The success of an angler on the water depends on several elements: his luck, his technical skills, his experience, his knowledge of the place, the fish and the ecosystem in general, and of course, his ability to adjust to the conditions he faces.
In France, we often notice that it is our experience, our experience on a spot, which defines our approach and the lure that we will put at the end of our line. How many times have you already heard " it was biting at this last time so I fish with it " ? Or: " we start here, this is where it happened last time Â". Then three hours later, still on the same spot with the same lure and still hood, it is time to react! (I caricature a little yes âeuros¦).
Of course, one should never deny one's own experience or that of the friend who gives tips on the place. However, you have to take a step back from this information. What were the conditions when I did a good fishing here? Why were the fish in this location? Have the conditions changed? These are all questions that need to be answered in order to interpret the placement or behavior of the bass.
During a session, you can therefore start on the same basis as the previous outing if the conditions are relatively similar or if you feel that the fish will be placed in the same way. But don't lock yourself into this, especially if the results are poor or non-existent.
Fish the Moment
Fishing the conditions, fishing the moment, that's the approach we're talking about. Put aside what you have experienced on this spot before. Each day, each hour may be different, the behavior of the fish will most certainly be different. When you arrive at the water's edge (but also during the session), you should ask yourself a few questions:
- What is the season / temperature of the water? ? Allows you to define an approximate placement, a trend in behavior.
- What is the weather like? Sunny / cloudy / rainy ? Windy ? Low pressure ? High pressure ? âeuros¦ â Placement, behavior, type of lures to use...
- What forage is available? ? Fishing areas, lure and colors
- Do water levels vary? The clarity? ? Placement, areas and depths to fish, colors to use ...
In short, all the elements that will allow us to identify trends, or at least avenues to explore.
Some examples
- Case Study #1
Let's take a first example, we are in October, the water is 16°, the sky is overcast, there is 15 to 20 km/h of wind, it is the beginning of a low pressure. The last few days have been rather calm and sunny, with cool mornings. In such conditions, there is a chance to do some good fishing on the windy bank with power fishing lures like a spinnerbait, chatterbait or crankbait. There is no reason for me to take my spinning and wacky fishing in shallow areas (again I am caricaturing, this is all theoretical).
On the other hand, on a beautiful August day without wind, warm and sunny, I would certainly have better luck with my finesse rig than with reaction lures, which will not express themselves as well in these conditions.
- Case study #2
Let's take another example: we are faced with rising water, as in the case of a body of water subject to flooding from a nearby river. The normally clear water in your spot turns brown, with very little visibility, the water level has risen more than one meter... This does not sound very encouraging. In reality, it could be a godsend. Instead of going back home, even if you are here, you might as well make a few casts...! Whatever the time of the year, and consequently the temperature of the water, this rise of the level associated with a high turbidity, will push the fishes in the most shallow zones, now accessible.
Food, protection from predators or from the current, better thermal conditions, many reasons can push the fish in a few tens of centimeters of water. In particular, during the rising water phase, some of the bass will tend to go as far as possible, on flat and very shallow areas. When the water level drops, they will move to steeper areas and nearer to deeper water. The bushes and structures between the flooded zone and the deep zones will be spots of choice. Some lures should be used in priority in such a pattern, to be adjusted according to the water temperature: jig, spinnerbait, crankbait, buzzbait and frog will certainly be your best allies.
To conclude
Thus, the conditions at the water's edge should allow you to eliminate certain options and identify the best leads more quickly. The response of a fish to a lure (to its vibration, noise, color, etc.) will be very dependent on the immediate weather conditions but also on the previous days. Thus, studying the weather of the day, but also of the few days preceding the session will allow to establish a good fishing plan.
Of course, it is not possible to aim right every time, as there are many environmental factors and scenarios. Moreover, there is inter-individual behavioral variability, i.e. not all fish will be placed in the same way and will therefore react differently. Therefore there are often several options, several patterns to make fish. But to quickly find one of these patterns, the best attitude for a basser it's time to fish!
