| FISHING WITH CONFIDENCE |
| Written by Keith "CrappieKeith" Nelson - www.CKOutdoors.com |
So how does a fisherman gain confidence? I've been thinking about fishing over the last 40 years
and there are so many ways to catch fish. It's funny when to think about how many different
styles and patterns that I've used to catch those quality fish.
One of the main ingredients to producing great action is having confidence in the pattern you are
using. I believe once you have determined the forage the fish you are targeting are eating and the
structure the fish are holding to, you need to have the patients to work that pattern.
and there are so many ways to catch fish. It's funny when to think about how many different
styles and patterns that I've used to catch those quality fish.
One of the main ingredients to producing great action is having confidence in the pattern you are
using. I believe once you have determined the forage the fish you are targeting are eating and the
structure the fish are holding to, you need to have the patients to work that pattern.
My general rule of thumb is to start small and work to bigger baits or visa versa until I find what
those fish want. Colors can have an effect as well, so have different sizes and colors in a bait aides
me in dialing in to exactly want that species want on that day. Retrieval speed or trolling speed has
to be considered as well as boat control. Since I have some expierence already banked I can dial in
quicker then I was able to 20 years ago. For example catching crappies just after the ice melts. I
know that I can go into some of the smaller lakes that warm faster. Three days after the ice leaves
for the open water season is when I can start. I know that the mud flats and cabbage patches
adjacent to deep water will be areas that I'll target looking for those early slabs. I know that the
submerged trees and floating bogs have a tendancy to warm that water a bit faster. I also know to
work those areas with super small baits under a bobber in stealth mode. A key option here is to
work a ton of water until you find that first one. Since crappies are a schooling fish I know that to
find the first one is everything. Once that happens it's time to set anchor quitely and proceed to
rearing. This is a CPR time of the year for me as these will be spawning fish as soon as the water
warms into the 60's.
those fish want. Colors can have an effect as well, so have different sizes and colors in a bait aides
me in dialing in to exactly want that species want on that day. Retrieval speed or trolling speed has
to be considered as well as boat control. Since I have some expierence already banked I can dial in
quicker then I was able to 20 years ago. For example catching crappies just after the ice melts. I
know that I can go into some of the smaller lakes that warm faster. Three days after the ice leaves
for the open water season is when I can start. I know that the mud flats and cabbage patches
adjacent to deep water will be areas that I'll target looking for those early slabs. I know that the
submerged trees and floating bogs have a tendancy to warm that water a bit faster. I also know to
work those areas with super small baits under a bobber in stealth mode. A key option here is to
work a ton of water until you find that first one. Since crappies are a schooling fish I know that to
find the first one is everything. Once that happens it's time to set anchor quitely and proceed to
rearing. This is a CPR time of the year for me as these will be spawning fish as soon as the water
warms into the 60's.
Have fun and remember what got you there!
It does not matter if you're young and just learning how to cast or your an old pro working a
proven pattern. Time spent working a pattern will produce fish and sometimes a fish of a lifetime.
Fishing is really a game of numbers. The more time your baits are wet, the better your odds are of
catching fish. It's also a game where anything goes...well just about. Letting those fish tell you
want they want is key, but what's even more important is remembering how it all went down.
Keeping a log can aide you. Things like wind direction, moon phase, barometer level, water
temperature, storm fronts, time of the day or year all play apart of developing your pattern. As we
find a pattern we should bank that pattern in our memories or the log. Patterns can change from
day to day as they change for diferent species of fish.
proven pattern. Time spent working a pattern will produce fish and sometimes a fish of a lifetime.
Fishing is really a game of numbers. The more time your baits are wet, the better your odds are of
catching fish. It's also a game where anything goes...well just about. Letting those fish tell you
want they want is key, but what's even more important is remembering how it all went down.
Keeping a log can aide you. Things like wind direction, moon phase, barometer level, water
temperature, storm fronts, time of the day or year all play apart of developing your pattern. As we
find a pattern we should bank that pattern in our memories or the log. Patterns can change from
day to day as they change for diferent species of fish.
All fish have patterns, finding one that works for you within your abilities and working that pattern
is where that confidence is developed through catching fish. Make sure you bank that pattern as
you fish throughout the year. As the fishing trips come and go your account will grow enabling you
to reach into that account to withdraw that go to pattern for those species of fish you are targeting.
Work that pattern. Your confidence will drive you to catch more fish more often.
is where that confidence is developed through catching fish. Make sure you bank that pattern as
you fish throughout the year. As the fishing trips come and go your account will grow enabling you
to reach into that account to withdraw that go to pattern for those species of fish you are targeting.
Work that pattern. Your confidence will drive you to catch more fish more often.