Summing it up
 

I think after the 8-years+ of the r.o.f.b. and 35-years of Professional
Tournament fishing that we have enough data to sum up fishing (or at least
the equipment and tackle aspects of fishing) to: Confidence & Experience

Q: What is the best LURE for any given situation?
S/A: The lure (type, color, size) that YOU have the most confidence using.
We have seen in "HOLE" tournaments that 10 anglers can enter into a given
area and all produce fish using a wide variety of lures and techniques. The
only common denominator is, a CONFIDENCE LURE was used, backed by years of
angler experience!

Q: What is the best Fishing ROD to use for a given situation?
S/A: The one that YOU feel the most comfortable using. Rod material
(Graphite, Glass, Boron), length (5'6", 6', 6'6", 7', 7'6"), power (medium,
medium heavy, heavy), Action (Slow, Moderate, Fast, Extra Fast), none of
these factors have proven over time to be better for a given situation. It
all comes down to what YOU like and that feels the most comfortable to YOU!
If you have used a 8-ft, mag power, extra fast action rod to fish topwater
lures, and it feels comfortable to you and you have had good success using
it, than that is the best rod for you regardless if no one else in the world
is using it.

Q: What is the best REEL to use (size and type)?
S/A: Reel Type (Spincast, Spinning, Baitcaster, Levelwinder), Multi-ball
bearing, brass bushing, don't mean a thing. Again, the deciding factor is
what feels, and performs the best for YOU! I have seen people use a
baitcaster on a spinning rod because it felt and performed well for them.

Q: What is the Best LINE to use (size and type)?
S/A: 1-pound to 50-pound test, Super-braid, Flourocarbon, copoloymer, nylon
mono, doesn't mean a thing. Fish can detect them all through their sensory
organs. What matters, YOU and YOUR Confidence about using a particular line
type and size.

Sensing a pattern here. What works for one may never work for another.
What makes the difference is how YOU feel about something and how well it
performs for YOU! The road to success on the water is experience - plain
and simple. The more time you spend on and off the water perfecting a
technique, a pattern, the more successful you will become - because you will
be more CONFIDENT doing it.

Getting away from competition fishing has allowed me to take a fresh look at
it. With nothing to prove, no one to impress (sponsors or potential
sponsors), fishing for just the pure love of it, has changed my whole
outlook. I see the big debates over equipment, lures, and techniques on
various forums and laugh now. What's better G.Loomis, St. Croix, All-Star,
etc? The only answer is the one that feels and performs the best for you,
and the only true way it to determined that is to buy or ask someone that
owns a G.Loomis, a St. Croix, a All-Star, a K-Mart Special, etc., if you can
use it and see how you like it. What is the best lure type? try them all
and find two or three that you like, and that produce for you and spend time
on the water learning all you can about them. The same holds true to each
lure type - what product brand, color, rattles, no rattles, etc, do you want
to own and use. Buy several different spinnerbait, crankbait, plastic
plastics brands and types to find the two or three you like and produce the
best for you.

Bottom line is not what equipment (rods, reels, line, lures, boats, sonar,
etc., etc., etc.) you use that will determine your fishing sucess. Its time
on the water, learning to pattern fish (how to read structure and cover,
water and weather conditions to determine the best depth, speed, size,
action, sound, color, scent - presentation/technique for the lure and lure
type of your choice), and you (your comfort and confidence).

Take Roland Martin, Shaw Grisby, Hank Parker, and Rick Clunn as some prime
examples. Each of these anglers have represented multiple manufacturers
during their career. Each time they said their current sponsor's equipment
was the best and demonstrated that by winning tournaments using it. But in
reality, you could put a cane pole with 50-pound test line, in clear water
and these anglers are going to catch fish. Why? EXPERIENCE, and CONFIDENCE!
They know how to locate fish, figure out the current pattern, and how to
present whatever lure they are given. This all came from years and years of
ON-THE-WATER experience.

Regardless of the sport you choose (golf, bowling, basketball, baseball,
handball, or fishing), its the time and consistant time you put into it that
is going to determine how good you get. Spend 8-hours a weekend and you can
only become so good. Spend 1 to 2 hours a day, and you will get better
quicker.

Ah, I hope this makes sense, for it is just a few thoughts fired off the top
of my head.

--
Craig

As astute an observation as can ever be made, Craig. Those words speak truly
speak volumes of absolute truth. Great post.

