What are you changing in the '04 season vs. '03

[FlipR70]

I didn't have my best year fishing last year so I've been thinking about the things I need to change this year during the long winter months. I thought I'd post this because I thought others might get some good info from the posts that might go with it.

My first problem last year was that I wasn't prepared. I spent a lot of time running to grab last-minute items and so I wasn't in the right mindset to fish because I was focused on other things.

Second, I wasn't focused on changing weather conditions, water conditions, forage base, & fish movment. In other words, my mind wasn't on the fishing but on other things.

Third, I changed my worm hooks. The hooks I started using were toed in (the point of the hook wasn't open enough) and I lost a LOT of fish before I realized what the problem was.

Fourth, and most important in my book, confidence problems. Once I missed fish, I let it lower my confidence level for the day and it affected me beyond that.

I'm interested in what other folks are planning to change this year to help their fishing.

Thanks,

FlipR70

[Sliderfishn]

To get my wifes TO DO list done early !!

[delmuts]

flip! sounds like you really got into the dumps about fishing! first thing to remember is we do this for fun, ( unless you are trying to turn professional) this time of year is the time to look over all of your equip. check all hooks for sharpness, rust, and even how this hook matches up with the different baits you plan to use.( don't be afaid to rig one to make sure.)now is the time to get ready . when you get ready to go, stop and check the weather, wind, and time of day. these plus the time of the season should give you a place to start as to where you want to fish and how you want to fish it.if you miss fish; give your self some credit for finding the fish and getting them to hit. if you are not hooking them, then stop to look at your equip.if that looks ok , then try changing your tatics a little. it may be that the fish are insterested in what you are using, but not really willing to take the bait enough to be hooked. my goal this season is to fish more! i just retired fromn my factory job the end of jan.( 30 yrs' was enough!) plan to get a part time job . so i can have more time to do the things i want. so get ready now for this spring now. it will make you a better fisherman, and you will be more confident,and it will be fun again; cause you prepared! del

[Guest]

Sliderfishn,
Bad news.
Been married for 10 years and the list doesn't get shorter.
LOL
HAVE A GREAT SEASON GUY'S

[Bobb-o]

my goal for the '04 season is to learn how to fish spinnerbaits better, and to catch a walleye and a carp on my fly rod.

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Diplomacy - The art of saying "nice doggie" while you find a rock.

[wormburner]

My wife calls me obsesed with the whole fishing thing. Once or twice a week I will sit down stairs in our family room, and break open the tackle bag. I will take my tubes, worms, and so on, and hook a few to make sure that when a fish takes it, there will be nothing that will effect the strike, or just trying something new with a old lure that I may have read somewhere. Will also grab an old spool of line and practice those polamer knots, so when the season is hear, I'll have a jump on it. I'm fortunate that we have a pond in the back yard, and when the ice is gone off from it, I will be out there tossing lures, and seeing how they look in the water, and the way the move. I also watch a few of those fishing shows through out the week, to see if there are any new baits out, or to see how to fish what is the standard, if you've got cable, there is a show called "Classic Patterns", one of the hosts is Joe Thomas, it is a great show in the meaning that, all of the things you mentioned, they will cover in a couple of shows, lures, attitude, readiness, and so on. I simply think, that the more time you spend with something, the better you get. It is just like fishing a jig n pig, two years ago I couldn't have caught a fish on one to save my life, and now I have a little confedence with a decent catch ratio up till now, remember, don't become discouraged, take the lure or lures you haven't had a ton of luck with, and fish them until you have some luck, and it will build confidece in every thing else, or at least it worked for me, signed - obbsesed!
This has worked for me, and still practicing, but might not be everyones cup of tea. My goal isn't to be the greatest angler, just consistant, and able to fish different lures under different conditions.

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Good Luck To All, Wormburner!
Buy a trailer,help support my fishing habit!

[This message has been edited by wormburner (edited 02-23-2004).]

[wormburner]

After reading my last post, I hope ya don't take it wrong, These are some of the things that helped me, just passing on my two cents for whatever it's worth.

[cwmn]

I want to work on fishing heavy slop better.
I had a great year last year, more 3 and 4 pound fish than ever and evan a couple of 5 and 6 pounders.
It's true, if your not trying to go pro then it should be all for fun, there are too many things off the lake to get upset about to lat fishing get you down.
I've always said that fishing saves me from therapy.

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Have a good one!
CWMN

[EBass]

Ya'll know I'm a shallow water guy. Sight fishing is the best. But I need to work deeper water with drop shots and carolina rigs. Once the bass head deep I get lost and only catch little ones that are left in the shallows.

[locolocal]

When fishing a slow bite or heavily pressured water, actually letting my bait sink and sit quietly for 15-20 seconds.

In reflecting on my season last year, I "mysteriously" picked up a couple fish while I was dealing with backlashes for a few seconds. I was too intent on covering water, to realize the connection.

[MedicineMan]

I'd like to spend more time fishing shallow water. And also learn more shallow water techniques. I'm basically a deep water/basin fisherman.

[EBass]

Medman, we need to get on med this summer and I'll show ya shallow water techniques and you can show me bettle spin dragged across the humps. Oh jeez, another hog bass.