In case you haven't figured out what "they" are, it's simple: fishing patterns. For about a month this past summer, Wayne and I enjoyed one of these patterns, but then it suddenly disappeared just as quickly as it had come. We subsequently were left...to put it bluntly...SOL and never recovered.
Figuring out the puzzle to catching fish always starts with considering the variables and then applying the right presentation in the best location. Sounds simple, I know, but as the pros will point out, recognizing those variables can be a tricky proposition.
According to those pros, there are some basic rules of fish behavior that have been passed down for years, and while none are absolutes, they can provide a solid start. Here's the list:
* Go shallow with rising water, move out with falling water. This is a general rule-of-thumb that anglers have used for decades, especially when fishing river systems. Fish have a tendency to seek cover and new food sources and often will prefer current in fluctuating water.
Drain pipes, levees where water is running over them, and windblown undercut banks can be dynamite. Overhanging trees, vines--especially multiflora rose and grape vines--and submerged vegetation are magnets to big fish.
Old bank lines newly covered with fresh water also can be places that fish will stack up in rising water. Using side imaging is a big plus when this happens.
When water begins to drop or is pulled down for winter pool, secondary points and channel swings can be best bets. Starting on points leading into pockets or a tapering point in the center of the two are great starting places. The center of the pocket, where water starts to drop off, can be transition locations, too.
* Don't play hopscotch. Too many anglers will start shallow, move deep, then back shallow again with no rhyme or reason. Conversely, others have a tendency to sit far too long on a single spot.
A strategic plan with shallow, deep and in-between options is ideal. When fish are shallow, fish for them toward the backs of coves and feeder creeks when practicing. Running directly to the backs of coves can be a mistake and can result in missed opportunities for fish transitioning to the bait. When water begins to warm and fish begin to move out, use first-contact locations as a starting place. Isolated cover can be best bets and hold more than a single fish, so work it over thoroughly.
When you get the first bite and catch the fish, look at the depth, cover and location to help find more fish in similar locations. Being able to recognize even small differences can be huge in nailing down the exact position of the fish.
* Fish your strengths first. Confidence in a particular technique or pattern certainly has value for a good day on the water. It's a bit cliche, but knowing your strengths is mandatory. Knowing what you are best at allows you to work on your weaker techniques.
There are always shallow fish somewhere on any given body of water, but they often get picked over more quickly than those in deeper depths. Shallow-water targets may be the low-hanging fruit but usually have limited potential. Persistence for shallow water always can work, even when temperatures get super hot, but knowing how shallow fish behave is the key. Seeking shade, heavy cover, or undercut banks is a good starting point.
If you're a good deep angler, don't be afraid to expand on what "deep" means. Try fishing more mid-range locations like secondary points and channel-swing edges. Keep a keen eye on the water's surface for bait and blow-ups.
* Don't be afraid of clear water. The clarity of the water is measured in stages from super clear to stained, and most anglers find super clear hard to figure out. Scaling down line and bait selection is a good step, but transitions to a mix of super clear and clear can pay dividends.
Wind is your friend on super clear bodies of water and can help with bait selection as well. Windblown banks are a great starting place on clear lakes, especially those with cover and rock. Fish will use grass and rocks as ambush locations, and steeper banks, where the wind is pushing in, can be exceptional.
* Don't let water temperature fool you. Water temperature is a fishing variable that can be significant, but it doesn't always tell the entire story.
Spring warming trends can signal gamefish to move to shallow water, but length of day and cover are equally important. Water temperature usually is measured by electronics and most times measures only at the water's surface or just a few feet below, if the temperature gauge is mounted on a trolling-motor transducer.
The mixing of water during turnover or on windblown banks may throw a wrinkle into fish positioning and locations. Shade also can influence water temperature by a few degrees and is a great holding location in warmer months.
The migration of fish from shallow to deep as water temps rise can be misleading, too. Variables like shoreline vegetation or deep-water pockets can have fish holding shallower longer. If fish have cover, food and good water temperatures, they may never leave shallow water.
* Use shade and current to your advantage. Believe it or not, gamefish need very little cover to be comfortable. A vertical stick, a rock, or an overhanging vine may hold multiple fish.
A solitary rock can be excellent cover, and how the fish use it depends on sun angle, depth and bottom contour. Cast angles can be critical for this type of structure. The position of the sun in the sky can determine when and how the fish position on those rocks. If you consider the wind variable, fish position is much easier to pinpoint.
Current adds another caveat to the shade equation, but it's not shade from light, but rather from moving water. These current breaks are commonly referred to as eddies. Fish will pin under and behind objects like logs and rocks and use them as ambush points for an easy meal.
* Be adaptable and know that no rule is exact. The above rules give anglers a starting place that can aid in finding fish quickly, but always know that any rule can be thrown out the window quickly. If it sounds crazy, you're not alone. That's what keeps anglers fishing; it's never going to be an exact science.
Fish are creatures of their environment, and small changes in barometric pressure, fishing pressure, and overnight water-level changes can make an enormous difference. Ask any angler, and he's likely to tell you that some of his best days occurred when fish were not where they were supposed to have been. Be flexible, adaptable, and always have an open mind on the water.
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