I implemented some of these things last season and saw a dramatic increase in bites! For me it was cast accuracy, made a huge difference. Started a high school bass club and we are practicing every meeting. Start early! Thanks for the tips Matt.
Staying attentive and focused for each cast and retrieve is always a good reminder! After an hour or so of no bites, it is hard to keep that concentration. I always try to stay aware of one thing, like feeling the bottom composition change from shallow to deep when using a bait that has contact with the bottom. This way, my attention is constantly engaged with something, and then I notice other details. I always appreciate the videos!
I believe in what you are preaching but as a guy who fishes out of the back of the boat I can vary my retrieve, go small, and cast more accurately but fishing more targets and either fishing faster or slower is up to the guy in front.
Simple, yes but SO critical! Yes yes yes to all of these. The hardest of all? Putting it into practice. I KNOW these things, yet I'm so guilty of lapsing into lazy habits some time on the water. It's like that 3rd piece of pizza. I KNOW I shouldn't shove it down my piehole, yet... Fishing Nickajack tomorrow. Definitely going to be vigilant on applying these tips. Thanks, Matt!
One of the best videos you ever made 💯 The conditions at Lay Lake were brutal. It was amazing how many hammers struggled! Lee, Morgan, Evers, and Montgomery combined for 13 keepers in two days of fishing 😵💫
The varying the retrieve has made a huge difference for me at least. Even fishing texas rigged worms. I used to fish them slow but in a steady rhythm. When I switched to still slow but erratic retrieve I've done better.
Covering more water is hard for me cuz I'm on a kayak. I got a fish finder tho so hopefully it will help me find more spots! Great tips, I'll keep them in mind!
🍺Thanks Matt. This will likely help many of your followers. I lost Dalton Head today 👎but still have 4 picks in the championship round. Connell, Wheeler, Neil, and Wiggins.🤠 I hope your travels home are uneventful/safe🙏.
Absolutely one of the best vids you've ever done! I watch them all Matt- but for some reason this one just resonates with me- thank you for all your efforts & sincerity in your presentations- all the best- mike-
For a long time a group of club members got together on Wednesday nights and we would all pitch a jig or a worm into a coffee can and from 20' away we would start pitching and let me tell you it got very interesting on some nights,great video 👍
These are some very solid tips and I will implement these into my fishing but the one for me that you mentioned is number 5, being accurate in your casting has greatly improved my fishing very much, thanks for these five great tips!!!
Yup ! x 5... Enjoy watching videos from anglers who strive to achieve immaculate location, immaculate timing and immaculate presentation ! Yamaha, Shimano, Lowrance and Rapala are often a part of the equation... I hope luck plays no part in your tournament success this season !
great tips, Matt! I implement most of those things, but I know my weakness is staying in an area too long trying to force feed them when you know they’re there. That’s the hard one. And no, I don’t have FFS.😂
Casting accuracy from a kayak sucks, working on it this season. Varying retrieves already caught me a 5 lb 8 oz LMB in between snow storms 😂 great tips Matt!
The first tip about varying the retrieve is something I haven’t done for most of my fishing. I would cast and crank. My last musky trip I did three of your suggestions. It was very clear water and I used a natural perch (muted color in clear water) jerk bait (erratic retrieve that kept the bait above a fish longer), concentrated on higher percentage spots, and my bait was a thin 6” style smaller than most musky anglers throw. I outfished my boat partner 8-1 and I consider him one of the very best fishermen I have known. If you watch small fish swim they almost never just swim in a straight line at a constant speed. They stop, then dart to the side, then stop again to look around Excellent video. Thanks for keeping it short and to the point
I will definitely be doing that. I'm thinking up an better Ratt L Trap design after watching your last video lipless crankbait's. And this one has an twist to it I will be excited to share on Facebook.
Great advice. The one thing you mention that I really incorporated the last year or so is adding variety to my retrieve. Not only does it make a difference, probably just as importantly is that it keeps you more focused on what you're doing. It focuses your attention on the retrieve, which I think also gives you a better chance of catching more fish.
Great video and I totally agree with downsizing to get more bites and to be a more accurate caster. Switched to the Minimax instead of a Jackhammer on a specific outing last June and got really good with side arm roll casts to specific structure and targets and bam! Smallmouth heaven in less than 1 hr during pre spawn up here in Ontario, Canada!
