NORDSTROM: Catch fish under any conditions

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July 1, 2009

By Ray Nordstrom Pharos-Tribune Wed Jul 01, 2009, 10:23 PM EDT

In order to have consistent fishing success, an angler needs to focus on several key factors. By paying attention to just a few basic principals, you can make your fishing trips much more productive and enjoyable.

First of all, a successful angler needs to be aware and concentrate on all the things that might affect that success. Be aware of approaching weather patterns. Watch for changes in barometric pressure that tend to stimulate fish and approaching cold fronts that tend to make fish more inactive, and try to plan your trips accordingly. Be aware of what the fish and other fishermen are doing.

If, for example, you notice that the fish are coming to the water’s surface to feed on baitfish or insects, then switch to a top-water lure. If you see that they are using top-water lures with no success, try using lures that target areas deeper in the water column. If you notice other anglers using crank-baits or spinner-baits with no success, try a completely different approach like using jigs or rubber worms. By concentrating and being aware of things like wind speed and direction, weather, fishing pressure, spawning cycles and the cover, structure and forage in the body of what that you’re fishing, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful angler.

Experimentation is another key to better fishing. Just because you caught fish in a certain spot or on a particular bait the last time out doesn’t mean that same spot or bait will work every time. As the weather changes and the fish go through the spawning cycle, their location and feeding habits change. The experienced fishermen might go to his favorite spot first, but he isn’t afraid to try different locations and strategies. Sometimes all it takes to trigger fish to strike is a subtle change in lure color or presentation. So don’t get struck in a rut. Fish get conditioned to seeing the same baits and lures and quickly learn to ignore them. By experimenting with different sizes, colors and types of baits, you can often coax these wary fish into striking.

Confidence and patience may be the two most important keys to success. If you know the fish are there and the conditions are right, keep at it. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have instant success. I’ve seen fish ignore a lure that was retrieved right in front of their nose on several consecutive casts and then suddenly attack it for no apparent reason. By having the confidence and patience to keep trying, you might find that a nice fish was only one more cast away.

Finally, you need to know your equipment. You need to know what you can do and can’t do with the equipment you have and make the most of it. Purchase the best equipment you can afford and learn how to use it properly. By properly matching your rod, reel and line and then matching your equipment to the type of fishing you intend to do, you’ll see your success rates roar.

Now that you have the keys to successful fishing: awareness, concentration, experimentation, confidence, patience and knowledge of your equipment, you can make the transition from the weekend fisherman who occasionally gets lucky to an angler who can consistently catch fish under any conditions.

• Ray Nordstrom is a licensed fishing guide and owner of Eel River Bait & Tackle in Logansport. He may be reached at 574-753-2527.

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