|
|
Member
Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | OK We read alot about confidence and we heard alot about networking. Here is the next question, and maybe we will get a few more guys to partake in the discussion. What makes you successful on the water? You do not have to be a tournament angler to answer this, evryone here fishes, therefor they have something that makes them successful. So, again, the question is, and there is no right or wrong answers, What makes you successful. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 1040
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Well the first thing for me would be having some kind of plan of attack. If I'm heading to a new body of water then I will have been looking over maps and trying to find areas where I would like to spend some time at. But I would say doing your homework is one of the biggest things to being successful. It's pretty hard to just go to a body of water you have never fished and expect to catch fish without some kind of research, but then again there probably are guys that could show up to a lake and figure something out without touching a map.
Also, I fished a lot more around the solunar calendar and I kept a close eye on incoming fronts so I could plan on being on the water before the fronts hit. Much of my time was spent fishing muskies from about July on and I definitely saw a big difference in my catch ratio this year by doing so! |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | I'll take first crack at that question Stacker. This will give my slamers time to get a really juicy slam together, before the thread works its way to the bottom of the page.   
I know exactly whats makes me successful, if you are indeed talking about the percentage of times I get skunked versus putting some fish in the boat. And it has everything to do with knowing, learning and obsorbing everything there is to learn about your prey, the environment they live in and the things they most often seek out during certain stages and conditions, when interacting in these varied environments. Fish are things of (First) instinct. They do not have a thinking brain that figures things out. And just to many people give them that credit, factor that in, and allow it to be part of their thinking as to their own fish-finding strategies. Be the fish and you'll find and catch the fish.
Edited by walleye express 12/19/2006 1:25 PM
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 514
Location: Darboy USA | Good post Denny since the other ones got away from us. Even though I'm not yet a tournament angler, but plan to be soon, I will still answer the question.
I would say one of the main factors in my success on the weekends is my ability to read what the fish want. I am always willing to change things up and don't necessary stick to one exact program all day long if it isn't working. Another bonus for me is the ability to pick the brains of some really succesful anglers that I know and by talking with them and understanding the fish better it has allowed me to try some "out of the box" things with some success.
I think another thing I do have is confidence. Seems fitting since I started that topic a couple weeks back, but I do have the confidence to know that I CAN, and WILL catch fish on any given lake. Now they might not all be 2# or better, but I know I will put some fish in the boat.
Probably the last item that makes me succesful is the use of all resources I can get my hands on before hitting the water. I'm talking about maps, friends, and certainly regularly monitoring websites like this so that when I do go out I'm on fish right from the get go and not fishing water that isn't holding fish at that time.
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 701
Location: upper michigan | The ability to pay attention to detail so that when I do get a fish I am able to duplicate what and where. That is critical to sucess. I always figure one fish is an accident 2 is a pattern refine from there and you will have a good day on the water. |
|
| |
|
| A passion for understanding walleye , along with a huge amount of time on the water. An example, instead of pounding a school of active fish, I'll put away the proven stuff and try new tackle and tactics. It's not very productive, but what I have learned, adds to my success. Usually, I can fish in the crowd and catch fish when most are having a tough time. The most important thing to help your success is to understand the instinct bite of a walleye. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 3899
| Fish=Location + presentation! The formula I was taught long ago by the In-Fish crowd. It is the basis for how I fish. I also strive to take something from every outing, be it in the boat, on the ice, in a seminar, or in conversation. |
|
| |
|
| Ask a lot of questionsand then listen to the answers, take notes from year to year and be persistant when on the water. Try something new every time you hit the water. Last but not least... enjoy every moment on the water.
PS |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 625
Location: LaCrosse, WI | For me it's two things. Attention to detail and versatility. There are so many anglers that are just good trollers or good at vertical jigging etc... Being from the Mississippi River, versatility is an absolute must to have any form of success year round.
Now for the detail, I have seen so many times where the fish are in an exact depth. Not 22 feet, or 20 feet, but in exactly in 21. Knowing how to read your sonar and control your boat in these conditions make or break you. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 617
Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Following Denny around the Bay! |
|
| |
|
| Being awere of my surroundings at all times. |
|
| |
|
| On my home lake that I live on I have two choices to make ...do I go fishin' or do I do chores... I don't force-feed Eyes.
Active fish (mostly weekdays/nites) ~ mother nature calls the shots for location/methods by season, time of day/nite & for that days conditions for the observant angler that is in tune w/her & scores well w/a 'pat presentation for the current conditions if a active bite is available... I run n' gun a milk-run for the conditions passin'-up the eaters till I get a lock on the Gals & hope for a sUMo on a hot-bite...
Neutral/Inactive fish (common on yahoo weekend days) ~ If your a guide or tourney fisherman who must force-feed fish to score when the Active fish can't be found within the confines of tourney hours --well it's cover alot of water w/use of your map skills for the lockjaw holding areas, use your tough-bite presentations & use your electronics to the fullest to put a tough-bite limit of good fish together...
Ex-Basser Bebob da I-Bobray... |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 377
Location: Neenah Wi | You guys got it all wrong.A successful day on the water is just getting out.How many people can't get out on the water for one reason or another.So my success is measured by how many times i get out period.Seems like we forget to be thankful that we can be out and do what we love.So success can be measured in alot of ways.The fish are just a bonus.One more thing.If the fish are'nt there move,move,move.Happy Holidays to you all. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 1406
| Riser beat me to it! You hit the nail on the head! I would like to add that a smile on the younguns face tops it off, and more often than not, he doesn't have to catch a fish for that expression!
Good Luck
Tyee |
|
| |
What makes You Successful?