Every year I always try to take away something new from everything I do in life. This year I learned how to catch active fish efficiently and catch finicky fish with moving baits. I also learned weather patterns and how they effect the bite. What have you guys learned?

This year I learned alot about the Ned rig..I'm now about 400% more effective with it than I was in years prior. I also learned how productive big worms are in brush.

Learned a lot about my Helix unit on the boat.  And that I may as well just use a coppertreuse TRD all the time and I'll probably be better off. ?

I learned how to fish for walleye even though i am a big bass angler.

I learned where two hidden brush-piles are at . 

Wait the seasons OVER!!?! NOOO

I learned not to accidentally put a Z-Man bait into a Plano with Senkos and Zoom Tricks. Whatta mess! 

How to tie a leader to braid really really fast.  
How to skip a jig effectively.

I definitely have waaay too much stuff.

21 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I learned not to accidentally put a Z-Man bait into a Plano with Senkos and Zoom Tricks. Whatta mess! 

You should've taken a picture of that mess Brian, we would like to see that...?

I've learned that bass don't relate to all vegetation the same way.

That bass fishing starts with location. If there's not fish there, you're not going to catch them. Also that you can use tackle however you want. It's not stupid if it works. Oh and how to tie a double uni knot in the wind reliably 

I learned that I like to crankbait fish a whole lot more than I ever dreamed of!  I also learned I still suck at fishing a jig!

14 minutes ago, FishinBuck07 said:

I learned that I like to crankbait fish a whole lot more than I ever dreamed of!  I also learned I still suck at fishing a jig!

I couldn't say it any better!!!

2 hours ago, detroit1 said:

You should've taken a picture of that mess Brian, we would like to see that...?

I was too &^%#! to even think about it. It even warped the Plano box. 
 

Goo. Nuthin’ but goo! 

I learned all about torn tendons in my shoulder, third world medicine, along with insurance, and torcher centers( also called physical therapy clinics).  I haven't been able to get my kayak out since June but am going to bass fish over the Thanks giving holiday, even if it kills me.

      I learned that a severe drought can make for unbelievable fishing at my lake in June.  Now I will have to learn if the fishing is good at record high water.  I learned that buying tackle is fun, but not as fun as using it.  Sitting on the side lines can be a learning experience, but I would rather be in the game.  I was surprised to learn how many others on this forum have gone through the same experience, and their positive attitudes, has made it easier for me to have a positive attitude.

      I learned bass don't hit A rigs, they attack them with a vengeance, big square bills, rock, it is possible to loose three buzz baits in one day,  and even I can catch fish on a Texas Rig.  Great year all in all.

  I learned that tubes snag up when you fish them on the bottom. It doesn't matter how you rig them; weightless or weighted, T-rigged, Carolina or jigheads.

   So I sent a card of apology to my fluke collection, and asked them whether they would like to re-enter the game or not. They said that yes, they would like that, and I caught fish (again), without hangups.

   I like my flukes.               jj

I learned it's sometimes a good thing when the bass don't wanna cooperate. Kept 27 fat crappie today. They are awesome mustard fried and served with jalapeno hot water corn bread. This year I also learned that an electric Bubba Blade is a sweet thing to have when you have a big pile of fish to fillet. It's worth every... single... penny.

2 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I was too &^%#! to even think about it. It even warped the Plano box. 
 

Goo. Nuthin’ but goo! 

I've done it three times. I'm not a smart man.

Pay attention when retrieving across the bow of the boat when the trolling motor is on auto, lest the prop grabs your line and pulls your new Dobyns Champion XP medium fast casting rod into the trolling motor and breaks it's tip. ?

I relearned that I should retie my lures after so many fish, especially when that is the last one of a certain a lure in the boat.

I learned that I’m a better kayak fisherman than I thought and that there are still days that make me think I suck at catching fish. So focus on the fun-aspect.  It truly is better than doing yard work. 

Patience …….some days are better than others…..

oh another thing, double check to make sure the plugs in the boat.

On 11/19/2021 at 1:04 PM, Columbia Craw said:

How to tie a leader to braid really really fast.  
How to skip a jig effectively.

I definitely have waaay too much stuff.

Skipping for me is a uh oh no no, for me, if that fish is somewhere I have to skip well.... the fish has won

13 hours ago, BayouSlide said:

Pay attention when retrieving across the bow of the boat when the trolling motor is on auto, lest the prop grabs your line and pulls your new Dobyns Champion Extreme medium fast casting rod into the trolling motor and breaks it's tip. ?

Ouch :(. Maybe I'm a loner here but I am nervous investing in a rod over 100$, they are just so fragile. Where a reel can take a few drops much better. I actually buy those aluminum frame and rotor spinning reels that are "saltwater rated" like a pen fierce 3 just because they take an absolute beating 

I did learn how to skip some . I got to use it one day this spring when fishing a culvert that was obstructed by overhanging vegetation . I skipped a z-man Popshadz way back in there , like a pro  and caught several bass .

I learned that I really, really enjoy my new pedal kayak. There's a certain tranquility when you're out there, just drifting along and casting.

 

I also learned that the fishing for LMB on Lake Oconee is generally lousy, and for most of the year striper fishing is tough as well. But I also recently learned why it was so lousy - and it's because of GA Power and their water management policies at the dam.

 

Near the dam the water gets to just under 100 feet deep. What I found out from a local fishing guide and a DNR study is that with GA Power's dam operations that this summer the water temperature depth at 90+ feet was almost the exact same as the surface temperature. The warm water and lack of oxygenation was damaging the fish population and activity. Oconee is also strange because their is little or no aquatic vegetation.

 

But now GA power is in the process of installing 5 miles of aerators which should help with oxygenation, aquatic vegetation, and aiding with the water temperature issues. The project is just about complete and we should see better fishing next spring on my side of the dam.