Thought that I would start a thread where people could post any helpful tips they had. Whether it is tying a knot, launching a boat, fishing a bait, finding places to fish, or other tips and tricks that people have found along the way. 

Here's one of my tips:

If you are fishing in an electric only lake with pickerel, and have a spare rod, tie on a crank bait or jerk bait and troll while going from spot to spot. You will get lucky every so often and catch a pickerel or a bass. Doesn't hurt to try.

Try fishing a spybait like a slow motion jerkbait ~

A-Jay

Find a location with plenty of baitfish and the bass will be close. 

There's no such thing as too shallow.

Busy life?  Make sure and schedule fishing days on your calendar!

Mine is a obvious tip but hey ya never know.  

Tip: If your by yourself using the boat ramp make sure to set the emergency brake before you exit the vehicle to unload or load.  

Don't eat yellow snow

Bright day...bright bait.  Dark day...dark bait.

Bring water.. seems obvious but I've had a couple trips ruined because I forgot to bring something to drink being so excited. 

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill on the same night. 

Now, about this bananas in the boat thing. I take bananas on the boat all the time. A nice snack you can eat with slimy hands. A little extra potassium doesn't hurt either. However, keep in mind one should never look anybody in the eyes while eating one.  

I like to add a glass rattle horizontally across my Zoom Super Flukes in the head, it looks like eyes, and gives the bait some sound

Bring less baits.. spend more time fishing than switching. I found my catch rate going way up once I downsized to a small pack vs a backpack. 

If your having trouble in a particular area and you know bass are there, take the time to find exactly what they are eating then match your lure to color and size.  Then take color and size and match that with a lure that is as life like to the bait as possible and try to make it move or swim just like the real bait would. Add some scent to match that (use craw scent for craws, obviously), and you should be in business. 

Good luck 

Noted

Good advice

Never underestimate the size bait that a bass can eat. And just because they can, doesn't mean they will. Don't be afraid to downsize if you aren't getting bites.  

When fishing new water (or any water for that matter) use baits that you have confidence in and have experience with before taking someone's advice on a different bait.

I found that the longer one fish the luckier one  gets .  I dont go unless I can put in a good day of 8 hours or longer , except this time of year because the days are short .

Don't run away from the wind. It should be your friend.

Use a scent, as it masks your scent.

Stay quiet, water transmits sound faster and better than air does

 The fish are in the water,.so ,...keep your line wet!.,... lol

 

44 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

Don't run away from the wind. It should be your friend.

Easier said than done, I'm afraid

 

28 minutes ago, Hez said:

Easier said than done, I'm afraid

Never said it was easy, but it's worth it. Once you get used to it, it's really not that bad either.

When you have to fish slow to get bit, slow down even more...you were still fishing too fast. 

 

Mike

On 11/7/2016 at 10:50 AM, FordsnFishin said:

Don't eat yellow snow

Why not? Oooo...eewww.

On 11/7/2016 at 0:39 PM, .ghoti. said:

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill on the same night. 

Now, about this bananas in the boat thing.  keep in mind one should never look anybody in the eyes while eating one.  

Another reason not to bring bananas on the boat as far as I'm concerned. Why take the chance of that happening.

If you want to learn how to fish a new bait, go out with just that bait and nothing else.  If you don't, you will often turn to something you have more confidence in too soon!

make as little noise as possible especially when landing a bait in the water, many time ill cast and land a bait on the edge of the bank and then pull it in.

also try and not make to much noise above the water.

think about it, if some one broke your window and came in your house are you gonna be thinking about eating ?