Do you guys have an overall strategy every single time you go fishing?  Does it change for different lakes and ponds?

What tactics do you use within your specific strategy?

Todd

If it's new water then I always have a t-rigged worm rigged up. But if I have fished it before then I usually go with what worked last time.

I use both tactics AND strategy.  I also like both country AND western.  

Edited after reading the definition of strategy and tactics.

My stategy is to fish often in lot's of different places, to possess all the needed tools to do the job and understand all I can about bass.

It think what's below is more tactics.  And yes, I have the strategy in mind all the time but consider the day and the moment tactics on a second to second basis sometimes.

My strategy begins with the decision to fish; when, where and what time? I like plastics early in the morning and will usually start with a chigger craw or a swim sinko. If I think it's going to be a bright sunny day, I bring lipless swimbaits in white and silver.

Sometimes it is like the other fellow said, what worked last time. Sometimes another fisherman will tell me something that influences my decision. Sometimes it's just intuitive, something just strikes me to try.

Once I've decided the when and where, my mind is working on the issue considering the changing weather and water conditions. Even bank fishing, I carry at least 3 rods and usually 4. It saves me time trying out different stuff. I am still too slow changing lures and many times the reel and line must change to accomodate what I want to try.

I have been thinking about all the "components" of bass fishing, the when and where, the what to bring and use, the orders of coverage both lure wise and position wise. Then of course, the first bite when the super adrenalin rush hits, the instant decisions I must make to land the fish and finally, holding the fish and hook removal. All of it has it's fun but of course the bite and the fight are best for me.

I was also thinking that if bass fishing was too easy, like a lake full of large bass that loved all lures, it would not be as much fun or perhaps even very, very little fun. I like the fact that bass are so unpredictable. Part of the fun too is catching them when others are not able to.

Which is kinda funny because three months ago, me getting a bass was just a random lucky break. Now, after studying here, talking to other fishermen locally and putting my butt on the bank, in the boat and in the float whenever I can, I usually can get a few on any given day. I still get skunked but it is rare. That's really fun when my buds are not getting them but I am picking up a few.

Now, I really, really want a good sized one. I have not broken the 5 pound mark yet. More time on the bank, in the boat and in the float plus continued learning and practice is gonna do it, with the random luck, of course.

Let's go fishing at one of my ponds. I won't guarantee you'll

catch a fish, but if you do it will be better than 5 lbs. Locally,

I fish ponds when I'm in town. You might like them, too.

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

Send me a PM, don't respond here.

Was not aware there is a difference

Tactics: the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end

Strategy: the art of devising or employing plans toward a goal

My overall plan every single time I go fishing is to catch bass by what ever means necessary

Was not aware there is a difference

Tactics: the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end

Strategy: the art of devising or employing plans toward a goal

My overall plan every single time I go fishing is to catch bass by what ever means necessary

I like your overall plan.

Was not aware there is a difference

Tactics: the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end

Strategy: the art of devising or employing plans toward a goal

My overall plan every single time I go fishing is to catch bass by what ever means necessary

Does that include dynamite  

Mottfia

Yes.  I always look at tides, weather, cloud cover, wind, water temp, cover, structure, type of body of water, season, etc. as all variables will have an impact on what to throw, when and where and when to change tactics.

Then make adjustments as the day progresses and I find the pattern.

Be flexible.

You do the same.

I assume you mean strategy (game plan) and techniques (presentation)...

It's a game of timing:

Within a given body of water, bass are pretty habitual -or prefer to be.

-There are seasonal calendar periods (spring,summer, fall, winter doesn't cut it) that help us home in.

-Then there more local effects relating to water and sky conditions, and prey availability/catchability, ...and other stuff; Any of this can change hour by hour.

-Then there's triggering strikes. In our ponds you can basically expect your casts to be near some bass much of the time. What do you need to do to trigger them?

