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I think of lures as tools, tools to attract and then provoke strikes.
The tools should be designed to meet specific conditions, i.e., proper depth, proper action, proper size, proper color.
Once you think of lures this way, you will find that the only confidence you need is that you know the location of the fish and their mood.
Good luck and well done in expanding your knowledge base.
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Are the fish learning our lures?
I seem to be expert at enticing fish to follow my lures up to me before they turn away almost as if they want to see what fool thinks they can fool us fish with that thing!
I got some new lures to try when that happens. They are huge and very realistic and look and swim just like a fish. Having neutral buoyancy and a clever design that has them turn 180° and suspend to face the larger fish that is following.
That becomes another sort of trigger for the fish to attack it instead of just watching it and following it in.
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Guilty as charged! I have at times become so insistant on using my go-to marabou jigs on chasing trout that I can’t pull myself away from it to try other methods. Lately I have become more open to different methods (ie) flies., scented jigs etc. and have realized that the fish are not going to respond to what I want them to but will make up their own minds. Be open minded and let go of stubbornness and catch more fish!
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It is a rare fishing trip that I don't try something new that I have either never or rarely used. Sometimes it is the ticket and often it is not. Another thing I like to do is to pay attention to those who are having success at catching fish to determine if they are doing something different that I can learn from.
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Seems most of us are somewhat guilty of limiting ourselves to what we are already confident in. I plan on continuing to focus on my weaker presentations and techniques this year so that I can add a few more tools to the tool bag.
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Exactly my way!
Not only do I change lures when I'm not catching, I'll change when I am to see what else works.
Not only that, but I'll become good at one fishing style and start all over again. I really got into fly fishing and more extreme into fly tying than any might imagine, but put it all away and got spinning and conventional rods and reels of all sorts starting with catching big fish with big lures.
But, I'm already getting ready for my first surf fishing vacation.
I haven't truly abandoned any style -- just focused on the present and future ones.
I'll be diverse in my fishing. It's one of the reasons I enjoy fishing with others -- it's opportunity to learn something new!
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Nightcrawlers are my go to bait.
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[quote Cessna150]Nightcrawlers are my go to bait.[/quote]
I love nightcrawlers...caught plently of fish with nothing more than a worm and bobber.
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I can't wait to hear about your surf fishing vacation. I have been wanting to go catch surf perch for a long time. I want to make sure I can catch a lot of them before I go because it is going to be pricier in time and money than my typical FG fishing trip. I want to try Washington because Washington honors my concealed carry license. ;-)
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Washington makes sense for that reason to me, too. I'm ultra conservative and don't want to give California my dollars.
I also considered the expense of all the surf fishing equipment, vehicle and long trip expenses regarding productivity. But, the productivity I'm looking at is the learning experience. IF I were to live on the beach and could fish every day for almost no cost, then there would be no problem with slowly learning over a long amount of time by trial and error.
But, with a short window of opportunity to learn, I decided it would be cost effective to add hiring an expert surf fishing guide / distance casting coach to also pick the beach that I can drive on and time it with expected fish migration to have a productive surf fishing vacation.
I haven't had success at learning surfcasting with my practice and stopped practicing because it's not beneficial to develop bad habits, so I look to learn it from an expert when I find that expert.
So far, I spent considerable time mostly watching an internet surf fishing group that is mostly on the East coast. If you found a surf fishing group on the West coast or specific to Washington, then please let me know. I also still haven't found that guide / distance casting coach preferably in Washington for the reasons you gave or perhaps even further north in Canada or Alaska.
I like the idea of Alaska. It's a lot more distant, but it is our United States of America and they aren't trying to vote that away there and gun rights are excellent there!
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[quote RonPaulFan]Exactly my way!
Not only do I change lures when I'm not catching, I'll change when I am to see what else works.
Not only that, but I'll become good at one fishing style and start all over again. I really got into fly fishing and more extreme into fly tying than any might imagine, but put it all away and got spinning and conventional rods and reels of all sorts starting with catching big fish with big lures.
But, I'm already getting ready for my first surf fishing vacation.
I haven't truly abandoned any style -- just focused on the present and future ones.
I'll be diverse in my fishing. It's one of the reasons I enjoy fishing with others -- it's opportunity to learn something new![/quote]
Problem with Alaska is, if you drive, you have to go through Canada. Unfortunately, they don't respect our God given right to bear arms. Maybe you can put your car on a ferry and avoid communist Canada, but I don't know.
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