types for them. I keep things real nice and simple.
Sam reply :
Jack of All Trades.
Although I love power fishing I also enjoy fishing plastics.
Senko lover reply :
In my ponds, I could fish finesse, curly tail, and senko worms all day long and get tons of bites. That's what I mainly did last season. This season, I'm trying to broaden my horizon and pick up baits I haven't caught fish on.
bighed reply :
I'm a junky but would love to be able to take a pocket full of jigs and one or two rods and leave the rest at home.
scaleface reply :
How do I say this ? Fishing is easy. Even techniques Ive never used I can do them competently . But , Im not a bass fisherman . I fish for whatever and wherever , One thing I can say for sure , Bass fishing has made me a lot better catfish angler .
WIGuide reply :
I will fish just about anything and everything I have to in order to catch a fish, but I do have some go-to confidence techniques.
ww2farmer reply :
I am a junk fishing specialist.
fishballer06 reply :
I'm big on moving baits. I feel very confident in my crankbaits and topwater baits. I'll throw a plastic worm or a jig whenever I have to, but I feel like I'm much better with a moving bait.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Junk fishing has its time and place, but I think that you should fish what you know or what you are confident in. Keep it simple. If you look at the guys who are winning tournaments, they are fishing what they are good at. KVD largely fishes one way. He may change up once in a while if he has too, but generally he is going to be covering water with some kind of hardbait. Hackney fishes jigs and crankbaits like he knows. He won a tournament on Pickwick grinding a crankbait on shallow flats, while everybody and their brother was playing the ledge game. Yes, you have to be versatile, and you may not be able to force the fish to go for your presentation, but I tend to say go w/whhat you know.
Oregon Native reply :
Being a bass fisherman gives us the right to be "junk fishermen". I mean look at what we buy and how many rods and reels most of us have. It's not only the pursuit of the fish but the tinkering, thinking, trying secret baits and the list goes on. Most of us are lucky that we have boats or we'd pull out our arms and shoulders carrying all our tackle!!
Tight Lines
Djman72 reply :
I try to be a jack of all trades, but I feel I gravitate towards a few specific techniques that I know produce in the waters I fish.
I would hardly call myself a specialist, but I would fall more to that side than the other.
Choporoz reply :
Working hard at being junkier. But my confidence is solidly in working cover. I like nothing more than predicting a fish in between two specific branches and getting that slam after a perfectly placed pitch. Will spend more time this year getting off shore and learning more about effectively moving baits.
mjseverson24 reply :
I am a junk fisherman by nature, but I find in tournaments if I specialize in two or three presentations I do better...
Mitch
Mike L reply :
We all have our strengths if we admit it or not.
I hate the "junk fishing" term. What's that mean anyway?
We bring stuff with us that we think may work in any given time, day or time of the day.
Just because we may try 4 different techniques to find a fish I'll bet you a curly tail worm, the first thing we pick up is what we have confidence in based on the weatner, location, clarity etc.
I know I don't drop shot, I wont rig one up...
I rarely throw a Carolina rig, I won't rig that either...
But at sun rise on a grass flat or around some lay downs give me a frog,
On a hydrilla mat give me a craw,
In heavy to scattered grass I have 3 or 4 things I throw because they work.
Yes I'll change the presentation a bit...
Color, horizontal fall as opposed to a more vertical one, chatterbait in place of a spinner etc.
We all throw what we know. Maybe not all day but we all do it.
So to answer your question, I always throw what I'm best and more successful at.
Mike
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
The front deck of my Ranger is usually covered with 14+ rods because I want to be able to capitalize on any scenario without having to waste time retying.If I see a fish, or a spot that needs a specific presentation I can pick it up and cast within a second. With that said, out of the 14+ rods brought out on the water I throw the senko rod and crank bait rod 95% of the time. So I think I would fall into the specialist group. Maybe I take some secret pleasure watching the girlfriend freak out at how many new rods the Bait Monkey made me buy over the long new england winter.
lmbfisherman reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 2:24 PM, Bluebasser86 said:In this area, you almost have to be a junk fisherman. We don't have the bass populations to really be a specialist, you just have to catch fish however you can at that moment. I have my preferred ways to do it, but I'll do whatever to catch fish.
This..I have preferred ways like Bluebasser, but I'll do whatever is necessary to catch fish.
FunkJishing reply :
I'm more confident in moving baits (cranks, spinnerbaits, ect.) but thats all gonna change this season. I want to get as many tactics down as possible so i can be confident in anything i decide to throw. I junk fish until I find out what they're hitting then I try to tweak my bait selection to satisfy the bass as best i can.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 11:49 PM, Mike L said:I hate the "junk fishing" term. What's that mean anyway?
It refers to having all your 'junk' out on the boat deck while fishing.
Choporoz reply :
That could be trouble in some busier waters....jus sayn
Dylcook91 reply :
I have my go to lure/styles, and when they don't work I become a specialist...
A-Jay reply :
I am definitely not a Jack of All Trades - there are simply too many of them.
