What did a Bass Resource member teach you that's been a difference maker? I've got two:

@Glenn taught me to cover lots of water in the fall. It's made a difference for me because I don't feel like I'm failing when I can't find them right away in the fall. I just keep moving and keep casting, keeping my cool, and eventually I find them.

I don't remember who taught me this, but he linked me to a video where the YouTuber explained that you if your rod is pointing left when you hook a bass, you don't point it right and then left and then right, adjusting to where to what the bass is doing. This has made a big difference for me. I remember sessions where I'd lose half the bass I hooked. Now I frequently land 90% of the bass I hook, a success percentage that I once thought impossible.

Two? TWO? 🤣

@WRB-2.0 I stunk at fishing jigs. But I had some private discussions with Tom and he gave me some sound advice on how to fish jigs in water where the bottom is mucky and can get easily fouled. I went from zero bites to being as successful with jigs as other baits that worked well. Bonus- Tom also got me to try Sunline mono. 👍🏻

@A-Jay Look, I call it the A-Jay Special because I don’t know what else to call it lol. My “best” description is that it’s a weedless Texas-rig jig hybrid. A pegged weight, a jig collar and skirt, a bead and a EWG hook with a trailer. I normally use a Rage Craw. Some T-rig and jig bites are subtle. I’ve never had a bass do anything but crush this bait when they hit it. You can work it like a jig, a swim jig, a Texas rig…it’s very versatile, and why I don’t know, but trailers last a lot longer than they do on just a jig or a T-rig.

And a special shout-out to @Swamp Girl Not for information, or advice. Just to remind me and all of us that while we strive to catch more bass and bigger bass, we should never stop simply enjoying being out on the water and reveling in nature’s beauty and majesty, regardless of what we do or do not catch.

1 minute ago, BrianMDTX said:

And a special shout-out to @Swamp Girl Not for information, or advice. Just to remind me and all of us that while we strive to catch more bass and bigger bass, we should never stop simply enjoying being out on the water and reveling in nature’s beauty and majesty, regardless of what we do or do not catch.

Thanks, Brian. I caught 23 bass yesterday, my most this year, but when I reflect on yesterday, I keep returning to the sleeping goose that didn't know I was there. That was my morning's highlight by far.

WRB and Catt were the two I learned from the most. Rate of fall , mono’s superior knot strength, how to load a spinning reel, how to check the drag , how to fish a jig, the sweeping hookset , and much much more. It’s nice to be able to go back and read their comments to get the meat off the bone.

It was either @A-Jay or @J Francho that said something that finally made it click for me with a drop shot. It was the concept of thinking of the sinker like an anchor that you're trying not to move and just shake the bait in place. That's when I realized I was moving my drop shots way too much. Once I started fishing them by trying to shake them in place without moving the weight, my catch rate with it went way up.

WRB taught me to look for the life zone with sonar. The depth that most of the bait fish are holding at, then fish the structure "points" at that depth.. Made a lot of sense and I dont know why I didnt figure that out on my own.

Catt taught us all about what structure really means and what it actually is.

(I really miss that man)

😢

Mike

I learned that I don't have a severe mental disorder. This site has tought me, that it's not me, there is an outside influencer named the Bait Monkey that keeps me buying tackle I don't need. It is also comforting to know, that while the Monkey has attached himself firmly to my back, others on this site live with a way more expensive Bait Monkey from Japan.

I also learned that while lake Menderchuck is a real place with giant bass, I will never be able to find it.

45 minutes ago, king fisher said:

I learned that I don't have a severe mental disorder. This site has tought me, that it's not me, there is an outside influencer named the Bait Monkey that keeps me buying tackle I don't need. It is also comforting to know, that while the Monkey has attached himself firmly to my back, others on this site live with a way more expensive Bait Monkey from Japan.

I also learned that while lake Menderchuck is a real place with giant bass, I will never be able to find it.

George Orwell said it best. “All lakes are Lake Menderchuck. But some are more Menderchuck than others.”

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

George Orwell said it best. “All lakes are Lake Menderchuck. But some are more Menderchuck than others.”

Perfect.

I am on it right now.

And it's extra Menderchuck today.

