I suspect It's easy to name a plethora of angling skills that directly affect the personal success of the individual and thereby the majority of his/her outings. Some skills named could be casting ability, "knowing" where the fish are, properly rigging baits, using the right lure/bait the right way at the right time in the right place, Etc While these are all correct, I like to go deeper than the obvious. I like to determine the "driver" of such skill development and in my 20 plus years of fishing and guiding I believe I have identified this "driver". This is the same driver that fuels sports, political and business greats. It is this driver that transcends cultural, racial, social, and socioeconomic boundaries. We find these same drivers in greats such as Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Winston Churchill and Jack Welch to name just a few. In one simple and succinct word, the driver is called "passion". In order for one to rise above the rest, make an impact, leave a legacy or be successful in any venture a person must have passion. Without it the lifeblood of our lives is drained and our casts are off if ever so slightly. Passion is the driver that prompts an angler to take detailed notes of his time on the water, sharpen hooks, tie proper knots, notice minute details most others miss. Passion is what separates the average fisherman from a great angler. Passion is what fueled the fishing legends of our time, the Stu Aptes, the Lefty Krehs and others.
The beauty of this is that passion cannot be faked, it cannot be bought and it cannot be stolen. An individual may "steal" a fishing spot but the passionate angler will locate a dozen more. What does this passion look like? Well, in my life it has been an all consuming desire to figure out each species of fish I target and each area of Biscayne Bay yet never satisfied with the knowledge acquired nor the success of yesterday. Of all the occupations I have had in my work life, a full time, professional fishing guide is the one occupation that has me completely engaged in every way. No matter my success of last week, yesterday or today, I still desire to know more. If a flat didn't hold bonefish when "it should" I want to know why and make an effort to determine the cause. This manifestation of my passion for fishing has paid ten-fold over the years by allowing me to be a more efficient and effective guide and angler.
If you have a burning, some would say compulsive, passion for the sport of angling make sure you are doing something about it. One of the ways already mentioned is by taking detailed notes after each outing. My notes record tide, moon phase, time of year, weather conditions, water temperature, locations fished, what I found or didn't find in those locations as well as anything new I learned that day. A learning item can be anything from fish feed on a specific flat on a specific tide to concluding the need to use a lighter leader when bites were hard to come by. I believe the act of taking notes makes us more aware of our surroundings such as subtle changes in tide, water temperature or even a change in wind direction. Another way in which a passion for angling is demonstrated is by doing all the little things right such as tying proper knots, having rods rigged and ready before approaching a fishing spot, properly maintaining your gear and being prepared to take advantage of the brief opportunities that arise throughout the day.
Please note however, if you are reading this and conclude that you do not possess the aforementioned passion, take heart and don't feel as though you are any less of an angler. In the final analysis, fishing is supposed to be fun, fun for you and those you share this sport with. So if you just like to get out and enjoy a tug at the end of your line that is just as important as the angler who has notebooks full of notes and a drawer full of bragging pictures. Enjoy the day, enjoy your family and when all is said and done, make sure you had fun!
Capt. Mo Estevez
www.MiamiBonefishing.com
786-853-1409