Casting accuracy, small baits and varying your retrieve are on point. I have a hard time knowing when to leave an area sometimes, as a first boat owner I have gotten good with trolling motor and found active target to be a distraction to some degree. My boat is a small tackle-shop. Yesterday water was 61.5 degrees 2 -3 mph wind sunny very good day for a tracker, boat not blowing all over the place. Not sure if they are bedding, although is see crappie down on the bottom. No bass anywhere. Even though I caught a 9.8 pounder in the shallows the week prior. Herb parsons lake inTN is highly pressured. I figure if you can catch fish here you can catch anywhere. I am from Florida so I am not used to going fishing and throwing every lure in the damn boat. To catch one fish😂 . Help! Matt
Matt, this is an informative video but, I firmly believe in one thing, timing! I fish several days a week, all from the bank and, I feel if I am fishing in the right time window, when the fish are active, that's when I am going to catch fish. If you're there at the right time, especially this time of year, you're going to get bit. I've spent hours casting, in different spots along the bank and haven't gotten a bite and, other times, I am getting bit within the first few casts. It's like everything else in life, it's all timing, especially from the bank. Speaking of fishing from the bank, your theory of moving a lot doesn't always work. At my lakes there may be only a few openings along the bank to cast from so, I basically am limited. Also, 75% of the water from the bank may be a foot deep and, you wont be able to cast into any areas that could hold many fish again, especially this time of year. This also limits the number of spots to catch fish. So, simply preaching to move often isn't always possible for a bank angler. The fish are going to bite when they are hungry, on their schedule and if you are there during that window, the lure you are slamming them on (because they are active during this window) will be your new "can't miss" lure and, you'll run out and buy 3 more after that day. The next trip they'll be duds and you'll wonder why you wasted your money on the new super fish catcher. You might be able to draw a few reaction bites when they aren't active but, for the most part being there when they are active or become active is the key to catching bass consistently. Timing really is everything in my opinion.
I completely agree and follow these steps all the time now. Overtime I also learned all these “fish catching” tips but these are great to re-emphasize for new or occasional anglers!
Thank You Matt for your suggestions. Aaron Martins use to sit on a spot where he knew there was fish & pick it apart. He was a smart angler in a time before Forward Facing Sonar. What are your thoughts on this topic of fishing?
#2 & 3 are my kryptonite. Just this past week I fished two spots that I thought were low probability for over an hour. Just had to be sure. Then some weather came in and I never got around to the spot where I really thought the fish would be. 🙄
Mt grandpa taught me to cast into a old baseball hat for practice. My step-dad taught me to slingshot a lure under and between the hand rails on the porch
I have caught some of my largest and or complete surprise bass by Doing nothing LOL. Like taking 10 minutes to take out a serious backlash and buddy yelling at me to hurry cause he wants to move. I reel in the line and have the biggest fish of the day on my jig
Good advice, but i tend to fish for quality and flip and pitch, rather than fish fast with lures that cover a lot of water. Most of my bass over 5 lbs. have been caught on jigs, worms, topwater, and glidebaits. I tend to fish slow, but have seen others crank like a dog and do quite well.
Just stay home, and spend the money you saved on a boat, tackle, plus gas and go eat a big fish supper every weekend. You can invite your friends to eat with you also and pay for their meals and still come out money and time ahead. And if you want to see the one that got away, just ride by the bass pro and look at the big ones in the tank. Doing all of that is cheaper and simpler than going fishing. And you’ll get to spend more time with your family. U know I’m just kidding, but Matt is giving all my secrets away for free and I’m just trying to reduce the competition 😂😂👍💯
Congrats on you 26th place finish. Tough field & difficult with a 2 lb limit. You finished ahead of some big names including KVD & Ott. Was hoping you would get into the Knockout Round. but a good payday!
Hey Matt, we talked at the show today. I wanted to pinpoint that spot I was telling you about on Lay Lake. Keep going north past the two pumping stations. You will come up on Flipper Creek, about 50 or so yards north of that you will see this major jut out and very shallow area on your right side going out to the middle of the channel. Next time you are there, that is your winning spot buddy. Had a great time talking to you. Hope you, Sarah and the boys have a safe drive home.
