Little things make a BIG difference

Playing sports as a kid started as something fun, but it led to some valuable life lessons: hard work, accountability, how to win and how to deal with failure, just to name a few. One element etched in my memory is the constant focus on what my coaches called “the little things.” ing vegetation because it has very little stretch and low diameter.

“It’s the little things that make a difference,” they said.

The little things included stuff like finishing a block, even though it was to the weak side of the play; finishing out a play action even after the ball had been handed; using proper technique every time; running hard though the coach wasn’t looking; watching a little extra film; doing a few more reps in the weight room … it could go on and on.

The moral is that the little things often determine real success. Sure, you could sometimes beat lesser competition by just showing up, but to really experience success, doing the little things would help to get there.

In bass fishing, there are so many things that must go right to catch one: You have to find fish; use a good bait and present it correctly; hook the fish; and land the fish. From that perspective, it sounds simple, and in a lot of ways it is. It’s the small variables that make bass fishing more complex, as well as exciting. To experience real success on the water, those variables require attention to detail.

Casting

Casting accuracy and stealth can make a difference in whether a fish is interested in your bait or just runs for cover when something plops in. Before making a cast at an object, consider where the fish is most likely to be; how it might be facing (yes, this can matter); and how close you want the bait to fall to the fish. Ideally, in clear water, I want the bait to fall in front of the fish by a couple of feet. If you put the bait right on its head, it’s more likely to spook. If you drop the bait in behind where the fish is positioned it may not recognize your bait.

Also, consider how far away you need to be when you make a cast; close enough to keep your accuracy at a premium but far enough away that the fish doesn’t know you’re there.

Landing Fish

Big Catches

BY GREG VINSON

Here are just six little things that I think make a big difference.

Hooks

I could probably write three more articles about hooks and what I think makes a difference. Most importantly, they need to be sharp. If they are trebles, the point of each and every hook needs to be sharp because you don’t know which one you will be depending on for the hook-up when a fish strikes. Consider whether the hook is big enough to handle the technique you are using it for but also small enough that it doesn’t overpower the action of the bait. Keep in mind a bigger hook takes more force to set. In open or deep water, a smaller hook sometimes is easier to set and less likely to get thrown when the fish jumps.

Line

Fishing line is by far the weakest link in your connection to a fish. Having a high-quality line makes a difference in whether you can get the fish through cover without it breaking off. A good fluorocarbon like Seaguar is virtually invisible and will help get more bites. It’s also very strong and abrasion resistant. Just like hooks, consider whether the line is heavy enough for the technique you are using but small enough to let the bait do its work. Monofilament works well for topwaters because it doesn’t sink, and the added stretch could act as a cushion when a fish is hooked up on fragile treble hooks. Braid works good for fish-

This is one of the most overlooked topics in bass fishing, and I think it alltoo-often plays a critical role. No. 1 is the right hookset. That doesn’t always mean you have to swing like you’re in a home run contest. Consider how much force you need to get the hook to penetrate while maintaining control and fluidness as the rod loads up; then, you are more prepared to adjust tension on the fish according to how it’s fighting relative to what you hooked it on. The way I play a fish on a 5/0 flipping hook and 60-pound braid is different than the way I fight a fish on a topwater with No. 6 trebles.

One thing that has helped me land more fish is limiting how much I have to “roll” the fish over. By that, I mean I want to have my rod tip in front of the fish as long as possible during the fight, so I am able to lead it where I want. If I want the fish to change direction, I use a figure eight motion with my rod, rather than lifting and doubling the fish over. When the time is right, I can make a grab at the boat.

Experiment with your technique while fun fishing, and you’ll find what works best for you to keep them hooked up.

PRE-PLANNING

Being prepared could cover a lot of different topics, from equipment to weather, location, time of year and more. In the end, you could greatly improve your success by visualizing the possible scenarios you might encounter during the day; and then, preparing yourself for them ahead of time. For example, you might not be fishing a schooling fish pattern, but if you know the time is right and the potential is there, you could save the day by having a rod rigged and ready for schoolers. If you have to sit down and rig something up while fish are blowing up around the boat, you will undoubtedly miss out on some catches that day.

Eyes And Ears Wide Open

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been keyed on a fish catch, pattern or area just because I caught something out of the corner of my eye or heard something unusual – a shad skipping out of the water or a bird diving in the distance. These simple incidences could put you on a whole school of fish. A splash underneath a dock or overhanging bush could give away the presence of active fish feeding. Fish spitting up a particular prey, like crawfish, bream or shad might tell you what they are really feeding on. These subtle clues could reveal some of the best fishing you might imagine. By covering the basics, you can catch a lot of fish and have some great days on the water. But, if you really want to catch the most and the biggest fish you can possibly catch, pay attention to the little things. Because the little things can make the biggest difference.

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