A-Jay

I've learned that I have a lot to learn - And this is a great place to do it.

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It was either @A-Jay or @J Francho that said something that finally made it click for me with a drop shot. It was the concept of thinking of the sinker like an anchor that you're trying not to move and just shake the bait in place. That's when I realized I was moving my drop shots way too much. Once I started fishing them by trying to shake them in place without moving the weight, my catch rate with it went way up.

I call it "shake the bait, not the weight" in my videos.

Take just the one lure you want to learn and hit every possible target around the whole body of water.

I did it with the jig because I just needed to get the feel of it. I was missing strikes I didn't even know I was getting. I still see more strikes pitching than I feel. I'll admit, I did sort of trade in the jig for a T rig after I realized I was getting hung up in woody cover and ruining the spot for no good reason. But the lessons I learned with the jig carried over to T rigs. I also did the same with a Whopper Plopper. I swore it was a gimmick until I threw it for 4 hours I had a couple of big mamas crush it in shallow, warm summer water in broad daylight when nothing else would bite.

Nothing to lose and everything to learn.

WRB and Catt straightened me out on fishing jigs and understanding the rate of fall.

Current member @Dwight Hottle took me to school more than a few times.

However, it's unique jerkbait techniques that left a lasting impression.

Even came into play today.

Past member known here now as Big Fish Jeff,

introduced me to the oversized underspin swimbait deal

south of the border.

That was crazy talk !

A-Jay

The late, great @Catt constantly repeating “rate of fall, baby! Rate of fall!” really had an impact on my fishing. Those words made me such a better jig fisherman. I’ve learned so much here from so many different members, it’s hard to attribute a specific thing to a specific user, but that’s one that really sticks out in my brain.

Like @king fisher alluded to, I’ve learned from this site that I’m not completely insane the way I obsess over bass and collect tackle. Or, rather, there are more insane people like me.

That's a tough one as I can usually take away at least a tidbit of new info nearly every day on this page. Even if it's just viewing something from a different perspective. Here are the two standouts that come to mind first:

@fishnkamp was such a huge repository of information on all things rod and reel. I was not knowledgable about bass rods when I joined here and struggled to find rods that suited specific purposes. Bob and I talked on the phone repeatedly as he was always available to school me on gear and it impacts my fishing daily now. Having the right rod (not the most expensive or most recognized brand name) catches more fish. Period. I can thank Bob for greatly accelerating my learning curve.

Hands down @Catt has impacted my fishing the most. Learning to slow down, learning HOW to "feel", the importance of rate of fall, how a jig differs from other single hook presentations, and, unbelievably, he was able to teach me some much needed patience. He was a gift and I sincerely appreciate all he gave me.

Catt. Moon position trumps moon phase.

Gosh, I wish @Catt and @WRB-2.0 could read this thread.

Your description made me think of this jig I just picked up. Ball park of what you're talking about?

7 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

@A-Jay Look, I call it the A-Jay Special because I don’t know what else to call it lol. My “best” description is that it’s a weedless Texas-rig jig hybrid. A pegged weight, a jig collar and skirt, a bead and a EWG hook with a trailer. I normally use a Rage Craw. Some T-rig and jig bites are subtle. I’ve never had a bass do anything but crush this bait when they hit it. You can work it like a jig, a swim jig, a Texas rig…it’s very versatile, and why I don’t know, but trailers last a lot longer than they do on just a jig or a T-rig.

22 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

Gosh, I wish @Catt and @WRB-2.0 could read this thread.

What makes you think they can not.

So many good people on here. But I got lots of help on Chatterbaits from a lot of people.A ton of knowledge for sure

59 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

What makes you think they can not.

My first thought as well. I believe those two are both happier now than they ever were on this planet.😉

1 hour ago, AnonymousSoreMouther said:

Your description made me think of this jig I just picked up. Ball park of what you're talking about?

Not exactly. That likely is not as weedless. This is what it looks like.

I started fishing with @Fishing Rhino in 2013-ish. He taught me how to hunt bass properly and run a bass boat. I learned a lot from him. He's in his 80s now and can't drive or run a boat by himself. I try to get him out a couple times per year still, whether it's my tin Ranger or his Nitro.