I try to stay on the fish. But if I'm not getting out much I refer to my knowledge and experience (good reason to keep records, esp if you re-visit waters often like I do) to get close. Then, each day (often hour) I have to adapt to what nature dishes out to us (the bass, prey, and me). If your schedule is flexible, fish by forecast -it helps. You want the best shot at catches -shoot for pre-frontal. You want to know what goes on under brilliant sun -shoot for post-frontal (couple days after is best shot -but be ready to take your lumps on our shallow waters), etc. ...

If the weather is warm, I burn a spinner-bait when its overcast, when its sunny, I throw a t-rig.

If the weather is warm, I burn a spinner-bait when its overcast, when its sunny, I throw a t-rig.

That's a darn good start. In many waters, that'll take you much of the way.

I get a game plan together based on the weather from the past couple of days and the day I fish.  then I look at what season it is and just start from there.  I havent fished any new waters lately so I already know where I want to go on the water Im fishing.  If it was new water to me, I would try to get a topo of the lake and study it to see where I would want to start and try to eliminate areas that I feel wont be productive based on the time of year.  I will always have a tube and jig tied on and then go from there how I want to attack a body of water.  

Been out of town but thanks for the responses.

The reason for the post was because I'm a pro poker player.  Before every poker tournament I play, I have an overall strategy based on things such as the cost of getting into a particular tournament, how many other pros are in the tournament, my mindset at the time(did I just break up with my girlfriend or am I in a great mood), and other factors.

Once I have my strategy set, I sit down at the table.  I watch and learn everything I can about the players at my table.  Tactically my play is different against different players.   I might use a "Check raise" against one player, and NEVER do it against another based on how I saw them play 3 hours ago.

In fishing, I'm trying to start to do the same thing, and I'm noticing lots of improvement.  The difference between tactics and strategy are HUGE, and being able to identify how to use each one to crush your opponent (bass) is HUGE! Just ask any great poker player or chess player.

I've been noticing, as I've gotten better at fishing, that I can pull up to a pond, look at it, and devise a good overall strategy.  Then chose good tactics to catch good relative limits and sizes.  Ive also been doing more "homework" getting topo maps and talking to local game ang fishing guys about structure in the bodys of water I fish, and how certain ponds and lakes were created.

Having a strategy based on what I've learned on this forum, on TV, books, topo maps, and people from the wildlife office, has really helped me with my "game."  Both nubkers and sizes have been better than ever, as opposed to just pulling up to a lake or pond putting on a random lure and "seeing what happens"

I found a new lake recently and got topo maps of it.  After seeing lots of structure, I decieded my strategy would be to attack the humps and saddles until my hands hurt.  My tactic?  Crankbaits and Jigs! A nice sandy, shelly, rocky bottom would provide perfect habitat for crawfish so why not throw a jig to those rocks?  Why not throw a crankbait and bounce it off the bottom?  My strategy was also to start fast, and if i get no bites, slown down with the jig.  

So off I went to the lake with these tactics and strategy's in my mind, as opposed to just getting to the lake and whipping a spinnerbait and "seeing what happens", or throwing a Senko hoping to get bit.

Well, I had an amazing day, releasing about 40 fish back to the water.  Many 12-20 inch bass, and even a coupel monster croppy and bluegill that ate my jig.  The croppy was huge at 15 inches and 2.2 pounds.  The bluegill was enourmous at 1.14.  

In any case, just like in chess, and poker; having an overall strategy in fishing, based on factors such as, water temps, barometric pressure, time of year, available structure and cover and obviously many other factors that change lake by lake, pond by pond, is vastly important.  It might seem obvious to some, but I'd be willing to bet many weekend anglers go out on the water without even thinking about strategy, and the tactics needed to fit their strategy.  They just fish blind like I did for the first bunch of times I fished.  

Do your homework.  Have a strategy.   Then understand the tactics needed to fish your strategy perfectly, and you'll put more fish in the boat.  Bigger fish too.

Good post Todd.

We have to devise ways of understanding nature, and the words to put around it.