Just for fun, if you could give a new angler just ONE SINGLE unsolicited piece of advice, what would you share? (Assume they want advice to become a better angler.)
Me, I think I would advise them to pay close attention to what worked and didn't work and begin logging it. I think that would help a new angler to develop patterns quickly and having a log to go back and look at what worked when is a huge advantage. I think it would also help a new angler to pay more attention to details which will pay dividends alone later on.
They same one we all know. ....and never listen to.
" Don't leave fish, to find fish! "
Stop watching Bill Dance on TV for tips LOL!!! Not everyone can fish stocked ponds like that all the time
Not hating on bill its just folks need to understand its called fishing and not catching. Log what works and make sure you take care of your equipment. If you can find an old timer to talk with in your area, do it!
Interesting fact on Ole' Bill that I didn't realize until just a few days ago. His PB is "only" a 13 pounder!
i would advise against spending a ton of money to acquire every bait and every technique.... i found that i didn't fish half the stuff that i bought, and would have been better served to re-invest that into the techniques i preferred to fish....
Don't overthink your time on the water, enjoy it, relax, and fish.
On 10/15/2014 at 11:41 PM, DarrenM said:Don't overthink your time on the water, enjoy it, relax, and fish.
I agree - well said, Darren.
On 10/15/2014 at 11:26 PM, Bassun said:Interesting fact on Ole' Bill that I didn't realize until just a few days ago. His PB is "only" a 13 pounder!
I wonder how many he has caught between 10 to 12 pounds???
On 10/15/2014 at 11:41 PM, DarrenM said:Don't overthink your time on the water, enjoy it, relax, and fish.
X3
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/
Do not try to force feed or relocate bass. They may not be "smart" but you still have to find them and give them what they want.
Keep it simple, there are a few lures (worms, jigs, topwaters)that have been around for decades and work great today. Start with those and expand from there. Above all relax and have fun!
Never stop learning. Pay attention and learn from evey fishing trip (yes even if you don't catch anything) and learn from others. This sport is always evolving and when you decide to just get comfortable with "what you prefer to fish" you're going to find yourself on the outside looking in when things get tough and you have no clue on how to adapt to the conditions and change.
Fish whenever you can, for as long as you can... Life is too short enjoy it while it lasts...
Mitch
Join Bassresource.
practice casting. and pick as many brains as possible (when welcomed to... dont want to annoy anyone)
On 10/16/2014 at 3:49 AM, OntarioFishingGuy said:Join Bassresource.
This really is a great site. I tend to come and go in terms of activity, but even if you are a lurker - there's sooooo much great info here.
To become a better bass fisherman :
Go early and stay late
oh and fish a JIG
Don't ever get discouraged...unless you lose your roman-made, then it is okay to become discouraged.
On 10/16/2014 at 4:23 AM, Mainebass1984 said:To become a better bass fisherman :
Go early and stay late
oh and fish a JIG
I don't think anything will help you more than time on the water. Put enough time in, and things will start to come together. I just started fishing largemouths this summer and remember several days when I was on the water before sunrise and ready to quit at noon. But I stayed out and kept trying, and had some great days because of it.
And for some reason, the most memorable fish might just be the first one I caught on a jig. It wasn't the biggest, but it sort of boosted my confidence. Confidence is what keep you out there, trying your best.
Tight lines,
Bob
Search "Cosmic Clock" learn basic bass behavior.
Tom
Dont spend hoards of money.
I would have them fish plastics, and I would give them two pieces of advice. 1).Be a line watcher, and 2).Slow down. If you do those two things you will catch fish under many types of conditions.
Learn to Improvise, Overcome and Adapt.
With all that implies. ...
Example, but there are more...
Improvise...try new and different ways of what you already do and have confidence in.
Overcome...negative thoughts and impulse's, don't lose confidence in yourself or your abilities. You know how to do it just try not to overthink it.
Adapt...Always be aware of your surroundings. Try to keep up with changing conditions. Don't lock youself into thinking "well let me try this, this always works" or "Ive always caught fish there, let's go"
You got the idea
Mike
Better gear really does make a difference.
Dont spend hoards of money
On 10/16/2014 at 9:02 AM, Bassguytom said:Better gear really does make a difference.
This is highly subjective.
Learn one technique at a time, and slow down. No... slower than that.
On 10/16/2014 at 9:07 AM, Heron said:This is highly subjective.
Not when it comes down to rod sensitivity and line/knot strength. But I hear what you're saying.
For the record, expensive does not necessarily mean better. There is lots of "better" gear at affordable prices.
My single piece of advice for a man would be, if at all possible, choose the hottest girl possible to go fishing with.