One little point, though: SW actually is the best lure! ;-)

--
Bob Rickard
(AKA Dr. Spinnerbait)
www.secretweaponlures.com
--------------------------=x O')))


"GL3Loomis" wrote in message
...
I think after the 8-years+ of the r.o.f.b. and 35-years of Professional
Tournament fishing that we have enough data to sum up fishing (or at least
the equipment and tackle aspects of fishing) to: Confidence & Experience

Q: What is the best LURE for any given situation?
S/A: The lure (type, color, size) that YOU have the most confidence using.
We have seen in "HOLE" tournaments that 10 anglers can enter into a given
area and all produce fish using a wide variety of lures and techniques.
The
only common denominator is, a CONFIDENCE LURE was used, backed by years of
angler experience!

Q: What is the best Fishing ROD to use for a given situation?
S/A: The one that YOU feel the most comfortable using. Rod material
(Graphite, Glass, Boron), length (5'6", 6', 6'6", 7', 7'6"), power
(medium,
medium heavy, heavy), Action (Slow, Moderate, Fast, Extra Fast), none of
these factors have proven over time to be better for a given situation.
It
all comes down to what YOU like and that feels the most comfortable to
YOU!
If you have used a 8-ft, mag power, extra fast action rod to fish topwater
lures, and it feels comfortable to you and you have had good success using
it, than that is the best rod for you regardless if no one else in the
world
is using it.

Q: What is the best REEL to use (size and type)?
S/A: Reel Type (Spincast, Spinning, Baitcaster, Levelwinder), Multi-ball
bearing, brass bushing, don't mean a thing. Again, the deciding factor is
what feels, and performs the best for YOU! I have seen people use a
baitcaster on a spinning rod because it felt and performed well for them.

Q: What is the Best LINE to use (size and type)?
S/A: 1-pound to 50-pound test, Super-braid, Flourocarbon, copoloymer,
nylon
mono, doesn't mean a thing. Fish can detect them all through their
sensory
organs. What matters, YOU and YOUR Confidence about using a particular
line
type and size.

Sensing a pattern here. What works for one may never work for another.
What makes the difference is how YOU feel about something and how well it
performs for YOU! The road to success on the water is experience - plain
and simple. The more time you spend on and off the water perfecting a
technique, a pattern, the more successful you will become - because you
will
be more CONFIDENT doing it.

Getting away from competition fishing has allowed me to take a fresh look
at
it. With nothing to prove, no one to impress (sponsors or potential
sponsors), fishing for just the pure love of it, has changed my whole
outlook. I see the big debates over equipment, lures, and techniques on
various forums and laugh now. What's better G.Loomis, St. Croix,
All-Star,
etc? The only answer is the one that feels and performs the best for you,
and the only true way it to determined that is to buy or ask someone that
owns a G.Loomis, a St. Croix, a All-Star, a K-Mart Special, etc., if you
can
use it and see how you like it. What is the best lure type? try them all
and find two or three that you like, and that produce for you and spend
time
on the water learning all you can about them. The same holds true to each
lure type - what product brand, color, rattles, no rattles, etc, do you
want
to own and use. Buy several different spinnerbait, crankbait, plastic
plastics brands and types to find the two or three you like and produce
the
best for you.

Bottom line is not what equipment (rods, reels, line, lures, boats, sonar,
etc., etc., etc.) you use that will determine your fishing sucess. Its
time
on the water, learning to pattern fish (how to read structure and cover,
water and weather conditions to determine the best depth, speed, size,
action, sound, color, scent - presentation/technique for the lure and lure
type of your choice), and you (your comfort and confidence).

Take Roland Martin, Shaw Grisby, Hank Parker, and Rick Clunn as some prime
examples. Each of these anglers have represented multiple manufacturers
during their career. Each time they said their current sponsor's
equipment
was the best and demonstrated that by winning tournaments using it. But
in
reality, you could put a cane pole with 50-pound test line, in clear water
and these anglers are going to catch fish. Why? EXPERIENCE, and
CONFIDENCE!
They know how to locate fish, figure out the current pattern, and how to
present whatever lure they are given. This all came from years and years
of
ON-THE-WATER experience.

Regardless of the sport you choose (golf, bowling, basketball, baseball,
handball, or fishing), its the time and consistant time you put into it
that
is going to determine how good you get. Spend 8-hours a weekend and you
can
only become so good. Spend 1 to 2 hours a day, and you will get better
quicker.

Ah, I hope this makes sense, for it is just a few thoughts fired off the
top
of my head.

