A common problem…You have a tournament coming up in a couple of weeks, and you hear that the bass are biting a jig flipped around brush piles. So you think to yourself, “I can stand in a kayak, so I’m sure flipping a jig will be easy.” The problem is that you don’t do it often, and you really aren’t confident doing it. Ultimately, from boat handling, to bait presentation, to setting the hook and, most importantly, landing that 5 pounder once she is hooked up, you will probably try what you hear is working for an hour or so, and then go back to doing what you are comfortable doing. The key is practicing new techniques, and having a place to practice those techniques.
I’m confident in saying that it takes catching bass to catch bass. What I mean by this is that everyone should have water where they can just catch fish. Be it a stocked pond, creek, or a spot on a large lake only a few know about. Just having a place to try new techniques where you are likely to get bites. It’s amazing how catching a few fish with a new technique will increase your confidence immensely on any body of water. Sometimes, it’s not about how many you’ve gone out and caught that day; it’s about the new techniques you used to catch them, and how those new techniques can help you in the future.
I hear the following all the time:
“I can’t flip a jig standing in a kayak.”
“I can’t throw a crankbait around heavy wood cover.”
“I can’t skip a fluke under overhanging limbs or under docks.”
“I can’t dropshot in a kayak.”
Here’s the deal. I have gained a lot of confidence in these techniques on a private 6 acre pond. Yes, I learned to dropshot on a pond. I know it might seem odd, but it’s amazing how you feel throwing a bait you have caught many fish on no matter where you are throwing it.
I imagine some of you are saying, “I don’t have a spot like this.” Well, it only takes a little effort. Finding these small private ponds and writing letters to the pond owners, knocking on doors, following fishing forums, and talking to local guides are a few tricks for finding these spots. I hope this helps you stay confident in your next tournament or fun fishing trip out, no matter what bait gets the job done.