Are My Expectations Just Off? What Is "good" Fishing?

[jimithyashford]

Thank you kelroy. I am really hopeing the rain and cooler temps makes things a bit more active.

[Mitch f]

Mitch F, is that any different than some of the dough bait out there? Is it cheaper to do it that way than to buy the premade dough bait? Or is that just the secret weapon recipe you swear by? If so, thank you for sharing.

I know of several people who use this method, but I hate using bait so bad I couldn't do it.

[Coosa]

I like kelroys advice with the flukes. Although I prefer a pearl super fluke over a fluke jr. Just throw that thing behind every rock and log you walk by. The bites they entice can be really neat. You just see that flash or that wake right when it hits the water and it's on! Really fun bait to fish with.

I start most all of my trips with a fluke on one rod and a walk the dog topwater on the other. There are many days I never switch to anything else.

If you can learn to walk the dog with a super spook Jr I highly suggest it. The action can be fast and nothing gets you more excited than a good smallie exploding on the top of the water!

Don't give up. Just keep fishing man, it's all you can do.

[Terrierman]

Have you considered a guided trip? Not a smart butt remark either. It can be a good way to figure out what works and what doesn't by spending a little more money and a lot less time, which is also money.

[jimithyashford]

I have considered a guided trip, and I would love to go on one, but it's just outside of my price range. Well....outside what I WANT to spend. Also, I don't own a boat, and guided trips are all on boats, so anything I might learn or discover on a guided trip would be difficult for me to apply once back in my own boatless bank-fishing world.

At least that is what I was assuming. My assumption might be wrong though.

[Seth]

If you are fishing the James, maybe you can shoot on down to Taneycomo. It's not that far away. Use 2-4# test, #16 treble hook, a split shot or two 2-3' above the treble hook and a jar of rainbow power bait. Go down to the Cooper Creek dock, bait up and throw out as far as you can, wait for rod to start bouncing. If they aren't cranking water, you should be able to catch some trout doing that.

[cart7]

To answer your question, what is good fishing? It really depends on the angler and their experience level.

Bill Dance once stated that anglers go through various stages and their expectations change, usually, as they move from a newbie angler to one of more experience.

Stage 1 is just catching fish.

Stage 2 is catching keeper size fish.

Stage 3 is catching a mess of keeper size fish.

Stage 4 is catching a large species of fish.

Stage 5 is catching more than one large species of fish on an outing.

Some folks keep advancing through the stages as they gain experience. Some are content with stage 3 and are happy if they occasionally get to stage 4. Some become obsessed with stage 4 and getting to stage 5. Some bounce around the stages and accept what the day has to offer and realize that the sport is fishing and not always "catching".

My advice is learn as much as you can about the species of fish you're fishing for. There's plenty of information out there. Don't gauge your success against that of others, especially if they're more experienced than you. DON'T watch fishing shows and think that's what fishing should be like. Those shows are for entertainment and some educating. They're shot over the course of a day or 2 and editted into 20 minutes. They're not catching fish on almost every cast even though it looks like that.

Each fishless trip should be a learning experience. It teaches you what not to do the next time you're faced with similar conditions. Good luck.

[Blazerman]

To answer your question, what is good fishing? It really depends on the angler and their experience level.

Bill Dance once stated that anglers go through various stages and their expectations change, usually, as they move from a newbie angler to one of more experience.

Stage 1 is just catching fish.

Stage 2 is catching keeper size fish.

Stage 3 is catching a mess of keeper size fish.

Stage 4 is catching a large species of fish.

Stage 5 is catching more than one large species of fish on an outing.

Some folks keep advancing through the stages as they gain experience. Some are content with stage 3 and are happy if they occasionally get to stage 4. Some become obsessed with stage 4 and getting to stage 5. Some bounce around the stages and accept what the day has to offer and realize that the sport is fishing and not always "catching".

My advice is learn as much as you can about the species of fish you're fishing for. There's plenty of information out there. Don't gauge your success against that of others, especially if they're more experienced than you. DON'T watch fishing shows and think that's what fishing should be like. Those shows are for entertainment and some educating. They're shot over the course of a day or 2 and editted into 20 minutes. They're not catching fish on almost every cast even though it looks like that.

Each fishless trip should be a learning experience. It teaches you what not to do the next time you're faced with similar conditions. Good luck.

Great post. I am 57 and have gone through all these stages and come back to the point of just being happy to be out there. But it is nice to know that if i decided to get serious and catch fish i usually can- but not always. There are still times i go out and think, "what the hell is going on? where did all the fish go?".

Also, my number one always have on a rod and normally throw first lure is a spinnerbait. I love how verstile they are. Fish them on top or just under the surface, or slow roll them for deeper fish. And they normally get bigger fish.

[Tim Smith]

I have considered a guided trip, and I would love to go on one, but it's just outside of my price range. Well....outside what I WANT to spend. Also, I don't own a boat, and guided trips are all on boats, so anything I might learn or discover on a guided trip would be difficult for me to apply once back in my own boatless bank-fishing world.

At least that is what I was assuming. My assumption might be wrong though.

It makes sense to find a tutor, but do it through a friendship with someone who is an experienced angler and enjoys your company. You'll learn their skills and in time you'll be able to contribute to their knowledge as well. It might pay off for both of you in the larger scheme of things over the long term. Maybe there's some one at your church or work who might fit the bill. Maybe someone here on OAF lives close to you and would be willing to bring you along.

Guides? Yuck.

Also, is it really bank fishing you're doing? At a minimum, you're going to have to wade if you want to fish most spots properly. And an effective fishing boat is not out of reach. If you can afford gas money, you can buy a decent kayak that will open up a world of water to you. I've fished everything from open water on the Gulf of Mexico to tiny little ribbons of water from a kayak that I could carry on top of the smallest car or in the back of the most modest short bed truck. Most of my trophy fish came using that approach. It's ten years old and still as seaworthy as the day I bought it. Probably the best fishing investment I've ever made.

[Mitch f]

It makes sense to find a tutor, but do it through a friendship with someone who is an experienced angler and enjoys your company. You'll learn their skills and in time you'll be able to contribute to their knowledge as well. It might pay off for both of you in the larger scheme of things over the long term. Maybe there's some one at your church or work who might fit the bill. Maybe someone here on OAF lives close to you and would be willing to bring you along.

Guides? Yuck.

If you have the money, I feel a reputable guide is a good choice. Your friend from church might not have the time to go very often. IMO of you want quick results, pay for the guide. Explain to them what you want and they will teach you...consider it a training class