"My lake always fishes like THIS at this time of year...", "I always catch em on (insert bait here) at (insert lake)...," (insert name) point/cove is always good this time of year". Well, fish don't always share your opinion. Matter of fact, they usually don't. Feed em WHAT THEY WANT, at the RIGHT TIME, in the RIGHT PLACE, and you might do a bit better. Case in point? Don't feed em a worm or jig when they WANT A FLUTTER SPOON! It was THE BEST BITE on lmb I've ever had...EVER! Today at Fayette, 3:30ISH to 5:30ISH. Big fish 6.30 lbs. Somewhere between 35 and 45 fish, w/2 over 6, 4 or 5 over 5, and TONS of 3's and quite a few 4'S. I'll. Post a few pics manana. I easily had a 28/29 lb limit, probably better.

Nice!!

Yesterday I fished wide open since i had not been on that lake in a year. Caught them really good. Went out today with a preconceived idea of what I needed to do and struggled. Kept forcing it. Got some bites but not like yesterday. Bottom line I was fishing today like I did yesterday and made no adjustments.

Some of the best days are when you just go fishing, especially on a new lake.

You hit the nail on the head. Fairly new to fishing out of my own boat but I catch myself doing this already putting a plan together a week or so ahead of time and probably not making adjustments until it's too late. I'm looking for trophies more than numbers usually but I've been struggling this fall.

Keep it real! Fish your strengths and your thoughts and you will do well

When I hit the water, I go with the moment. I look at factors such as temp, wind or lack of. Sky overcast or clear. Type of lake. Deep and clear or lots of shallow cover. I go with what I'm given and let it play out however it will. Isn't that the reason we have such a variety of rods reels and baits? Isn't that why we try to learn so many techniques? Just go fish.

Ever since I started applying a scientific methodology to fishing it has helped me a lot. I realize there are a lot of different ways to catch them but I try to make a game plan by studying a topographical map, water temp/ water level, turbidity, and any time I take a fish I check their gut to see what they were eating

WORD!!!

Could not agree more!

Most definitely
This sets you up to spend some time finding the best looking structure/contours and cover that are holding active looking fish--instead of heading straight to your favorite waypoints and throwing what has worked before.

The front web page at Bassmaster.com has a great pic of Iaconelli with the mottos he tapes to his windshield. Love him or hate him, all of the stuff written on there is absolutely true. My favorite few are these:

Fish the moment
No pre-conceived notions
Listen to the fish (no accidental bites)

I was just going to share that as well. Was wondering if the OP saw that and posted or just a funny coincidence

"I was just going to share that as well. Was wondering if the OP saw that and posted or just a funny coincidence"

Coinkydink. Ike annoys me,i don't pay attention to him, he gives me gas...

Well, since they are not going to be there tomorrow you will not mind sending me the coordinates for my trip down next week! :-)