What have you learned about yourself bass fishing in 2023?

[Capt. BassinLou]

As my 2023 bass fishing season comes to a close, one thing I can say with 100% confidence, is that I still have a whole heckuva a lot to learn about bass fishing. 

Every year, as far as I can remember, at the end of each year, I reflect on what I've learned and what I can improve on bass fishing.

Here are my top 3 reflection points and areas of improvement I learned bass fishing in 2023.

- Patience
- Slowing down
- Adapting

Patience. This is a BIG one for me. If you have fished with me for a while, several of you reading this are probably unconsciously nodding your head in agreement.    There is still a lot of room to grow in this area for me. But what I learned in 2023 is that, improving on my patience, will definitely make 2024 a lot more fun!

Slowing down. This one was a game changer. Although its another area I'm working on. I observed during those tough outings, slowing down my techniques, yielded me very nice bass in 2023.

Adapting. The phrase evolve or die, comes to mind when I reflect on this point. Bass fishing in our area has changed imho over the last few years. Our weather patterns and water levels have changed dramatically. Because of these patterns, I have been forced to adapt in order to remain an effective bass fishing angler. Through out this evolution, I have learned a lot about bass behavior. In the past, I would bide my time, and wait to enjoy bass fishing during the golden months in the Everglades. But, I'm quickly learning, bass fishing can be spectacular year round.

Enough gabbing, what have you learned about yourself bass fishing in 2023? 

Happy New Year, and thanks for reading.

 

 

[Donald Garner]

Lou, tks for sharing this.  I have to say that 2023 wasn't spent fishing here in Central Texas for a couple reasons (1) drought conditions (2) my health.

I will concur with your (3) observations though     Every year / through out the year when I was regularly fishing I would do a self evaluation.  I would come up with those same (3) observations that you mentioned.

If you apply those and stick with them > Patience / Slowing down / Adapting < the chances of having a successful outing greatly increased.  I wish you well for your continued success in the upcoming 2024 fishing season.

Looking forward for the new videos 
 

[Capt. BassinLou]

Thank you, Donald. I wish you a healthier 2024.

[topdsm0138]

Life has been a little hectic to where I haven't been on the water as much, but when I have it's been mainly with my nephew, niece and a few other kids from the neighborhood. On that note, I've had more enjoyment in catching more and smaller fish, than I have "PB/Trophy Hunting".

So, I would say I have learned:
-Enjoy whatever time you do get on the water, even if you do get "skunked", atleast you're not at work.
-Small fish are better than no fish
-Kids faces when they catch the dinks are priceless because to them, it's the biggest fish in the world.

Sent from undisclosed location. -Tiller Mafia

[Canesfan]

I learned that I need to go fishing. Not a fan of bank fishing but pretty much is my option. Just have to figure it out.

[FlatsNBay]

Great topic!

For me personally, I learned that some of the old tried and tried techniques still work. I put several techniques that I haven't used much in the past few years back in the rotation and they worked beautifully. Specifically a spinnerbait, buzz bait, and swim Jig. I had one of the best days ever on a spinnerbait this year. It was epic.

One of the things that I've gotten much better at is recognizing seasonal changes and adapting to these changes on my home water body. I need to work on recognizing these seasonal changes on areas at new bodies of water.

[big g]

Go back to what you trust, and change the cadence.  Slowing down in cold weather can be the difference between a few nice fish and being skunked!

[caddyjoe77]

great topic!!

number one, first and foremost -- if you think too much you stink even more. 
A little background on this statement:  I devoted myself, and still am devoting myself to learning to read charts really well as well as down and side imaging.  I went down the rabbit hole of spending hours idling around just learning.

A major benefit of that is obviously being able to see the finer details of bass and how they are set up. Also, i really started trying to be more efficient, as in:  5 rigs - a crank, a worm, a jig, a spoon and whatever else (depending on season)

A major downside was that I definitely over analyzed things.  I went into robot mode with the setups -- ok 10 casts with the crank, 10 with x, 10 with y, etc.  Sometimes though this made me go way too fast.

The upside to realizing this is that while I am still focused on finding them.  When i get to the front deck, my mindset is now "just fish". 

go back to what i know, trust what i know, the hardest part is ever a WIP but much better now so therefore that should free my mind to "just fish"

As a sidenote, I didnt get to fish as much as I wanted so i believe that is what put the efficiency robotic thing in my mind.  That is not happening this year so hopefully my mind will be a little more free to "just fish"

oops -- did not realize this was in FL Chat!! :D