that's good Mike, your brain is a muscle that needs excercise also
I think it's good to try to be proficient at several ways to catch fish. It's not as much fun just doing it one way, and that goes for surf or boat. I don't think it is always one way is easier than others. At times a swimmer will be easier to catch on than a pencil, different circumstances and bait available has an effect on it.
I just go fish and try to figure out what they want and how they want it. Of course there has to be fish around, but even that doesn't mean you'll get them to bite.