Taking it to the next level 2024

Catt reply :

After participating in the threads about sensitive hands, confidence, and the tread earlier about talent here's my thoughts on all 3.

It absolutely comes down to what your brain is capable of interrupting

Each individual person has a learning plateau where their brain stops (for a lack of a better word) interrupting what the senses are telling it. You can push that plateau up but only a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

That ought to stir em up

Each individual person has a plateau where their physical abilities stop performing before reaching the next level. You can push that plateau up but only a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

This is why in every sport at every level there are those at the bottom, those in the middle, and those at the top.

Raul reply :

You can 't measure perception.

JellyMan reply :

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Brine reply :

Quote
After participating in the threads about sensitive hands, confidence, and the tread earlier about talent here's my thoughts on all 3.
It absolutely comes down to what your brain is capable of interrupting

Each individual person has a learning plateau where their brain stops (for a lack of a better word) interrupting what the senses are telling it. You can push that plateau up but only a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

That ought to stir em up

Each individual person has a plateau where their physical abilities stop performing before reaching the next level. You can push that plateau up but only a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

This is why in every sport at every level there are those at the bottom, those in the middle, and those at the top.

Do you mean interpreting?

WRB reply :

The opportunity to develop skills is a major factor. You may be the best at whatever and never have the opportunity to develop to your potential. Learning at an early age is far more productive. Some have it and never will; given the opportunity everyone can learn to reach their potential.

WRB

IdahoLunkerHunter reply :

IMO there is always room for getting better. I think that people will always miss fish. You see every pro, through every tournament, miss fish. I think it is what makes fishing exciting. You never have a 100% chance of landing a fish, or even hooking a fish for that matter.

I would say that sensitivity, and feeling a fish strike comes from experience on the water and can be learned. Yes, there are those that will pick it up sooner or faster than others but you have to be patient and learn as you go. Over the past three years I have been fishing, more and more, and I have spent much more time on the water this year than any other. My sensitivity for feeling the strike has gotten much better but there are always strikes that I miss. It makes me want to get better.

One way I think a good way to get better with feeling strikes is going crappie/perch fishing with a heavy pole. When I take my wife out crappie fishing I always bring my heavy pole and she has her light. Trying to feel a strike on a heavy pole from perch and crappie is a good way to get used to subtle bites.

JellyMan reply :

I consider myself a pretty good angler. Been bassin for 20 years. Yeasterday I went out and missed 7 fish. I would set the hook and not set it. I even had one to the boat and he came off some how.

It happens.

lightsout reply :

In regards to fishing, I believe its whats inside a person that determines their level of sucess. I remember reading in bassmaster a while back, upon being asked individually what their favorite song was, three diffrent pros responded "how bad do you want it" by Tim mcgraw. These guys eat,sleep, and breath bass fishing. Thats what sets them apart. The sport has evolved and is more about knowledge (and sucessfully putting it to use) than skill these days in my opinion.

Alot of our beloved 'good ol' boys of the sport have fallen behind the times and have been passed by more versitle, "informed" younger guys. Hot new Techniques and "secrets" are public knowledge almost instantly in some cases.

D4u2s0t reply :

Quote
After participating in the threads about sensitive hands, confidence, and the tread earlier about talent here's my thoughts on all 3.
It absolutely comes down to what your brain is capable of interrupting

Each individual person has a learning plateau where their brain stops (for a lack of a better word) interrupting what the senses are telling it. You can push that plateau up but only a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

That ought to stir em up

Each individual person has a plateau where their physical abilities stop performing before reaching the next level. You can push that plateau up but only a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

This is why in every sport at every level there are those at the bottom, those in the middle, and those at the top.

