Greg Hackney, Must Read!!!

[Sac River Jim]

I never followed him much but after reading his very honest article I have alot more respect for the man.

http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/hackney-nothing-replaces-time-water

[Sac River Jim]

I'm at a point in my life where i can fish as many days a week i want. i'm one that works hard on and off the water to improve my skills but reading and studying just dont replace actual time on the water. I was on a really good roll all spring I placed in six of seven tournament up thru May but I've been doing this for alot of years and knew my little milk run and the patterns I was fishing would run out eventually. the last two friday nighters out of state park weren't very productive and on Saturday I struggled trying to get a friend on keeper fish. My point is this sport can be very challenging and can get frustrating. You can go from hero to zero at a drop of a hat. You can't expect to be on fish all the time even like Hackney said the best of the best have good days and bad days they can be on a roll then go in a slump. The key for me is to get on the water as much as possible and try different things till I get things figured back out. Don't take yourself too darn serious and set standards for yourself which are unrealistic just get out on the water and have fun you will find you will start having more good days than bad.

Tight Lines!!!!

SRJ

Oh and take a kid fishing!!!!

[fishinwrench]

It's true. Lots of guys, myself included, kinda go nuts after a tough day. Seems you always know what you SHOULD HAVE DONE after you are back home reflecting on your day.

Unless I get lucky and my initial hunches prove correct it almost always takes me 3 days to put a solid reliable pattern together that is worthy of competition.

If I only get to spend a day and a half per week...then I only have a 50/50 chance at best of even getting a limit.

[DADAKOTA]

Very well said. I agree that time on the water is the best teacher of all. However, You also need time on specific lakes at specific times of the year to be consistent catching fish. Some lakes fish very similarly. Others fish totally different. Then there are the particular nuances of lake like a specific bait to throw, types of vegetation to fish, or forage you need to match.. Having a red blade on your spinner bait for example. Being versatile and having the ability to fish various techniques and baits is a benefit to an angler. You don't want to be a one trick pony.

[Walcrabass]

To All,

I thought it was interesting that Hack has such a good grip on anglers like us. We can't all be Bass Pros, or Race Car Drivers, or Doctors, or anything else or the world would not go around correctly. We also need to be thankful that most of us have a job and a family. I have known more than one man that lost one or both of these things due to being way too involved with his hobbies or himself, whether Bass fishing or other things. I have and have had a couple of friends that do the Pro Bass thing. It involves more driving and time than you can imagine. For me, I am thankful I can be home at night and still get some fishing done. It takes a special set of conditions, sponsors, family, etc to be able to commit to things on a big time basis. Kind of like he said in the article.........fishing is all some of them get to do. It is kind of like someone told me a long time ago....... be very careful what you wish for...... it might come true.

Good Fishing ...... be careful...... be thankful.....have fun..... and also learn a little about fishing......it is the greatest sport ever invented.

[dprice]

this comes from a fellow that has fished with some great anglers years ago. Gil Boden out of springfield and Rich Elbert also from springfield ?

both were very important in my life. we fished and I learned awesome patterns and tactics. we won many times we placed even more

But with work. I have been very busy for 15 years this has taken a huge hit because of not being able to focus on fishing thoughts while at work. And my on water time was cut by 75% .

Now the prideful and meaning ful side. For the last 15 years when I go fishing it is with a very small portion of freinds and my son .

The time I have spent with my son and the countless rolls of film on him with fish. And deer is crazy for sure.

there is not a day that goes by that I hope I will get to go fishing with my son .. this weekend I think I held my grand daughter so long I wore skin off those cute legs .hahahahaha

Fishing with your children is a meaningful tradition and memory that will never fade. I thank our lord for these times

Any one that reads this will remember fishing with their dad and grandpa. If they think hard enough.

[waterpossum]

Enjoy reading all these thoughts presented. Sac River is so right about the highs and lows involved with this sport. I usually try to have a plan before a tournament to hit certain spots in an order, but there are so many variables a plan can blow up in a hurry. Over the years the fishermen I have encountered that get the most upset are the ones that really need the money. I have known some really good fishermen that have given the big circuits a try with some success, but still have hit rock bottom from a financial standpoint. I really respect you dprice for keeping your priorities straight. You are presently where I was about 30 years ago when my first child came along. I have never regretted foregoing any dream of making this a profession.

[Sac River Jim]

I too had a chance back in the late 80's early 90's to go pro, a comittment to uncle sam and a short vacation in Iraq put a damper on it. This brings up another point I've been concerned about. To fish competively on a high level actually any level takes a huge committment let alone alot of hard work money and time. I've been following the High School fishing program pretty closely and sure they are having a great time wearing their jerseys some thinking they are following in the foot steps of the big boys but in a couple of years these kids have to choose a path for their life and I hope they don't let all the notoriety they are getting influence their decisions. whether you are a daily fishermen, a guide or a local pro trying to branch out into the bigger picture its takes a incredible amount of time work and money just to keep your boat and equipment well maintained. i always explained it as my second job. When you start getting sponsors and traveling well that's a whole different scenario of its own. Theres a certain glamour to our sport when you get to a certain level but the facts are it's darn hard work and can affect many different areas of your life.

[Unimog]

If you think fishing is bad take a look at dirt track racers and horse people lol.

[Gavin]

Good advice. I like his swim jigs a lot. They take some big smallies.