#1 You first have to find fish. It doesn't matter how good you are or what you are using. If there are no fish where you are fishing, you're not going to be successful. There is an extensive library on this forum with many articles addressing this issue. Read them all, maybe take some notes and devote your time to more promising areas on the water you are fishing. If possible, hire a guide. If you are an inexperienced angler you'll learn more in one day fishing with a guide than anything else you can do.

#2 Concentrate on getting bites. You cannot land a fish if you don't first hook up. I think I get more bites using lighter line, specifically when fishing soft plastics. My two most productive lures are Senkos and Fat Ika and I fish them on 6lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

#3 In order to fish with lighter line you'll need a reel with a good drag system. This is far more important than the particular rod you are using.

#4 Be patient and focus on your presentation, not the next thing you're going to try. For most soft plastics, slow down. Many bites occur when the bait is motionless or on the initial movement AFTER it has sat still for a moment.

#5 Use fewer lures on a given day so you can get better at what you are fishing. Confidence comes when you think you know what you are doing and will generally result in catching more fish.

#6 Have a plan before you go out and stick with it. Better fishermen and the pros talk about versatility, but until you're comfortable with a variety of techniques and lures, stick with what has worked for you. Get better before you get broader.

#7 Have fun. Don't get discouraged, this isn't rocket science. If you stick with it you will catch fish.

Perfectly said!

I built my confiedence in lures by going out and taking nothing but that particular bait with me. By doing that I wasn't tempted to switch baits just to catch fish. It made me learn how to present that bait in manners that will be productive.

Very well said.  I need more work on #5!

Confidence is one of my main focuses...well thoughtout process RW

I think if we all followed this advice we would spend more time landing fish, then thinking about tying on a different lure or color.

If I may ad one tip that I have found extremely useful, especially in waters that we only get to on occasion.  Here it is:

First this idea is from a article I read in Bass Times.

I take a crawdad/minnow trap when i get to a lake that time does not permit me to fish often.  I place the trap in a good location, come back in 1-2 hrs or overnight, check the trap.  What this will tell you is what type of forage, so you can match the color.  The biggest help I have found in doing this is seeing the color of the crawdad.  I have read several articles referencing crawdad colors.  It is stated that they do change colors according to the moon phase.  I am going to document my findings this year and see If i can establish a  pattern.

RW, thanks man so much.  This gives me something to keep myself focused when fishing.

I have one question.  I have a 6'5" Ugly Stick, I have been wondering the quality of these and their sensitivity to the bite.  

Now I have really enjoyed fishing plastics, but I cannot say I'm REAL confident with them.  I have caught fish on them, and I'm starting to notice the line a bit more.  

I have always used crankbaits, and am sort of confident with them, but I am more attracted to plastics.  Now u were sayin stick with something I'm more used to instead of broading my lure horizon.  although I think I'm overthinking this one question, I'll ask it anyway.  I got some great plastics, and see no reason for bass not to bite them.

now spinner baits I am being more open to using, and have caught fish with them, but I have read somewhere on "how to use them right", and am wonderin if I am not using them right.  hah, again, overthinking I think.

overall, I think I will just take plastics out and a few side crankbaits (the expensive ones that cost some money and look real impressive)

erm...  I was thinkin to leave the spinners at home, then I changed my mind.  maybe some tips on #5?

NoLuckFishin, For crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater and spinners your Ugly Stick will work. These are basically reaction lures and the strike is usually decisive. With these lures the fish generally hook themselves and the problem fisherman sometimes have is "setting" the hook which usually means pulling it away and out of the fish's mouth. A soft rod, like an Ugly Stick diminishes the force of the set and effectively reduces this problem. Another issue with these classes of lures is the fish's tendency to throw the bait. Again the Ugly Stick is forgiving which helps reduce the tension on the line thus reducing the fish's leverage when they jump. This is the good news.

The bad news is that the Ugly Stick has NO sensitivity, none, notta, zero. So, for finesse fishing or for a subtle bite, the rod is worthless! You need a different rod for soft plastics. I recommend a graphite composit, medium power, fast action.

I agree with everything Roadwarrior except #3. As a confirmed back-reeler a drag is usless to me on a spinning reel. I have yet to test a drag on any spinning reel that works the same hot, cold, wet or dry. The rest is spot on.

d**n, more money I am going to need to spend. ah well, I'ma sell my xbox.  speakin of xbox, I have quit playin it for 2 weeks and THERE IS ADDICTION TO VIDEO GAMES!  I have INSOMNIA!  ack..

anyways,  

well then heres my next question... if I'm watchin the line for plastics, then how often is it I will be needing to feel the strike that I won't feel when I twitch the rod and move the lure?

well what i do when i worm fish, is i hold the reel in my left hand while i put my index finger on the line as i drag the worm through the water... then i use my right hand to reel it in...  with your finger on the line, you'll always feel the strike.

