Making a difference among all fishermen
The large lakes of Extremadura are famous for their big fish, both within Spain and abroad. The fishing pressure is growing with dozens of guides working on the lake, as well as all the local fishermen by boat or from the shore. The fish are therefore increasingly educated, and the spots accessible from the shore are limited.
No doubt, when we arrive on our favorite zone, the fish are there. Unfortunately, a dozen of fishermen have already passed in front of us and have necessarily tried to lure the black-bass along the edge. To succeed in deciding the biggest specimens, it will be necessary to show discretion and patience.
Finding the right pattern
France is in my opinion one of the best places in Europe to practice fishing for educated fish. Thanks to the experience we have acquired over the years looking for fish in overfished areas, we are one step ahead of the local fishermen, who are often careless about discretion, both in and out of the water.
After having met some Spanish fishermen on the way back telling us that the fish are difficult to bite, I decide to change my fishing totally, switching from jig and chatterbait to weightless lures. The first two fish I attacked spotted me a little too early and totally refused my lures.
I continue my walk along the edge, spot a big fish and cast my wacky worm 5 meters away from it so as not to spook it. When all of my fluorocarbon leader is on the bottom, I start my slow animation by bringing the lure closer to the fish. Without any hesitation, the fish seizes it and offers me a superb fight.
To confirm the acquired knowledge
Many fish are active, but refusals are frequent, after having spotted a very big fish that I would love to bite, I decide to opt for a more discreet approach. I sit down at about 30 meters from him and I change my leader in 22 hundredths for 16 hundredths. I also reduce the size of my wacky hook and re-equip it with a new worm.
In the meantime, the fish has come closer to the casting distance and has therefore not spotted me yet. I cast my worm in its direction and I dampen the landing to be even more discreet. The worm is perfectly mounted and thanks to the thinness of the line, it goes down very naturally by undulating.
As soon as the worm touches the bottom, the fish rushes in its direction and stops, a very subtle animation to make it vibrate without it moving will be enough to trigger the attack, followed by a very sporting fight with such a fine line.
