Some of it is the internet, but most of it is the connections I've made with people over the internet. I've had the privilege to fish with some great anglers that were not only willing to meet a stranger, but also willing to share their experience. So my answer is other bass anglers, as it has always been.  

Not everyone you meet on the net is an axe murderer...

In my opinion Ray Scott was the single most driving factor. By establishing tournaments that grew to significant money. A few could work full time honing their skills has led to all or most of the advancements in every thing from boats to hooks to information transfer.

I have bass fished for over 65 years and there has been more advancement of equipment and knowledge in the past 10 years than in the previous 50. I believe this was financed by tourneys. I have a circa 1953 Pflueger Supreme that I bought for $35. The Supreme and the Shakespeare President were the leaders at the time and they didn't match up to the lowliest in any catalog of today's reels. The same can be said about any other of the equipment we use.

I don't fish T's but I sure thank those that do for driving the technology and Ray Scott for his vision.

i think a lot of what has helped me and what most people take for granted is the conservation and environmental improvements from state and federal DNR's. without them, there would be no fish to catch!

also the fact that i dont care what you fish for, you can walk up to any angler and have a conservation with them. its the only sport i know that has such great commaderie. no one trying to gloat at being the best, just guys and gals just out to enjoy the great outdoors.  

for me time on the water is number 1

a close second would be the helpful tips and hints from other anglers, either in person or from internet sites like this one.

SENKOS!!!!   Made good fisherman better and bad fisherman good.

There was a guy in a club I was in, and he would use nothing but Senkos..and I mean nothing!!

#1 & 2 in either order, fish finders (sonar) and trolling motors.

Improved equipment is more about comfort or "The Fun Factor",

not catching.

However, the GYCB Senko stands out. This single bait has improved

fishing for the average guy by at least 200%. A common complaint

about "below average" tournament competitors is their ability to win

or place highly when "all they know how to fish is a Senko!"

8-)

I have to agree with NBR about what Ray Scott has meant to bass fishing. His tournaments and magazine really got things moving in the fishing world. I think his state federations encouraged fishermen to form clubs and fish tournaments and that is when knowledge was shared like never before.

   NBR you have got me beat in seniority I have only been at this about sixty years, and my first casting reel was a Pflueger Supreme also.

  RW makes a good point about the Senko, a lot of people believe in that bait like no other.

for me i think the biggest thing is when im having a good day i will make a mental note of what the weather has been like, what it is like on that day, water clarity, time of year, and how im fishing. I compare this data to what it supposed to work for these types of conditions I am experiencing that day and for the season that i am in. It helps tremendously to know what the fish are supposed to be doing at that time of year and at the water temps that you are experiencing. the weather on a givin day can play a huge role as well. Taking some time to read about seasonal patterns can really help bring a lot of big fish into your boat. Other than that, practice practice practice. it is crucial to know how to present the lure that you are fishing. It could be the difference between getting bites and getting skunked. being comfortable with your gear is paramount. Your gear can make or break your day on the water.

Money, observation, and most of all time on the water.

My father who introduced me to fishing, Internet, fishing guides, fishing seminars where I could ask the pros questions one on one

I could put tackle I used 30 years ago into the hands of a newbie bass fishermen and he could still catch plenty of fish IF he's spent the time to gain knowledge from all the sources available today that weren't there 30 + years ago.

It's all about the educational side of the equation.  Boats, motors, rods, reels and tackle have all advanced but none of that makes a lick of difference if the angler using it has no knowledge of how to place himself into a position to catch fish or how to use the equipment properly to begin with.