Now You're Ready to Go
You have your shiny new boat, you're on a great little lake for fishing, and you're all ready to go. So where are you headed? Take a good look at the landscape above the water and try to picture the varied landscape that lies below.
Generally speaking, areas that harbor the fish you're after include: shaded areas, lily pads, weed beds, rocks, fallen trees and other submerged objects In addition, you will want to become familiar with areas with sudden drop-offs, as well as inlets where water - and fish - flow in and out of the lake.
What's the best time of day?
Although you can probably catch some kinds of fish at any time of day, most experienced anglers go looking for game fish at dawn and at dusk - and on cloudy days that look like dawn and dusk.
So what are you fishing for?
That’s generally determined by where you are and your personal preference. Some popular freshwater catches include bass, walleye and the various fish referred to as pan fish.
• Largemouth bass are now found in lakes, rivers and streams all over the country. You will be most successful when water temperatures range from 65° - 75°F and you can use a wide variety of live and artificial bait, including plugs, worms, flies and crickets
• Walleye is a great tasting fish and a worthy opponent found in larger lakes. Look for clear water, rocky bottoms and water temperature between 65° and 70°. They generally respond well to bait fish and worms.
• Pan fish refers to a number of smaller fish that are good to eat, including crappie, perch and bluegill. They are generally easier to catch than larger fish, and you can be successful with virtually any rig and bait.
How do you actually catch a fish?
| How to Tie a Cinch Knot |
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With experience, you'll learn the behavior of the fish you're after - and when and how to strike. Here are some tips from the pros:
When fishing in early season when the waters cooler and the fish are more lethargic, slow down your presentation. Keep your bait in the strike zone longer to increase your odds of hooking a fish.
When you feel the fish take your bait, drop the rod tip and give the fish time to get the hook in its mouth. Reel in until you've taken up the slack In your line, and then, give the rod a forceful lift to set the hook.
Once you've hooked a fish, you can increase your odds of getting it in the boat if you keep the rod tip in the air, maintaining a nice arc in the rod. This keeps pressure on the hook and in turn keeps the hook in the fish's mouth.
Another personal preference is the types of knots you use to attach lures, hooks, spinners, etc. One tried-and-true knot used by the pros is the improved cinch knot. (see above illustration)
What About All That Gear?
It is true - there's no end to the gadgets and gizmos you could buy before you ever make your first cast. Is it all necessary? Some tools, like clippers, forceps, thermometers, etc., definitely can make things easier. As for the tackle? Pro angler Dale Sprouse insists you don't need to spend a lot at first.
"lf I could only take along three lures, here's what I would take," says Dale. "For search bait I'd go with a lipless crank bait for noise and flash and spinner bait for more flash and vibration. For finesse bait, when I want to work slower, I'd go with a jig and a plastic worm."
"But you know," he continues, "if you know where they're hiding, a great way to fish is still with just a bobber, sinker and hook."
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(913) 262-6556
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