--
Craig

Getting back to what I said years ago Craig... have YOU gotten to a point
where YOU are now enjoying yourself without over-pressureing yourself? In
other words, are you having fun now?


"GL3Loomis" wrote in message
...
I think after the 8-years+ of the r.o.f.b. and 35-years of Professional
Tournament fishing that we have enough data to sum up fishing (or at least
the equipment and tackle aspects of fishing) to: Confidence & Experience

Q: What is the best LURE for any given situation?
S/A: The lure (type, color, size) that YOU have the most confidence using.
We have seen in "HOLE" tournaments that 10 anglers can enter into a given
area and all produce fish using a wide variety of lures and techniques.
The
only common denominator is, a CONFIDENCE LURE was used, backed by years of
angler experience!

Q: What is the best Fishing ROD to use for a given situation?
S/A: The one that YOU feel the most comfortable using. Rod material
(Graphite, Glass, Boron), length (5'6", 6', 6'6", 7', 7'6"), power
(medium,
medium heavy, heavy), Action (Slow, Moderate, Fast, Extra Fast), none of
these factors have proven over time to be better for a given situation.
It
all comes down to what YOU like and that feels the most comfortable to
YOU!
If you have used a 8-ft, mag power, extra fast action rod to fish topwater
lures, and it feels comfortable to you and you have had good success using
it, than that is the best rod for you regardless if no one else in the
world
is using it.

Q: What is the best REEL to use (size and type)?
S/A: Reel Type (Spincast, Spinning, Baitcaster, Levelwinder), Multi-ball
bearing, brass bushing, don't mean a thing. Again, the deciding factor is
what feels, and performs the best for YOU! I have seen people use a
baitcaster on a spinning rod because it felt and performed well for them.

Q: What is the Best LINE to use (size and type)?
S/A: 1-pound to 50-pound test, Super-braid, Flourocarbon, copoloymer,
nylon
mono, doesn't mean a thing. Fish can detect them all through their
sensory
organs. What matters, YOU and YOUR Confidence about using a particular
line
type and size.

Sensing a pattern here. What works for one may never work for another.
What makes the difference is how YOU feel about something and how well it
performs for YOU! The road to success on the water is experience - plain
and simple. The more time you spend on and off the water perfecting a
technique, a pattern, the more successful you will become - because you
will
be more CONFIDENT doing it.

Getting away from competition fishing has allowed me to take a fresh look
at
it. With nothing to prove, no one to impress (sponsors or potential
sponsors), fishing for just the pure love of it, has changed my whole
outlook. I see the big debates over equipment, lures, and techniques on
various forums and laugh now. What's better G.Loomis, St. Croix,
All-Star,
etc? The only answer is the one that feels and performs the best for you,
and the only true way it to determined that is to buy or ask someone that
owns a G.Loomis, a St. Croix, a All-Star, a K-Mart Special, etc., if you
can
use it and see how you like it. What is the best lure type? try them all
and find two or three that you like, and that produce for you and spend
time
on the water learning all you can about them. The same holds true to each
lure type - what product brand, color, rattles, no rattles, etc, do you
want
to own and use. Buy several different spinnerbait, crankbait, plastic
plastics brands and types to find the two or three you like and produce
the
best for you.

Bottom line is not what equipment (rods, reels, line, lures, boats, sonar,
etc., etc., etc.) you use that will determine your fishing sucess. Its
time
on the water, learning to pattern fish (how to read structure and cover,
water and weather conditions to determine the best depth, speed, size,
action, sound, color, scent - presentation/technique for the lure and lure
type of your choice), and you (your comfort and confidence).

Take Roland Martin, Shaw Grisby, Hank Parker, and Rick Clunn as some prime
examples. Each of these anglers have represented multiple manufacturers
during their career. Each time they said their current sponsor's
equipment
was the best and demonstrated that by winning tournaments using it. But
in
reality, you could put a cane pole with 50-pound test line, in clear water
and these anglers are going to catch fish. Why? EXPERIENCE, and
CONFIDENCE!
They know how to locate fish, figure out the current pattern, and how to
present whatever lure they are given. This all came from years and years
of
ON-THE-WATER experience.

Regardless of the sport you choose (golf, bowling, basketball, baseball,
handball, or fishing), its the time and consistant time you put into it
that
is going to determine how good you get. Spend 8-hours a weekend and you
can
only become so good. Spend 1 to 2 hours a day, and you will get better
quicker.

