Experience, confidence, and adjustments, Hite explains why time on the water is irreplaceable.
By Derrek Stewart 4/10/19, updated 11/27/25
Time on the Water, There’s no Replacement
Brett Hite is a professional bass angler from Phoenix, Arizona, known for his expertise in bladed jigs, particularly the Z-Man Jackhammer. With five national victories and nearly $2 million in career earnings, Hite is familiar with the winner's circle.
Bassmaster Elite
Series Angler Brett Hite credits his success to hard work and time on the
water. He will be the first to tell you that there is no substitute for time on
the water. You can attend as many seminars as you like and listen to anglers
like him talk about lures and techniques, but you will never be successful
until you get out on the water and do it for yourself. Being on the water,
dealing with the countless variables, and putting in the time to search, find,
and catch bass is what builds confidence.
Fishing
in the Moment
"Time on the
water is crucial," says Brett Hite. You will learn not only from
successful days but also from failures. When competing against one hundred and
forty-nine top anglers, Hite strives to put in as much time as possible during
practice. By maximizing his practice and spending quality time on the water,
Hite feels this puts him in the best position to fish in the moment and adapt
to the inevitable changes that will occur during tournaments.
Handling
Inevitable Changes
During practice,
you may have clear, windy conditions and do well catching with topwater
techniques. The tournament starts, and on day one, it's hot, sunny, and calm,
and now, unlike practice, you need to present a worm or some other slower
tactic. Hite says it may seem simple to say, but until you have been through
all types of conditions, it's challenging to trust your instinct and make the
necessary adjustments. Having the ability to seize the moment doesn't come
easily or quickly, especially at high-level competition.
Understanding
the Phrase “Time on the Water”
"Time on the water"
is a key concept for anglers that underscores the importance of actively
fishing to improve skills. It goes beyond owning equipment or reading about
techniques; it emphasizes the importance of practical experience gained by being
on lakes, rivers, or oceans and engaging in fishing.
Spending time on the water is
essential for developing core skills, building knowledge about fish behavior,
and honing intuition. Regular fishing trips help anglers understand changing
weather patterns, how environments influence fish, and improve their techniques, building a sense of progress and ongoing engagement. Time on the water
provides anglers with experience-based knowledge and confidence.
The aspects of
fishing each time an angler ventures out onto the water are constantly
changing. It doesn't matter if you're fishing at the same lake or somewhere
new; change is inevitable. Time on the water gives insight into handling change
and the unexpected. As Hite explains, Time on the Water is Priceless.
Hite's discussion offers
excellent insight into the mindset of a champion bass angler and his approach
to success. Most of the time, anglers and publications gravitate toward
alluring topics such as sponsor-driven lures, boat electronics, equipment, or the
latest winning techniques. Those topics are certainly worthy; however,
successful angling is a mental game.
Hite's lesson is about a solid
foundation, an experience-based approach that anglers can build additional
levels of angling skills on top of. Seldom do short-cuts work over an extended period,
a life-long pursuit of exceptional fishing. A weak foundation will eventually
crack. Hite, thank you for sharing this timeless message.
