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How to Become a More SUCCESSFUL Angler
Many professional anglers can easily spot a beginner, or an angler who has skipped the basics. So, if you really want to stand out in the crowd, it is best to learn the building blocks of successful fishing by paying attention to the professionals.
The same rules apply to almost all manner of sports; posture is everything. Great power and speed come from correct body positioning and focus, the same is true for any angler that wants the best results when out fishing for sports or as a hobby.
How to Improve Your Hookset
In today’s fishing world, you’ll find that the best game fish anglers have an incredible hook-set. Correct body posture is important if you want to reach a professional level as an angler. Body positioning is not correctly understood by most novice anglers; power is lost and hook set speed is minimal with a poor posture:
Adopt a proper stance; one leg behind the lead leg for greater power and mobility. Right handed anglers must have right leg at the rear position – like a boxing stance for a greater pivot.Improve your hook-set and swing by positioning yourself to view the lure; significantly improves overall perception. Learn the mechanics of the body swing as this will keep you from falling off the boat and dramatically helps with controlling different line stretch and type. Extra rod length is important when dealing with a slack line Muskies are different to bass and other types of fish; always stock extra-sharp hooks and a low stretch line for a successful catch.
Casting requires much dedication and skill for a successful catch, especially when dealing with different types of fish. You should be accurate and savvy enough to avoid lure getting tangled by your line as well as avoiding a backlash or a snarl and many other tell-tale signs that will expose any weaknesses in your fishing strategy.
What being a SUCCESSFUL angler entails
Simplify
Fly anglers have a big problem with this one. If someone off the street were to look inside a fly angler’s vest, tying room, or vehicle, they might be calling the producers of the T.V. show “Hoarders” and signing us up for some kind of intervention. It’s safe to say that most of us have too much stuff.
Understand
This world is moving at break-neck speeds, and this seems to follow anglers to the river. Slow down, look around, and enjoy your time on the river. When you get to the river, sit and watch what is happening. If you can just take your time and observe, you will have a better grasp of what the situation is and make a plan for it. Make a plan and set goals for the day. What are you trying to accomplish and how are your surroundings going to affect your decisions? Questions lead to answers, and answers make for success.
Casting
If one of the casters is not very accomplished, the other angler is going to suffer. If I have to maneuver the boat to compensate for the weaker caster, it will cost us fish. It sounds harsh, but it is the truth. The folks in a drift boat we are only as strong as the weakest caster. If you can’t put the fly in front of the fish without spooking it, your success rate is going to be low. Practice casting. It’s really that easy. This one should be a slam dunk.
Confidence
With good casting comes confidence. It is all rolled into one. If you know you can make that cast, it will happen and your confidence will grow. Musky fishing is a mental game. Staying focused, fishing aggressively, and knowing something is going to happen is 90% of your job. I have used that same mental toughness and confidence in my other fishing, as well.
Confidence also will help you experiment with tactics, casting, and fly selection. If you’re confident, you’re more willing to try new and different approaches to your fishing.
Enjoy
Confidence leads to enjoyment. Fishing is supposed to be enjoyable and fun. How many times have you been on the river and been very frustrated. We all know that it can be very challenging at times, but let’s all keep in mind a few things. The first to remember is “Where you would rather be?” If it’s that bad, just reel your line up and go back to work or mow the lawn. Keep in mind the other people that can’t enjoy this great sport. There is always someone worse off than you. Enjoy this great creation and the gifts that we have.
Surround
Surround yourself with friends and people who can help you. Nothing is more fun than a great day of fishing with friends and family. There are a lot of knowledgeable people out there and you can always learn something. Watch and learn from others. How about mentoring someone? Bring someone new to the sport. Share your passion with others, and you are sure to be a better angler for it.
Seasons
There is more to fly fishing than just trout. Expand your horizons. Nothing can make you a better angler than time on the water. By expanding your season, not only do you get more time on the water, but you get to try something new, as well. It brings freshness to your fishing and will expand your skill set in the sport. You can never have enough arrows in your quiver.
Fish
A lot of anglers talk a good game but spend very little time on the water. Make an effort to fish as much as possible. Practice makes perfect, and it is the same in fly fishing.
Unpredictable
Isn’t that why we fish? If everything went as planned, how much fun would that be? It is the unpredictability of the outdoors that keeps me coming back. We are all looking for that amazing moment, and you never know when it will happen.
Unpredictability is what makes memories.
Legacy
Clubs, manufacturers, organizations, and retailers all talk about getting kids involved. What are you personally doing to leave a legacy for this great sport? It can be a son, daughter, grandkid, nephew, niece, and even a neighbor. Get out of your comfort zone and get them involved. Don’t blame video games, single parents, or the city life. Blame it on yourself for not getting someone involved. You’re the reason the sport isn’t getting kids involved. Quit waiting for all the club and organizations to do this. It’s you, you’re the club, and you’re the organization get out there and do it.
These aren’t earth shattering concepts. They are just points to look at throughout the upcoming season. Maybe just try and tackle a few.
Truth or Myth?
Many fisherman believe that a person’s size is important for the catch; larger builds bring more power when casting and reeling in a big catch, but this is not fact.
Power relies on a person’s perception and with fishermen in mind – it is safe to say that skill and accuracy are what determine a fisherman’s success whether sport fishing in salt water or local fishing as a hobby, so remember to master any and all basics when learning how to become a successful angler, as cutting corners will have you remain a novice for years to come.
Always check the equipment you intend on using and keep different hooks in separate locations in your rig box, same thing with your bait types and other fishing essentials, organisation is of top priority as any seasoned fishing professional will tell you.
Experience will teach you what equipment works best with different fishes and their locations. It’s best for you to pack your gear and head out to several locations for a unique fishing experience on each occasion, as frequenting the same fishing location each and every time will only make you more proficient in that particular spot, and your knowledge of other fishes will never expand.
All in all, fishing should be a fun, exciting and educational experience every time. If you find that you’re stumbling over the same old obstacles whilst fishing, you need to bring it back to basics and pay more attention to whatever it is that you’re not doing effectively.
Chances are that your technique might need a little adjusting, your posture could be well off, or you need to use different equipment and experiment with what works best on different fishes until you’re comfortable making the catch.
Like all things, fishing is a process, a skill that needs to be mastered until you are able to act without excessive thought. When you find that you are enjoying your fishing as opposed to struggling each time, you know that you have reached a higher level of proficiency.
Continue to learn from the experts and always ask questions if you’re ever unsure of the methods you’re using.
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