When I am on my guide trips with clients, the most frequently asked question is how do you find fish? Simple question right? well the problem is there are easy answers and hard ones, but the hardest part, is there are many answers. well hopefully I am going to try and break it down and simplify it.
The truth is there are many ways that would be considered right but some of the myths can be broken down. One common answer we hear is time on the water. This is because alot of fisherman simply spend so much time on their home water they are able to eventually eliminate most non productive areas as well as pattern the fish seasonaly. This is a true way but a hard way and with gas prices what they are now an expensive way! Most dont want to hear this answer but unfortunatly there are some that simply ask, watch, and ride with someone else, it can be effective and it is what local bass clubs originally were formed for.
My answer is this, if you truly study the basic biology of bass and can answer a few simple questions then you can go to any lake, and eliminate alot of water before you ever even head to the lake and make your trip on the water as productive as it can be.
Bass are pretty simple creatures, smart as a whip but there needs are simple. They need good oxygen levels, a comfortable water temp, adequate cover to hide and ambush the most important thing, and that is a food source. Now there are several factors that when answering those questions that come into play like weather, seasons, and the waterbody itself. Now understand the more homework you do on answering those simple questions, the better your results can be. I mean , the pro's you see on Tv will break those questions down to the finest points and answer as many of the variables as they can. this along with surperior execution allows for their greater sucess.
Over the next couple weeks, I will take one needs question per blog, and break down as many variables as I can and in the end maybe you will have a better understanding how to find fish more effeciently and maximize your time on the water! the next blog we will tackle water temps and its effects on bass habitat.
so until then, Thanks for reading, and remeber keep fishing because your next cast could produce the fish of a lifetime!
Thanks again,
Jc Gwynne
