I agree whole heartedly, keep your distance from other fishermen best you can. However, I will add this, I would rather someone blow by me at 50 creating a small wake than to cruise by at 10 throwing the biggest wake the boat can possibly throw.

I've had this problem more with pleasure boaters who think they're doing me a favor by moving at less than "plane-off" speed. Most fishermen know their boats and are fairly courteous.

Sorry, I know this applies to ettiquette, but as far as I know, it has nothing to do with your ability as an angler. Not trying to be a smart arse, but seriously. I could litter up every lake that I fish and still be the best or worst fisherman around. My courtesy and ettiguette does not affect my skill as an angler.

Listning to other anglers. This site as well as talking to other fishermen around here has helped me become a more productive bass angler.

I think one thing that makes a person a better angler is being able to take the information that they hear or read and be able to actually apply it to their style of fishing.

Also as said in an earlier post you must know the bass's habitat, food sources, and how they relate to structure and cover. In order to be a consistent/better angler.

And again PERFECT practice makes PERFECT.

Keep those lines in the water!!!

 

Wow! This could be one of the best topics yet.

Thanks for asking it.

I think everything that has been said is right on the money. I would say learn from your positive and negative moment fishing and appreciate both.

Some things that have made me a better fisherman:

Practice

DVDs with varying points of view

Bassresource.com

The point is turning information into knowledge by experience. Experience into wisdom through practice.

Thinking through what Mark Twain said a long time ago. What is it that I know for sure about a given fishing situation that ain't so?

in the time that ive spent re-learning how to fish, i have found that attention to your surroundings dictate what the strategy for the day or time period may be.  I agree that surrounding yourself with better anglers is also a benefit.  it may not be only on the water but at forums too.  Personally i like to exchange info, im not a competitve (tourney) angler, i get out to have fun and fish.  i may have ideas that may help others, and vise versa, sharing views is a good way to "compare notes" .    when i cant fish i review my log and see what i could have done different and circumstances permitting re-try the apporoach again next time out.  finally if at all possible minimize the amount of time that im not fishing!

Identify your strengths,  what puts fish in the boat for you consistently?  Identify your weaknesses.  Map reading, Tournaments, electronics, boat handling, are you loud in the boat, finesse, light line, power fishing, and attitude.   For those of us who fish not only for sheer pleasure, but competively also, needs to be versitile.  Practice, practice, practice, and more practice on your weaknesses.  One of my weaknesses is drop shotting.  And this summer would have been great to practice with my fish being suspended most of the summer.  Taking my own advice and becoming more proficient in that technique.