That would be ridiculous some days.- after spawn: man I can go out & get on 20-30 or more 1-2 pound guys a bit back deeper from the spawn flats. No matter what bait- you got the juice- you know how to make it happen. NO MATTER WHAT bait-you told us the deal- twitch it, flick it.-Also time& time again- ALL spots you're at look good- lots of us spend too much time where it "looks good"- but its not happenin'.- The type of stuff you are covering here: is really alot of the stuff I try to keep to& do when I'm out in even my local club tournament's.
this vid. does a great job of covering the kind of stuff you gotta be doing/keeping in mind come tournament time& to work on anytime we are out on the water.
That's my dad's biggest problem....I'll be slamming em give him the same bait I have and between his casting and speeds he won't catch but a couple if that
@MattStefanFishing I cherish the time out with my dad even if we don't catch a thing, because I know 1 day I'll be wishing I could fish with him just 1 more time
When you DO catch a fish...STOP! Bass group up more than we realize. Rotate through the baits and leave after 15 minutes or so. It may be a loner or there may be a mega school there
How do you justify all the lures and gear behind you there? Do you actually use? Hope your sponsors don’t pass the costs of supporting their pros to us actual paying customers
This is the best advice I have heard in a very long time, all crammed into an 8 minute video!
Glad it was helpful!
I implemented some of these things last season and saw a dramatic increase in bites! For me it was cast accuracy, made a huge difference.
Started a high school bass club and we are practicing every meeting. Start early!
Thanks for the tips Matt.
Good stuff!
Staying attentive and focused for each cast and retrieve is always a good reminder! After an hour or so of no bites, it is hard to keep that concentration. I always try to stay aware of one thing, like feeling the bottom composition change from shallow to deep when using a bait that has contact with the bottom. This way, my attention is constantly engaged with something, and then I notice other details. I always appreciate the videos!
That's a great tip too. You concentrate all morning, and as soon as you get distracted you get a bite and miss em. Happens so many times.
Very true!
I believe in what you are preaching but as a guy who fishes out of the back of the boat I can vary my retrieve, go small, and cast more accurately but fishing more targets and either fishing faster or slower is up to the guy in front.
It is another obstacle
Simple, yes but SO critical! Yes yes yes to all of these. The hardest of all? Putting it into practice. I KNOW these things, yet I'm so guilty of lapsing into lazy habits some time on the water. It's like that 3rd piece of pizza. I KNOW I shouldn't shove it down my piehole, yet...
Fishing Nickajack tomorrow. Definitely going to be vigilant on applying these tips. Thanks, Matt!
Good luck!
Makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for the advice.
Glad it was helpful!
That top shelf to your left!!! I want them all.
Haha
One of the best videos you ever made 💯 The conditions at Lay Lake were brutal. It was amazing how many hammers struggled! Lee, Morgan, Evers, and Montgomery combined for 13 keepers in two days of fishing 😵💫
Glad you enjoyed it
The varying the retrieve has made a huge difference for me at least. Even fishing texas rigged worms. I used to fish them slow but in a steady rhythm. When I switched to still slow but erratic retrieve I've done better.
Awesome
I’m going to start recommending this video to those that are getting started in bass Fishing. Thanks for sharing!
You should!
Covering more water is hard for me cuz I'm on a kayak. I got a fish finder tho so hopefully it will help me find more spots! Great tips, I'll keep them in mind!
Thanks for sharing!
Dang it! 2x0 is still 0, unless I use common CORE math!
Hahahaha 😂
I’m right there with you for sure!!!
Harheeheehar comun kor badman
Great advice as always! I have the trolling motor on high and constantly covering water. I never wait for fish to find me
Right on
I was skeptical and almost didnt watch it because of the title, but they all made logical sense. Great tips. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
🍺Thanks Matt. This will likely help many of your followers. I lost Dalton Head today 👎but still have 4 picks in the championship round. Connell, Wheeler, Neil, and Wiggins.🤠
I hope your travels home are uneventful/safe🙏.
🍺Ron Nelson by the Dam will ruin my predictions if he keeps getting 30lb periods🙏. He’s done it 2 days in a row already.
Made my son watch this video twice! Thank you for reinforcing my teachings with this wisdom packed gem! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful!
