If I'm hunting for active fish, keep moving if no bites. I tend to get tunnel vision on a spot and just throw more stuff at it, thinking they just need something different. It's even worse when I know for sure fish are there.

 

Find the balance between fishing my plan and doing something entirely different when I hit the water. Example from yesterday, there's a point with sharp drop-offs and standing timber that is also further offshore than about anything on the lake (60ac). Also has access to the deepest water. Caught some nice fish there. My plan was to go there first as water temps hovering around 50 degrees. There are fish out there that never make it to the bank, have very little pressure, and are in a pretty concentrated area. My plan was to scan it hard to figure out where they were, what they were doing, etc.  I think there are bigger fish in this lake and if there are, this is one of the best spots for them to be, and I want to find them. I got distracted and started catching fish elsewhere... "oh I'll just run over there right quick" - ended up with only the last hour on the point. But sometimes you notice something 

 

Be more willing to abandon a productive pattern, bait, or spot in search of larger bites. I learned "big fish don't do little fish things, or hang in little fish places" here, and I've found it to be mostly true... my biggest fish are very (very) rarely in the midst of mid-size or small fish, and never on the same presentation. It's fun to catch fish so it's hard to move/change what is 'working'.

I have to learn to adapt. Be able to change on the fly. Because sometimes what I'm doing is either a) not working or b) catching fish but not the ones I need. I need to learn to read my graphs a little better too. 

I've got to force myself to be more kind to people who set up lawn chairs 3 wide on boat launches carp fishing with two rods apiece?

26 minutes ago, keagbassr said:

I've got to force myself to be more kind to people who set up lawn chairs 3 wide on boat launches carp fishing with two rods apiece?

Seems more like they might need to be kind to you . . .

?

A-Jay

Gosh, I caught so many fish on techniques I had never tried before in 2019!  I did great with wacky-rigs, Ned rigs, and drop shotting.  I had never caught anything on any of those before.  I guess this year I should start paying attention to those electronic thingies on the bow and console.  I really only use them for water temp and depth.  I've heard they are good for a lot more than that...

I need to use what I have that has never seen water and quit trying so many colors of soft plastics. I need to throw topwaters more and super flukes more. Some day I may try a Ned rig again. I have not and will never use an A rig.

I need to force myself to locate Lake Menderchuck

26 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I need to force myself to locate Lake Menderchuck

LOL ~

Good Luck with That !

A-Jay

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

LOL ~

Good Luck with That !

A-Jay

@12poundbass said he'd give me the gps coordinates for a 6 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and some pickled eggs.

Just now, slonezp said:

@12poundbass said he'd give me the gps coordinates for a 6 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and some pickled eggs.

Wow - that's a pretty steep asking price.

And I'm staying well up wind . . .

A-Jay

When spring hits I’ll have to force myself to stay at work on the first warm afternoons. 

Fish offshore.  It's fairly difficult to do from a kayak.

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Wow - that's a pretty steep asking price.

And I'm staying well up wind . . .

A-Jay

@12poundbass is easy, but he's not cheap.

6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

@12poundbass said he'd give me the gps coordinates for a 6 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and some pickled eggs.

I’m not a ‘bro’ (That’s bro beer) and somebody must have hacked my account and told you that. Oh wait I have no clue where lake Menderchuck is. I’m pretty sure it’s close to Sneaky Lake though. 

6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

@12poundbass is easy, but he's not cheap.

Awe, you’re making me blush! 

10 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I’m not a ‘bro’ (That’s bro beer) and somebody must have hacked my account and told you that.

30 years ago PBR was one step below water one step above urine, and 2 steps above Coors. That says a lot about the hipsters that drink it today

And it's Officially January on the BR Fishing Forum ~

A-Jay

1: Try more than one technique in a given spot - the area I'm casting may LOOK like spinner territory, but I have to be willing to try a jig or t-rig

 

2: Pay more attention to my sonar - if it says the larger fish are at 12'...don't toss lures that only get down to 6'-7'

 

3: Be willing to put more miles on the TM - the bass might not be hanging out within shouting distance of the launch.

 

18 minutes ago, slonezp said:

30 years ago PBR was one step below water one step above urine, and 2 steps above Coors. That says a lot about the hipsters that drink it today

Actually - that describes almost all lagers (diehard Stout drinker)

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

And it's Officially January on the BR Fishing Forum ~

A-Jay

It's been January since July for me, which was the last time I wet a line. Last years family issues have been resolved with both death and life. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, and the warm winter I'll be hitting the water again real soon.

 

My boy bought his first house today. I'm proud. I'm jealous. Lakefront property. I'm giving him the 14 foot Lund for a housewarming gift. 

3 minutes ago, slonezp said:

It's been January since July for me, which was the last time I wet a line. Last years family issues have been resolved with both death and life. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, and the warm winter I'll be hitting the water again real soon.

 

My boy bought his first house today. I'm proud. I'm jealous. Lakefront property. I'm giving him the 14 foot Lund for a housewarming gift. 

Well that sounds like it's mostly good Stuff.

My Friend, I'm Hoping the best for you & your boy

A-Jay

12 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

I have to force myself to actually go out and do some fishing.  Had the boat out a total of 4 times the  past 2 years.  That's not going to cut it.

Jim, I'll drive across the state if it gets you out. Let's do this.

 

I need to fish topwater more than this year, which, for me, was a lot.

Maybe I'll pick up the NED again but I really doubt it?

I have to force myself to not reinvent the wheel. I've come to realize that most of these trendy new baits and techniques are no more effective than "old school" standbys. 

I need to take the time to use my electronics more.  I become impatient and want to start casting when another twenty minutes of looking may mean a good day and a great day.  I'm also going to force myself to sell off about a third of my tackle.  I have way too much.  

16 hours ago, RickB said:

Fish with a Zoom Fluke until I catch something, use a spinner bait less.

It shouldn’t take long! I’m the exact opposite- I need to use a spinner bait until I catch some!!

Force myself to pick up a spinning rod every once in a while .