I think all of us have that confidence bait that we throw even when the conditions/fish tell us to try something else. I think we all fish history even if subconsciously as well. My number one fault that I am looking to fix this season is to use my d**n electronics. I just spent thousands last year on upgrading all my electronics and I very rarely use them. I fish obvious spots or spots that did well for me in the past. I need to put those Lowrances to use.  

I think all of us have that confidence bait that we throw even when the conditions/fish tell us to try something else. I think we all fish history even if subconsciously as well. My number one fault that I am looking to fix this season is to use my d**n electronics. I just spent thousands last year on upgrading all my electronics and I very rarely use them. I fish obvious spots or spots that did well for me in the past. I need to put those Lowrances to use.  

One of the biggest things I have seen other anglers do is they are fishing shallow and not having much luck but they notice they are marking some fish (maybe not a ton but some) and wonder why they aren't biting. Fish marked below the boat is just that, and doesn't mean they are also shallow. So if you mark fish under you, back off and make longer casts to fish both depths or just back off and fish where you marked them. It can change a slow day to a great one.

Having lost our daughter this year and myself having acute pancreatitis (should of have been flower food) this last year has changed many things.  I too was hell bent on getting to the lake and getting it DONE.  I still have the hunger ... I just approach it more slowly ... like eating a good meal ... you savor every bite.  I get up early now and take my time enjoying a couple cups of tea (doc says no coffee yet) and some breakfast.  Make a lunch and head out to get loaded to the boat.  Five or ten minutes don't mean that much anymore.  The gift of being on the water is truly a gift...as is time with family.

Tight Lines

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So sorry to hear of your loss. There is nothing more painful then the loss of a child. Like you said, it puts everything in a different perspective. God bless, and may your heart be filled with all the happy moments and memories through out the years.

I need to write stuff down. 

As do I.. I'm starting a fishing log this season... I've also been keeping a rod/reel matrix so I can put together my best combos... Take inventory... All that stuff. 

I find that I have a split personality on the water.  I either refuse to change baits because I am sure that my go-to will eventually work, or I change up so much that I'm barely fishing.  Neither is good of course.