I will try these tips next week in Kansas. Thanks Matt.
Have fun!
Absolutely one of the best vids you've ever done! I watch them all Matt- but for some reason this one just resonates with me- thank you for all your efforts & sincerity in your presentations- all the best- mike-
Wow, thank you!
For a long time a group of club members got together on Wednesday nights and we would all pitch a jig or a worm into a coffee can and from 20' away we would start pitching and let me tell you it got very interesting on some nights,great video 👍
sounds like fun!
These are some very solid tips and I will implement these into my fishing but the one for me that you mentioned is number 5, being accurate in your casting has greatly improved my fishing very much, thanks for these five great tips!!!
Good stuff!
Yup ! x 5... Enjoy watching videos from anglers who strive to achieve immaculate location, immaculate timing and immaculate presentation ! Yamaha, Shimano, Lowrance and Rapala are often a part of the equation... I hope luck plays no part in your tournament success this season !
Luck is for Co anglers...
Grinding is plan D at best...
Well said!
great tips, Matt! I implement most of those things, but I know my weakness is staying in an area too long trying to force feed them when you know they’re there. That’s the hard one. And no, I don’t have FFS.😂
Good stuff!
Great, cant wait to give this a try
Hope you enjoy
Thanks for sharing this. I often wait to long to move to other spots.
Glad it was helpful!
Definitely going to use your tips this year. I am the epitome of a slow fisherman and need to cover more water. Thanks for a new outlook
Glad to help!
Casting accuracy from a kayak sucks, working on it this season. Varying retrieves already caught me a 5 lb 8 oz LMB in between snow storms 😂 great tips Matt!
Big ones!
The first tip about varying the retrieve is something I haven’t done for most of my fishing. I would cast and crank. My last musky trip I did three of your suggestions. It was very clear water and I used a natural perch (muted color in clear water) jerk bait (erratic retrieve that kept the bait above a fish longer), concentrated on higher percentage spots, and my bait was a thin 6” style smaller than most musky anglers throw. I outfished my boat partner 8-1 and I consider him one of the very best fishermen I have known.
If you watch small fish swim they almost never just swim in a straight line at a constant speed. They stop, then dart to the side, then stop again to look around
Excellent video. Thanks for keeping it short and to the point
100% agree
Matt, great stuff and absolutely fact!
Thanks!
I will definitely be doing that. I'm thinking up an better Ratt L Trap design after watching your last video lipless crankbait's. And this one has an twist to it I will be excited to share on Facebook.
Great advice. The one thing you mention that I really incorporated the last year or so is adding variety to my retrieve. Not only does it make a difference, probably just as importantly is that it keeps you more focused on what you're doing. It focuses your attention on the retrieve, which I think also gives you a better chance of catching more fish.
Nice!
100% correct on all 5 tips.
Thanks
Good tips Matt 👍
Thanks 👍
Thanks Matt
You bet!
Great ways to improve your catch ratio!!
Glad you think so!
Great video Matt. Thank you! Fantastic info and guidance and it doesn’t cost anything other than practice and time on the water!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video and I totally agree with downsizing to get more bites and to be a more accurate caster. Switched to the Minimax instead of a Jackhammer on a specific outing last June and got really good with side arm roll casts to specific structure and targets and bam! Smallmouth heaven in less than 1 hr during pre spawn up here in Ontario, Canada!
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing 👍
No problem 👍
OK I got 3 out of the 5. DEFINITELY need to speed up and cover more water. I need to step up my casting game too. Great Vid as always. Thank you 👍
You can do it!
Casting accuracy, small baits and varying your retrieve are on point. I have a hard time knowing when to leave an area sometimes, as a first boat owner I have gotten good with trolling motor and found active target to be a distraction to some degree. My boat is a small tackle-shop. Yesterday water was 61.5 degrees 2 -3 mph wind sunny very good day for a tracker, boat not blowing all over the place. Not sure if they are bedding, although is see crappie down on the bottom. No bass anywhere. Even though I caught a 9.8 pounder in the shallows the week prior. Herb parsons lake inTN is highly pressured. I figure if you can catch fish here you can catch anywhere. I am from Florida so I am not used to going fishing and throwing every lure in the damn boat. To catch one fish😂 . Help! Matt
Haha
Good stuff matt
Thanks!
