Fishing Outside Your Comfort Zone

“This is my jerkbait. There are many like it but this one is mine. My jerkbait is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me my jerkbait is useless. Without my jerkbait, I am useless… I must fire my jerkbait true…”

It’s easy to get attached to our favorite lures, favorite locations or favorite fishing patterns. So much so, that parting ways with a certain bait – or a certain lake – seems unfathomable.

We go with what we know.

If you take a look at the recent TV spot for Minn Kota Trolling Motors with iPilot & Spot Lock – what do they keep repeating?

“This is MY SPOT. I ain’t going NOWHERE.”

It’s the same with confidence baits. While they are (very) important, if we don’t break away from “the usual”, we never grow as anglers.

… so… what do you do when YOUR SPOT ain’t producing fish? What happens when YOUR CONFIDENCE BAIT gets ignored?

YOU PIVOT – because sticking with the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

It’s time to fish something different!

I bank fish often. Love it. Usually, it’s a successful way to target largemouth bass… but lately, the bank-bite has been off.

Way off.

I’m talkin’ non-existent at my favorite lakes. We touched on setting up scouting missions when times are tough – which is exactly what I’ve been doing – fishing new, challenging water with presentations I’ve never tried before. (Some old favorites have produced as well…)

Take a look at a few recent fish and presentations that have worked. See if one of these suggestions sparks your curiosity – then get out there and give it a shot!

How about you? Any lures or locations you’ve been experimenting with? Let me know!

It ain't rocket surgery - if you want to grow as an angler, it's never too late - but you need to push yourself. Grab something new, go somewhere strange, and start casting.

I'll be doing the same.

Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.