What are common fishing mistakes that you have made in the past

So what are the mistakes that you make when you are fishing. If we share our mistakes with others there is a chance we can help other people not make the same mistakes. I will start, I have a tendency to not pay close enough attention to setting up my basic worm set up. I sometimes don't line it up just right and and this might make it run funny in the water.
I guess I just need to slow down when I set up these baits and pay closer attention, but that can be easyer said then done. So what about you what mistakes have you made in the past that we can all learn from.

I tend to stick with one lure/set-up for two long. (topwater, swimbait, wackyrig,...) if it's not catching any, switch it up, even if ever so slightly. vary the retrieve. switch colors. then switch to something different. Another thing, if you carry multiple setups like I do, rig as much as you can before hand. I have a bad habit of not setting up my dropshot rig until I'm already on the water. saves time to do that the night before but I never learn

Can I start with the latest one? Maybe add later on?

Fishing paddle tail or small swim baits my hook up ratio is bad-low-frustrating after plenty of tap taps on some days.
I found out that I like to keep my fishing rod at about a 45 degree angle from my chest. I need to POINT the rod at the fish or the direction I am tossing to. The bass come from behind these baits and are heading towards me, so when they hit they are going to put slack in the line. I needed a bigger swing to properly set the hook or even get the hook set at all.

I hope this helps.

Good point Jerdon. Something that works for me is to wind like hell when bit and swing after the rod loads up. All you iron chuckers should relate to that. Try it my friend, that should increase your hookup ratio.

Great info so far thanks guys keep them coming maybe we will turn this into a global thread. "Mistakes and bad habits to read about for newbie's"

One of my recent mistakes was a bit of unintended "bad neighbor behavior." I was fishing a small 100-acre lake for the first time. While launching my toon, a dad and his son showed up to launch their boat for duck hunting. Since the lake was small, I asked which end of the lake he was going to use and I offered to stay on the opposite side so that both parties could enjoy their day without feeling crowded. The duck hunter said he was going to hide in the cattails on the west side and then pointed out a number of good fishing areas for me on the east side. Pretty nice guy, I thought. A bit later, my buddy showed up and launched his toon and I told him about the hunters. I thought he would get the hint and follow me over to the east side (where I caught a handful of bluegills and a northern), but, nope, he just drifted over to the west and kept any self-respecting ducks from wanting to land on that part of the lake. As a newbie to fishing, he didn't do this on purpose, but was just oblivious to the situation and my hint. We pulled out of the water about the same time as the hunters, but they didn't say a word. Just packed up and hustled out of there. I'm pretty sure they were sore that my buddy probably ruined any chances. Moral of the story: don't make the mistake of assuming that everyone is on the same page. Next time, I'll tell my friend point-blank what the plan is.