3 Worst On The Water Mistakes
*photo credit: ESPN/BASS
At some point, we have all fallen victim to a costly mistake. While a mistake made is not always intentional, sometimes it is a result of just plain old bad decision making and can plague us at the worst possible times. Here is a quick list of the 3 worst on the water mistakes you should try and avoid.
1. Force Feeding: Many times before we hit the water, we sit and run through a game plan in our head. Many times the game plan consists of what we think the bass are or should be feeding on and what kind of mood they are in. From that assumption, we then begin to tie different, yet specific baits onto our rods before hitting the water. The problem many of us run into and should try to avoid is force feeding the bass what we think they should be biting or want them to bite. If you are throwing a crankbait all day in high percentage areas and not getting bit, stop, put your pride aside, and change it up until you figure out what it is that they want. Even if it means replacing the baits on all 10 of the rods you have scattered across the deck of your boat.
2. Fishing Your History: Even though you went out on Lake X last year and caught the biggest bass of your life along with enough fish to stock a small pond, that doesn’t mean you are going to repeat your success running the same pattern on the same spots that you did last time. There are too many factors that can dictate the pattern and mood of a bass. These factors can range from cloud cover, water temperature, season, to water clarity, and that’s just a few. Sometimes it can get down right technical and factors like wind direction, barometric pressure, and even moon phases can come into play. With all of that being said, you need to remember to keep an open mind when you are out on the water. There is definitely nothing wrong with checking a few of your successful areas from last year. After all, they might be there, but be prepared to relax and bring some basic factors into the equation to help you figure out the mood and location of the bass.
3. Dock Talk: This is one that you have to be weary of but do not disregard all together. The most important thing is to ensure that the mouth the information is coming from is reliable. I have seen many times when I will be asked what to throw or where to go and the person next to me will say something completely different in response to the same question. While this type of information can sometimes be extremely valuable, sometimes it can cloud your judgement and focus you on how another individual fishes rather than on what your specifics strengths are. Better questions to ask are what type of cover and forage is available. Many times that will help you put together a plan of attack and allow you to factor in some basic principles.
Hopefully with this information, the next time you hit the water you will be better prepared to avoid these 3 worst mistakes. Thank You and continue to ‘Get Reel’!
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POSTED IN: Miscellaneous, Tips/Tactics
4 opinions for 3 Worst On The Water Mistakes
ALDave
Jun 3, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I’ve been in situations where I could not get away from the bite it seemed. But it is mostly changing. In the grass on Guntersville, the bass are usually never in the same place so most people will sit on the grass lines and just run up and down.
Rich
Jun 3, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Another thing, that I think I do too often, is fish too conservatively and I think I should fish my big fish spots first, instead of always filling my limit. Too oftem someone has beating me to the better fish.
BP
Jun 4, 2008 at 12:51 am
3 Mistakes
#1 Throwing Zoom Horny Toads where there is alot of little pike around.
#2 Throwing a Rapala Subwalk where there is alot of pike around.
#3 Throwing productive jerkbaits hard or soft where there is pike.
Hmmm seems to be a theme to my list. I am stinging from that 2nd loss of a Subwalk.
Rich
Jun 4, 2008 at 11:11 pm
BP - Don’t let $$ get in the way of fishing :)
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