Thinkin', learnin', catchin'. 2024

Fishing Rhino reply :

When you go out fishing, is your goal to catch as many fish as possible, or larger fish?

Do you ever have a "throw away" day, catchwise to develop new skills, or learn more about the water you fish, or even new waters?

Have you ever caught a fish on a bait that has been sitting longer than you would normally leave it because you were straightening out a backlash, or occupied in some other way?

If so, did you write it off as a fluke, or try to duplicate it, to see if it works again?

If you go to a new place, and struggle, do you write it off because you can go to your honey hole and pull em in one after another?

I had a bit of success last week on a Cape pond, using the drop shot technique.

The first thing I did after rigging the pole was to suspend the bait three or four feet below the surface to see what action resulted from little twitches, jerks, and jiggling the rod.

The wildest action was obtained by jiggling the rod, and simultaneously raising and lowering the bait about a foot.

Having seen the various actions imparted by my input made it a simple matter to switch back and forth until I found what the fish wanted. Much easier, and a lot less time consuming than experimenting with the drop shot in twenty to thirty feet of water where I had no idea what it was doing.

While I did not catch a fraction of what I would have from my honey hole, I'm anxious to go back, armed with what I learned, and using markers, set them out along a depth line, and then work shallower or deeper water, following the contour as revealed by the floats.

There are a couple of other things I want to try as well.

I've posted before, that I enjoy fishing and enjoy solving puzzles. Both have a lot in common.

I've solved a lot of the puzzles about my honey hole in the past year. It's time to put the lessons learned to work on different puzzles.

No, I'm not abandoning the pond that has provided me with spectacular fishing. I'm prospecting for others to broaden my horizons.

Thinkin' learnin' and catchin'. There is a reason that catchin' is at the end of that list. Working on the first two, will produce more of the last.

bass or bass ? reply :

Good post. Another thing I like to do is to try using lures that have either been sitting in the box for ages :-? or lures that just aren't right , like salt water lures. For instance, I have a saltwater surface plug that is made to resemble a needlefish. Work it like a Zera Spook. This plug is @ 8" long and @ 1/2" in diameter with a green scale finish. It can be a bass slayer at times 8-). Happy fishing.

SammyLee reply :

I'm not as methodical or intellectual as you but I too, like to try things different. Like running a worm quickly on the surface or a SPRO frog in open water in the middle of the day. Or throwing a big, heavy surface popper with an ultra-lite rod. How about drop shotting lizards? I caught a small bass yesterday using a tiny grub because a bunch of tail tugging brim were aggravating me and I decided to catch em. Ever tried a wacky rig worm under a bobber? (not yet for me but I've thought about trying it!)

tnbassfisher reply :

Great read!!!

RoLo reply :

Tom, your angling strategy describes my angling strategy to a T. On my boat, every day is a "throw away" day.

A typical day on our boat finds my wife fishing diligently (and catching), while I'm writing some stuff in a field guide

that's lying in my lap, while my rods are socketed in their holders.

It occurred to me that maybe this is a common syndrome among us elderly anglers, but I was the same when young.

When entrenched in thinking, learning and experimenting, catching becomes kind of an anti-climax.

Even while I'm still cranking a bass to the boat, I'm already thinking about what I've learned by this catch,

and if it's noteworthy it goes down in my log. The thinkin' and learnin' is my favorite parts of fishing,

and if you took that away from me, you might as well take my boat and tackle too ;D

Roger

Paul Roberts reply :

Quote

Tom, your angling strategy describes my angling strategy to a T. On my boat, every day is a "throw away" day.

A typical day on our boat finds my wife fishing diligently (and catching), while I'm writing some stuff in a field guide

that's lying in my lap, while my rods are socketed in their holders.

It occurred to me that maybe this is a common syndrome among us elderly anglers, but I was the same when young.

When entrenched in thinking, learning and experimenting, catching becomes kind of an anti-climax.

Even while I'm still cranking a bass to the boat, I'm already thinking about what I've learned by this catch,

and if it's noteworthy it goes down in my log. The thinkin' and learnin' is my favorite parts of fishing,

and if you took that away from me, you might as well take my boat and tackle too ;D

Roger

Ditto. To a 'T'.

Great thread Tom.

Fishing Rhino reply :

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I'm not as methodical or intellectual as you but I too, like to try things different. Like running a worm quickly on the surface or a SPRO frog in open water in the middle of the day. Or throwing a big, heavy surface popper with an ultra-lite rod. How about drop shotting lizards? I caught a small bass yesterday using a tiny grub because a bunch of tail tugging brim were aggravating me and I decided to catch em. Ever tried a wacky rig worm under a bobber? (not yet for me but I've thought about trying it!)

I haven't, but the daughter of a fellow I know does it off a dock in my favorite pond.

She does quite well, better when the surface is not calm. It helps that there is a nice rock pile in front of their dock.

Not so sure you're not as methodical or intellectual. Seems like you experiment as well, and try things in different ways.

I cannot tell you how many times I've hooked a fish, when my "official retrieve" was over and was just cranking it back for another cast, expecting nothing.

