 by
Bob Jensen
FISHING FOR THE "OTHER STUFF"
Sometimes anglers get in a rut. They become so focused on one specie of fish that they forget about the real meaning of fishing. Fishing is supposed to be fun, and it's more fun to catch fish than to not catch fish. When an angler gets so intent on catching one kind of fish that they forget about the other ones, the fun will eventually go away. Here's how you can keep the fun in your fishing.
Now, let's say that you have fished several bassy-looking spots without much bass action. However, you caught several nice crappies on four-inch worms that you were throwing along the weedline. Why not go back to that spot, put on some smaller jigs more appropriate for crappies, and see if you can catch a few more. The action could be really fast.
Keep this in mind. If you caught the crappies on four-inch worms while fishing for the bass, one angler should continue to throw four-inch worms while the other angler tries smaller stuff. Maybe the crappies will go for the small baits; maybe they will prefer the larger stuff. You won't now until you try. If you're fishing alone, alternate lures until the fish show a preference.
Don't get locked into a particular lure presentation. Too many anglers consider themselves to be jig fisherman, or spinnerbait fisherman. That's fine if the fish are on a jig bite or spinnerbait bite, but if they're not, you're out of luck. Become comfortable and proficient at using other styles of lures and you will catch more fish.
On one fishing trip this year, go after a truly big fish. In the Midwest, that generally means you will be chasing a carp or catfish. There are great opportunities to catch carp or catfish over twenty pounds throughout the Midwest. Few anglers know what it's like to hook onto a really big fish. Once you discover the thrill of tangling with a fish that can make you think it's going to pull you in, you'll want to do it again.
There are lots of different types of fish available to anglers across the Midwest. Don't let yourself become too dependant on one specie of fish or one style of fishing. If you allow yourself to discover how much fun the other species can be, or how productive other fishing techniques can be, you're going to enjoy your fishing more. And remember, the reason we go fishing is to have a good time.
Member of the Walleye Central Online Community |
Keep an open mind about the types of fish you catch. When you go fishing for the day, it is important to have a game plan. Let's say you like to catch largemouth bass and are on a good largemouth bass lake. It would be a good idea to start out using bass techniques in good bass areas.