Why risk fishing an obstacle?
When approaching a submerged obstacle, we usually start by fishing the outside of it to try and decide on a fish that might be ready to emerge from its hiding place. Sometimes this works very well and we don't need to risk our lures in a tree or a rocky break. But don't forget that fish are lazy and that the prey they want to eat shouldn't cost them too much energy to hunt.
Imagine a pike, posted under a large tree that has fallen into the water, always surrounded by forage fish thinking it's safe from potential predators, in the shade. Do you think this pike would be ready to come out of its hiding place and swim several meters to grab another fish that looks potentially injured? Under certain conditions, this can happen, but it's highly likely that this fish will stay put and wait for a better, less energy-intensive opportunity.
Don't be afraid to throw too much
If you've ever insisted on a crowded area, you're probably familiar with one cast too many. The one where you know the risk isn't worth it and you foolishly cost yourself your favorite lure. If you want to catch more fish, you've got to do it more often, without being afraid of losing a lure every now and then.
Of course, there are ways of taking smart risks, such as having a lure-stripper handy, or using strong line to break the branch holding your lure. Don't forget that most anglers are like you, afraid of losing a lure in the most beautiful tree on the lake. Fish know this too: unfished areas are their best defence against us, and they don't hesitate to take advantage of them.
Choosing the right lure
Let's face it, just because a fish is hiding under a branch doesn't mean you should just throw any lure and hook on the first cast. The objective is still to catch a fish, and to do so, our lure must remain fishy.
First of all, forget the treble hooks, single hooks are perfectly functional and reduce your chances of hooking. You can also crush your barbs, but if your fighting technique is good, you won't hook more fish. Soft lures, mounted on a simple lead head or Texan, are obviously a must. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are also very effective in branches and rocky areas.