I absolutely disagree. I think that you can be as good as your level of dedication and commitment allows. As far as being on the top, who is on the top? The people who live, eat, and breathe what they do. Practice 10 hours a day, every day, never get comfortable and stop learning. The day you stop progressing is the day you stop pushing yourself. Until you know, and learn everything there is to know, which is impossible, you're not done getting better and growing. Most people that like to fish, won't go home and practice casting in their backyard after a long day on the lake. Just like most golfers won't go to the range for 5 hours, work on their putting for 3 hours, and work on chipping for 2 hours after 2 rounds of golf. And that's why they'll never be as good as the people that do. Not because "that's just the way it is".

J-B reply :

After reading that, my brain seems to interpret this: that if I keep letting my brain do the job of interrupting all of my thinking and senses...I will fail to push anything to the next level.

Catt reply :

The person who settles with 5 hours practice instead of ten hours proves the have reached their mental plateau!

You can not make yourself what you are not

D4u2s0t reply :

Quote
The person who settles with 5 hours practice instead of ten hours proves the have reached their mental plateau!
You can not make yourself what you are not

I would call that not wanting it bad enough. They CAN go on, but choose not to for whatever reason.

Tokyo Tony reply :

Simply put, a mentally retarded person with physical disabilities will not be as good at fishing as a normal-minded, intelligent, athletic person, all else being equal (practice time, equipment, opportunity, etc.). Those are the two extremes and there is a long sliding scale. Seems self-evident.

EdKras reply :

On that subject, I really recommend "The Psychology of Exceptional Fishing" by Jay McNamara. It is available through amazon. It provides some of the tools to take your game to the next level.

Eddie Munster reply :

Quote
Simply put, a mentally retarded person with physical disabilities will not be as good at fishing as a normal-minded, intelligent, athletic person, all else being equal (practice time, equipment, opportunity, etc.). Those are the two extremes and there is a long sliding scale. Seems self-evident.

Good post Tony.

There's only so much physical and mental shortcomings that determination and practice can overcome. The saying 'you can accomplish anything you put your mind to' isn't entirely true.

I will never run a 4 minute mile, be able to dunk on a NBA reg net, or throw a 98 mph fastball. I will also not discover a cure for cancer, invent a longer lasting light bulb, or invent a hydrogen propelled car.

However, with dedicated practice I can become a scratch golfer, throw a football 30+ yards accurately with either hand or read up and repair most electronic/mechanical things.

Each according to their gifts.

Funny though, some people who are blessed with natural ability for certain sports never reach their full potential as they don't appreciate the gift they have.

Catt reply :

If determination and practice could indeed overcome physical and mental shortcomings we should expect to see y'all at the next Summer Olympics beating out Michael Phelps.

Eddie Munster reply :

Quote
If determination and practice could indeed overcome physical and mental shortcomings we should expect to see y'all at the next Summer Olympics beating out Michael Phelps.

I'll hide his weed so I stand a better chance.

D4u2s0t reply :

Quote

Quote
Simply put, a mentally retarded person with physical disabilities will not be as good at fishing as a normal-minded, intelligent, athletic person, all else being equal (practice time, equipment, opportunity, etc.). Those are the two extremes and there is a long sliding scale. Seems self-evident.

Good post Tony.

There's only so much physical and mental shortcomings that determination and practice can overcome. The saying 'you can accomplish anything you put your mind to' isn't entirely true.

I will never run a 4 minute mile, be able to dunk on a NBA reg net, or throw a 98 mph fastball. I will also not discover a cure for cancer, invent a longer lasting light bulb, or invent a hydrogen propelled car.

However, with dedicated practice I can become a scratch golfer, throw a football 30+ yards accurately with either hand or read up and repair most electronic/mechanical things.

Each according to their gifts.

Funny though, some people who are blessed with natural ability for certain sports never reach their full potential as they don't appreciate the gift they have.

again, i disagree. you will never run a 4 minute mile because you will never try, and never train for it. It's the attitude that "i can't do it" that holds you back more than anything. Granted someone with bad knees and a banged up hip will never do it, but your average healthy person can IF they want it bad enough.

that being said, we're talking about fishing here. We're not talking about dunking a ball, or a 98 mph fastball, we're talking about learning bass behavior, and acurate casting. If your arms are not broken, you can learn to cast accurately. If you're not mentally challenged, and have a learning disability you can learn more about bass behavior. Even if you are mentally challenged, you can still get better at something.