Some trips I feel like a "specialist" at eliminating unproductive water.
I will admit to being willing to learn & work hard.
So I'd say I'm a "Specialist" at putting the time in.
Seems the harder I work, the luckier I get.
A-Jay
tholmes reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 2:24 PM, Bluebasser86 said:In this area, you almost have to be a junk fisherman. We don't have the bass populations to really be a specialist, you just have to catch fish however you can at that moment. I have my preferred ways to do it, but I'll do whatever to catch fish.
THis is true in my area also (not all that far from Bluebasser). While I prefer to target bass, sometimes they just won't cooperate. In that case, I'll go after crappie, catfish, wipers and several others. I like to keep my options open.
Tom
ColdSVT reply :
Im a jack of all trades
If i did have a specialty it would be the jerkbait
stepchild reply :
Like others mentioned, everyone's a specialist in some way, shape or form. I have my confidence baits and techniques, but I'm also not afraid to tie on something I think could work if my go-to baits and techniques aren't yielding what I expect to get.
plumworm reply :
I have enjoyed trying to learn all aspects of bass fishing. My favorite is TR plastics and least favorite is jig and pig so, I try to spend at least a little time each trip with a jig. That being said, trying to be a well rounded bass fisherman allows me to do what I do best,which is to keep the bait monkey well fed and my boat slowly sinking with the weight of my must have new lures. What's new this year you all think I need to try ?
everythingthatswims reply :
Jack Of All Trades. I love catching fish on big swimbaits, but I'm not a member of the cult that won't think outside of the box 
gardnerjigman reply :
Jack of all trades. As bluebasser said, love to target bass, but sometimes you have a dozen rods out and catch a fish on a dozen different baits. Name of the game in these parts. Fish have nightmares about us when we dial in on the pattern though!
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Im a JOAT ,,but back in the day i had enough patience and confidence to really dissect any pond within 30 miles with a 6 inch manns purple jelly worm t rigged.then i got my drivers license and found girls then lost my touch and had more money for lures and gurls .now im sitting here thinking ,,,i aint done it all but i sure want to go back to keeping it simple .as i ponder my 200lbs of tackle that i never use haaaaaa cabin fever is takin a toll my tooth hurts my cough wont leave
geo g reply :
Because of the type of waters I fish, 90% of my day is spent throwing a variety of plastics. Our lakes are shallow and full of heavy weeds. Most bass are associated with the weeds and pads and there location to deeper water. You need to target peculiarities and once you find a fish you have the gear to get it's head up quick and power it out of the junk. Texas rigging is a must most of the time, and at least 15 pound floro or mono. When in the jungle 65 pound braid is a good option. Long M/H or Heavy rods and strong baitcaster reels are the norm. Fishing South Florida day in and day out is not for light weight stuff.
FishTank reply :
I think I would call myself an opportunist. If it bites, I am reeling it in.
J Francho reply :
To me the term junk fishing just means you are less concerned about a magic bait, rig, or style and more concerned with location and getting a bait in the fishes' faces. There's always at least three our four baits that will work with that one cast that could get bit. Sometimes the terrain is so varied, as you move about s spot, that list of baits changes. You keep trying until you discover a pattern. Then, maybe you can specialize. Sometimes you get good bites, but never find that special bite. I'd rather cast a wide net and see what happens.
Jd_Phillips_Fishin reply :
I consider myself to be a junk fishermen... the only bait I don't have much confidence in is a really deep crankbait, I'd much rather throw a C-rig
RSM789 reply :
I start out every outing as a jack of all trades and most of the time, the bass on my home lake turn me into a specialist.
As someone else mentioned, even though I have a multitude of rods set up with different styles of baits, usually by the end of the day I am throwing the same two baits. Nearly 70% of the bass I caught last year on my home lake were on Texas rigged plastics and wacky rigged Senkos. The nature of the cover & structure on this lake lends these two baits to be most effective. I still will keep trying topwater baits, squarebills, lipless cranks, dropshots, but on my lake, they aren't as consistent. I will have 1 trip every 5 outings or so where one of those other methods will be the ticket, but usually it gets back to working the T-rig over deeper cover & skipping the Senko under the docks.
I have found that the continued effort to try other methods pays off when I have travelled & fished other lakes.
Gundog reply :
To me its just no fun to only throw a few lures. Yea sure, I do it on occasions but trying new lures or techniques is what makes fishing exciting and new. I can still remember the first fish I caught on a jerkbait. I don't know how many fish I wouldn't have caught had I never learned to pitch a jig. This year I plan on using flourocarbon line and trying some finesse fishing. I know over the years I've missed fish by not fishing lighter lines and smaller baits in clear water. After looking at some of the videos and posts on this forum I've got plenty of ideas on baits, gear and techniques to use. Can't wait till the ice comes of the lakes.