Matt, this is an informative video but, I firmly believe in one thing, timing! I fish several days a week, all from the bank and, I feel if I am fishing in the right time window, when the fish are active, that's when I am going to catch fish. If you're there at the right time, especially this time of year, you're going to get bit. I've spent hours casting, in different spots along the bank and haven't gotten a bite and, other times, I am getting bit within the first few casts. It's like everything else in life, it's all timing, especially from the bank. Speaking of fishing from the bank, your theory of moving a lot doesn't always work. At my lakes there may be only a few openings along the bank to cast from so, I basically am limited. Also, 75% of the water from the bank may be a foot deep and, you wont be able to cast into any areas that could hold many fish again, especially this time of year. This also limits the number of spots to catch fish. So, simply preaching to move often isn't always possible for a bank angler. The fish are going to bite when they are hungry, on their schedule and if you are there during that window, the lure you are slamming them on (because they are active during this window) will be your new "can't miss" lure and, you'll run out and buy 3 more after that day. The next trip they'll be duds and you'll wonder why you wasted your money on the new super fish catcher. You might be able to draw a few reaction bites when they aren't active but, for the most part being there when they are active or become active is the key to catching bass consistently. Timing really is everything in my opinion.
Timing is everything for actively feeding fish but when they aren’t active the anglers skill to generate reaction strikes is everything
I completely agree and follow these steps all the time now. Overtime I also learned all these “fish catching” tips but these are great to re-emphasize for new or occasional anglers!
The hardest part is articulating what you’re doing and why it’s working or not.
Great to hear!
Great tips Matt. Thanks for sharing
You bet!
Thanks Matt , First derby win today ( Your Wacky teaching) .
Well done
Very great information as always
Glad you think so!
One thing I learned when I was trying to get good with crank baits is that we can fish them like a jig or worm. One seminar with David Fritz…who knew.
agreed!
I’d like to add really watch your surroundings, bait fish popping, birds , if your around reeds the reeds will move when a big fish swims though them.
Your 100% correct on all those tips.
Glad you think so!
I’m definitely guilty of sitting on an unproductive spot. Looks good from the top side and I convince myself that I’m doing something wrong. Good tips
you bet!
Spot on video as always. Thanks Matt.
Very welcome
Great video Matt, thank you..
My pleasure!
Thanks for the tips!! I am a much catcherman than fisherman!!!
Haha
How about colder water and varying your retrieve?
All play a factor
Thank You Matt for your suggestions.
Aaron Martins use to sit on a spot where he knew there was fish & pick it apart. He was a smart angler in a time before Forward Facing Sonar.
What are your thoughts on this topic of fishing?
Picking apart a productive spots is critical to succes
The second one is what kills my game! I always stay to long on a spot hoping they come to me and turn on…
Me too, the next cast is always the "one".
keep'er moving!
@@FrankKumro yup… 🤣
Matt let’s talk about bass fishing in Wisconsin this time of year? Could use some great advise for these cold waters.
I’m in Ohio man I’ve been dragging finesse swimbaits, Ned rigs and an occasional jerkbait and catching descent smallmouth
Sounds good
Yep!
Thanks
Once you get a bite do you slow down in that area, or do you just try to understand the cover that you got the bite on and move to the next one?
a little of both
@@MattStefanFishing So find similar cover and fish it a littler slower and more intentional.
Any tips how to get out of yard work
Plant a ton of pine trees and your grass will stop growing
Great advice , thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
#2 & 3 are my kryptonite. Just this past week I fished two spots that I thought were low probability for over an hour. Just had to be sure. Then some weather came in and I never got around to the spot where I really thought the fish would be. 🙄
keeper moving!
@@MattStefanFishing Let me just try this spot real quick once.
Thank You Good stuff! I do need to get a practice plug and a 5 gallon bucket and practice my casting
You can do it!
Thanks.
You're welcome
Mt grandpa taught me to cast into a old baseball hat for practice. My step-dad taught me to slingshot a lure under and between the hand rails on the porch
Awesome
Often times my fishing improves when I bring a box of doughnuts along. It makes getting bites a very different thing.
I like it!
I have caught some of my largest and or complete surprise bass by
Doing nothing LOL.
