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