I’ve heard the rule that 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish that are caught and vice versa. What’s your take on that? And what does it take to be among the 10%? As far as number of fish and time spent? I think we can pick a few that are easily among the 10% that consistently nail a great catch some are older and have learned the skill over years of practice and others are younger and yet still have a great knowledge of fish behavior. I guess my big question is what can I do to become part of the 10%? I’d like to hear your thoughts. Thanks J
There is nothing quite like time spent on the water, or from what I here you can learn a lot from whatching the fishing channel on tv.[:p]
I agree but the time on the water needs to be spent productively trying new things and observing. I was fishing a clear lake one day retrieving a lure when something caused me to quit reeling and as my lure fluttered to the bottom fish came from all around to investigate. So I have put that observation to work and started catching more fish. And I’m sure I could learn something from the TV but I’m too cheap to pay for it and don’t have time to watch anyway. Thanks for the great suggestions. J
You probably hit the nail on the head. Careful observation of what worked on those successful days. I also think learning a little about the fish you want to catch helps. As you increase your success on one species you find things that carry over to another species. Being observant as to how deep, how fast and what color your offering was when you got hit. I have found many times that a retrieve pause retrieve has been more effective than a steady retrieve. As you spend the time on the water observing what works for you and also what other guys that are successful are doing you will find your success rate going up. Just fish and enjoy.
You know there are many variables with fishing and sometimes it’s hard to tell just what you did different that worked. That’s why it’s nice to get a few toys/tools to help eliminate unknowns. For instance a fish finder can help you dial in on the depth that fish are hanging out so you can fish where the fish are. A GPS can take you back to previous hot spots and structures plus it let’s you know your speed accurately so you can control those variables. Down riggers and line counters help you get on depth then you can begin trying to figure out which lure will work. What are other tools that help reduce options and hone in on the best presentation? But most of all I do agree with your enjoy comment. Thanks for the insight. J
They also say that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water so maybe the 10% of fisherman that know where the 90% of fish are makes them more successful…Fishon
I believe that there are many things that put a fisherman into the 10%. Things like good electronics, good boat, good tackle, etc. But the three things that I strongly believe puts a person there are:
[ol]- Learning from other fishermen … first hand. Find someone who knows a particular water or species and fish along side of them. You can read a lot and watch TV and videos on fishing a lot and learn stuff. But there ain’t nothing like fishing along side the real deal. It is just incredible how far ahead you can get ahead fishing along side the master.- Passion … He who has the fire in the belly to really dig deep and take advantage of every opportunity to learn will eventually get there.- Spend time on the water … LOTS of time.[/ol]But of those three, the best bang for the buck is #1, fishing along side of a guy who already knows how to catch them.
SA, from your post, it looks like you may already have #2.
— Coot —
Exactly, fish where the fish are and get the fly, lure or bait to the fish. Seems like most fisherman just don’t get that. The rest is noise if you’re not doing this.
I agree with what’s been said. Time on the water is invaluable. Keep a log of your trips too to help you build patterns for times of year, conditions, etc. Also, research is a big one. The TV shows are great, and I have subscriptions to several good magazines, but we also have this vast resource here with the internet. I spend a lot of time in the winter researching for the coming spring as I don’t ice fish.
Very good point. I’m always looking for the right spot and it keeps moving on me if I ever find it to start with. Lots of desert out there in most lakes. Another good reason to have a FF. Thanks J
Coot
I can see a lot of wisdom in your post. I had an Ag teacher tell me once that he could tell me how to castrate a hog all day but I wasn’t going to learn how until my knife got dirty. Much easier to be shown how to do something than trying to figure it out from what you’ve been told. I appreciate the comment about your #2 but I really lack in your #3. It’s so hard for me to get much time on the water. Too many demands for my limited freetime. Thank you J
Greg good point about the log I’ve seen others do this and I think I need to start doing it myself. How do you organize it? Do you go chonologically or make tabs for each body of water? I’m thinking a section for each spot might work best for me. Thanks for the ideas. J
TV , internet and magazines are great I agree, but some guys forget that the information in them usually is a generalization. Time on the water is invaluable as has been stated. Rule number one fish where there are fish, rule number two same as number one. With fishing you either get it or you don’t. I like the logs I keep, they are invaluable when your getting my butt handed to me. If you want to be a %10er you’ve got to pay attention to the little things. It can take you from being a good fisherman to being great! I can’t believe that you don’t ice fish, that’s just insane!
It’s just a little too sedentary for me, plus my wife won’t let me 
She says I spend too much time and money fishing as it is and she doesn’t want me to start that.
That’s why you dig holes far apart so you have to an into home slide when your getting a bite, keeps the blood flowing.
That’s true. I may give it a go someday, right now I need to hunker down and finish up school, so this winter is going to be tied up with that.
I used to just have them entered into a notebook. I would put them in order by date. Then I would list the water name, how many I caught, what species, average size and any notably larger ones. Then I would list what I caught them on, what worked the best, water temp, (especially in the spring and fall), bugs coming off if fly fishing, water clarity, levels, etc. Now I pretty much just have my blog be my log. That way I can read in the off months and kind of relive the trip. It helps me get through the winter.
Nice tips thanks. J
Trial and Error and time spent on the water.
Theirs been many a time we’ve hit a lake or river, only to walk away discouraged with the nasty skunk, but we’ve kept at it hitting those exact same waters and now we rarely get skunked. ( Not to say we dont get skunked from time to time)
But in my opinion you got to put in the work, get out there, try this, try that, and do it all over again.
Books, Internet, People are great references they point you in the right direction but when it come down to it you got put in the work.
I agree as long as the time spent keeps moving you in the right direction. Sometimes it can only lead to frustration if you were I’ll prepared and don’t have the right stuff. A recent catfish trip for example I ran down to the river with an hour to fish before dark and my bait had all rotted so I tried it anyway and the only bites I got was skeeters. But I guess that was a lesson in itself you need to be prepared. Thanks for the comment. J