Heres my take. The fishing hasnt gotten more difficult, its just that changes needed to be made. When I committed to swimbaits, I chose one lake as my classroom. Once I figured out what I was doing, I started applying that knowledge to other lakes. My classroom admittedly was somewhat easy in the beginning, its dead now and thats a shame. I dont even fish there anymore. It truly was a great place.

Ive caught more swimbait fish and had more fun in the last three years than in the previous years. However, my go to baits have changed, and the way I fish has changed. This was a necessity, it was clear to me that something had changed and what used to work was not working anymore. Although Ive caught more fish up to 9+ in the last few years, the number of DD's Ive tangled with has decreased. However, I dont seem to lose fish anymore, chalk one up to experience. As a result the number of DD's Ive caught has remained the same through the years. Ive never been one to post high numbers of DD's for various reasons, the biggest being work obligations limiting time on the water. Ive struggled to find a way to spend as much time on the water that I want to, and recently Ive done a 180 with my life to try and find a way to fish at the level I want and still make the kind of money I want. Its a balancing act and I have nothing but admiration for those that have figured out how to do it. For those that have a family, I dont know how you do it. And for those that have young children, I really dont know how you do it.

To be truly consistent catching DD's, IMHO, one has to focus on one or two proven lakes. For the past two years I chose to travel, to fish as many trophy lakes as I could to gain experience. I did this solo. I did gain that experience, I caught plenty of good quality fish, but I caught few DD's doing it. I spread myself too thin during peak times. However, Im glad I made the sacrifice now because I learned those lakes, I found the type structures that work for me, and in the long run I feel it will come back to me in the form of more DD's. Unless somebody takes your hand and tells you how to poke big fish at a new lake, figuring out a new lake takes time and time is the enemy.

Way I see it is this. Swimbaiting is a dynamic venture thats in a constant state of change. To be consistent requires the ability to adapt and make adjustments, otherwise you are left in the so called dust. I changed what I was doing, and as a result Ive caught many more swimbait fish on many more lakes, Ive had a heck of alot more fun, and my sense of personal satisfaction has increased. Nowadays, my objectives for any given day are more to have fun and catch quality fish. There are still times when I know the timing is right and my objective is to catch a DD, but the number of those days are less than they used to be. However, everything is cyclical, and Im certain sooner or later my focus will once again return to toads. In the meantime I have no problem catching 9 pounders on new baits and doing different things.

And PS: If Nico isnt poking a bunch of toads then we are all in trouble. I dont know him very well if at all, but as best as I can tell hes probably the best in NorCal. I have nothing but respect for him, and every time Ive met him he has been very cordial. Thats saying alot given the current state of the swimbait world.