2 hours ago, BahnzoBass said:

Fly fishing has taught me stealth, which I've learned is important for bass too. I always approach banks carefully and cast to them if I can before I stand there.

Bob and I wrote this article:

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/noise.html

When lightning is in the distance, GO HOME.

Go early and stay late

I’m pretty sure most of the rules are broken most of the time by fish except this one!

Let the fish tell you.

We want rules and short cuts and hacks for this and that and all the knowledge in the world is just a framework for guessing and the more days you fish the more you realize your guess is wrong and you have success doing something completely off the wall.

I have caught fish on slick calm hot days burning loud crankbaits in clear water.

I have caught fish on windy days in dirty water with tiny plastics.

I have caught fish in inches of water that’s near 90 degrees with no current anywhere at all.

I have caught fish in raging current that’s sweeping my bait faster than I can reel slack.

Point I’m trying to make is - just get out there and learn to efficiently eliminate unproductive patterns and spend your days asking the fish where they are and what they want with your imagination and your intellect.

Pay attention when you get bit. The fish are telling you that you are at the right depth and speed and size and area and you need to try to replicate whatever it is that made them interested.

To some degree, no matter how good you get at fishing, this is the essence of what good anglers have to do every time they fish.

Let the fish tell you.

My rule of thumb is don't forget your glove or your thumb will be swollen and scabbed:

@Pat Brown "Pay attention when you get bit."

I would add. pay attention when you don't get bit. Both pieces of advice are giving you information you need to catch more fish.

The Bass doesn't care what you spent.

Good Fishing

15 minutes ago, Lottabass said:

@Pat Brown "Pay attention when you get bit."

I would add. pay attention when you don't get bit. Both pieces of advice are giving you information you need to catch more fish.

@Pat Brown I essentially gave the same advice Pat did (sorry Pat) but what I'm saying is this. How many times have I said; I caught 'em on this spot- brushpile. point. bank. whatever, and I caught .em on this lure last week so. by God. they should be here, and bite the same lure, this week....and I ain't getting bit!

But, by God I'm gonna keep doing this till the cows come home, by God! 🥲

Being stubborn and not listening will cost you.