My older brother and I started at the same time and learned a lot from reading BASS magazine. We would basically find one technique or pattern per isse and work on it/practice until the nex issue came in.
I have also learned a lot by watching Bill Dance. I find that what he says makes sense and is useful to me.

Thanks for all of the great stories and advice. I have read several ideas I haven't tried and now will.

Makes me want to be out on the water right now.

Keep sharing.

Hank Parker's moustache.

I learned from my Dad and Grandfather, course it wasn't till I was older that I learned the finer points, like first thing in the morning when you wake up about 4AM to go to the lake you drank a couple of beers, why? well thats just what was done besides Dad always said it was noon somewhere, after loading the boat and all, u drank another beer,once in the truck and we're headed that way u drank another beer, course this went on till we arrived at the lake, why? Dad always said if we stop to eat we would be late to the lake, so this way we were never late, made sense to me, once we got there we drank another one while unloading, then running down the lake, if it wasn't too rough we drank another one, if it was rough, we only had a half of one, foaming problem ya know,then as the day worn on and we went from spot to spot, we would:
have one here,.....there,....overthere,.....behind there,.......under that bridge, ......next to that place there, and so forth......
At the end of the day, we would load up, have a quick one,all the time thinking about the great outing we had just had, have a quick toast and be on our way back home, all the while having a few more cold ones, why? Cause Dad always said we were running late didn't have time to stop and eat, this way we always got back on time......sounded good to me.
Now as the years have passed and both Dad and Granddad have gone I think back..... we never really caught any fish, did we, .......well hell now that explains alot, I don't know how to fish

Dad taught me the basics. Then reading Bassmasters magazines and fishing tournaments and sharing information, techniques and such has done some polishing.

Fish with people that are better than you.

Watched a lot of Jimmy Houston Outdoors growing up. Fished from the bank for most of that time. Going on my third year fishing from a yak, and I'm still learning.

Learned how to catch crappie by asking questions here. On to catfish this year.

My grandad gave me the desire in about 1945. Back then you asked questions and observed. Later on it was books, TV and practice, practice, practice. For example, how do you learn to worm fish?---you leave EVERYTHING home except your worm rod(s) and a bunch of worms, etc. etc. etc.

I learned alot about fishing certain baits from my dad, mostly spinnerbaits and t-rigs. I learned jigs, cranks, jerkbaits and finesse through a combination of trail and error and listening to other anglers. I knew how and where to fish a spinnerbait so learning a squarebill was as easy as learning to cast it anywhere I would a spinnerbait. Deeper diving crankbaits came from finding ledges and places where the sweet spot was deeper and then line up on it. Jerkbaits I learned to have one tied on at certain times of year and vary the retrieve up. Learning which one to have tied on for different lakes, water temps, and such is an ever evolving process. The number 1 factor to it all is time on the water. If you have the best bait and know how to work it correctly but don't have confidence in that then you'll struggle to do as well until you get that confidence.

my numbers went up with the carolina rig fished in the flats. experinceing with leaders from 18 inches to 3 feet depending on water clarity. also flipping and pitching a jig. by dedicating complete trips to each method has helped me.

30 Years in the Air Force, fishing with locals where ever they sent me.....

My dad has tought me alot. But I think time on the water is where I have learned the best at what techniques to use. The last few years Ive learned alot from TFF and just reading magazines and watching fishing shows.