Ah, I hope this makes sense, for it is just a few thoughts fired off the
top
of my head.

--
Craig

Go away spammer! LOL... Or at least mention the Green Goddess!


"Bob Rickard" wrote in message
m...
As astute an observation as can ever be made, Craig. Those words speak
truly
speak volumes of absolute truth. Great post.

One little point, though: SW actually is the best lure! ;-)

--
Bob Rickard
(AKA Dr. Spinnerbait)
www.secretweaponlures.com
--------------------------=x O')))


"GL3Loomis" wrote in message
...
I think after the 8-years+ of the r.o.f.b. and 35-years of Professional
Tournament fishing that we have enough data to sum up fishing (or at
least
the equipment and tackle aspects of fishing) to: Confidence & Experience

Q: What is the best LURE for any given situation?
S/A: The lure (type, color, size) that YOU have the most confidence
using.
We have seen in "HOLE" tournaments that 10 anglers can enter into a
given
area and all produce fish using a wide variety of lures and techniques.
The
only common denominator is, a CONFIDENCE LURE was used, backed by years
of
angler experience!

Q: What is the best Fishing ROD to use for a given situation?
S/A: The one that YOU feel the most comfortable using. Rod material
(Graphite, Glass, Boron), length (5'6", 6', 6'6", 7', 7'6"), power
(medium,
medium heavy, heavy), Action (Slow, Moderate, Fast, Extra Fast), none
of
these factors have proven over time to be better for a given situation.
It
all comes down to what YOU like and that feels the most comfortable to
YOU!
If you have used a 8-ft, mag power, extra fast action rod to fish
topwater
lures, and it feels comfortable to you and you have had good success
using
it, than that is the best rod for you regardless if no one else in the
world
is using it.

Q: What is the best REEL to use (size and type)?
S/A: Reel Type (Spincast, Spinning, Baitcaster, Levelwinder), Multi-ball
bearing, brass bushing, don't mean a thing. Again, the deciding factor
is
what feels, and performs the best for YOU! I have seen people use a
baitcaster on a spinning rod because it felt and performed well for
them.

Q: What is the Best LINE to use (size and type)?
S/A: 1-pound to 50-pound test, Super-braid, Flourocarbon, copoloymer,
nylon
mono, doesn't mean a thing. Fish can detect them all through their
sensory
organs. What matters, YOU and YOUR Confidence about using a particular
line
type and size.

Sensing a pattern here. What works for one may never work for another.
What makes the difference is how YOU feel about something and how well
it
performs for YOU! The road to success on the water is experience -
plain
and simple. The more time you spend on and off the water perfecting a
technique, a pattern, the more successful you will become - because you
will
be more CONFIDENT doing it.

Getting away from competition fishing has allowed me to take a fresh
look
at
it. With nothing to prove, no one to impress (sponsors or potential
sponsors), fishing for just the pure love of it, has changed my whole
outlook. I see the big debates over equipment, lures, and techniques on
various forums and laugh now. What's better G.Loomis, St. Croix,
All-Star,
etc? The only answer is the one that feels and performs the best for
you,
and the only true way it to determined that is to buy or ask someone
that
owns a G.Loomis, a St. Croix, a All-Star, a K-Mart Special, etc., if you
can
use it and see how you like it. What is the best lure type? try them
all
and find two or three that you like, and that produce for you and spend
time
on the water learning all you can about them. The same holds true to
each
lure type - what product brand, color, rattles, no rattles, etc, do you
want
to own and use. Buy several different spinnerbait, crankbait, plastic
plastics brands and types to find the two or three you like and produce
the
best for you.

Bottom line is not what equipment (rods, reels, line, lures, boats,
sonar,
etc., etc., etc.) you use that will determine your fishing sucess. Its
time
on the water, learning to pattern fish (how to read structure and cover,
water and weather conditions to determine the best depth, speed, size,
action, sound, color, scent - presentation/technique for the lure and
lure
type of your choice), and you (your comfort and confidence).

Take Roland Martin, Shaw Grisby, Hank Parker, and Rick Clunn as some
prime
examples. Each of these anglers have represented multiple manufacturers
during their career. Each time they said their current sponsor's
equipment
was the best and demonstrated that by winning tournaments using it. But
in
reality, you could put a cane pole with 50-pound test line, in clear
water
and these anglers are going to catch fish. Why? EXPERIENCE, and
CONFIDENCE!
They know how to locate fish, figure out the current pattern, and how to
present whatever lure they are given. This all came from years and
years
of
ON-THE-WATER experience.

