Tips & Techniques
Resolutions for Better
Fishing in ‘09 |
 |
January, 2009
By
Tom Redington
Just like doctors & engineers stay abreast of the latest technology and
innovations or get left behind, anglers who ignore the latest fishing
trends & info are likely to get outfished by their partners. Although
fishing is not a vocation for most, who wouldn’t have more fun by catching
more and bigger fish next year? With the goal of more big fish and a good
time on the water, here are a few ideas for the coming year.
• Go fishing with someone new, like a friend, guide, tournament partner,
or family member: Face it. We all get set in our ways and pretty much fish
the same way most of the time. Fishing with someone else (especially in
their boat on their lake) will likely open your eyes to a number of things
you’ve been missing. Not only will you learn a few new tricks or patterns;
in addition, spending a day on the water is a great way to make new
friendships or renew friendships with old school pals. Other great ways to
learn are booking a guide trip or by signing up as a non-boater in a
fishing tournament. Nothing helps me learn a new lure or pattern quicker
than watching a fishing partner use it to catch a lot of big bass.
• Take a young person fishing: While you might not agree on hairstyles,
clothing, or music; you’ll both enjoy reeling in fish. And what young
folks lack in fishing experience, they make up for in exuberance and
curiosity. Watching a kid catch a big fish is exciting for all parties
involved and reminds me of when I fell in love with the sport. Plus, a
young person’s lack of knowledge of the bass fishing “rules” often leads
to the discovery of hidden patterns on a fishing trip. Leave it to a
newbie to rescue a slow trip with acts of fishing heresy such as topwaters
on a sunny day, casting out to the middle of the lake, or pink
spinnerbaits.
• Try new places: We want to catch bass during our trips, so most of our
time is spent fishing our favorite spots on our favorite lakes. While that
often fills our livewells, it does little to increase our understanding as
anglers and gives us limited options if they won’t bite in the same old
honey holes. If you have access to a variety of lakes in your area, go try
a new one. You’ll be forced to read the conditions and react to the fish
on that given day. Although the fishing may be tough at first, nothing is
more rewarding than figuring out a pattern and solving the fishing puzzle
for that given day. Or if you are on a familiar lake, force yourself to
fish new areas. Not only will you learn from figuring out the pattern in
the new places, but you’ll also have extra honey holes for future fishing
trips.
• Experiment with new lures: Fish become conditioned to lures, especially
when you cast the same baits in the same colors and the same sizes to the
same spots all the time. Fishing on a daily basis, I see firsthand how
quickly fish stop responding to familiar lures and I am constantly
searching for that little edge. Often, by simply changing your bait
slightly or by changing colors, a seemingly dead area will start producing
more fish again. Whether I try new colors like Bama Bug or Hot Motor Oil
in my favorite old lures like Flippers and Fork Craws; or try innovative
new lures like Lake Fork Trophy Lures’ Live Magic Shads, Hyper Worms,
Hyper Freaks, and Hyper Finesse Worms; I’m often amazed how a small change
can make the difference between a big limit and no bites.
• Do some research in the off season: Pro athletes work out all offseason
to prepare to win. When conditions are too nasty to fish or if you don’t
have enough time for a day on the lake, take a few minutes to increase
your knowledge of the sport. The tools available now are almost
infinite—TV shows, books, magazines, videos, fishing forums, and websites.
At no time in the history of fishing has it been easier to learn quicker
or easier.
I wish you and your families the very best in 2009. With a little bit of
work and good fortune, it’ll be your best fishing year ever. Here’s hoping
you catch the lunker of your dreams. If I can be of assistance, please
contact me at 214-683-9572 (days) or 972-635-6027 (evenings) or e-mail me
through my website,
www.LakeForkGuideTrips.com.
Tom Redington is a full time bass guide on Lake Fork and is sponsored by
Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, Diamond Sports Marine, Lake Fork Trophy
Lures, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Minn Kota, & Humminbird.
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