Bass fishing mistakes

Sometimes what makes a good fisherman greatpiece of cover. Have you ever been fishing down
is knowing not so much what to do, but rather,a relatively bare bank and come across a massive
what NOT to do. All too often out on the water Itree that has fallen into the water. This tree has
see very capable anglers make mistakes thathundreds of branches and every nook and cranny
otherwise could have made for a good day ofwould have to hold a ten pound bass. Sure,
fishing. In this article, I want to point out thesesounds like a great laydown to me....I'd fish it! But
common mistakes that both experienced andif I hit the main spots of the laydown with my jig,
rookie fisherman make and hopefully open yourand maybe toss a spinnerbait or crankbait to it a
eyes to new and better fishing!few times and get nothing, I'm out of there! Your
#1. The "Confidence Bait" Flawfishing time is a precious commodity. Especially in
This is probably the biggest mistake I see anglersa tournament, if your not getting bites on a piece
make on the water. Every fisherman has aof cover, disregard it and move on.
confidence bait. That one lure that always seemsI've seen fisherman spend hours fishing one single
to catch fish and outdoes the other lures in yourtree. They will tie on every lure and color
tackle box. Ask Denny Brauer what hiscombination imaginable. They have it in their mind
confidence bait is and he'll tell you straight up,that this tree, rock pile, or pier looks too good not
"The Jig". He's made millions fishing that lure.to have active fish on it. If you spend hours on a
Rarely will you ever see him on TV throwing apiece of cover, there is a chance that you will find
spinnerbait or slug-go. So what is wrong witha nice fish hidden somewhere where your first
having a confidence bait? Nothing, but if you arehundred casts didn't reach. But you need to take
going to be like Denny Brauer and always throwthe 'chance' out of fishing! So don't put all your
that confidence bait, you better know how tofaith on a single piece of cover, or your asking for
catch fish with it day in and day out in alldisappointment.
conditions.#3. Losing Concentration
I see it all the time. Fisherman will catch a ton ofFishing is a tough sport. Though the whole "fishing
bass one day on say a worm, and the next daytakes patience" saying is true, the word 'patience'
they are trying to do the same thing. I know Iis less fitting than the word 'focus'. Patience is
would be trying to do the same thing as the daysitting back, waiting for the fish to find your bait. I
before, but if it isn't working, it isn't working. I'velike to think of 'focus' more along the lines as
seen fisherman go the whole day fishing one bait,actively making your bait seek out the fish. As
changing colors thinking a little blue fleck may bemuch as I think fishing is a relaxing sport, if your
all the change that's needed to get those bassgoal is to catch the most fish possible, it really
striking again. You have to be cognizant andisn't. Your mind has to be sharp, everything you
realize when it's time to make a change.do must be for a reason, and letting up your
When you find yourself fishing a lure and notfocus, will cost you in the long run.
getting any bites, two things should come intoI remember when I was young going fishing with
your mind. One, do I need to change location? Ormy dad, the two best casts I made were the
two, maybe this bait has lost its appeal to thefirst and last. The first cast I had all my energy
fish. I used to be the kind of fisherman to fish aand focus. I was ready to catch fish. As soon as
bait for hours even without a bite, convincingthat lure hit the water, I was making a note of
myself that if there were a fish to be found, heeverything. Every little bump along the retrieve,
would hit my lure I was fishing. Now, I havewater color, tides, wind, etc. I was focused. Then
realized it is much better to constantly change. Iafter a couple hours and not having much luck, I
think a lot of anglers watch shows likefound myself just casting. Sure I was still trying
BassMaster and FLW Tour and see these proshard, but that same focus I had on the first cast
spending the whole day throwing the same bait,wasn't there. I wasn't watching the line when my
even though they may not be catching fish. Butworm was making every drop, I wasn't being
you have to remember, these pros have spentcognizant of the tides, wind changes, water color,
hundreds of hours pre-fishing their waters, soetc. The focus had died.
what is on their line they probably have goodThen towards the end of the day, my dad would
reason for it.always say, "Alright Kev, we gotta be getting
So next time your out on the water and yourback in a few." It was right then and there I was
not getting any strikes, change up! Adapt to themaking casts that count! I wanted to eek out
situation, and seek out an answer. Don't assumethat last bass before heading home. Then after
the fish will start biting and what you have tied onignoring my dad to pack up my gear, I would
is your best bet, cause if you aren't catching fish,hear, "this is your last cast...". It was on that last
changing up should be the only thing on your mind!cast that I tried my hardest to catch that one
#2. Don't Be A Camperlast fish. I would find the BEST spot to cast to,
This is another common mistake I see anglersand try to feel for every little bump and tap I
making. Whether the particular cover they arepossibly could. My eyes glued to my line as my
fishing has given up good fish in the past, or justworm hopped across the bottom, rod ready to
looks like a winning hotspot, fisherman oftenstrike into action
make the mistake of camping out on a certain