What have you learned this year?

[Rebbasser]

As the year winds down, looking back, what have you learned?

I've learned a number of things, many from fishing with Flyrod. I've caught fish on a drop shot for the first time, and have gotten better with crankbaits. I've also learned the benefits of fishing the wind. It can be uncomfortable and difficult at times, but cranking a wind blown bank can really pay off. I've also learned a lot about boat control and positioning. And, FINALLY, I've learned not to get locked in on one particular bait or technique but to fish the conditions and try different things.

How about y'all?

[JB]

With the help of some better sunglasses and clearer water, I really enjoyed sight fishing this march and april for the first time, and it payed off with some nice size bass..plus with the help of the paca craws and zoom vibra craws, both will be a mainstay in my arsenal, replacing the gene larew green with orange pinchers that I've used for years..
Like reb says, most of my more productive days have been on wind blown banks...
Last year it was my first year with the tiki sticks and manns minus one.
Also this year I really got into the braided line from power pro and have doodled in other brands of mono..
Was kindof a off year for the popR and didn't use the spook near as much as I have in the past, but really enjoyed the horny toad...
wonder what next year will bring?
And....every lure I mentioned I found out about on this forum, so thats
a plus...next item I'm going to try is the airrus rods..thanks all
for the input.

[Vabass22]

This year I started from scratch, and I think did pretty well for my 1st year. In can catch fish off spinnerbaits, and cranks, and am deadly with a t-rig.

[texasbasser]

i learned not to judge a bait after only 1 or 2 times out with no fish on it...
and more hot spots on my lake.

[skeeter944]

how to fish lipless cranks and spinnerbaits,i also won my first tourney.

[ROBZILLA]

I have steadily went up in size on my fish this year,I'm putting bigger fish in the boat on a more constant basis.I also find that I can read the water alot better now and find fish faster at all times of the day. On the off hand my rattle trap lures need work not catching much on them. more work needed there.

[ToPwAt'R GuY]

I have learned how to fish deep structure and have learned a lot about lipless crankbaits.

[rrw4258]

this year i have improved on my jigs alot, and have also done very very very well on shallow cranks this past year... which brings up a question (Reb, not trying to hijack your post):
I was fishing my usual reservoir this year (postspawn, late may early june, and i was throwing a rapala dt-4, and every other cast (yes, everyother cast) i would get a nice sized bass (1 to 4 lbs) average, but i was standing at the waters edge and casting parellel to the bank, in just inches (6-10in.) of water and i would get these huge bass, why would they be that shallow? And it wasn't just in one sweet spot, it was all over the res.? Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks

Ryan

[pig n jig]

I learned that I have so much to learn yet. I have learned that there is more to bass fishing than just jigs. Frogs are what caught my interest this year, The chatterbait was a great new addition to my collection as well. Next year, I am going back to crankbaits. I am loading up a whole new arsenal of Japanese baits.P N J

[JoshRowsky]

I've learned I need to learn how to locate bass in low water conditions when all of my normal spots are now either dry land or 6 inches deep....

[Rodman_Rob]

I learned the Dean Rojas Spro Frog holds up well to 14' gators and so does Power Pro!

[jrward]

I've learned to use mini baits on heavy pressured water, there is nothing that beats takin' my little grandsons fishing.

[BassMoJo]

Pig -N- Jig !!! Pitching and flippin ...watch out this spring ..summer...fall

[zooker]

how to catch a bass on a pnj, that a carolina rig works day and night even with a long leader,horny toads rule....


zooker

[ROBZILLA]

Originally Posted by zooker

how to catch a bass on a pnj, that a carolina rig works day and night even with a long leader,horny toads rule....


zooker

An how to tell a trany from a real chick! lol

[crankybait]

hmmmm....
scent works
light rods rock
pick reels and make sure you check the size
the wacky rig is amazing
cajun redcst= king
smallies are fun

and a few other things.... none come to mind

[Deacon]

Im learning to off shore fish. I have always been the guy that needed to fish shallower structure. This past yr I have forced myself to trust my electronics and fish off shore structure. I have also been trying to force myselfto be a better power fisherman(fast moving baits) I can finese fish till my arms fall off but am still getting the fundimentals bout deep water cranking and trappin. Amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.

The day I dont learn something new is the day I walk away from this great sport we all love!!!! Luckily I dont think that will ever happen!

[Vabass22]

Originally Posted by ROBZILLA

An how to tell a trany from a real chick! lol

ADAMS APPLE!!!!!!!!!!!

[lizardsrule]

I learned a lot about Florida fishing. I also learned how to catch some great big Florida Hawgs. I also learned once again about how little I really know about Bass fishing, and how much I need to improve on everything.

Lizards

[WTL]

I just got better in a general sense. Just a feel with presentation and how to read fish behavoir.

[weaverml34]

I learned having a 1-2 year old really cuts in to your fishing time. I think she'll be ready to hit the water next summer!

[zooker]

here is one i just thought of " i still aint figured bass out"...after all this time and money spent trying..

zooker

[CAHughes]

this was my first year fishing with plastics and other non-living baits. as a kid always used minnows and fished trout lines with my grandfather. Patience and practice. Don't give up and try, try and try again until you are comfortable and hopefully you'll get a nice bass..hopefully next year will be a productive as this year has been....

[Christopherkeene9]

Learning how to fish from a boat and what to target, Thanks Hula!

[Super Fluke]

Swimbaits really work good, really good.