Paul Roberts reply :

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I cannot tell you how many times I've hooked a fish, when my "official retrieve" was over and was just cranking it back for another cast, expecting nothing.

There's a reason for that. See the Aggressive Strike thread, by Steezy.

Raul reply :

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When you go out fishing, is your goal to catch as many fish as possible, or larger fish?

Nope, my goal is to be there even if I don 't catch anything, doesn 't happen normally ( not catching anything ) but "catching" is no longer the goal of my fishing trips.

Catt reply :

I spend a minimum of 6-10 days a month on the water and a portion of every trip out is dedicated to learning.

When I back my boat down the ramp the first 2 thing I do is start the engine and turn my depth finder on. I don't care if I'm running at wide open throttle, idling, running the trolling motor or fishing my eyes is constantly scanning my depth finder. If I'm anchored or not after I have caught a couple bass and before I leave I'll idle over a scan the exact area with my depth finder. Even on structure I've fished numerous times I'm constantly scanning my depth finder looking for details. I fish a lot of vegetation and while the contour of the structure has not changed the vegetation does and I want to be aware of any changes.

Catching is lagniappe

cabullwinkle reply :

I definitely work on my techniques everytime I go fishing. I usually start off with my weakest bait, that fits the situation, and fish that for awhile. I will then go to my strong baits. After I have caught a fish, I will then switch back over to a weak bait and work on that. This pattern makes me practice and allows me to get better for those days when the bite is really tough. The more weapons you have in your holster the better.

Eddie Munster reply :

Good thread Rhino.

I was thinking about this Saturday as I found myself with the same couple baits I always seem to end up throwing because they usually produce. I had started off the year trying to learn more and I feel I have but need to concentrate on becoming better at SOMETHING while I'm there.

Again, good one.

Busy reply :

I go to catch fish.

My philosophy is: If it's not broken, don't fix it. Often enough for me, it's broken. When it is broken, that is the time for me to experiment and learn.

I don't keep a journal and never will. I want to go into every situation with an open mind, unless it's not broken of course .

I do not enjoy fishing the same spot time and time again, even if I know it is very productive. My goal is to find the next spot that is even more productive, and to be able to catch fish in the spots where people claim there are no fish. Not just in fishing, but all things in life, I believe the harder you make it on yourself, the greater your learning curve will be.

Right after I got my first baitcaster I caught a 4lber in a pond while backlashed. The cast went about 5 feet from shore and while I was messing with the reel by bait went crazy. I set the hook and walked backwards while my friend pulled the fish in by hand. Crazy times. Also caught two fish on one worm once. Catching catfish bait with a cane pole and caught a blue-gill, bass came up and ate the bluegill and we yanked them both out of the water. Caught a bass on a shiny new hook once with no bait; had thrown off the bait casting for catfish and was retrieving it. All low probability catches, I'm more prone to go for the high probability catches, and wouldn't say I learned anything by catching a fish on an empty hook. That was a reaction strike, the fish would have hit any lure in that proximity to it more than likely.

Sometimes a weird event is just that, a weird event. You try to make a rule out of an anomoly and you're moving backwards.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Loved your post! I love nothing more than experiencing the excitement of trying out a new lure or presentation. When I go out to fish, I have no expectations. What will be, will be. I do my best to ply the knowledge I've learned over many years of fishing to every outing. If I'm successful, that's always a big plus. If I'm not, I don't leave without knowing that I've learned something valuable.

Happy to see you got into the drop shot. A truly marvelous presentation under the right circumstance. Been drop shotting for only 1/2 doz. years now, so I'm still learning. BTW.....with your observations of how the worm acts in shallow water aside. When you do lower it, stop. Let it sit without moving it at all. For a good 30 seconds. Then a quick one/two twitch. Then stop again. You'll be surprised at how many more bass will nail it on these pauses! I've found over the years that the less action I impose on the bait, the more natural it becomes in the water (especially deep water) and consequently, the more attractive it becomes to the fish.

Eddie Munster reply :

Quote
I go to catch fish.
My philosophy is: If it's not broken, don't fix it. Often enough for me, it's broken. When it is broken, that is the time for me to experiment and learn.

I don't keep a journal and never will. I want to go into every situation with an open mind, unless it's not broken of course .

I do not enjoy fishing the same spot time and time again, even if I know it is very productive. My goal is to find the next spot that is even more productive, and to be able to catch fish in the spots where people claim there are no fish. Not just in fishing, but all things in life, I believe the harder you make it on yourself, the greater your learning curve will be.

:-?

Those statements kind of conflict with each other. I agree with you that I'll try to find new spots I just found that a little odd.

Muddy reply :

Thanks Tom: great thread, started by an intriguing post

Depends on the day

If I have a newbee in the boat; catch fish, numbers not size is the issue

If the bite is strong: I am more likely to throw a lure I am learning, as i already know what I can catch them on

When I am by myself, I usually am thinking PB time! When I am fishing with Bruce or anyone else, I have more enjoyment putting them on fish. Currently 4 of my friends have had PB's with me not fishing, only placing the boat.

