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Conference wahoo::fishing

Title:Fishing Notes- Archived
Notice:See note 555.1 for a keyword directory of this conference
Moderator:DONMAC::MACINTYRE
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Sep 20 1991
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1660
Total number of notes:20970

1386.0. ""Locating" Fish with Lures" by ARCHER::PRESTON (A cat... in the rat race of life) Fri Apr 13 1990 12:18

Suppose you are fishing for bass in a good sized pond for the first time. 
You want to locate fish. You spot quite a few areas that look like they 
might hold bass. What do you do?

I've heard a lot about using certain kinds of lures (like crankbaits or 
spinners that cover more water faster) to "locate" bass, then switching
to a different kind (like grubs or gitzits) for more effective catching.
To me this approach *may* get you onto some fish, but it also seems like 
it might cause you to miss just as many, because lots of fish will ignore
a crankbait that will otherwise go for a gitzit, grub or worm.

Just the same I keep hearing about using longer casting, faster baits to
"locate" active fish. Does this approach suppose that if you find an 
active fish that less active fish will also be in the area? Is this not 
also a good way to *miss* a lot of fish, or am I missing something?

Ed
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1386.111SRUS::LUCIAWho's out there?Fri Apr 13 1990 14:266
This method will locate fish that are any of the following: ACTIVE, HUNGRY, 
AGRESSIVE.  The odds are good that there are less (pick one) fish in the same
area.  Always throw a plastic worm in after you miss a strike (or any of the
finesse-style baits).  Even if you catch a fish, throw the worm in, there is
a high probability of another fish being there.

1386.2DEPENDS ON WHO HAS HOLD OF THE ROD!!!GENRAL::HUNTERfrom SUNNY Colorado, WayneMon Apr 16 1990 16:4132
    Ed,
    	There are TWO schools of thought to finding fish in unfamiliar
    waters.  The first is to get a map of the lake and fish the FISHIEST
    looking places on the map with SLOW baits.  The second is to run the
    spinnerbaits and/or crankbaits till you find active fish, then switch
    to the slower baits after you pick off the active ones.  I tend to
    follow the second school rule.  Not because I can't read maps, but,
    RATHER BECAUSE I'M AN IMPATIENT FISHERMAN!!!!!
    	So, my method of fishing is to run a FAST lure (depends on my mood
    for the day WHICH I choose) such as a rattle-trap, spinnerbait,
    buzzbait, etc.  (don't fish too many diving crankbaits over shallow
    moss beds) around till I find fish.  Then, I will quickly cover water
    on both sides of the spot to try to find the activity points.  Then, go
    back and cover the same HOT SPOTS with slow baits such as pig-n-jig,
    worm, etc.  However, I probably MISS as many fish with the slow baits
    as I catch since I tend to fish them too fast, too.  This way, I can
    tend to reduce the amount of water I have to plug through to get the
    most fish in the shortest period of time.  However, if I hit about a
    dozen points with the spinnerbait, etc. that SHOULD be fishy and CATCH
    NOTHING, I start dredging the bottom of the lake.  If I have thrown
    that many times and gotten NOTHING, either the fish are in a totally
    negative feeding mood or there AREN'T any fish in the lake.  If you
    KNOW it's not the last one, SLOW DOWN.  I have even been known to run a
    BUZZBAIT so slow that it will travel about 2-3 feet UNDER the surface
    to try to find negative fish.  The vibrations from this methad ore
    TREMENDOUS!!!!  This will often trigger fish when a spinnerbait or
    crankbait won't due to the SLOW, NOISY presentation.
    	So, given those alternatives, YOU MAKES YOUR PICK AND TAKES YOUR
    CHANCES!!!!!
    
    Later,
    Wayne
1386.3pointsWMOIS::M_MESSIERFri Apr 20 1990 14:0912
    
    POINTS POINTS POINTS!!!!! in other words fish points. If you haven't 
    fished a certain lake before, hit all the points you can find.
    eventually you should find where the fish are. As it has been said
    before, if you pick up a fish off a point, chances are that there are
    more fish either shallow or deeper off the same point. rock shoal
    points off of deep water is a plus. fish in the area at some time feed
    on these long points and if your thier you'll catch them.
    
    won't be long now!!!!!!!
    
    mark
1386.4go fishRANGER::MACINTYRETerminal AnglerMon Apr 23 1990 13:1411
    Sure, you'll probably miss some less aggressive fish fishing a
    spinnerbait fast thru unknown waters, but in order to make the
    waters 'known' you have to fish them.  By moving fast, keeping an
    eye on the depth, noticing the weeds and structure, you'll soon
    get a feel for the lake and in the mean time - you may catch some fish.
    
    The text book approach is to study the maps first, apply the seasonal
    patterns for your area, mark the likely spots on the map, then use the
    process of elimination to find the fish...
    
    donmac 
1386.5Hmmm shoulda thunk of that myself!TOMCAT::PRESTONA cat... in the rat race of lifeMon Apr 23 1990 13:204
    Thanks Don, that makes sense.
    
    Ed