If there is one thing I have become lax about over the past year or more, it's using sharp hooks. This is one of the changes I need to put into action this season.

So what is it that you want to change to increase your odds?

i want to get a wetsuit so i can get to those far rocks

ill second the wetsuit idea...

Get out more, especially at night.

Two things...


Fish hard when the fishin is good...you know what I mean...there is a period of time (days to a week or more) were the fishing is peak, not schoolies but large. You will here about it when the first fish hit the beach and you need to push yourself at this time. You need to go every night when the bite is on no matter what the conditions. Once the period passes you can resume your normal fishing patterns but when they are there, you go and fish hard.

and

I know this sounds almost silly but fresh hooks that are sticky sharp will result in many more landings. I have proved this to myself time and time again, ESP with Plugs. Just buy boxes of 100 or more quality hooks at a clip and change them as soon as they show any sign of wear, you will notice it on the first strike...Most of those "bumps" turn into fish on the shore.

Last year I learned the hard way that it is ALWAYS a good idea to bring some eels along even when plugging is the main focus of the trip.

ALWAYS make sure the knots are good!

Thats why I use VMC's and carry a file. Course VMC's rust out just as fast as the Mustads but they come with nice sharp points.

Try not to stick to the "confidence lure" too long. If things are slow, throw everything in the bag.
Fish teasers all the time.
Fish more aggressively i.e. if I'm not losing bucktails, I'm not bouncing the bottom enough.
Pay attention to each cast. I've gotten into the habit of mentally drifting off and missing the only bump of the night. Dam those sunrises and sunsets!!!!
Listen to others. Not for spots but for underlying tips such as color or size.
Pay attention to this website!! It has motivated me for the coming season more than ever before.

I 3rd the wetsuit thing. Also, sharp hooks are must, followed by good solid knot tying.

Thats why I use VMC's and carry a file. Course VMC's rust out just as fast as the Mustads but they come with nice sharp points.

I'm pretty sure that "mustad" is Swedish for "dull".
:pats:

For me it's learning from my mistakes, sounds very easy yet very hard.

Ross,
Some of my best fishing experiences were standing next to you fishing topwater at dawn. You know where obviously and I imagine you remember that blitz a few years back when we first met. The main thing I would suggest is less topwater and using deeper running baits not the the topwater action isn't hard to pass up. The bigger fish just seem to come from the bottom for me.

I have to agree that deeper is better most times for larger fish. I was reminded last fall when early one morning fishing the canal at dawn, fish were breaking and I had some decent fish hitting pencils, not many and not better than 20 pound range, but then I hooked a bass and as it sounded and fought, it became unbuttoned, so I just popped the pencil a few times while it was down deep, and it got a nice whack and hooked a better fish high 20's low 30's, my largest to date on one of my own pencils and best plug fish for me in the canal.

Gotta have sharp hooks!

I have to agree that deeper is better most times for larger fish. I was reminded last fall when early one morning fishing the canal at dawn, fish were breaking and I had some decent fish hitting pencils, not many and not better than 20 pound range, but then I hooked a bass and as it sounded and fought, it became unbuttoned, so I just popped the pencil a few times while it was down deep, and it got a nice whack and hooked a better fish high 20's low 30's, my largest to date on one of my own pencils and best plug fish for me in the canal.

Gotta have sharp hooks!

cool story. must have been fun to experience.