Thursday, April 18, 2024
Every year, I get questioned on what I use for bait especially artificial baits in the winter. By the way, I believe winter finally arrived this last week.
Having possible bait choices is good, but finding how and where to get the bite may take a little more work. Of course the bait/lure is only one part of the information you need to catch fish. Experience and confidence are probably much more important than the bait.
After years and many hours on the water, you tend to develop that “sixth sense” of where and when the fish will bite. Surface activity, the presence of birds, barometric pressure, wind/weather, moon phases, graph readings etc. Based on all these inputs and of course your “gut feel,” you make choices. Sometimes the bite is slow to come on and other days you can ‘t miss.
When fish are actively feeding, catching is pretty easy for most. The real key is to be able to get them to bite when they are not as active. Subtle changes in bait, scent, bait size, movement, line size, color, depth, and locations can make a difference.
We all make our choices based on our “gut feeling” that may or may not pan out. Generally, but certainly not always, the more experienced angler and one that has been following the fish longer will make the better call.
Don’t get overconfident in your abilities, as this can be a detriment at times to catching fish as well. Some folks call it “hard-headed” and we are all guilty of it at times. Try to keep an open mind; you’ll learn more that way.
I like to think that I can learn something new every time I go out, and I generally do. One thing about fishing is that no two days are alike. My favorite saying to everyone who fishes with me is that “each day on the water is a new adventure.”
Patience is a virtue. When it comes to fishing, being patient is important. Everyone knows this, but practicing it can be trying at times for anyone — especially if the weather is bad or if you have some real young ones in the boat. Some days the fish bite at different times, and you may have to be prepared to wait them out.
Many professional anglers get extremely confident in their abilities, and it is a rare day for these folks to not catch fish. The more time on the water, the better your understanding of fish and their habits. The more fish caught, the more confidence in the presentation. If you are going to learn how to catch fish consistently, then you will have to develop the experience through all weather, time, water conditions and seasons. Being the avid angler I am, I look forward to these “new adventures” (better than wondering how the fishing was at home).
FISHING REPORT
On other reservoirs, Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Whitney continue to boast on catching limits of striped bass on jigs and Alabama rigs. Look for the birds….
