Thread: Best tip for new fisherperson

As I've spent years on the water, with and without clients, I've found getting out of my comfort zone will most times make me more comfortable.

Spend as much time as you can OFF the water looking and learning new areas and tactics. Pour thru magazines, maps, and videos, even subjects you might not think will even pertain to your area, species, or likes. Instead of sitting mindlessly watching 2 teams play you barely know, get on YouTube and burn some new things into your brain. Do obscure searches on say "longlining for crappie" but don't pass up those videos that don't get the most hits or are the most recent. I've seen videos say of walleye trolling that gave me one minute tip or put a thought in my brain of some little thing I need to try the next time I'm on the lake. Then, go to the lake to get out of your comfort zone with the intention of spending the time needed to try what you learned to see if it will work for your situation or location. Many times it won't, but if it does, you've now got a leg up on those who mindlessly do the same thing and fish the same places every time they hit the lake.

Folks who walk into my taxidermy studio will be met with a pile of lake maps on the front counter. They aren't there for decor. They are there for me to take a break, get a cup of coffee, and find new fish. I may have 2-3 maps of the exact same area. Some Corps, some tourist, some HotSpots, etc. I may overlay them and find some little area I've never fished or haven't in years. Things change. Structure changes. Water conditions change but bottom doesn't change. I have copies of maps from the 1920s-40s of the area of the lake prior to it being a lake. That roadbed intersection that only shows up on that free tourist map might be your next hotspot for the year. I can some times be found sitting in my boat in the garage watching scans of my LakeMaster maps in an area I want to try. Rickie now has me set up so I can bring my 1199HD or Helix 10 into the house and play with maps in my recliner.

Last year I made myself fish new water. Day after day in the same spots can only lessen your chances of catching good numbers of crappie. Clients want results and their picture with a pile of results (fish). I'm the only one responsible for making that happen. He who works hardest has the best things happen by chance.