HoosierHawgs reply :
You don't necessarily have to wait to start learning! Break out the auger lolOn 1/19/2015 at 5:40 AM, Gundog said:To me its just no fun to only throw a few lures. Yea sure, I do it on occasions but trying new lures or techniques is what makes fishing exciting and new. I can still remember the first fish I caught on a jerkbait. I don't know how many fish I wouldn't have caught had I never learned to pitch a jig. This year I plan on using flourocarbon line and trying some finesse fishing. I know over the years I've missed fish by not fishing lighter lines and smaller baits in clear water. After looking at some of the videos and posts on this forum I've got plenty of ideas on baits, gear and techniques to use. Can't wait till the ice comes of the lakes.
Gundog reply :
jakob I tried ice fishing twice. The only reason I tried it a second time was that I couldn't believe I hated something that much. I know some people like it but for me its just frustrating and boring. I still have the auger and tip-ups to remind me of my hatred. They sit in a bucket in the corner of my basement and every time I go down there I curse them.
bkohlman reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 2:24 PM, Bluebasser86 said:In this area, you almost have to be a junk fisherman. We don't have the bass populations to really be a specialist, you just have to catch fish however you can at that moment. I have my preferred ways to do it, but I'll do whatever to catch fish.
Agree with Bluebasser86.... Kansas bass fisherman = junk fisherman, only a few would be a specialist, and if they are they probably are jig pitchers/flippers.
SirSnookalot reply :
Whether using 1 rod and a couple of lures or many combos with scores of lure options, they are neither jack of all trades or specialists. What they are is successful anglers, that is if they consistently catch fish. I don't see any reason to classify myself as this kind of fisherman or that kind of fisherman.
buzzed bait reply :
i am a junk fisher supreme.... certainly not a specialist by any means.
roadwarrior reply :
I like everyhing except big swimbaits. I know how effective this technique can be for
a shot at some monster fish, but I don't like the equipment or physical effort required.
Skiing big bass to the boat doesn't trip my trigger either.
bassindon reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 12:00 AM, roadwarrior said:I like everyhing except big swimbaits. I know how effective this technique can be for
a shot at some monster fish, but I don't like the equipment or physical effort required.
Skiing big bass to the boat doesn't trip my trigger either.
I LOVE IT! I flip what you just said. Don't care for the old style I did for over 20 years. Im not burned out on holding big bass yet LOL!
gulfcaptain reply :
On 1/16/2015 at 1:21 AM, A-Jay said:I am definitely not a Jack of All Trades - there are simply too many of them.
Some trips I feel like a "specialist" at eliminating unproductive water.
I will admit to being willing to learn & work hard.
So I'd say I'm a "Specialist" at putting the time in.
Seems the harder I work, the luckier I get.
A-Jay
This pretty much sums it up. I specialize in what I fish no matter what I pick up. If I fish it I have confidence in it that I'm going to catch fish. Each year I pick a new technique and focus on learning it. Then it gets put into my bag of tricks and pull it out when I need to. So I specialize in variety, reading the water and conditions, and captitalizing on the best approach. Even if it's thinking outside the box.
Chris S reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 2:24 PM, Bluebasser86 said:In this area, you almost have to be a junk fisherman. We don't have the bass populations to really be a specialist, you just have to catch fish however you can at that moment. I have my preferred ways to do it, but I'll do whatever to catch fish.
We catch whites, hybrids, crappie, large mouth, small mouth, drum, catfish and walleye sometime in the same day LOL 
aavery2 reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 5:15 AM, Chris S said:We catch whites, hybrids, crappie, large mouth, small mouth, drum, catfish and walleye sometime in the same day LOL
and all the varieties of sunfish
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 1/20/2015 at 5:15 AM, Chris S said:We catch whites, hybrids, crappie, large mouth, small mouth, drum, catfish and walleye sometime in the same day LOL
And on the same bait 
Turtle135 reply :
For largemouth I pretty much exclusively throw jigs. I have been in a jig phase for the last 3 years where I will give up quantity for quality (or at least that is the plan).
Bosco_sticks reply :
I grew up fishing clear water in Wisconsin, so I'm definitely more of a specialized finesse guy than a junk fisherman. I struggle with moving baits, and I'm working this season to improve my success with them.
RMcDuffee726 reply :
On 1/15/2015 at 8:56 PM, bighead said:I'm a junky but would love to be able to take a pocket full of jigs and one or two rods and leave the rest at home.
Trying that this season.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
On 1/22/2015 at 5:33 AM, Bosco_sticks said:I grew up fishing clear water in Wisconsin, so I'm definitely more of a specialized finesse guy than a junk fisherman. I struggle with moving baits, and I'm working this season to improve my success with them.
try throwing a finesse spinnerbait (1/4oz with small blades) works really well for me in ohio clear waters and definitely a confidence booster.
bonzai22 reply :
My style is definitely a finesse style. I like jigs, plastics, shaky heads and sometimes throw a drop shot. I will throw just about anything though the only thing I don't much confidence in is deep cranks. On the lakes I fish they follow seasonal patterns for spring then after that the lakes get really screwed up and you never know where the fish will be. I think this year I will try more junk fishing for that reason.
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