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I usually stay away from these type of posts, but a buddy and I had a discussion about what makes a fisherman good and I'm wondering what the BFTer's think. He was saying it's all gear and electronics anymore, like fishing in a barrel. I'll pose it this way, as a percentage, what part is gear, age, technique, local knowledge, willingness to fish in unfavourable conditions, attentiveness to detail, whatever (add your own). I'll start with -
Technique - 30%
Attentiveness to detail - 25%
Gear/Electronics - 25%
Local Knowledge - 15%
Fish Unfavourable Conditions - 5%
=100%
What do you think?
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Without doing a percentage break down, I'd say that a good fisherman spends alot of time on the water. If you only fish once every couple of weeks or so, you will be out of practice. There is alot to be said for timing also (knowing when to fish). I don't think having good electronics makes you a better fisherman, but it can sure help you catch more fish (if that makes any sense to you)[  ]
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what makes a good fisherman ??
1. repeatabillity, being able to repeat your success.
2. presentation.
3. local knowledge.
4. location.
my dimes worth
later chuck
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I think I agree, that if you put the time in, you will be a better fisherman. Electronics help, but I spend a lot of time fishing small streams where electronics aren't worth a hill of beans, but I've put the time in, I think I know what the fish like, and I catch a few here and there. If I were just a casual fisherman, I don't think I'd like it as much.
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Heres my two cents..
Rule #1. Time.. Spending the time needed to learn the waters, its habitat, and most importantly,,,the habits of the fish you target.
Rule #2. There's no exception to rule number #1
In my mind that accounts for 90% of being a "good fisherman"..
But, to be a great fisherman simply spend a little more and buy better eletronics with bigger buttons, bells, lights and whisles, HA!![ ]
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My observations are that you have to fish often to get to know the waters you fish regularly and the species you are looking for. After enough hours on the water, you get to where you can translate conditons from one water to another to be successsful.
Electronics are great unless they are seeing fish that you aren't catching; however, they are good from the standpoint of being able to see the underwater conditions (depth, contour, trees, etc).
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2]I think that the answer to that question is quite simple: ... The person with [#ff0000]PASSION[/#ff0000] for fishing (or any interest for that matter) finds a way to get the necessary time, tools, and talent to become "good". The more passion he has for fishing, the better fisherman he will be.
A person with lots of passion for fishing will listen closely to other good fishermen, read their fishing reports, fish with them, read fishing magazines and articles, experiment with new ideas, invest (and waste) money on tools and toys, and wear out lots of equipment due to so much time spent on the water.
One other thing about the "good" fisherman ... the more he shares with others, the more he's bound to learn. It's hard not to learn from others while shareing with them.
Although there is a lot of great "gear and electronics anymore", (and that trend will always continue), the one piece of electronic equipment that has yet to be marketed is the fish mind reader. Until that device can be purchased at Sportsman's, fishing will remain just that ... "fishing".[/font][/size]
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[cool] [#0000ff]Over the past "plenty" years, I have been involved in a lot of "art vs science" discussions on fishing. I like to say that I still don't have all the answers, but I sure do know most of the questions by now.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like a lot of us, I have had the good fortune to have grown up in a fishing family, where I learned enough to get started. Then, over the years, I have been lucky enough to know many good fishermen who were willing to share with others. That's how I have learned most of what I think I know.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am also a prolific reader. I could probably buy a tricked out boat for what I have spent on magazines and books on fishing. Since I got Internet savvy, I have spent less on my reading material, but have continued to surf and learn. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All that just to say that I have opinions. I believe that knowledge is important, not only from the standpoint of catching fish, but for understanding the lessons you are given both by other fishermen and the fish. You need to know the what, why, where, when and how of everything that happens, to put it into proper perspective and to file it in your anglers' database. Never stop being a "student", and always keep an open mind. That is the "science" part of fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I laugh when people accuse us of having an unfair advantage by using electronics. True, it helps to find the fish, but that can also work to your frustration when you can't put a pattern together. You know the fish are there, but can't catch them. You still need to be a good fisherman, have the right bait or lures and be able to properly present them. That is the "art" part.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Having "high end" tackle is nice, but not necessary. It can make your fishing more enjoyable, strictly from the standpoint of easier and more trouble free fishing. The  fact is that unless you are fairly advanced, a lot of the fancy refinements are mostly wasted on you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The same with lures. Good fishermen can catch fish on the "wrong lures". Poor fishermen often fail to get bites (or detect them) even when fishing the right lure in the right spot. If you don't fish it right, or if you can't tell when you have an inquiry, you might as well be playing a fishing game on your computer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Creativity and innovation are great aids in fishing success. When the fish are not biting, you need to be able to figure out something else that might work, and to make it work. Again, knowing your stuff helps. Otherwise, you just keep messin' around until you get lucky, without knowing why.