FRESH WATER: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions by anglers that come into the shop.  I will limit the questions to fresh water.   If you have any questions please e-mail them to me and I will answer them for you and possibly use them in a future article.

What is the best time of day to go fishing?

The best time of the day to go fishing largely depends on the species of fish that you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for largemouth bass then generally you will have your best luck both early in the day and then again towards dusk. Perch can be found all during the day. Trout are generally most active during first light and there can be a spike in the action towards dusk. Horned pout and catfish are generally most active after dark. Pickerel can be active throughout the day. These times of peak activity can change during different times of the year.

Does structure really make a difference?

Absolutely! Fish look for protection against predators and one of the best defenses is to hide in some sort of structure. That structure can be weedbeds, rockpiles and channels. Predators also look for structure to lay in wait for unsuspecting prey. Structure also an provide for cooler water temperatures during the heat of summer. Weedbeds shade the water and can decrease water temperatures by a few degrees. Rockpiles allow smaller fish to get between the rocks and be protected from predators.

Does the way you present your bait make a difference?

Yes. Your baits should be presented in such a manner as to make them look as natural as possible. For example, when using shiners it is usually better to fish them from a float and hook them through the back, use a thin wire hook and clip a pectoral fin. This allows the fish to swim naturally and give off the vibrations of a wounded bait. Wounded prey is a prime target for bass and pickerel. By clipping the pectoral fin, the bait swims erratically and prevents it from outswimming the predator.

Why do tackle choices seem to matter so much?

Tackle choices make a difference because you are trying to match, as closely as possible, the bait that is in the area. For example, you would not present a five inch plug in an area that the fish are feeding on one and two inch minnows. It also makes a difference when you are trying to make a bait visible. If you were fishing late at night, you would use a dark colored plug. This is because it will set up a silhouette against the lighter nighttime sky as the fish looks up. Spoons set off a series of splashes that closely resembles a flash set off by a school of baitfish.

Why are there so many different colors of plastic worms?

As far as I am concerned, this is just a marketing plan established by the manufacturers to get you to buy lots and lots of plastic worms. The colors are designed to be used in all different water conditions as encouraged by fishing magazines and such. As far as I am concerned, each fishermen needs only three or four basic colors in order to be successful. The basic colors needed for most fishing conditions are a dark color, an intermediate color and a light color. Whether the dark color is black or purple really does not become that critical. To me, the presentation is critical.

Does the way you rig a bait make a difference?

Definitely! My rule of thumb for rigging baits is really very simple. It states that you use the lightest tackle that you are comfortable with in the water conditions you are working. For example, you would not use two pound test line if you are wrestling pickerel out of the thickest weed patches. Nor would you use fifty pound test line for open water trout fishing. The use of hardware is generally overused by many fishermen. Why use a steel leader when a monofilament leader is sufficient to get the job done. Rig your baits for the species of fish that you are after keeping in mind that the more terminal tackle you use the less natural you bait appears.

I use a bait bucket and air pump but my shiners still die during the summer. What’s wrong?

During the warmer months shiners are most vulnerable to stress. It is very easy to crowd a bait bucket with too many shiners during summer. Most fishermen compare the numbers of shiners they carry during the ice fishing season to what they use during summer. As a general rule, only carry half of what you do in winter. During the summer use a larger bucket and take the time to ice down your water. This should be done gradually so you don’t shock your bait. Make sure that you have a sufficient supply of air and you change your water periodically. With the proper cautions you should be able to keep your shiners in good condition throughout your trip.

You seem to like thin wire hooks better than the standard variety, why?

I like to fish with light lines and there is an advantage to using the thin wire hooks. With light lines (generally two pound test) you can not set a hook effectively without snapping the line. One way to overcome this problem is to use a thin wire hook. This allows the fisherman to hold a tight line on the fish and the tension will allow the thin wire and sharpened barb of the hook to penetrate the fish’s mouth. The use of the thin ware hooks helps to increase the odds of a successful hook-up.

If I had to choose only one rod and reel combination for all my fresh water fishing, what’s the best choice?

There is really no good compromise as the fishermen will have to give up something on both ends of the spectrum. Light fishing for trout will be hammered as will heavy fish for bass in the weeds. To answer your question the best compromise that I advise is a six foot medium action rod matched to a spinning reel that will hold six to ten pound line. As suggested earlier trade offs will have to be made but this combination allows you to fish a variety of conditions and species of fish.

What is the best time to go fishing?

The best time to go fishing is when you have the time to get away! If you wait for the best time of day, the best conditions, the best phase of the moon, the best of this and the best of that, you will spend you life waiting and never get a chance to wet a line and enjoy the thrill and excitement of tight lines. Good luck and tight lines always.