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Hey, Here is an idea... lets build a thread of fishing wisdom...

At one time or another, someone has passed on a simple tip, trick or piece of advice that helped you with your fishing.  There are a lot of younger new fisherman that these little trinkets of wisdom may really help.  (and old ones too!)

I'll get us started...

Fish every cast you make, even the bad ones...

...lets build a thread of fishing wisdom...

Great Idea.

Mine: Don't be afraid to something new!
Some of us get into a slump of repeating the same thing over and over.  There is always something new to learn.

When the tide, river or lake is at it lowest point, take a notepad, and mark out all the structure that you can not see at full table.

Learn the difference between rock, weed and fish. 

Spend some time in clear water and learn the feel of bumping a rock or bumping some weeds and be sure to do this with the various rigs you use.

and, always remember... when in doubt, set the hook!!!!

--good fish'n

Wake up early, with a pre-set game plan, and be on the water before the sunrise.  The early bird gets the worm.

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him how to fish and you get rid of him every weekend.

Make sure you have more than one of your favorite lure.  There is nothing worse than losing your last one.

You've got to have the right tools for the jobs.  Know your waters, prey, and the tools and techniques to hunt, and capture them. 

--Spare No Expense

When I first started fishing in tournaments, I had a hard time getting a good night sleep.  I would be thinking and worrying all night that I would be able to perform.  After doing it for a while I learned how to get a good night sleep so that I could focus on the job at hand... Finding fish and putting them in the boat. 

I start my preperation days before the event.  I made sure all my rods a reels were properly rigged and in tip top shape and also made sure my boat was clean, prepped, and ready. I would double check my inventory of lures and back up lures that I intended to use.  If I needed more, I would get more.  I did all my preperation well ahead of the event.  This preperation took away all of the "worry" and I was comfortable knowing that I had done my homework, prepared my equipment, and all I needed was to focus on, was being on the water.  Once there, with a good night of sleep, I was able to focus and catch more fish.

Taking these off-the-water steps well in advance increased my chances on the water.

Don't forget the GAS!!!!

I did that once and I hope it never happens again.   

Solo Boat Launching...

First thing to know is have your boat ready to launch before backing into a launching lane at the ramp.

If the ramp is deep enough and you do not have to back into the water so far that you cannot climb in and drive it off, do so and drive it off. Make sure of the depth and keep your motor tilted up as far as possible. Same with putting the boat on the trailer.

If the launch is too shallow for that method tie a long enough rope to the boat to allow it to float off as you back it in. Make sure you tie the other end to the trailer! Once the boat is off the trailer you can use the rope to bring it to the dock or the shoreline next to the ramp. Watch how other people launch and retrieve their boats to get a better idea of how you want to or don't want do it.

If you get a roller trailer don't make the mistake of disconnecting the boat completely from the trailer until it is partially in the water. On steep ramps I have seen boats roll of the trailer and land on the ramp

-When there is a dirt patch or beach next to the ramp and its not already full of beached boats one easy way to do it is to get your boat all ready to launch and unhook everything. Tie or clip a 50' rope to the bow eye of your boat and to your truck. Back in until the boat starts to float and then step on he brakes hard. After the boat hits the end of the rope pull the truck forward ten or fifteen feet. Get out, grab hold of the rope and pull the boat over to the dirt beach and pull it up far enough so it will stay. Un hook the rope and go park your truck.

In an area with a courtesy dock try and back in with the trailer inches away from the dock. Have a couple dock lines already on the boat cleats on that side. Unhook everything except the bow strap. Loosen that giving it 5 feet of slack or so. Remember to flip the ratchet back to the tighten position. Back in next to the dock until the boat floats free. Get out of your truck, walk down the dock and grab a dock line. Then reach down and unhook the bow strap and walk the boat back along the dock so it is out of the way of somebody else launching. Tie it off and go park your truck.

Where neither is convenient get your truck all lined up and the trailer part way in the water, then ask somebody nearby if they would back you in.

Do it like I heard them southern boys do at a tournament. Just dump your boat in the water and drive away. Go eat some breakfast. Then when you are ready to fish ask somebody to take you out to your boat.