What most people do is get decent at something, get comfortable, and stop pushing themselves. In regards to fishing, no one here knows everything there is to know about it. There's always something to learn, or improve upon. Like i said before, the people that are the best at what they do 100% dedicate they're entire life to it. Your average person doesn't have the time, money, or general resources to do that. If you think you can only get so good at something, and then you're done, you can only blame yourself for not improving. Saying you "can't" is just taking the easy way out.

Catt reply :

D4u2s0t, this is not meant to call you out but do tell us

You have won the Angler of the Year in your state?

You have won every tournament you have entered?

You have caught the state record LMB?

Or you haven't followed your own advice?

If your car breaks down do you take it to a parts changer or to a master mechanic?

Both are considered by society standards to be auto mechanics

D4u2s0t reply :

Quote
D4u2s0t, this is not meant to call you out but do tell us
You have won the Angler of the Year in your state?

You have won every tournament you have entered?

You have caught the state record LMB?

Or you haven't followed your own advice?

If your car breaks down do you take it to a parts changer or to a master mechanic?

Both are considered by society standards to be auto mechanics

no, i have not. Like mentioned, i don't have the time, money, or resources to be on the water 100% of my waking hours and fully dedicate my life to fishing. it's just a hobby. but, that doesn't mean that i can not continue to improve and become a better angler. Will I ever win angler of the year? haha, not even close. But that doesn't mean that i will not become more accurate with my casts, and be able to cast longer, and learn more about fishing in general, and catch more fish. Do you think that you are done learning, and can no longer improve? I hope not. Same with everyone on this board.

my point was simple. There's always something to learn, and there's always something you can improve. I'm not saying that anyone in the world can be the best at what they do, but thinking that someone can not improve their skills or knowledge is absurd. your level of skill is related to the time, money, and resources you have available. I'm fine with being a decent angler, I do it as a hobby. It's not a career, just something I enjoy doing.

daviscw reply :

Quote
If determination and practice could indeed overcome physical and mental shortcomings we should expect to see y'all at the next Summer Olympics beating out Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps practices more than anyone in the world. Give anybody else a chance to practice for 23 years like he did and it is possible.

I've always wondered how many people out there are really faster than the fastest man in the world, they just don't care about it or the record.

Catt reply :

No one said you couldn't or shouldn't strive to get better, what I said was You can push that plateau up but only to a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

tyrius. reply :

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Michael Phelps practices more than anyone in the world. Give anybody else a chance to practice for 23 years like he did and it is possible.

Phelps' body is freakishly odd and every oddity helps his swimming. He's got huge feet, double jointed knees/ankles, long arms, short torso (all compared to the average person). Me as an average guy could not ever hope to beat him even if I trained MORE than he did.

Other Olympic athletes train just as hard as Phelps, but he has the natural ability/body shape to dominate them.

Eddie Munster reply :

Quote

again, i disagree. you will never run a 4 minute mile because you will never try, and never train for it. It's the attitude that "i can't do it" that holds you back more than anything. Granted someone with bad knees and a banged up hip will never do it, but your average healthy person can IF they want it bad enough.

that being said, we're talking about fishing here. We're not talking about dunking a ball, or a 98 mph fastball, we're talking about learning bass behavior, and acurate casting. If your arms are not broken, you can learn to cast accurately. If you're not mentally challenged, and have a learning disability you can learn more about bass behavior. Even if you are mentally challenged, you can still get better at something.

I know we're talking fishing and I was just giving examples of physical and mental breakthroughs that I CAN NOT acheive.

