Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Go Back to Bed, Or Go Fishing? That's the Question


You wake up on your first day off in a couple of weeks or more and check the weather, only to find that the forecast calls for the kind of day every fisherman abhors: a bluebird sky and little to no wind. So, the question of the day becomes: Do you say to heck with it and go back to bed, or do you get dressed, grab your gear, hook up the boat, and go fishin'?

I tend to believe most would opt for the second choice. It has been a fair spell since I last had to punch a time clock; however, I darn sure haven't forgotten how much joy I derived from spending a day off on the water. I undoubtedly passed up a few such opportunities over the years, but you can be sure it was only a few.

I just wish I had stumbled across the article I recently read online back in those earlier days. It addresses one way to tackle bluebird, calm conditions. Specifically, it talks about fishing a hard jerkbait (the classic minnow plug) on top in shallow water, say 1 to 5 feet. Sound interesting? Then stay with me here, and I'll explain the details.

Since this bait won't make too big of a splash, you need to work an area slowly and place each cast so you cover the precise area where you think the fish are holding. Ever-so-gentle movements are the key to success. A slight twitch of the rod tip is all you need. With the lure's small bill and a gentle touch, you can keep it in an area the size of a coffee cup.

Cast just past the target and slowly work the bait up to the strike zone, just like any other topwater lure. Once in the strike zone, don't get in a hurry, because any sudden jerk likely will spook any fish in the vicinity. Most times, you won't get a violent explosion. Instead, the bait usually just disappears from the surface, as the fish suspended directly below it sucks it down.

While holding in the strike zone, gently pull the bait, rather than twitching it, which will cause the lure to dip slightly to one side, then let it return to the surface. If you don't get a strike near the target, go ahead and work the bait back to the boat in the 1-to-3-foot range.

Some anglers prefer a different version of the jerkbait. They like to use a Bagley's Bang-O-Lure, which, of course, has a small prop added to the rear hook. Working this bait with a sharp jerk and, if you want, an occasional big splash, you can cover a huge area very quickly and efficiently, or you can work it slowly.

The Bang-O-Lure is always a good lure to use in those tough-bite conditions when the fish are scattered, shallow and reluctant. According to some, "It seems to work when nothing else will."

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