For most people its hard to learn in the winter, with most states either being too cold or the lakes frozen. Id like to learn how to move to Florida to avoid this.

But for now ill settle with learning what part of the creek the trout will be Dec-Feb.

And maybe practice casting indoors into coffee cans or cardboard boxes.

I want to get better with my FFS. I think being more skilled with it would have made the greatest impact on my tournament success this past season. 

How to consistently find fish. I’ve gotten much better in the past couple seasons at catching fish (thanks BR!), but in sub-70* water temperatures I struggle and I think it’s because I’m just not on fish. 

On 10/21/2024 at 6:48 AM, Swamp Girl said:

I keep trying to think of something I want to learn this winter, but I can't and I think that's because I learn on the water. I learn about a new technique and then try it to see if it works for the bass I catch and from my canoe platform. It also has to work without adding to the load I already carry to the water. I'm willing to carry a new lure, but not much beyond that. 

 

Okay, I've thought of something I want to learn this winter. I bought a new solo canoe and it's kind of kayak-y, so I want to research my options for tricking it out and how to attach those modifications. I'll base it at my pond property and it'll sit in the water from April to November, so it can be heavy, allowing multiple modifications. I'll start with attaching a couple tracks on a thwart for rod holders for trolling when I'm paddling to a casting area. It'll be great to not troll with a fishing rod pinned under my thigh and braced by a knee.

Dropshot and jerkbait

Necessary evils 

52 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

Okay, I've thought of something I want to learn this winter. I bought a new solo canoe and it's kind of kayak-y, so I want to research my options for tricking it out and how to attach those modifications. I'll base it at my pond property and it'll sit in the water from April to November, so it can be heavy, allowing multiple modifications. I'll start with attaching a couple tracks on a thwart for rod holders for trolling when I'm paddling to a casting area. It'll be great to not troll with a fishing rod pinned under my thigh and braced by a knee.

I’ve done this with my kayaks. Once you get the setup the way you want it, it’s a totally different experience. Gear tracks are invaluable for different mods. 

The secrets of the universe

I'll have to get back to you.  I may not learn anything this Winter.

How to part with excess reels and crankbaits I'll never throw.

This is a tough one since I don't think you really learn that much unless you are on the water applying and gaining confidence in what you've read and watched.  But I will spend my time this winter organizing, planning, and researching.  FFS/Daiki rigs, free rigs, hover strolling, and hair jigs are all techniques I'd like to experiment with.  My problem is that I'll get on the water and instantly revert back to my confidence baits.  Being organized with a well thought out plan is where I'm going to start.  I need to rig up these baits and have them ready to go so when next March comes, I'm ready.  

On 10/20/2024 at 9:50 PM, papajoe222 said:

I'll continue to learn what makes women such complex creatures. I've studied my wife for 55yrs and I'm still only halfway into the forward of that book.

There's a book??? I'm 34 years in and just now finding out there's a book! Crap!

On 10/20/2024 at 10:10 PM, king fisher said:

I hope to learn how to say no to the Bait Monkey.

 

^^^^^^.  THIS   ^^^^^^

Last winter I learned how to flip/pitch a jig more accurately. I plan to continue that this winter but without switching hands.

I hope to learn to not ever buy a house that is in need of serious repair! My project is nearing its finish and we’ll be moving in January, but it’s been one heck of a ride. My boat hasn’t been moved since last November and this is the first year that I haven’t purchased a fishing license since the early 80’s.

9 hours ago, PourMyOwn said:

How to part with excess reels and crankbaits I'll never throw.

I could send you my address and you can send them to me. See, problem solved!

I think I just wanna fish for them when they actually move up and not when I think they're gonna be moving up or whatever.  I feel like the big girls do the thing earlier and earlier every year and I'm always a day late and dollar short for the real beginning of the spawn.

I wanna learn how ya get to The Big Pond 🤔

 

@Pat Brown I learned years ago pre-spawn starts long before most anglers believe. Everyone talks about when the conditions get right the bass start moving into the back of creeks. Now consider this, there are resident bass in the back of creeks year round. These bass have a short distance to move to feeding areas & the spawning areas.

 

@TnRiver46

 

 

Hoping not to forget what little I know.

Tom

22 hours ago, volzfan59 said:

My project is nearing its finish

 

Well, congrats on that! Huge achievement. I've participated in two home renos in the past. They sure suck the sap outta ya!

I hope to learn that I'm gonna make through another fishing season.

 

Tom

How to pick up a ten pin.

On 10/21/2024 at 4:10 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

Another plan for this winter is to really dig in to this project....It's a 1972 K-20 I picked up almost 20 years ago. 

 

Well it took you 20 years but you got around to it.

 

My wife was after me to install cabinet pulls on the wall cabinets in the laundry room for 10 years. Kept saying I’d  get around to it. Pulled the quote out above on her … She really wasn’t amused