#4 i think is what turns most people off about fishing... most people just don't have the patience for it... i have absolutely no patience for anything else, like driving, idiots, immature people, things like that, but for some reason i have all the patience in the world for a daggum fish.

I need serious help with number one. I just go down the banks with crankbait or spinnerbait until I find fish. I think thats not the best way to find fish nor the most efficient. How many of you actually use your depthfinder to locate fish? Ive located fish on the graph and dropped a bait to them. But never have had any luck catching any of them. Do you guys have any tips for quickly finding productive water or using depthfinders to help locate and catch fish? Dont want to be a nomad on the lake anymore, when I throw a bait I want to be 100% sure that theres fish there.  ???

I want to have a small lake in my backyard that's heaven of bass fishing.

maybe one day, until then I'ma have to keep goin out to lakes/ponds and tryin to catch fish that I don't even have a depthfinder to see.  lol

if u get the answer to ur question, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, let me know please....  

j/p man,

but there is no 100% way to catch a fish.  and I guess I do what u do, take a crankbait to the bank and cast around.

if u DO have a depthfinder, pay attention to structure.  if u see fish, hell, cast to 'em!  lol  might be the lure, or ur presentation.

hell I can't catch fish, let someone answer u who can.. lmao  

RW that is one of the best post I've read very well written.

Boo as for your question, casting down the bank or to one structure then another until you find fish that is basically what everyone does. Use your depth/fish finder to learn what your fishing over and around. Seeing fish on the graph doesn't mean they are bass it could be a catfish. Smaller schools of fish and I'm talking small are something to pay atention to because a lot of time this is a school of bait fish, and where there are bait fish there are bass.  Any time you see a ditch or stump, brushpile or just about any thing unusal throw to it try a crank then try a tube or worm.  Good Luck and I hope this helps. Lunker.

Road Warrior-

Very well put. I think it helps to try to simplify things so it all doesn't get so dang frustrating. :-/

A couple things I always think about that I'd like to add:

1) Never leave fish to find fish. Once you find fish, stick with that spot for a while before giving up.

2) If you are not fishing the lure, the lure is fishing you.

Very well said.

Nice little guide  8)

Thanks for reply lookin4lunkers, I was thinking I was the only one that didnt really use ther graph.

RW. with that formula, I can see where you are so successful, but I still want you to show me where we can get these 6lb average smallies please!!!! pretty PLEASE!!!! LOL

I need serious help with number one. I just go down the banks with crankbait or spinnerbait until I find fish. I think thats not the best way to find fish nor the most efficient. How many of you actually use your depthfinder to locate fish? Ive located fish on the graph and dropped a bait to them. But never have had any luck catching any of them. Do you guys have any tips for quickly finding productive water or using depthfinders to help locate and catch fish? Dont want to be a nomad on the lake anymore,

I've never located fish on a finder and caught them. I have used my finder to locate underwater cover and features like creek channels and dropoffs, and then caught fish

when I throw a bait I want to be 100% sure that theres fish there. ???

Good luck with that. All you can do is try to educate yourself to the traits of your water and the season and conditions, and give it your best shot.

#8 work on your cast be able to put the bait where you need it. <~This to me is everything! I would say I catch 50% or more of my fish because of my cast or pitch.

#8 work on your cast be able to put the bait where you need it. <~This to me is everything! I would say I catch 50% or more of my fish because of my cast or pitch.

You know that is one thing I wish I could do a bunch better. What do you suggest I do to become better at my roll cast and pitch? Please don't say "more time of the water" because the price of gas is a b***h!

Good point Chris. Casting accuracy is so critical for big bass in particular, especially when you are looking for a reaction bite. Even though you won't always know it, the first cast near a big fish either results in a strike or you may scare the big girl off.

You know that is one thing I wish I could do a bunch better. What do you suggest I do to become better at my roll cast and pitch? Please don't say "more time of the water" because the price of gas is a b***h!

Ok I won't say it, BUT it's true! LOL! I praticed my pitching in my backyard alot when I was learning. I would get outside and set me up several coffe cups at different distances and start trying to pitch into them. Do that in your spare time instead of watching tv or whatever. LOL! It works and pratice makes perfect so they say!

Yeah, I have done that in the past. Actually, I think I just found the upside to my dog digging holes in the backyard. ;D