06-05-2011, 09:22 PM
Well... I'm just getting to the point in a few situations where I even HAVE more than a "Plan A", [
] but I'll share some observations FWIW. First, I believe it when people say "There are no absolutes in fishing." But if I had to come up with one from my observation in trying to become a better fisherman, that a high percentage fish the way they like to fish (rarely alter it), and catch only when the conditions happen to match. So to increase my chances I try to learn what I can about what the fish might be doing AND go out as much as possible with other anglers to learn different tactics in a different situations.
My goal has been to experience what happens with the white bass spawn, and get some idea of what the cats do in the transitional time (Spring). This was the second time I've hit the Knolls this year. The first was a week ago and the conditions were very similar. Wind from the SE and water temps just barely above or below 60 and the w bass were shotgunned around and we'd catch singles here and there. Last week we anchored up and cast shallow and catching was consistent, but not hot. But not this time. But as you know, FishKillr did well. And, he moved around. He had the benefit of a small boat with an electric trolling motor at slow speeds and would stop and pick some up when he found 'em. He also could take his boat shallower than I, and I saw them bring in fish by just dragging their line next to their boat. My son and I were close enough that we could literally cast into his boat, but he'd catch and we wouldn't. So yeah, a few feet difference can mean a lot with these wacky whities! [] FK's really got his methods down for them! [cool]
But, my biggest observation was that last trip my cat pole went untouched all day. Where we cast was just chuck and chance it depending on where we stopped looking for w bass (which really has been best near rocks). But THIS time like I said, we got action on the cat pole. So I motored over where I cast and watched the sonar. Lo and behold, the depth changed a couple feet quite quickly in that spot. (Aha, so there was some of that structure that others much more experienced say they like about the area.) If I fished bait under a bobber, it pretty much went where the wind took it. But if fished without, the underwater current took the bait along the drop off. We were getting NO action casting toward the shore at this point for w bass, but hits were coming fairly regularly out deeper (at about 8') . It has been suggested to me that some of my "pop and drops" I missed were probably white bass. And in hindsight - I agree.
Other anglers in the area said that the wind came and went earlier in the day - and after they left the wind came again. And, that was when it seemed to me that the fish moved off the shore into deeper water.
I'm sure there are others who might have seen things differently, and I'd love to hear from them on the matter. It was fortunate to find those cats and that cool walleye following the same pattern. So, the trip for me was personally satisfying - especially when compared to other trips when I'm left with few fish and a boat ride! [laugh]
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] but I'll share some observations FWIW. First, I believe it when people say "There are no absolutes in fishing." But if I had to come up with one from my observation in trying to become a better fisherman, that a high percentage fish the way they like to fish (rarely alter it), and catch only when the conditions happen to match. So to increase my chances I try to learn what I can about what the fish might be doing AND go out as much as possible with other anglers to learn different tactics in a different situations.My goal has been to experience what happens with the white bass spawn, and get some idea of what the cats do in the transitional time (Spring). This was the second time I've hit the Knolls this year. The first was a week ago and the conditions were very similar. Wind from the SE and water temps just barely above or below 60 and the w bass were shotgunned around and we'd catch singles here and there. Last week we anchored up and cast shallow and catching was consistent, but not hot. But not this time. But as you know, FishKillr did well. And, he moved around. He had the benefit of a small boat with an electric trolling motor at slow speeds and would stop and pick some up when he found 'em. He also could take his boat shallower than I, and I saw them bring in fish by just dragging their line next to their boat. My son and I were close enough that we could literally cast into his boat, but he'd catch and we wouldn't. So yeah, a few feet difference can mean a lot with these wacky whities! [
] FK's really got his methods down for them! [cool]But, my biggest observation was that last trip my cat pole went untouched all day. Where we cast was just chuck and chance it depending on where we stopped looking for w bass (which really has been best near rocks). But THIS time like I said, we got action on the cat pole. So I motored over where I cast and watched the sonar. Lo and behold, the depth changed a couple feet quite quickly in that spot. (Aha, so there was some of that structure that others much more experienced say they like about the area.) If I fished bait under a bobber, it pretty much went where the wind took it. But if fished without, the underwater current took the bait along the drop off. We were getting NO action casting toward the shore at this point for w bass, but hits were coming fairly regularly out deeper (at about 8') . It has been suggested to me that some of my "pop and drops" I missed were probably white bass. And in hindsight - I agree.
Other anglers in the area said that the wind came and went earlier in the day - and after they left the wind came again. And, that was when it seemed to me that the fish moved off the shore into deeper water.
I'm sure there are others who might have seen things differently, and I'd love to hear from them on the matter. It was fortunate to find those cats and that cool walleye following the same pattern. So, the trip for me was personally satisfying - especially when compared to other trips when I'm left with few fish and a boat ride! [laugh]
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