Now that 2003 is drawing to a close thought it might be interesting to find out what everyone tried different this year and what they learned.
In other words, did you start using a new technique or learn to fish a new lure?
Did you change tackle or get a new boat? Maybe you started fishing tournaments or a new lake? Get the idea?
Interested in hearing from anyone about anything you changed this year.

For me, it was 3 things:

1.  Deepwater structure fishing
This included improving my dropshot skills, as well as learning how to really use and trust my depthfinder.  It also included off-shore structure fishing.

2.  Fishing in the current
The lake Roosevelt tourny really opened my eyes to how current affects fishing, and how to exploit it to find fish.  In addition, although I didn't fish it, researching the tidal-influenced Columbia river for our tournament taught me a TON in regards to how current/tides position fish.

3.  Boat handling
Being a new driver of a 'glass boat introduced a whole new realm of fishing I hadn't encountered before - skillfully driving through rough water.  My previous aluminum boat didn't give me much choice other than to ram-rod straight through the waves. But now I know there's definitely a technique to doing it right when you have the equipment that can do it.

Let's hear it from you - what did you learn this year?

I learned several things,

1) I agree with Larry, Dropshot is a great technique and has caught me some good fish from 2ft deep in Potholes to 60ft plus on Washington, Perch, Largemouth, Smallies and even Trout will all bite a Dropshot.

2) spending this season as a backseater was a great education about boats, techniques and tackle, but most of all the about great company I enjoyed with a whole slew of different people.

3) I really really really love Bass fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!