outdoors

There are a few questions that I get asked when out fishing with my clients that I think could help you, the angler become a better fisherman. There are three basic tips that I am going to talk about, the first is pay attention to the details, the second, watch your speed, and third, be patient and have fun.

First thing that can make you a better angler, would be to pay attention to the details. If I catch a fish, or get a bite, the first thing I do is look at the depth. Then, after reeling in the fish or missing, which I seem to do alot, I then look at the water temperature, wind direction, what the bottom was like: steep or flat, hard or soft and lastly, what exactly I was using for bait. These are some of the most important things for an angler to pay attention too. This way, when I get back to fishing, I know exactly what I am looking for to catch another fish. It also works great because you can look at a map and find other spots on the lake where you can replicate this action.
    
Second, watch your speed. This can be, and is one of the most important things for an angler in my mind, whether you are fishing for bass, walleyes or crappies. If the fish dont like the speed your at, they aren't going to bite. My best tip would be to slow down, people can never move slow enough. I often times get asked, " Have we moved for the last 15 minutes?" My answer is usually no! If the fish are down there and I'm marking them, we're not moving. If the school starts to move, we will try and follow them up or down the break. On the other hand, when those fish are aggressive, you need to get up and go. I have caught walleyes going close to 3.5 MPH. Sometimes, if the fish aren't aggressive and you bring your bait by them moving fast it can trigger a bite because they have less time to think and just react on the bait.
 
The third thing that I feel can make you a better angler is be patient but have fun. So many anglers these days get on the water and want to burn gas through the motor, but sometimes its the guys that stay put and wait for those fish that have the better luck. Dont get me wrong there is a time to run and gun but overall if you are patient and relaxed, I feel you will catch more fish. If your trying to learn a new body of water, just be patient, it might not be the first, second or even third time, but you will learn to try new things and the on forth time you may lay into a toad of a bass. 
 

If you pay attention to these three things: attention to details, watch your speed and be patient, it will help you to become a better angler. Good luck in this next season. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email or call at any time.

    When I wake up in the morning, flip on the TV and Check the local weather and see nothing but bad coming I get prepared. What do I mean by getting prepared? Heavy weight or light weight tackle, fast or slow?
Well First I see how severe the weather is going to be. there are a few key things that I look at. First, how much of a temperature drop is the front suppose to be. Second, I look at which direction the wind is going to be and how strong it is going to be. Third, I look at what type of precipitation is going to be coming along with the storm, snow rain, fog, or thunderstorms. Now what do I do with that information, well I take all these factor into consideration but more than likely I’m going to be moving into the weeds to fish for those walleyes.  When the temperatures drop and the wind picks up I think that the fish move into the weeds, as that water is going to be the warmest water so most of the bait fish are going to be hiding in or around those weeds. Then I look at the wind, I’m going to pick weeds that the wind is either blowing up on or off of. By that I mean if the wind is blowing from the West I’m going to fish the West side but I am also going to check the opposite side, the East side.  Why check both sides of the weeds because the West side will be where the bait fish  is getting tossed up on, and the East side because that is where the baitfish are being tossed off. More often that not fish will be on both sides looking for an easy snack.   
    Now what to do about precipitation, if its rain, fog or snow those fish are going to be in those shallow weed beds, your going to have to move as slow as possible  through those weeds to get those walleyes to bite. If there are thunderstorms and lightening the night before  the front move to the deeper weed lines. In my experience when there is lightening and thunderstorms the night  before you go out fishing those fish will move to deeper water and deeper weeds with the cold front.
 Now for tactics, Light weight and three different tactics which include: One: Jig and minnow, Two: Lindy rig, Three: slip bobber and small jig. I like to sometimes anchor when a front moves through and pitch jigs into those weeds or I will also have my partner or clients throw out a slip bobber. This will allow for those fish to look at the bait for a longer period of time which usually allows them time to think and then react to the bait. When those are going so well or the fish are really biting, I will start to move around with lindy rigs and snap jigging. What I am doing is searching for those aggressive biters and covering some ground doing it.
 When the next cold front comes through like last weekend, I suggest people move in the weeds slow down and play the wind. The fish are still in the lake they may just have moved into cover and warmer water. If you take into consideration these factors it will help you become a more successful angler. Good luck. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.