Regardless of the sport you choose (golf, bowling, basketball, baseball,
handball, or fishing), its the time and consistant time you put into it
that
is going to determine how good you get. Spend 8-hours a weekend and you
can
only become so good. Spend 1 to 2 hours a day, and you will get better
quicker.

Ah, I hope this makes sense, for it is just a few thoughts fired off the
top
of my head.

--
Craig

Charles B. Summers wrote in message "Getting back to what I said years ago
Craig... have YOU gotten to a point where YOU are now enjoying yourself
without over-pressureing yourself? In other words, are you having fun now?"

I'm not going to lie to you. Yes and no. When I get to fish now, it is for
fun and I truly enjoy myself. But like any highly competitive individual,
I could easily see myself going into supercharge mode if I fished
competitively.

Can't help myself, I hate to lose!!!

--
Craig

In my local club tourney's I never think of it as loosing...

It was just not my turn to win on that day.

A small change of attitude to the whole "life experience" may be in order
for you to really enjoy yourself. Call me an optimist, but I believe that
everyday is going to be the best day of my life. If it does not turn out
that way well, tomorrow I get to start out all over again and prove myself
right.

....just a thought.

"GL3Loomis" wrote in message
...
Charles B. Summers wrote in message "Getting back to what I said years ago
Craig... have YOU gotten to a point where YOU are now enjoying yourself
without over-pressureing yourself? In other words, are you having fun
now?"

I'm not going to lie to you. Yes and no. When I get to fish now, it is
for
fun and I truly enjoy myself. But like any highly competitive individual,
I could easily see myself going into supercharge mode if I fished
competitively.

Can't help myself, I hate to lose!!!

--
Craig

One of the most important life lessons my grandfather shared with me.

"Don't ever confuse equipment with knowledge"


"Illinois Fisherman" wrote in message
. com...
In my local club tourney's I never think of it as loosing...

It was just not my turn to win on that day.

A small change of attitude to the whole "life experience" may be in order
for you to really enjoy yourself. Call me an optimist, but I believe that
everyday is going to be the best day of my life. If it does not turn out
that way well, tomorrow I get to start out all over again and prove myself
right.

...just a thought.

"GL3Loomis" wrote in message
...
Charles B. Summers wrote in message "Getting back to what I said years
ago
Craig... have YOU gotten to a point where YOU are now enjoying yourself
without over-pressureing yourself? In other words, are you having fun
now?"

I'm not going to lie to you. Yes and no. When I get to fish now, it is
for
fun and I truly enjoy myself. But like any highly competitive
individual,
I could easily see myself going into supercharge mode if I fished
competitively.

Can't help myself, I hate to lose!!!

--
Craig

I like that Pat, THANKS!

Warren

"Pat Goff @yahoo.com" pmgoffjrbot wrote in message
...
One of the most important life lessons my grandfather shared with me.

"Don't ever confuse equipment with knowledge"


"Illinois Fisherman" wrote in message
. com...
In my local club tourney's I never think of it as loosing...

It was just not my turn to win on that day.

A small change of attitude to the whole "life experience" may be in
order
for you to really enjoy yourself. Call me an optimist, but I believe
that
everyday is going to be the best day of my life. If it does not turn out
that way well, tomorrow I get to start out all over again and prove
myself
right.

...just a thought.

"GL3Loomis" wrote in message
...
Charles B. Summers wrote in message "Getting back to what I said years
ago
Craig... have YOU gotten to a point where YOU are now enjoying
yourself
without over-pressureing yourself? In other words, are you having fun
now?"

I'm not going to lie to you. Yes and no. When I get to fish now, it
is
for
fun and I truly enjoy myself. But like any highly competitive
individual,
I could easily see myself going into supercharge mode if I fished
competitively.

Can't help myself, I hate to lose!!!

--
Craig

Darn it Pat, I had my wife convinced I was on the road to being a
genius. I was just a new rod and reel away.

Brad Coovert
2005 Tournament Director, Greenfield Bassmasters
www.greenfieldbassmasters.com
Esox Rods - Handmade In The USA
"For The Toughest Fishing Out There!"

Me too, I wonder if my wife will fall for it? ;-) Joe Z.


"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
I like that Pat, THANKS!

Warren

"Pat Goff @yahoo.com" pmgoffjrbot wrote in message
...
One of the most important life lessons my grandfather shared with me.

"Don't ever confuse equipment with knowledge"