Try. Adjust. Improve.

Trial and Error

There is a recurring theme throughout my lure presentation explanations: I discovered a lot of very effective techniques by accident. But, I discovered these techniques through observation and paying attention to details. Even if something happens by accident, don’t dismiss it as not being important. When you are on the water, you should be an information sponge. I use a lot of acronyms in my journals and next to every uncommon occurrence you will see the letters WTF with a circle in the margin. I routinely go back and compare them to analyze the details and see if I can determine any consistencies to help explain “What The Fish” happened.

Once you make a few accidental discoveries, you begin to try and come up with ideas that you think might work. I have logged many hours trying some hair-brained ideas that didn’t produce nary a bite. I have also tried presentations that other people swear by and couldn’t catch a cold butt naked using them.

Your discoveries from modifying lures and keeping logs can be added to your bag of tricks and only shared with a select few, or shared with manufacturers to help improve lure design. Most lures are a product of numerous modifications or revisions, usually derived from angler input and feedback, so do not be afraid to contact a manufacturer and let them know your opinion of their product.

TIP: Here is a confession that will get me a bunch of phone calls: A fishing buddy is the best guinea pig in the world. Especially if they think you are a pretty good angler. If you have a bait (or color) that you don’t have a lot of confidence in and you think it should work, toss it to your buddy out on the water. When you do this, make sure you say with confidence, “Try this out, they have been killing it!” The confidence that you just induced into them will ensure that lure gets fished thoroughly. If it doesn’t work, hey, you just saved yourself a couple of hours. Make the journal entry (DCS)[A1] . I know what you are thinking, but sometimes they wear ‘em out!