1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

I like to try new lures during a good bite, too.

I did this once last year.  Before I hit the water I decided I was going to change lures after every two bass.   I think I caught 20 bass on 10 different lures.   I just timed it right with one of those days where they probably would have taken a plain ol' hook.   LOL  

But it sure was fun. 

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

Tell your guide to get over it.  You are there to have fun, not just catch fish. If his guide ego at the dock at the end of the day is more important than your enjoyment, get a different guide.  If trying different lures during a good bite makes you happy, than that is what you should do.  I have guided most of my life.  Many times I had someone try their favorite local lure, even though I didn't think it would work, and I didn't feel we had the time to screw around with new techniques.  Most of the time they quickly switched back to what me the professional wanted to use, but their have been many instances where I learned a new technique or lure that came in handy another day when fishing was slow.  Most of the time I prefer to have one fisherman keep using what is working and have another, or myself experiment.  Most of the time it has been the opposite for me.  The client almost cries when I switch out his hot lure with something else.  I have to tell him the only reason I know his lure works is because of me switching to that lure with another anglers lure in the past.

     One time a clients new lure was better than dynamite.  The next day my guests couldn't believe how much they out fished everyone else.  I said don't thank me.  Thank the guest I had yesterday, who took the risk and tried something new during a hot bite.  You can always switch back to the traditional technique.  If you only try a new lure when the fish don't want want your favorite, you may never know if it can out perform you favorite.

   My favorite part of fishing is discovering new places, lures, and techniques.  If given the choice between catching fish every cast and experimenting, I will choose experimenting most of the time.  I would tell my guide I am having fun, and understand that it isn't his fault if my switching from what he recommends will probably mean less fish.  I know it can be frustrating for a guide, but in the end it is your trip, not his.

Yup.

I get all of that.

Still plan on staying pat.

And I was half kidding about the guide. We're been fishing with Manual for several years.

A-Jay

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

When I fish with a guide I follow his lead...That's why I hired him!

I didn't say not to fallow your guides lead.  I only meant to point out a good guide does not get mad at a client who wants to try something else, or prefers to catch fish a certain way such as top water, It is all about customer satisfaction, not total catch.  Some guides can remind me more of a foot ball coach, or drill sergeant than a fishing partner.  Even the best guides can learn something from a client, if he is willing to keep an open mind.  I apologize for hijacking this thread.

22 hours ago, A-Jay said:

We're been fishing with Manual for several years.

 

I would try to read it and commit it to memory the night before and concentrate on listening to Manuel...

On 2/20/2021 at 9:01 AM, scaleface said:

My cousin and I were fishing team tourneys . One tournament we brought in a limit and I caught every one of them  . Good enough for third place . We were using the same baits . Very next tourney he caught the limit and I wore the collar . Same lures . Took second that time .

My tourney partner and I often have events like this. We'll both be throwing the exact same thing but only one of us is filling the livewell. On such days, we just accept that our contribution to the team will be being an enthusiastic net-boy/chauffeur. LoL

On 2/20/2021 at 8:00 AM, Mobasser said:

I attended a seminar many years ago by Larry Nixon on structure fishing. One thing he said that stuck with me was that he thought it would be impossible to duplicate the exact retrieve of another fisherman, even with the same bait, rod/reel, weight etc. It could come down to small details.                                                          Guys fish differently, and, whatever they're doing on a given day could be working well, while your not catching fish.                                  Good question with this post, but if we all knew the correct answer here, we'd be catching way more fish on every trip. Trying to figure out this piece of the puzzle is part of what makes fishing so much fun.

 

I do believe small details have big effects. Consider the small differences between one brand senko and another. There are some days when throwing one particular type of senko will make all the difference in the world in my opinion. Yet it is difficult, at least for me, to see the visual differences in action. But they are there. I also believe that one lure is not equal to another just because they are identical market copies. Scratches and subtle differences in color make a difference, and I dont think a pristine painted lure is better than one scratched up. I dont think this means we have to go crazy about lures. I do think it means that small differences in presentation make a big difference to some fish under some conditions.