CJ and LowePro (or others) ..... Would you say a person would reduce the learning curve faster by: Chasing the hot bite on a hot body of water ? Or, trying to apply similar hot techniques from a hot body of water to a lake you're familiar with. Let me elaborate:

Report says: Crappie are biting well on jigs fished around stumps in the mouth of creeks in 10 FOW on "Lake ABC"

So, would a person be better to run to "Lake ABC" and fish jigs in the mouth of creeks in 10 FOW and possibly learn a hot spot or two there ?
Or, would there be greater benefit to go to their familiar water "Lake XYZ" and try presenting jigs around stumps in 10 FOW ?

I hope you see the difference in the question I'm asking... I guess my point is, I'm not looking for a quick way or tip to fill my cooler "today"... I want to truly learn to fish so I can routinely catch fish whenever, wherever. I'd like to wean myself from needing the "hot tip" and be able to trust my own knowledge.

The fishing log is a great idea, that will begin this Saturday when I next hit the water !

Thanks for the help, hope more reply and I hope others benefit from the info provided. !