Top 5 Suggestions For Novice Fishermen (To Make Them Good Fishermen)

[jolicious]

1. Eat your vegetables.

2. Don't get married.

3. If you don't already live close to a river or lake, Move.

4. Talk less.

5. Listen more.

Reminds me of an oldie but a goodie:

3 keys to a successful marriage -

Marry her young

Treat her rough

Don't tell her anything

And the best part - The man that used to tell us young guys that (in jest, of course) was a husband that lived for his Lord, his Wife, and his Children first - but the saying has always stuck with me lol

[fishinwrench]

Reminds me of an oldie but a goodie:

3 keys to a successful marriage -

Marry her young

Treat her rough

Don't tell her anything

And the best part - The man that used to tell us young guys that (in jest, of course) was a husband that lived for his Lord, his Wife, and his Children first - but the saying has always stuck with me lol

Sadly I have to refrain from giving advise on successful marriages .....I apparently suck at it.

I'm doomed after the first bite of cake.

[bfishn]

1. Buy lots of fishing magazines. You never know when you'll need a fire.

2. Seek the wisdom of the biggest braggarts. You can't make that stuff up, right?

3. Carefully record and share all your successful waypoints in the paper and online. The fellows that will be fishing there when you return will gladly show you how to really catch them.

4. Patronize the old farts. Every trip could be their last.

5. Pay money or pay attention. Not many bargains in the expertise aisle.

[Seth]

I have never lied about how I caught fish. Even in two day tournaments, or before a one day tournament, I have always told the truth. Number 1, most fishermen won't believe you, and number 2 it is very difficult for a fisherman to duplicate presentation and location if they didn't figure it on their own.

Same here. I'm a bad liar when it comes to fishing. Most guys fish the same types of baits in our club so it's really no big secret most times. I do have one technique that has done well for me that few if any are using. I've told a couple guys who have given me good information in the past, but I've yet to see them throwing the same bait. They do decent fishing their way so probably haven't had a reason to try it yet.

Time on the water is hard to beat. I have my confidence baits, but I am constantly reading about new baits, techniques, etc to try later on. Pay attention to details and you will start developing your own confidence baits and techniques and become a better fishermen. Listening to others helps as well but always take it with a grain of salt. Most guys I fish against are full of crap most of the time I'm pretty sure. I always take their information in to consideration and try it myself but it doesn't always pan out so I try to find my own spots and patterns instead of relying on other peoples.

I'm a good example of this. I started fishing a river bass club two years ago. The first year was rough and I couldn't even weigh in a limit but learned a lot. The second year was MUCH better. I figured out a couple patterns and baits that I had confidence in and stuck with them and was able to win one tournament, get second in another and weigh in a limit at every tournament, even ones where most guys struggled to weigh more than a few fish. I can't wait till this year to try out a few other things I've learned.

[Quillback]

Don't be afraid to talk to people you meet out on the lake or at the ramp. I've met some good folks out there who are experienced Table Rock fishermen and have given me some great advice. I'm also happy to pass on what little I know to people I meet out there should they ask.

Some of the folks on this board have pm'd me with some great advice also, and for that I am thankful.

I also think the best advice regarding fishing is that "Nothing beats time on the water".

[Billfo]

1. Eat your vegetables.

2. Don't get married.

3. If you don't already live close to a river or lake, Move.

4. Talk less.

5. Listen more.

PERFECT !!!!

[Billfo]

"Most guys I fish against are full of crap most of the time I'm pretty sure"

Seth, I fished with the SAME bunch of guys ! LOL

[Bill Babler]

Don't be afraid to talk to people you meet out on the lake or at the ramp. I've met some good folks out there who are experienced Table Rock fishermen and have given me some great advice. I'm also happy to pass on what little I know to people I meet out there should they ask.

Some of the folks on this board have pm'd me with some great advice also, and for that I am thankful.

I also think the best advice regarding fishing is that "Nothing beats time on the water".

Your not foolin me you stuburn old coot. No matter what you hear you are just like me. Your going to catch them the way you want or your. not going to catch them. Really does not matter to you. They had better like that jig or tube or they ain't eatin today.

Just like most fishermen, that get to fish when they want. This is not good advice for folks that cannot go to the lake everyday. Most good fly fisherman I know after they get them biting something, take that off and put another fly on. They know they can catch them now they want to bend them and see how far they can push the envelope.

Quill somedays they don't bend some days they do. We are the very fortunate who for us it really does not matter either way.

Good Luck

[Quillback]

Ok, I admit to beating them over the head with the tube.

[fishinwrench]

They know they can catch them now they want to bend them and see how far they can push the envelope.

Yep. Which proves that it's only the putting together of the puzzle that feeds the addiction. Only after all the pieces are in place can you step away from the table and feel any sense of satisfaction.

It's always been easier for me to NOT go fishing when I am 100% certain that I can catch them. Crazy ain't it?