Everyone who knows me locally calls me "minnow Joe". For obvious reasons. I use plenty of power bait artificial minnows like they are going out of style. I've been trying to come out of my comfort zone and actually use the other rods and lures that I have LOL

Needless to say I really need to practice them more. If I don't get a hit for a fish on the first two or three castes I get frustrated and go back to my Minnows.

Anyone else have a similar circumstance or can give me some advice? LOL.

Joe :-)

Pick a lure, let's say a crankbait.(example)

Read everything here about using crankbaits.

Watch the videos here about fishing with crankbaits.

Go to you tube and watch more videos on crankbait fishing.

Try to catch the Bill Dance, Kevin HamDan, Hank Parker videos on crankbait fishing.

With the videos watch what they do with the rod tip and reel. Besides listening to them.

Crankbait fishing breathe it, live it, go out and do it.

It's all about the size, the color, the action and the speed you reel it at. Match the color to the water conditions, having a rattle is a plus, using scents is another plus.

I do this with every new lure I want to learn. I want to soak up all the info my mind will handle. Then go out and try it. Bb

Lower your expectations. Anticipating a fish on 2 or 3 casts is not really realistic unless you're sitting on top of a school. Even at that, still pretty high standards. Leave everything at home and use whats new to you. You will be rewarded sooner or later and at the same time become a more versatile angler.

 

If I don't get a hit for a fish on the first two or three castes I get frustrated and go back to my Minnows.

 

As others have said, expecting a fish within three casts is not realistic. Maybe I'm wrong, but it sounds like like you're not fully committed to those other lures. But if you are, then follow previous advice and leave the minnows at home. If you use the lures in spots you know to be productive, you will catch fish and gain confidence. And your retrieves and techniques don't have to be perfect; fish don't demand perfection.

 

Good luck. You can do it if you commit yourself to it.

This is all great info! Makes sense too. If I leave the minnows at home, then I don't have any other choice but to use those others. :-)