Brauer's Tips for Bass-Fishing Success

EDITOR'S NOTE: Denny Brauer has won Angler of the Year on the B.A.S.S. Circuit, the 1998 B.A.S.S. Masters Classic, FLW Angler of the Year and just about every major fishing tournament in the nation. He's also the first fisherman to appear on the Wheaties Breakfast of Champions cereal box. This week we'll look at what has made Brauer so successful when bass fishing.

QUESTION: What has been the key to your fishing success?
ANSWER: Success depends on your amount of work and how much you enjoy that work. I don't think you can truly succeed at something if you don't enjoy it because you won't put forth the extra effort needed. I'm more aware of what's going on in the water now than I used to be in the early years when my main concern was how I was going to feed my family. I take in more of what's happening on the water than I once did.

For instance, instead of concentrating on my line while I've got a lure in the water, I can now use my peripheral vision to see a bass blowing up on shad either to my right or left. I'll also notice a water bird moving deeper into the water and beginning to feed on shad. I've gotten better at feeling the wind change and noticing the sky fill with clouds. I now feel tuned into many of the aspects of fishing that I once overlooked. To become a better bass fisherman, you must learn to be more aware of what's going on around you. If you stay too focused on your fishing, you miss the subtle changes that cause bass to feed differently or migrate to different locations. Many weekend anglers overlook the importance of being keenly aware of all that's happening around you on the water.

TOMORROW: Brauer Discusses Success and Stress