Now that I bought the Garmin 160 from Cart 7 , i am really trying to learn how to use a depth finder to find structure and cover on that structure. THIS IS MY NEW FOCUS CURRENTLY!

Busy reply :

Quote

Quote
I go to catch fish.
My philosophy is: If it's not broken, don't fix it. Often enough for me, it's broken. When it is broken, that is the time for me to experiment and learn.

I don't keep a journal and never will. I want to go into every situation with an open mind, unless it's not broken of course .

I do not enjoy fishing the same spot time and time again, even if I know it is very productive. My goal is to find the next spot that is even more productive, and to be able to catch fish in the spots where people claim there are no fish. Not just in fishing, but all things in life, I believe the harder you make it on yourself, the greater your learning curve will be.

:-?

Those statements kind of conflict with each other. I agree with you that I'll try to find new spots I just found that a little odd.

I apologize for the confusion. In the former line I am talking about lure selection and presentation method while in the latter line I am talking about location.

When I think I have a spot figured out well, I will abandon it and not go back until the patterns change with weather. When I figure it out again, I will move again. But you have pointed out something, I guess I am more open to learning locations and water than techniques. My biggest weakness is that I don't know how to fish crankbaits well. I'll throw a 1-1.5" long rainbow trout patterned shallow crank but those are all I own. I am stubborn to learn or invest in that technique. I will stick with 5" worms and various sized spinnerbaits and jigs for the most part.

RoLo reply :

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I don't care if I'm running at wide open throttle, idling, running the trolling motor or fishing my eyes is constantly scanning my depth finder.

Just this past Saturday, my wife & I were drifting & casting in the rain, when I suddenly noticed a steep slope on the sounder.

While babbling to my wife about the great spot I just found, she boated a bass (3 lbs even).

Then as I was entering the "new" coordinates, I was embarrassed to learn

that this spot was already a named waypoint in my route.

This underscores the importance of scrutinizing the depth sounder, and although we did a lot of drift fishing that day,

every bass came off predetermined coordinates (i.e. rapid depth change).

Tom, I had to look up "lagniappe", and I concur

Roger

steezy reply :

I always think Im going to catch fish. A positive attitude is always a plus but even if I don't catch a fish I try to improve my technique and become more patient. I know for sure that the slower I fish the more I catch. I fish with several young guys and they fish like the world is on fire, changing lures and switching rods like crazy. I keep telling them (as I catch fish in front of them) they just need to concentrate more on fishing and the more time they have a hook in the water the greater chance of catching a fish.

As for the accidental catch, I have caught 2 nice size bass this year while clearing up a backlash or untangling a line.

Eddie Munster reply :

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My biggest weakness is that I don't know how to fish crankbaits well. I'll throw a 1-1.5" long rainbow trout patterned shallow crank but those are all I own. I am stubborn to learn or invest in that technique.

I just started fishing a lot with them and you're definitely missing out on some fish. Get you a Bandit Crankbait 100 series (less than $5.00) and play around with it. You'll catch a wide variety of size with them though which sometimes can be fun.

Good luck.

I.rar reply :

great thread.

ive always wanted to learn how to fish jigs and spinners , but never picked up a pack. i guess its just me being lazy and not wanted to learn something else when what i know now has produced fish. i will give it a shot some day..

SWH reply :

I got out to relax and try and catch fish. Since i am new i have been reading alot about what everyone here says and i try and take that into account the next time i go out so i can combine it with what i know and try new things myself. So i go out to learn but mainly to relax and if i catch something that is great if not i am not upset i had time to unwind and relax.

NewAngler reply :

I *** you guys that have "throw away" days. I try my hardest to catch fish all day, but they seem to all trun into throw away days, but I do learn, and the next time I'm out I try new stuff. I absorb as much as I can here and apply it to my real life fishing. I have a lifetime to learn, that's all I can say on days I get skunked.

NewAngler reply :

Ps- you old guys are awesome!

twitchfish reply :

RoLo,

If you ever publish your field guides, I would like an autographed copy.

Twitch

tnbassfisher reply :

I really love learning how to fish different types of lures. So, that when the times come that I'm not catching anything, I have other options to go to. That list still is not very long.

RoLo reply :

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RoLo,
If you ever publish your field guides, I would like an autographed copy.

Twitch

Will Do

Little Luey reply :

Very nice thread.

My goal every time out is to not go fishless. I know I have to have plan every time but I don't, sometimes I don't even know where I will be bank fishing, I want to be in an area without many people fishing so sometimes I drive around. When I have my pontoon it is easier to pick a spot.

I spend the first hour or so trying new things, if I don't catch any fish I drop shot for a while and that usually produces for me.

This thread is making me think I need to get back to basics and try to improve 1 or 2 technics insted ot trying everything in the tacle box, pick a spot and slowlly fish it.

Busy reply :

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This thread is making me think I need to get back to basics and try to improve 1 or 2 technics insted ot trying everything in the tacle box, pick a spot and slowlly fish it.

I generally believe that depth is better than breadth. Go for both

I will work on deep water crankbaits next year for sure.

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Thinkin', learnin', catchin'. 2024

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