No matter how slow the bite is, you will have something nice to look at and if you are a typical male you will go to any length to try and impress her with a big catch. Place creative bets for who catches the biggest or most fish. If it is a warm summer day, recommend fishing topless. The possibilities are endless...
While the above post has merit, finding a way to fish with skilled, experienced fishermen and learning to place your bait in spots others can't get to is my advice.
On 10/16/2014 at 9:39 AM, RSM789 said:My single piece of advice for a man would be, if at all possible, choose the hottest girl possible to go fishing with.
No matter how slow the bite is, you will have something nice to look at and if you are a typical male you will go to any length to try and impress her with a big catch. Place creative bets for who catches the biggest or most fish. If it is a warm summer day, recommend fishing topless. The possibilities are endless...
This is solid
Quote
My single piece of advice for a man would be, if at all possible, choose the hottest girl possible to go fishing with
Really? You could ruin a perfectly good day of fishing, and likely make that beautiful girl think your out of your mind too.
On 10/15/2014 at 11:10 PM, Bassun said:Just for fun, if you could give a new angler just ONE SINGLE unsolicited piece of advice, what would you share? (Assume they want advice to become a better angler.)
I don't care how big the bass's mouth is. Don't do that.
Josh
And one last thing.........Dont spend hoards of money.
Wear eye protection. Have a clear pair to wear when it is dark.
Slow down.
when all else fails, head to the weeds.
the shallow weeds if ur looking for 5 fish.
the deepest weeds in the lake if ur looking for Dottie.
There Is a lot of good advice here. I might have missed it but I used to fish with a guy that constantly was miserable after a day of fishing. I understand trying to get better, analyze the day, and catch fish but If you can't have fun, what's the point?
As I've gotten older I tend to enjoy getting out as much as catching fish. My goal each time out Is to be safe, enjoy the surroundings, catch a few fish, but most of all I try to have FUN!
Fish into the wind.
Don't take a credit card to BPS or Cabela's.
Fish + Location + Presentation = Success!
In-Fisherman came up with this formula many years ago, but it is just as relevant today as it ever was.
Don't try and learn every technique known to man right away just because you are hooked on bass fishing and can't get enough. I see guys who want to fish all the time, and when they can't fish, they are reading about it, and when they read about all of the latest techniques they have to go out and buy every lure and every piece of terminal tackle made. They never become particularly proficient at the basics. They may know how to do a lot of things (by the book), but are not well practiced at any of it. Then they see other guys who are using the same techniques consistently outfishing them, and they get discouraged.
Gain confidence with a few, time-proven lures.
-Lipless Crankbait
-Squarebill
-Popper
-Jig
-Above any else, a plastic worm.
Don't get too fancy with color selection, and don't switch lures every 15 min. because one is not working.
Use sharp hooks
One piece of advice. That's tight but I think I can give it a shot.
My best piece of advice would be: Cover more water!
I find that once you find fish, they are all to ready to bite. You just have to get to where they are. I know this is reverse of what most people say. But I find that only in the worst of conditions do we need to fish slowly to get bites. Many times, we are better apt at discovering those daily patterns or dynamite spots by spending our time looking for fish.
Why would you want to spend your time slowly working areas that may not hold a bass when you can quickly fish to find the areas that do. After you have those few bites, then you should slow it down. But I find that most people need to pick up the pace.
If you are new to bass fishing, you are fairly apt to be fishing unproductive areas. It takes time to find those great areas or patterns that work well. That is why I support covering more water. You are just more likely to find those productive areas that you can slow down on.
Justin Mott
^ that's great advice Justin. I tell my friends "don't fish forward". yes it takes time to troll 1/2 mile of shoreline but realistically you learn alot, come up with a good game plan and probably can skip 80% of the area. so troll ahead, pick the best 20% and fish backward over the water. makes for much better fishing.
On 10/17/2014 at 6:20 AM, aavery2 said:Use sharp hooks
I'll add to that learn to tie a few knots and learn them well.
When I first started I can't tell you how many fish I lost due to a knot slipping out.
Don't fish memories.
On 10/16/2014 at 7:47 PM, Lund Explorer said:Fish + Location + Presentation = Success!
In-Fisherman came up with this formula many years ago, but it is just as relevant today as it ever was.
This formula with the K.I.S.S. principal is what I'd suggest. A handful of baits that allow you to cover the whole water column between them, in basic colors depending on water clarity.
On 10/16/2014 at 10:29 AM, Heron said:And one last thing.........Dont spend hoards of money.
