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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | What do you do to try to overcome a lack of confidence in a certain presentation?
For instance, I have never caught a muskie on topwater, some good sticks out there have never gotten one on a bulldawg. Arguably, a couple of the most productive presentations available. What do you do when people you know (and trust) tell you, "it works, just give it some time!"?
In my situation, would any of you advise to JUST take topwaters one day, at the expense of possibly sacrificing a day? Or do I look at it as the possibility of opening new and wonderous opportinities...? Seems like I throw them for a while (cuz they look cool), then get on with my fishing - with other baits. It's hard to keep a real positive attitude when the only thing that looks at them are the gulls...
Sorno
*oh, and PK, I'll save you the time...'Just fish better!' hahahaha
Edited by sorenson 1/24/2006 4:17 PM
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Posts: 305
Location: Illinois | Hi Sorenson,
I know exactly what you are talking about. You wouldn't believe how many hours I threw a jerk bait before I hooked up. The only thing I realized was I was throwing a jerkbait when nothing else was going. Finally, I tied one on during prime time and my confidence in them grew.So, tie on that topwater when the fish are moving and that should get you going. Hope it happens for you. hj
p.s.-hope it happens for me  |
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Posts: 64
Location: addison, il | hello. sorno. man come on you sound so down on this the season hasent even started so pump your self up and live it man. confidence is the key to 90% of your game if you feel it you are in the groove and thats when the majic starts. i look at things like this. this may sound corny but it works and if you think about it its very true muskie baits are like pepole we all have diffrent personalitys so do lures. every pice of wood is diffrent as are lots of plastic or rubber. the density's are all difrent. so take the time to now your baits and they will be your best friends. you will also gain more conffidence in them and in turn this will make you a more well rounded fisherman. i would say never go out with just top water cuase mother nature being so cooperatve as she is will make you regret that. but rather harness your need or desire to fish some thing ellse when the condtions are right stick with the topwater baits and learn them and get to know them play around a little as you said its like waseting time well then waste it learning. one thing i always tell my clints that have not had luck with top water is to keep saying in thare head wait set wait set meaning feel the wight set the hook this will help you to condtion your self not to prematurly set the hook fish will some times blow up on a bait sevral times not actually hiting it before they do decide to eat it so keep that in mind and stick with once you get the fisrt 2 or so yull be good to go it then becomes just another lure in the bag of tricks. good luck and work em hard. |
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Posts: 32951
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sorno,
Confidence comes with success, and that's that. One HAS to try the technique to be well rounded, but if it stinks on the waters you fish, don't use it. The key is to be versatile when moving about on other lakes and rivers, and be prepared to do what works well there. I do so many different things on so many different waters, I don't even think I HAVE a favorite presentation anymore.
There is, however, a difference between a surface buzzer and a Weagle, for example. Hybrids LIKE buzzers, but nt so much the walk the dog lures, in my experience. Can't even lump 'em together, really. |
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Posts: 67
| I think one the best ways besides success is force yourself you throw the bait which yours is a top water, pick a few diferent ones and throw it a few times the whole time your out. I think we comfortable with our go to bait and we just don't give enough time to say a topwater. Just my 2cents |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | One of the problems with "low confidence" baits is the time period that you throw them.
When conditions are perfect, and you expect to get bit you put your best bait in the box on. It is kind of a self fulfilling deal that you would tend to catch fish on them then, you are using your "confidence" baits at peak times.
Low confidence baits usually get out when your best of the best aren't producing. When all else fails you try that other bait, maybe it will get one going. You are already handicapping these baits, because you have proven the fish aren't very active that day.
To give your low confidence baits a fair shake you have to use them at peak times. Next time everything is perfect; storm moving in at sunset, with a full moon rising, put on your low confidence bait and give it a fair shake.
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Posts: 2361
| Fishing with a partner or two partners can help you quite a bit in this regard. You can see that 3 baits are running all the time, and make a committment to somebody throwing the new bait all day. Your bulldawg question is perfectly suited to me, I know they are effective in some of the waters I fish and I have a couple, but I do not take them out much. Read Sworrall's comment about "stinking". For me the bulldawgs have major problems within the pattern I normally fish, so they become to me at least, a borderline presentation. However, I do have confidence in the baits catching fish from word of mouth AND demonstration, so I know they will work, and on some lake X in the future, might pull one out and use it half a day fully expecting results.
Checking surface baits, I have caught fish on just about every size and type of surface bait and many on some, and have 100% confidence in them, but rarely throw them where I fish, simply due to my perception over time that they are less efficient on a fish per cast basis, than my other presentations. I catch more fish by NOT throwing baits I have full confidence in because I have confidence in my choice of pattern and presentation being dialed in for the fish down here. Square peg, round hole. Both are half of an equation, but maybe not a successful pairing in the face of your particular waters. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | I'll echo what husky jerk and nwild said, you have to throw them during primetime on your best spots, not just when you're bored or exploring during slow periods. Nothing inspires confidence like a fish on the end of your line!
Phil |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | Do hybrids like topwater baits? We have some hybrids here in Madison and I haven't caught one on a topwater, yet. If they are more like their Northern half I would try buzz baits, toppers or a thumper bait(Top Raider). These are the only topwaters that I have caught Pike on.
If you are fishing a lake that has a nice natural population....pound the topwater...nothing like a topwater strike.
In your home waters, I would think you will catch more fish with subsurface lures. Topwater is probably not a high % presentation. |
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