09-20-2009, 11:21 AM
[cool][#0000ff]Glad you and the Mrs. got a chance to spend some time on the water together. It doesn't matter if she is fishing or just likes to paddle around and enjoy the surroundings. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]About the lures I use... I would never propose that anything I make and use is the universal lure that will catch any fish, anywhere, any time. Whenever somebody suggests that I give them a bunch of my lures...or sell them...I patiently take the time to remind them of a few things.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]First: Every body of water...stillwater or flowing...has a different ecology and personality. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Second: Each species of fish has a wide range of personalities and patterns that can greatly affect what it does and how it does it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Third: Almost any lure or bait can be fished in many different ways...to change the presentation and the appeal to the fish under any set of circumstances.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fourth: There are many variations in water temperature, clarity and chemistry that change with the seasons and weather patterns. And, each of these things can be very important in determining how the fish will respond to any given bait or lure on any given day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fifth: The combination of all of the above factors will have the fish in one of three "modes". The will either be active (best), neutral or inactive/negative.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bottom line? It pays to get to really know your favorite lakes during all seasons and conditions. And, after a lot of trial and error you should learn what works best under a variety of conditions. That will insure a reasonable shot at catching fish on any given trip.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Getting back to my lures. Most of the manmade reservoirs I fish in Utah have some similarities. They are subject to great fluctuations in level throughout the year, due to agricultural uses. Few have much natural aquatic vegetation and they are not as rich and varied in food sources as natural lakes. Also, the fish move around in these lakes a lot throughout the year as the water levels change and their food sources move also.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]With the exception of trout, which may be high in the water column at any given time, most of the fish I pursue are on or near the bottom most of the time. And, often that is in water from 15 to 30 feet or more in depth. That usually means that I need to use a heavier lure to get down better and to provide more "feel" to help me know when I have an inquiry. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Those same lures are not effective in shallower waters...and the light stuff I use in shallower waters does not work as well in deeper waters. And, the shapes and colors of lures I use also change from water to water, month to month and season to season. I don't fish the same stuff year round, even on the same waters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All this is a lot of words to say that "my lures" will not work everywere...all the time. But, when they do they often work better than "store bought" stuff.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Using the slow fall with natural baits is a great tactic on almost all waters and all species. This is especially true where there is a lot of angler activity and the fish get "educated". They will ignore an unnatural presentation...when the lure plummets to the bottom. But, toss out a piece of worm on a plain hook, with no weight, and they will swim up and suck it in. That little gem should be in the fishing arsenal of every angler and will put fish on the end of your line when nothing else will.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]About the lures I use... I would never propose that anything I make and use is the universal lure that will catch any fish, anywhere, any time. Whenever somebody suggests that I give them a bunch of my lures...or sell them...I patiently take the time to remind them of a few things.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]First: Every body of water...stillwater or flowing...has a different ecology and personality. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Second: Each species of fish has a wide range of personalities and patterns that can greatly affect what it does and how it does it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Third: Almost any lure or bait can be fished in many different ways...to change the presentation and the appeal to the fish under any set of circumstances.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Fourth: There are many variations in water temperature, clarity and chemistry that change with the seasons and weather patterns. And, each of these things can be very important in determining how the fish will respond to any given bait or lure on any given day.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Fifth: The combination of all of the above factors will have the fish in one of three "modes". The will either be active (best), neutral or inactive/negative.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Bottom line? It pays to get to really know your favorite lakes during all seasons and conditions. And, after a lot of trial and error you should learn what works best under a variety of conditions. That will insure a reasonable shot at catching fish on any given trip.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Getting back to my lures. Most of the manmade reservoirs I fish in Utah have some similarities. They are subject to great fluctuations in level throughout the year, due to agricultural uses. Few have much natural aquatic vegetation and they are not as rich and varied in food sources as natural lakes. Also, the fish move around in these lakes a lot throughout the year as the water levels change and their food sources move also.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With the exception of trout, which may be high in the water column at any given time, most of the fish I pursue are on or near the bottom most of the time. And, often that is in water from 15 to 30 feet or more in depth. That usually means that I need to use a heavier lure to get down better and to provide more "feel" to help me know when I have an inquiry. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those same lures are not effective in shallower waters...and the light stuff I use in shallower waters does not work as well in deeper waters. And, the shapes and colors of lures I use also change from water to water, month to month and season to season. I don't fish the same stuff year round, even on the same waters.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]All this is a lot of words to say that "my lures" will not work everywere...all the time. But, when they do they often work better than "store bought" stuff.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Using the slow fall with natural baits is a great tactic on almost all waters and all species. This is especially true where there is a lot of angler activity and the fish get "educated". They will ignore an unnatural presentation...when the lure plummets to the bottom. But, toss out a piece of worm on a plain hook, with no weight, and they will swim up and suck it in. That little gem should be in the fishing arsenal of every angler and will put fish on the end of your line when nothing else will.[/#0000ff]
[signature]