What's a hoard of money? THIS is subjective to what each of us consider hoards........if you work and have a bit of extra money aside to pay for your fishing equipment your dedicated and passionate...... if you work and spend all your check to pay for your fishing equipment....your either living at home with mommy or have a problem.....If you spend hoards....paycheck and run up and max out a credit card.....then that above piece of advice is great......because you are a dumb*** and need someone to pull your head out of your well you know. As for me, I like to think of myself as passionate. A small percentage of what I spend on fishing equipment is offset by the amount I no longer spend at the bar. Suprised on what $40 of tackle can buy and how few drinks or how long that lasts when you go drinking.
On 10/18/2014 at 6:20 AM, gulfcaptain said:What's a hoard of money? THIS is subjective to what each of us consider hoards........if you work and have a bit of extra money aside to pay for your fishing equipment your dedicated and passionate...... if you work and spend all your check to pay for your fishing equipment....your either living at home with mommy or have a problem.....If you spend hoards....paycheck and run up and max out a credit card.....then that above piece of advice is great......because you are a dumb*** and need someone to pull your head out of your well you know. As for me, I like to think of myself as passionate. A small percentage of what I spend on fishing equipment is offset by the amount I no longer spend at the bar. Suprised on what $40 of tackle can buy and how few drinks or how long that lasts when you go drinking.
Yes, it is subjective, and it was intended to be. So I leave it to the author of this thread to decide for himself, as to what "hoards of money" means to him.
Too many great replies to this topic. I know you will learn a lot.
All I can add is that when you are in a boat and have to go to the bathroom don't face into the wind.
That is excellent advice, boat or no.
My advice (which may have been posted already), just go fishing... you're not going to catch anything sitting on the couch reading about it.
I have fished my whole life, and the one tip I would give is not to make it too complicated!! A baitcaster, a spinning rod, and a couple of Plano stowaways have caught 99 percent of the bass I've landed. Don't waste a ton of money on stuff you don't need. I have WAY too much stuff myself!!
Best way to get better is to fish with someone better than you. Your learning curve will rise sharply!
Become a better caster. Learning to cast with pinpoint accuracy, being able to skip baits under docks, and being able to put baits in the water without making a big splash will get you bit a lot more than the guy beside you who's not as good at it.
Buy the best raingear you can afford!
On 10/16/2014 at 4:00 AM, herefishy_20 said:and pick as many brains as possible (when welcomed to... dont want to annoy anyone)
If someone does that, at least contribute something back, no one likes a leach
On 10/15/2014 at 11:10 PM, Bassun said:Just for fun, if you could give a new angler just ONE SINGLE unsolicited piece of advice, what would you share? (Assume they want advice to become a better angler.)
My advice, don't believe everything you hear, lot of misinformation and product marketing hype out in our hobby that some get fed right into.
There way a quote from Rick Clunn "catching fish is easy but finding them is hard" and it has helped me.
Additional things that I have found helpful:
Time on water
Casting accuracy
Soft landings of lures
Limiting color selection
Allen
Pay attention to all your surroundings every noise,every swirl.
On 10/15/2014 at 11:26 PM, Bassun said:Interesting fact on Ole' Bill that I didn't realize until just a few days ago. His PB is "only" a 13 pounder!
ONLY!, ONLY!, you say? I wish my personal best was "ONLY" a 13 pounder....lol.
Hootie
If you worry about what might be...and wonder about what might have been...you will ignore what is!
Where you been?
On 10/20/2014 at 11:51 AM, Maxximus Redneckus said:Pay attention to all your surroundings every noise,every swirl.
Yep !
I learn my own water and that's only done by fishing it.
Life is about Balance.
Mind, Body & Spirit.
Find it and your fishing will improve as well.
A-Jay
On 10/20/2014 at 12:59 PM, *Hootie said:ONLY!, ONLY!, you say? I wish my personal best was "ONLY" a 13 pounder....lol.
Hootie
I know, right?!
Hopefully some of the folks new to fishing get a chance to read over this thread as there are a ton of great suggestions I think. Heck, some good reminders for the vets to be honest...
On 10/22/2014 at 5:31 AM, roadwarrior said:Where you been?
Aint got enough space to answer
Fish the day. Past knowledge is a place to start, but in regards to whats tied on and where I am fishing, where I start is not usually where I finish.
Just because they "should be" on isolated wood in 15 feet of water, doesn't mean they aren't in the weeds in 4 ft! If you planned to fish one way, you better learn to recognize changes and adjust to them!
And spend as much time on the water as life allows.
Jim
I would say enjoy the experience of fishing rather than only focused on catching fish...sometimes the fish don't come but it is fun anyway.
Get some dude wipes.
On 10/22/2014 at 11:21 PM, Catt said:Aint got enough space to answer
Oh please do take up the space. Inquiring minds WANT to know!
Don't be a butt hole, and don't trust anyone who claims to be your friend only to find out how/where/when your catching them and then forgets you exist after they "think" you have showed them everything.
take good care of your equpiment and try to keep up with the new technology.