We each have our own ideas of what makes us successful on the water.   No doubt there are several factors that come into play and each one plays some role in putting a bass in the net, but how much?  

 Let’s assume that the tackle used, lure selection & fishing location are suitable and you’re satisfied with your choice.  Of the factors listed below, how would you prioritize them?  Reply with your idea on the order of precedence for this list.

  And for those anglers that stalk the banks, simply skip the boat control factor.

 

Knot tying

 

Casting accuracy

 

Fish fighting ability

 

Casting distance

 

Boat control

 

A-Jay

Knot tying

Casting accuracy

Casting distance

Fish fishing ability

Boat control

A Jay

1. A-Jay

2. Knot tying

3.Accuracy

4. distance

5. Boat control

6. Fish fighting ability

 

Jeff

1. A-Jay

2. Knot tying

3.Accuracy

4. distance

5. Boat control

6. Fish fighting ability

Jeff

Kiss up. Lol

Keeping in mind I'm 60 yrs. old and from N. California,

A Jay & A Beer would have been first on the list once apond a time,

 

Good knots

Boat control

Casting accuracy

Hook set

Fish fighting ability

Casting distance

Kiss up. Lol

 

 

Never having fished with the man, I know you do no understand this, but, A-Jay has a horseshoe stuck so far up where the sun don't shine it is ridiculous.  He could catch the biggest fish in a rain puddle in a parking lot of a Walmart, if there was a bet or anything else on the line!

 

Jeff

Never having fished with the man, I know you do no understand this, but, A-Jay has a horseshoe stuck so far up where the sun don't shine it is ridiculous.  He could catch the biggest fish in a rain puddle in a parking lot of a Walmart, if there was a bet or anything else on the line!

 

Jeff

 

LOL ~

 

Jeff, you're always so complimentary 

 

Admittedly it could seem that way, but the Harder I work, the "Luckier" I get.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

A-Jay

Knot tying

Casting accuracy

Casting distance

Fish fishing ability

Boat control

A Jay

Looks about right to me...

Mike

1. Boat control, if you can't control your boat precisely you can't concentrate on anything else like use your sonar effectively or present your lure properly to the bass you may have located.

2. Fish fighting ability, this goes with detecting strikes and good hook setting. If you can't put the bass in the boat then you are just fishing and not catching.

3. Casting accuracy is important when bass are in small target zones along the shore,

4. Casting distance is only important after you master accuracy, then becomes important with fishing outside structure to maximize lure exposure at the proper depth zones and angles.

5. Knot tying, with little practice knot tying is easy.

Tom

1 Accuracy

2 boat control

3 fish fighting ability

4 knot tying

5 distance

1 fish fighting ability

2 boat control

3 distance

4 accuracy

5 knot tying

 

Is this question pertaining to an unfinished term paper dream that needs completed in order to graduate ? 

1.Casting accuracy

2.Knot tying

3.boat control

4.casting distance

5. Fish fighting ability

Thanks for the responses so far.  OK,  so let’s talk about each of these a bit.

 

Boat control ~  For me this is a biggie.  Fishing from a canoe (w/ minn kota power) I’m not going to be zooming all over the place trying a ton of different spots.  So I have to pick a few areas and fish them – thoroughly.  The ability to position my vessel so I can get the best / right casting angle on a spot has proven over & over to be a major factor.   I will always take whatever time I need to get it right.

 

Casting Accuracy ~  and I’ll include being able to land a bait softly in this one as well.   At least half of my bass fishing involves presenting a bait to a target; the other half I’m usually long bombing a bait as far as I can (see distance casting) So, as most of us know, this is often one of those deals were a miss is as good as a mile.  You’ve just got to hit the spot – or you bait is ignored. So I’m seeing this factor as one I must have.

 

Knot tying ~ There is nothing quite as final as broken line. I hate it.  This is definitely one factor that the fish will tell you if you’re doing it right or not.  My initial experiences with fluorocarbon when it first came were Brutal.  I was using it as a leader on the front of braid and I was popping that stuff off on every other hookset – I was freaking out !   I have since rectified that situation –  Clearly plays an important role.

 

Fish Fighting Ability – This is big – and you can’t really “Practice” this one with smaller bass, at least I can’t – doesn’t really feel the same. And Half the battle is trying to stay calm; but once that big Moose of a bass is on and all that power is transmitted down your line, through the rod & reel and directly into your very soul  ~ good luck there.  I’ve been on both sides of the fence here – sometimes I can stay fairly level headed and other times, especially if she jumps and I get a decent look at her, then my knees knock, my heart races and for some reason I start sounding like Alvin the Chipmunk.  I guess the more you do it the better you get at it – I’m still learning.

 

Casting distance – Tackle, Technique and ability helps here.  I don’t put a whole lot of weight on this one – but there are times when those extra yards or feet on the end of a cast can make the difference over the course of a day or a trip.

 

How do you see it?

 

A-Jay