Felix77

I guess I need to get into trout fishing because I end up working over my tackle a million times, reading, watching videos and just plan go stir crazy in the winter.

Pretty Cool!

Doing the exact same thing over and over again is the true definition of insanity. If I can avoid doing that I should learn! That's where different presentations with the same lure comes into play.

I wish I had read this Hank Parker 50 foot rule before I went out this afternoon. I went to try a new hotspot and from a distance I saw a ton of bass. Including some really big ones cruising the shore. I did walk lightly and casted out from a distance and caught a nice keeper. I then proceeded to go to the edge and put the bass into the water quietly. After that they were gone! Clearly went from a ton of bass in a spot to nothing in less than an hour. Tough to bank fish. I need to lose weight. LOL

... or insanity ...

For a fishing trip it's all about the numbers for me. Especially if I am sharing the experience with friends or family. Tournaments - The complete opposite!

Thanks for all the great feedback ... Just to clarify my statements about learning a new technique. I do try and select a technique which is appropriate for the conditions I am fishing. I also know there are fish in the areas I fish. On more than one occasion I catch them using one of my confidence baits after unsuccessfully catching them on my "practice" lure. It sounds like it boils down to ... Assumptions: It's the right time/conditions to throw the bait and there are fish there For the sake of learning a new technique/presentation focus on that one. Maybe 2 at most. Dedicate time to working that bait until you find the way they like it. This will lighten up my "practice" bag quite a bit. LOL

That's what happens to me. When I force myself to try something new I end up frustrated and revert back to the lure that worked very quickly. I guess a part of this is discipline. I gained confidence in the Sick Fish by just bringing that bait out on a trip. Other times I would drop it after a short while.

So far it's 15 LMB. Not all quality but it's the most I caught so far in 2013.

I use the Drop Em rod by Rapsody. I absolutely love it!

I do like the action but I haven't caught anything on it yet.

It's the old "Jack of all trades. Master of none." debate. I have limited time on the water so I'm torn between two schools of thought when it comes to practicing new lures. Let's assume a 4 hour window to fish. 1 - Bring that bait and ONLY that bait. Use it as many ways as you can. 2 - Bring several baits you want to learn. Dedicate an equal amount of time to each. There are SOO many baits and I find myself doing option 2 more often. I think I might be doing myself a disservice. Curious about your opinions about this subject.

I switched over to InvizX and AbrazX and never looked back. I even use it as leaders with braid even though I know I can get away with cheaper line when using a leader. Great line!

You have to love TV. I shouldn't be surprised but I did learn something new today. I wonder how many of those catches are also "real" sometimes. I know photographs can be edited quite significantly. My wife is a professional photographer and is a whiz with photoshop. One of these days I am going to ask her to photoshop me with a "50lb" Largemouth the size if a baby tuna. LOL

Got mine too. Haven't had a chance to read it yet but the quality of the magazine itself (images, layout etc.) is impressive.

Easier said than done. I still have my moments when I rip em at the blowup. Lol

It could be worse. You could be a Jets fan. As a Giants fan this pick was ok in my book.

I am a big fan of the split shot. It's my go-to technique from the bank when the bite is tough or I have very little time to fish and want to give myself the best chance to catch something. I use a #2 or #3 split shot and a 1/0 - 2/0 straight shank hook. For plastics I keep it simple ... Finesse Worm of some sort. Some I use are the Zoom Fish Doctor, Zoom Finesse Worm and the Strike King Finesse. In terms of retrieve. I cast it out. Let it sink and begin slow dragging it back. I visualize that I am "stitching" although I am sure I am probably going too fast for even that technique. It's great around any cover IMHO.

Most of mine have come on finesse swimbait type baits (Grubs, Keitech minnows, swimmin super fluke jr)

I like it ... Fun twist on a fun song.

When are they going to be available? I have a Pike tournament next Saturday on Lake Champlain. I would have loved to have a few of these to toss around.

With my limited Drop Shot experience it's the wacky finesse worm for me so far.

I can't wait to try it on a drop shot

I'm partial to the split shot method myself. Small 2/0 hook, #2 or #3 split shot at least a foot up from the lure. I cast it out let it sink and drag it through the grass or bottom. Fun with a floating worm (Elaztech) too ... that worm floats away from the split shot. Great finesse technique.