I'm 41 years old and while I'm in decent shape, my age, knees and body type make it impossible for me to run that fast, jump that high or throw the ball that fast. You do realize that if most people could train and run that fast or throw that fast we wouldn't care about those things? Few pitchers in the WORLD can throw 98 mph and you think they don't practice every day since youth? The word 'can't' isn't a cop out it's the reality of the matter.

Now as far as fishing goes, those blessed with fantastic hand-eye coordination (I have pretty decent stuff there) can make a lot of cast NATURALLY that those who struggle with hand-eye coordination must work to acheive a fraction of.

And that isn't even touching mental shortcomings. Some people have a teacup for a brain and some people have a bathtub. That is reality and those with the teacup can try all they want but they can only retain/learn so much.

I'm going out to throw football with my daughter now and since I can, I'll throw with both hands. Don't be jealous anyone.

Oh and I agree with tyrius; Phelps is a freak. 8-)

Blue Streak reply :

I have been learning bass fishing for over 57 years or so. I learn something every trip. Each day presents a new challenge, different conditions, and so you need to find and use the techniques that work that particular day under those conditions. Each problem presents a new opportunity to learn. If you approach it that way you will be successful, but if you think you have all of the answers or if you stay with your predetermined game plan for the day, even when it is not working you will miss those opportunities. Keep an open mind, adapt, and don't follow the "rules", keep learning. You may never be the best, but you can always be the best you can be.

Mottfia reply :

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No one said you couldn't or shouldn't strive to get better, what I said was You can push that plateau up but only to a certain percentage through hard work and dedication but you will hit a total stopping point.

I'm not sold on this one Catt. We're talking about the development of the mind. I will say that if you mind is not completely dedicated to being the best then you won't reach your potential...but then again you never wanted to in the first place.

But a man, whos mind is dedicated to being the best, can take it as far as his oppurtunity allows him. That oppurtunity is time, money, and great teachers.

If we could fish everyday with the intent on learning then we would get exponentally better at everything fish. The money allows is to pay the bills

A great teacher really boosts the learning curve. He/She would be the one to give you your base understanding of bass and even model your train of thought. Imagine if a guy fishes with Catt for a few years. That guys style and train of thought would begin to mimick Catt's. Then if he were to fish with me, he would begin to develop in my style and possibly find a way to combine our different ways. The guy would then have a solid understanding of two fishing situations and have an understanding for the mindset for learning those situations.

I don't believe in the mind having an absolute plateau. As long as you work hard, are dedicated, and have the right oppurtunities you can take it as high as you want to.

Mottfia

Paul Roberts reply :

Catt wrote:

Quote
It absolutely comes down to what your brain is capable of interpreting

"There is only as much beauty in nature as we are prepared to appreciate. And not a grain more." -HD Thoreau

Favorite quote of mine.

Koop reply :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9EXooqZBk

Catt reply :

You have so few pitchers in the world that can throw 98 mph fast ball because the rest of us don't have the ability & never will throw one.

As pertaining to bass fishing catching a quality size sack or a double digit bass isn't really that difficult but doing it consistently is. I know guys who have all the right equipment from a $60,000 bass right down to what clothes to wear, they fish 100+ days a year, and really have everything necessary to turn Pro. Yet come tournament weight-in time they can't break the top 50, why you think that is?

One main reason double digit bass is so hard catch is because there aint that many of them and regardless of what 10+ eats it may never be 25 lbs.

kikstand454 reply :

i do beleive that dedication is the only key to be the best that you can be.... but then.. there IS a plateau. you can only be as good at something as your abilities allow.

if dedication and hard work and commitment is all it took then there would be no record holders, no dominate players, no incredible acheivments.

in their respective sports there have been thousands of athletes that have worked as hard or harder than phelps,armstrong,gretzky,jordan,woods,federer,kvd....etc.

but they are NOT them.

being the best you can be at what you love to do is the most you can ask for. if you are prepared when the right opportunity comes along (luck) then you will succeed to the best of your ability.

just my .02

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