Ahem...
Why haven't I gotten my 50 yet? In my mind mostly because I couldn't fish hard enough my first 28 years on this planet, due to college away from the Ocean, career building, relationships, etc. And now that for the last 14 years I CAN finally fish hard enough... there are less big girls (on the beach my choice at least) than before the early/ mid '90s it seems! (They gotta be there, to fool them!)
As for the "luck" thing, here's my answer:
There are those in the running for a "50" (from the surf I speak... but most goes for boats too)... & there are those that fish often that yet aren't at all! (Freaky silly big- fish catches aside...)
Those IN the possible "50" game:
1) Choose spots & times & tides & methods & offerings carefully with a "50" in mind only-- never for "action," or schoolies, or Weaks or Blues...
2) Are super- meticulous about their gear in general as been said before often, yes: BUT specifically:
-- they tie impeccable knots... & rigs... & leaders... & hooks... never store- bought for them!! Always the appropriate lb. test for the mission... in new or near- new condition... reliable brands they tested only!
-- they cut back line or leader at the slightest nick (or suspicion of a nick) until no more exists (no matter how far down the spool the "bad" line goes. This is where line capacity of your spool becomes important...)
-- they discard without thinking about it still useable snaps & leaders & hooks that 98% of other fishers would keep on using...
-- they are OBSESSIVE about their hook- sharpening & re- sharpening! (I'm the only one in a line- up catching fish I ever see that takes time to check & resharpen hooks after every fish always! After a hit that didn't hook up even! Doesn't take much to ruin the point on these lessening-in-quality yearly VMCs!)... they know a dull point (esp. on plug trebles) has almost NO chance penetrating the maw of a "50" (or even a 35)... They have a file or hook- hone in easy but dry reach at all times while fishing!
-- they choose their plugs not for pretty looks or even "catching" reputation... rather they choose plugs first & foremost for extra- rugged hardware that will hold up to the vice- jaws of a "50"-- THEN for the other factors like action, color, type & size are considered... (NEVER would they use Storm Shads... or Spro Bucktails for ex... or Mustad 3x Trebles or lesser hooks even... 5" Mambos even scare me-- ever take apart or break a Mambo & see their inside hook- hangers?
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3) They will drive great distances when smart/ plugged- in to up the odds of intercepting a "50" at any given week of the season... they will forgo comfort & sleep & other types of "fun"... WHEN they think it's the right time to be on the water...
4) They have "Striper sense..." They seem to have Striper premonitions... They have careful logs or great memories! They can smell good Bass or bait (or not) in the water front of them... or in a general area or not! (Sometimes casting there for hours without a hit still hoping... other times deciding to leave after only a dozen casts!)
No, not literally of course-- just seemingly! This is confidence mostly, as discussed! -- and it's supremely necessary to keeping you going... driving... fishing... to eventually make that meeting with a "50!" Lack of confidence makes staying home comfy & getting a good nights' sleep (& maybe more from the significant other?) seem more inviting! Fact though: some guys just ARE right more often than others when guessing/ making "when & where & how" fishing calls! Knowing that motivates them to stay confident & keep pushing!
5) They will forgo silly TV shows & stupid movies & stupid clubs & night- spots, just to make sure they're on the water when they should be-- when that "50" might well swoop in! They try their best not to make plans/ social engagements during the "right" Months/ Moons, etc.!
6) (I could go on... but you get the profile by now?)
The 98.5% of guys who fish a lot but aren't in the possible "50" game (i.e., the ones that don't do pretty much all of the above)... still manage to catch maybe 10% of the "50's" brought in each year-- simply by being "lucky!" (& yes, on the water that day...) That's still a lot of "50s" caught doing everything wrong!
The guys IN the "50" game though, number at least in the hundreds... & yet only a handful of "50's" (from shore at least... a dozen + total?) are caught every year!
That's one in 300+ odds or more these "in- game" guys are needing to beat, hoping the "luck" factor helps get them get their "50" finally! The best ones then may well fail just because those odds are still so high! That's why lack of a "50," hardly means you're not a great Bass- fisher!
The other 98.5% though, are looking at approx. 1 in 100,000 odds to beat! THIS is the role luck plays-- for both groups, & to what extent-- in everyones' goal of landing that elusive "50!"
