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Article #1: Bass fishing mistakes

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






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