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Ultimately, repeated success comes from a variety of factors, each of which can be of varying importance on any given day. How's that for being suitably vague? There is no doubt that having a good knowledge of the water you fish and the species you are after are important. Equally important is having a good understanding of your gear, and a feel for how it should be operating. The choice of bait or lures is predicated upon the previous two factors.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As others have suggested, there is no substitute for getting out on the water as often as you can. However, you should always try to do it the right way. Learning bad habits or forming incorrect assumptions can only make things worse in the future. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fishing is no different than golf, tennis, typing, knitting or anything else that requires good form and skill. A bit of good instruction, followed by a lot of practice...the right kind of practice...will make you better. And, it is easier to learn it right than to unlearn bad habits.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When all else fails, hope you get lucky. And, if someone else outfishes you...or you come home smelling like skunk...have your list of excuses ready. We all need them at times.[/#0000ff]
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One word "experience"! To me if you dont put the time and a little experimenting to use you wont be as good as fisherman as someone who does it all the time.
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The Passion for the sport and every aspect of it.
If you get excited when teaching others and spend quality time on the water ... These things make you a great fisherman.
Practice and more practice.
What should you do to become a great fisherman?
Pick a technique ... disect it and master it.
Read the right books and them put them to the test.
Track your adventures and when you catch a fish ... remember everything you can about your cast, location & environment.
Let go of your anticipations and just become one with the experience.
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What make a fisherman good? The same thing that makes somebody good in what ever endevor they are undertaking. A trust and confidence in their own skills, that they don't have to prove anything to anbody else. They don't have to go bragging, and are more interested in helping others/newebies/kids who are into the sport.
L
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Experience!
Knowing every technique does no good if your not using them at the right time for the conditions at hand.
Luck?!? For some it comes natural. Others have to make their own.
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THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS REPPATITION.. THE ABILLITEY TO PAY ATTENTION IS HUGE IN BEING GOOD. ALL GOOD FISHERMEN RELYE ON FOCUS. WITH OUT FOCUS IM LOST!!!!
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I'll some it up for you:
5% gear
5% not wanting to be anywhere else
5% a good fishing buddy
85% [black][size 7]BEER[/size][/black]
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I totally agree with ocean. I have had so many wonderful fishing excursions in the past, and alot of the times it was because i tried something different. Patience is a virtue and knowledge is key, but sometimes you have to try different things. Another thing is satisfaction from showing a kid or first timer how to catch a specific fish and watching them do it. I would not be half the fisherman i am if not for kind people giving away a few secrets or taking a second to teach me a new trick. Thank you to all those people who have helped me become a better angler.
LH2
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I for one believe the key to success is #1 co-operative fish. We've all had days when it don't matter what you use,how long your there,what gear you have,what you smell like, what the weathers doing, and you still can't buy a bite. And further more , it's usually at that time when some little kid with a snoopy pole comes next to you and promptly catches a couple.In conclusion I think a good fisherman is the person who loves it inspite of all on this threads reasons, and who can deal with the frustrations with a  . Remember you always go fishing, you don't always go catching. ha! ha! ha! Later "a happy fisherman"
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Most fishermen are equal in thier ability to cast, and work a lure.
Fishing technique is not that complicated. There really isnt that much that can be done differently.
Gear and electronics is way over rated. Most guys who have expensive gear dont like to admit it because it means they spent thier money unnessescarily.
Attention to detail is of the highest importance.
But simply being able to find fish is the single most important factor in angler success.
Technique 2%
Attention to detail 40%
Lake knowledge (fish finding ability) 50%
Gear 2%
luck 6%
Of course this is all my personal thoughts.
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The best eletronics on the market won't do me much good when I'm fly fishing a river. You have to pay your dues and spend time at it.
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It all sounds right to me- but lets not overlook simple "God given Talent"... Some guys can Slam Dunk a B-ball, some can throw a baseball 95 MPH, others can drive a golf ball 300+ yards...
and still others can just flat catch fish!
I say "sick with what you do best"...PB
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