Some anglers think that you must become super versatile when it comes to being consistent on the water. They think you must acquire a certain “expertise” with every bait at your disposal. Some admit that this just isn’t true if you’re only fishing your local area lakes and are not a striving angler fishing a trail of some sort.

 Some anglers, especially tournament anglers, are one-dimensional anglers. They do one, maybe two things, and do them well. Why take the time to chisel out a way of fishing that doesn’t suit you? Anglers have found over the years that they usually can’t catch fish using a lure or technique that they are not comfortable with, no matter if it works for others or not.

Many top pros are proficient in many ways of catching that elusive fish we call bass, but there are others that could care less about mastering certain techniques. Those that could care less find ways that catch fish in most conditions, and master that method. They have their “go to” baits and methods for just about any situation that presents itself.

Listen to whomever you want, but this angler will tell you the real truth about being versatile. One dimensional anglers only do well on one dimensional lakes! If an angler is serious about becoming good throughout the year, and on more than one lake, they must burn it into their mind that they are going to be forced to change techniques at some time or another. Throwing a spinnerbait, for example, day in and day out may catch you a few fish throughout the year. But, there comes a time when the bigger fish are hitting something totally different, any you had better be able to pull something else out of the tackle box that you’re able to fish with and actually catch fish.

As an angler, you have to be versatile, and attempt to familiarize yourself with many different ways of finding and catching those scaly creatures we treasure. Your goal as an angler should be to make yourself proficient in every technique. You don’t have to master it, just make sure you can do it once it rears its ugly head and you have to go to it. Confused yet?

The point is you have to make yourself do certain things on the water that you are not comfortable with, or for that matter, things that you know nothing about. For example, if you haven’t a clue how to catch fish on a drop-shot rig, make sure that’s the only setup you take with you on your next trip. Force yourself to learn its pros and cons. Make sure you’re able to catch a few fish with it when the time comes that you’ll need it. Maybe it will only take one trip; maybe it’ll take two or three. But, the key is, when it comes time to use it, you’ll have the confidence to go to it.

Make yourself a list of ways you usually don’t fish, and mark them off one at a time, once you’ve determined that you are comfortable with each and every one, I’ll guarantee that this will make you a more complete angler. If nothing else, it will break the monotony of your fishing ways and give those little fishes a chance of escape while you’re learning something new, well, hopefully not.