Ship -- I think those are important too. But I believe knowledge is the very most important tool that we can use. For instance trying to apply warm blooded creatures response to conditions to a cold blooded creatures response. A warm blooded create normally has to increase caloric intake to survive colder weather. Exception being mammals that hibernate. Cold blooded creatures decreases their metabolism. Even the alligator , normally a ravenous animal, becomes lethargic , during a cold spell. Not saying one has to be a genius to be successful at fishing. But knowing your opponents behavior in all fields often leads to success.

Anyone that has ever ice fished and has done so successfully can attest to the value of downsizing your presentation.Example you can have all the confidence and patience you want. But if you are fishing say a 4 inch grubtail on an 1/4 oz jig beneath the ice in Feb. Your chance of any kind of success is darned near 0. On the other hand if you are using a 1 inch tail on an 1/80 oz jig. Your chance of success skyrockets all things being equal.