Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
In spite of the heat, I have been on a few different waters across the state in the past couple of weeks. Mostly have been fishing evenings when it has been at least bearable to be outside. Have done an afternoon or two as well.
What I have been seeing on the water has been typical for this time of year (see Summer Fishing, the Hot, Hard Facts). In addition, I have been reminded of something else that often is critical to scratching a few bites during the “dog days”.
As I noted earlier this summer, the abundance of prey at this time of year is the real reason the bite gets tough. Fish may actively feed for only a short time each day. A few minutes pursuing prey is all they need to fill their belly. During those feeding windows, they frequently are also very picky about which targets they will even attempt to eat. It is all about conserving energy. When prey is abundant, there is no need to work hard to capture it.
Let me illustrate what I am trying to describe by telling a story. . .
Of course I love aquariums. Could stand and watch fish in an aquarium for hours. Pretty much any trip to Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops starts with a visit to the aquariums. On one occasion, my timing was perfect. The fish had just been fed. Minnows raced around the aquarium in panic. Some of the most aggressive predators chased them.
Over in one corner, where there was a little “cup” in the contour of the aquarium wall, sat one of the biggest bass. That fish just held there. It was not chasing minnows. If you watched close, that big bass just sat in position waiting for a minnow to swim into one little spot in that corner cup. When a minnow got there, slurp, it was gone! That big, bad predator knew that any prey in that strike zone was not going to escape. It was not going to waste any energy unsuccessfully chasing a minnow.
Have seen this play out on the water in many different places for many different species of fish. Sure there are times when the bite is hot and the fish will pursue baits. You could say they have a large “strike window” at those times.
Most of the time they are much less aggressive. They will not even attempt to capture a prey item, or your presentation, unless it is much closer. Not only that, but you might have to get that bait or lure in a particular spot to get a bite. It needs to be not just close to the fish, but in that particular strike zone.
This can be particularly true right now with the tough bite of mid- and late-summer.
Fortunately, with today’s electronics, you might be able to see this happening below the surface. If you do not have the latest, greatest, forward-facing sonar unit sitting on your boat, you still need to be aware of how fish use structure, cover, even current to find and capture prey. Sometimes it takes a little imagination–try to visualize what it looks like and what is going on below the surface. Polarized sunglasses can help. Putting a line in the water and paying attention to depth and what you feel will give you a lot of clues too.
Look for sweet spots where the fish will corner and capture prey. Also be very aware of water movements, current, even in lakes, reservoirs, pits and ponds. When the wind blows water moves. Fish are very aware of those movements in all habitats and will use them to their advantage. You can too.
Sometimes fishing a likely spot from different casting angles may make all the difference in the world. Do not get hung up on colors as much as using the right baits and lures, tools, to get in the right spot. Get it there and you will know you got it right. You will know right away!