Hubercatman

I agree with all the previous posts but want to add this : fish the different. if it's a tree line full of submerged timber there may be bass in there but if there is a larger tree or a big lonely boulder I'd fish it first. they may be holed up in or on that unique structure.

I'm not an expert by any stretch but some things I learned this year in my first year that has been successful. Got a few 15" smallies and a lot of LMB as well. - match the hatch: fish what the bait fish look like in your body of water you're fishing. you will catch more fish using that strategy. not to say you will only catch fish using that but you will be more successful. an example is using a silver or white inline spinner if shad are in your river. - know your quarry: one thing I learned when reading the biology of bass is that bass have been seen feeding on fish that are up to 50% of their size. I always was afraid to go too big. also, as theyou mature their diets change. Fry go from feeding on bugs and critters to mostly other fish when mature. - fish what's different: you will catch fish in open water but you get lucky when that happens. fish anything in your body of water that is different. ANYTHING. if you notice it's uniqueness so does the fish. -confidence is key: as crazy as it sounds your confidence shows in how you fish. if you are impatient and full of doubt you aren't fishing as effectively as you could if you fished with confidence. do or do not, there is no try. Also I'll echo the sentiment of losing the swivel. it may be easier to put new baits on but I've found (especially with spinners) it messes with the aerodynamics of the lure. you might be slow tying at first but you get faster with practice. at the beginning of the season it took me forever to tie a palomar knot. now I can bust it out in 30 seconds. Also, line selection is more key to what your fishing with and the hazards than the size of the fish you're after. if your in open water and casting spinners you can get by with 4lb test. fishing jigs in rockpiles you need high test or braid. I caught a nice 15" in the GMR on Sunday using 4lb test on a popper. but I switched to my 10 lb test pole when hitting hybrids with my heavy half Oz jig/swimbait with hard jerks. Finally I'll say bring multiple poles. I bank fish currently and I have a pack that I can have 2 prerigged poles in and carrying a third. each has a purpose and different use. Tight lines!