Being a Creature of Habit:
Or As Stubborn as An
Bruce Callis Jr.
One of the most difficult things for us as anglers to do is make a change. We are creatures of habit. We throw what we want, where we want, and expect the bass to do as we wish. And the bass are laughing at us. I mean, laughing so hard they might pee their pants.
I was reminded of this as the new year came in. I was struggling to get bites. I was doing what I love. I was throwing the same baits that always produce. Yes, I was making color changes, but the results were mixed. One or two bass during the day isn’t bad, but I know I should be getting at least five bites during the winter.
One thing is that we get comfortable. I mean, too comfortable. I love a lipless crankbait. And winter has always been a great time to throw it. And it will produce 5 plus bites every day. But when the bass are being stubborn, I mean as stubborn as we are, it makes for a terrible day. I didn’t want to make a change.
If I throw a SPRO Aruku Shad 75 all day, it works, but there are times you really need to change up to either a smaller 60 or 65, or go up in size to the 85, which is a full one ounce. Or you may need to switch it up and tie on a blade bait. We love certain baits, know they work, and don’t want to change!
It’s the same with soft plastics. That’s why we have so many different styles. Worms, creature baits, or minnow-style baits. We love our baits. And we can get stuck on one over others. And we refuse to make that switch! Creatures of habit. I want this worm to work and I am not changing it to a creature bait. I love my Missile Baits D Bomb, hard to not throw it, but that D Stroyer is working now. I’m stubborn too.
But knowing when to make that change is difficult. It was working yesterday. But today, not even a sniff. Yes, with Forward Facing Sonar, we can see them sniff it. Are we working it wrong? Or should we understand that they just don’t want it? And are we willing to force ourselves to face the fact that we should change?
I intentionally forced a change. I dropped down the size of my bait, so I can see what happens. I found the right color that they wanted and would eat. But I was determined to go back to normal. I put that normal 75 in the same color on and made a lot of casts. You guessed it, not one bite. I threw back out with the 65, and started to get bites again. I had to force myself to do it. I didn’t go up in size to expand on it, but should have.
We need to stop being stubborn creatures of habit. We need to learn to listen to what we are being told. If you haven’t gotten a bite in an hour, you need to do something. I see myself in others who struggle with it. Don’t let our own stubborn habits cost us a great day on the water. Be willing to make a little change, or a huge one. Go catch those winter monster bass!