Just got done reading a post by Heycoach and the struggles he has been facing with fishing. I'd like to share mine with the hope that someone may find some encouragement. Bare with me here, 

So back in February I go out to a local pond I have fished for many years and have limited success at. I keep going because it is common knowledge that there are quality fish in there. On this day it's cold and its drizzling but I had a new reel I wanted to try out. I was also trying out for the first time a shallow running squarebill  crank bait. After about an hour I was drenched and ready to call it quits when I caught my first ever bait caster, squarebill, fish. Boy was I excited! I'm thinking man oh man is this going to be my year! I did not go out again tillJune, for many different reasons and on multiple outings caught nothing. Tried a few different places with no luck what so ever. 

Anyway, I decide I've had enough frustration and pack it in. Decided to focus on other things but always had a bait caster near by as it became my "fidget".One day I get this wild hair up my butt that I need better equipment so within 2 months I sold all 4 reels and 2 rods and made significant upgrades. "Knowing in the back of my mind equipment will only take you so far" but hoping just the same.Well, the next month is no better. More frustrating than before because now I'm working with very trying special needs kids in summer school and my stress level is off the charts. I go fishing one day and it was a DISASTER!! I spent most of my time picking out backlashes than actually fishing and my ATTITUDE ABSOLUTELY SUCKED!I'M DONE! I throw my stuff in the trunk and skulk home. I sport a very bad attitude for the next 2 weeks. Now it's the end of July, I'm sitting on my deck having a cup of coffee with my bait caster in my hand when I come to the conclusion that my attitude needs some serious adjusting. So, I make up my mind that even if I'm not going to go fishing at least I can get to know my equipment better. Starting  the 2nd day of August I began going up to our local middle school with my 2 baitcasters, some practice plugs, and a readjusted attitude. 

There are 8 four square courts lined up side by side for a total of 32 different targets. I position myself so the last box in the last court is 30 yards away from me. I start by flipping the plug to the nearest square and do not move on until I have gotten the plug to rest inside the square. Sometimes I don't move on for quite some time ( I suck at flipping and don't like it that much) but I'm working on it. It has gotten to the point where I rarely backlash any more(still do but not as often) and I'm actually liking the baitcasters better than the spinning gear. I've also gotten to the point where I enjoy the game as much as actually fishing. With that said, I look forward to taking my newly acquired casting skills and a much better attitude out to the water soon.

Tight lines!

Gregg

 

 

By the way, 

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!

That’s a good post man. I hear you about the backlashes, I lost to jackhammers today in about 2 hours and a whopper plopper 110 last week, cause I just can’t leave the breaks alone. When my frustration and attitude kick in it just gets worse. I have to take five or go home and go back later a frustrated bad attitude is not what what fishing is all about for me and I need to remember that.