Fourth of July Fishing in Indiana

The traffic at some FWAs and SRAs aren't the only obstacle you'll face when going fishing on The Forth. Non-responsive fish can be a difficult hurdle to cross, especially during post-spawn periods. But remember, this is the beginning of summer and you're not always guaranteed to catch a fish.

Southern Indiana has many State Recreational Areas and Fish and Wildlife Areas that are somewhat unknown and out of the way, which makes them perfect for a Forth of July for the family or by yourself. One of the best lakes I've fished is Dogwood Lake, near Washington, Indiana. I've fished from a boat and from the shore and have been equally satisfied with the results.

Post-spawn fishing is when all the fish are done spawning and come out to eat and watch over their hatch-lings. Where ever you find bait-fish, you will find fish. All species of fish including Bass are out feeding to build up what was lost during the spawning period. So naturally, small bugs, a bait-fish type of lure or lumbering soft-baits are the key to a happy Forth of July fishing trip.

If you do come across non-responsive fish, you might have to try everything in your tackle box until you fish what will attract them. However, you can start with certain lures and baits that are known to get fish to strike. Top water baits during post-spawn is were to start.

Monroe Lake is another Indiana gem. Located near Bloomington, it's safe and convenient for families and couples or even a planned fishing trip with the buddies. With several SRAs and FWAs located around it's 10,750 acre shoreline, it's not very hard to find a good fishing spot.

Most top water lures and baits are designed to look like a dying or erratic bait fish, (shad, minnow, shiner) which pop and slash. The popping and splashing naturally triggers a strike response to adult fish. It's called natural selection. The older, healthier fish feed on the weak and dying young, including prey.

I like the two inch lipped minnow or a small popper to brig those big Large-mouth up from the bottom. There's nothing better than watching your lure be engulfed by a large hungry Bass breaching the surface of the water. With some practice and the right technique, you can get a two inch minnow to pop like a popper and still look very similar to some find of bait-fish at the top flipping and flopping like a dying fish.

When I buy a new crank bait, I use a red Sharpie to paint bite marks on the side and blood trails down the belly. I believe that the red cause more of a response to strike. They think they see blood and automatically attack the injured fish. I have seen this first hand.

Cast the lure near weed-lines and overhanging tree limbs. Jerk the rod across the body creating the "popping" sound and immediately relax. Wait until the rings around the lure disappear then do it again. If the lure is placed in the right spot, you may not have a chance to "pop" the lure. Bass will strike instantly sometimes. Look for shallow weedy areas near overhanging tree limbs and try to place your lure approx. three to six feet from the sore.

This can be done from the shore, a boat or a dock. If the right conditions are present, you'll have fish exploding up and down the shoreline.

When you just can't get the fish to respond, try finding a school of bait-fish and throwing a plastic, sinking minnow (something realistic) right into the middle. Let the lure sink to the bottom, count to three and make the lure twitch by gently tugging on the line with the rod tip.

Sometimes adult fish watch for these "dying" bait-fish and then move in to pick them off. Generally older fish watch the young-ins and corral them in order to "protect and serve" if you will.

Did I mention summer is here? This is the time of year I get to use my favorite soft-bait set-up, the swimming worm rig. It's a red Berkley Gulp turtle back, curly tail worm with two double snelled hooks. The first hook is run through the nose until the curve of the hook pokes out and pull through. Run the second hook through the nose and into the body the length of the shaft of the hook. Let the point come out. Then bend the worm into a soft "L" shape and run the first hook through the side of the worm were the end of the short part would end.

The worm should have a slight curve when held up. Attach the leader to a barrel swivel then attach the barrel swivel to your line. Then, if you need to, you can attach a split shot weight just above the swivel or not, it's whatever works for you. Cast normally and retrieve at a steady pace or use a pull and reel, pull and reel type of retrieval.

Or you can use a Berkley worm with a jig-head. Cut the worm in half and attach the back half of the worm to the jig-head and fish erratically shaking the jig head a little when the rig hits the bottom. Retrieve very slowly, in 8-10 inch increments, shaking the head the whole time.

Check out my article on AC titled "Soft-bait rigging Explained for more info on soft-baits and how to rig them or any of my other articles about fishing and as always, good fishin' to ya.