Like taking 10 minutes to take out a serious backlash and buddy yelling at me to hurry cause he wants to move. I reel in the line and have the biggest fish of the day on my jig
Haha
Good advice, but i tend to fish for quality and flip and pitch, rather than fish fast with lures that cover a lot of water. Most of my bass over 5 lbs. have been caught on jigs, worms, topwater, and glidebaits. I tend to fish slow, but have seen others crank like a dog and do quite well.
Thanks for sharing!
My buddies always tell me to slow down..but when I'm alone I hit alot more spots and fish fast..just style preference I guess
stick with what works for you!
If you start out with downsized lures and not getting bites, try upsizing... believe it or not. 🎣🤙
Very true!
Just stay home, and spend the money you saved on a boat, tackle, plus gas and go eat a big fish supper every weekend. You can invite your friends to eat with you also and pay for their meals and still come out money and time ahead. And if you want to see the one that got away, just ride by the bass pro and look at the big ones in the tank. Doing all of that is cheaper and simpler than going fishing. And you’ll get to spend more time with your family. U know I’m just kidding, but Matt is giving all my secrets away for free and I’m just trying to reduce the competition 😂😂👍💯
He is literally giving up the juice
Haha
Congrats on you 26th place finish. Tough field & difficult with a 2 lb limit. You finished ahead of some big names including KVD & Ott. Was hoping you would get into the Knockout Round. but a good payday!
Thanks!
Hey Matt, we talked at the show today. I wanted to pinpoint that spot I was telling you about on Lay Lake. Keep going north past the two pumping stations. You will come up on Flipper Creek, about 50 or so yards north of that you will see this major jut out and very shallow area on your right side going out to the middle of the channel. Next time you are there, that is your winning spot buddy. Had a great time talking to you. Hope you, Sarah and the boys have a safe drive home.
Pleasure meeting you!
You can be nuts and still be right.
Haha yep
Solid advice, I have spots that I stay on too long because of the history I have on them, trying to make them bite 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🐟🐟🐟
Right on
That #2 Especially during te Winter we always hear “ you’re fishing to fast “
🤷
You got that right!
That would be ridiculous some days.- after spawn: man I can go out & get on 20-30 or more 1-2 pound guys a bit back deeper from the spawn flats. No matter what bait- you got the juice- you know how to make it happen. NO MATTER WHAT bait-you told us the deal- twitch it, flick it.-Also time& time again- ALL spots you're at look good- lots of us spend too much time where it "looks good"- but its not happenin'.- The type of stuff you are covering here: is really alot of the stuff I try to keep to& do when I'm out in even my local club tournament's.
this vid. does a great job of covering the kind of stuff you gotta be doing/keeping in mind come tournament time& to work on anytime we are out on the water.
Thanks for sharing!
👍👍👍👍👍
I'd have to fish for bass to catch them 😂 But this stuff applies to the saltwater too.
Nice
At 1:36 he says to cast your Texas rig and “pop it up into the air.” Really Matt….ita underwater… pop it up off bottom maybe?
Yes off the bottom
I use 5/5 of those tips daily my buddy 1/5.....I catch 10x more than he does ur tips are accurate
Keep it up
And number 6… buy FFS lol
Haha
Have Squarebill will travel.
haha
👌
Thanks for sharing!
That's my dad's biggest problem....I'll be slamming em give him the same bait I have and between his casting and speeds he won't catch but a couple if that
as long as your having fun!
@MattStefanFishing I cherish the time out with my dad even if we don't catch a thing, because I know 1 day I'll be wishing I could fish with him just 1 more time
Casting accuracy is my downfall.
Practice makes perfect
You forgot to mention to spit on your lure.
Is that your secret sauce Jim!
My son outfishes me every time, and it's because he casts within 6 inches of a target and I get within 2 feet.
Makes a big difference
When you DO catch a fish...STOP! Bass group up more than we realize. Rotate through the baits and leave after 15 minutes or so. It may be a loner or there may be a mega school there
agreed!
How do you justify all the lures and gear behind you there? Do you actually use? Hope your sponsors don’t pass the costs of supporting their pros to us actual paying customers
I’ve bought almost everything on that wall. It’s my professional job and they are my tools. You wouldn’t limit a mechanic to just a wrench would you
Just down size called finesse fishing. Simple
Thanks for sharing!