Time to Go Fishing

You can go out, buy the most expensive boat, the most expensive fish finder, and the latest top of the line tackle, but you are never going to be able to tell when the fish are biting. If someone could come out with an electronic device that does that, they would be overnight millionaires.

Unfortunately that hasn't happened, yet. So for now, we have to rely on our own experiences. Some say that early morning is when the fish are active and some say that late afternoon/evening is the best time. While both early morning and late afternoon are great times to find active fish, it is possible to find fish biting throughout the day.

Finding where the fish are hiding is one of the skills that are mastered by doing. Knowing where the fish are supposed to be is a good start, but you have to actually find these places and experience the motions that it takes to get a nice big lunker to come out of hiding just to strike your lure.

Even if they are not actually eating and just protecting there nest, chances are if you can get the fish to bite your lure, you can hook it. Yes sometimes in the spring when the fish are nesting, they will put the "Intruder" in their mouth and move it to another location and then spit it out. Because they're not really hungry, they're just protecting the nest. This is when using a bright, colorful lure can be an advantage.

If you can see the fish pick up the bait, then you know when to set the hook. Water clarity has a lot to do with whether you will be able to see your lure. However, if the water is muddy and you feel a slight pressure on your line, set the hook!

During early morning and late afternoon/evening, light can be a scarce commodity on the water. Knowing how to use low light conditions can play a major role in catching that lunker laying in wait. The first and last hours of sunlight are excellent low light periods. I say excellent because these are the perfect conditions for bass in general. Lighting usually doesn't affect these periods, because bass see relatively the same either way.

Bass are naturally stealthy creatures. The low light periods of the day are theirs. Bait-fish and other prey begin to loose they're eyesight while they transition to night vision. This makes for easy pickin's for the bass. Some big largemouth bass actually herd bait-fish like Sheep. And then it's, "Make way to the buffet!"

Speaking of weather conditions, cloud cover, the rising or falling of the barometer and rain play a big part in fish activity. However, just like weather, it doesn't matter what time of day it is, these particular conditions are a large factor as well.

Early winter can be a difficult time to catch a bass however, it can be done (Yes, you can find anglers out on the lake during the winter also)

Basically your top producers in the spring will work during winter. However, there are times when you have to run the gamut and just find what works at that particular moment. The spinner, the jig and pig, the floating lipped lure, (Poppers and Top-water Rapalas) worms and rattle traps, everything but the kitchen sink. Just remember to slow your roll and know you're simply not going to catch as many fish as in the spring-time.

I know I've covered spring fishing in another article, so I'll keep it short. Look for spawning beds and cover. Drag the soft creature baits through the spawning beds and pop those floaters near transition areas. (Shallow/Deep, Sun/No-sun)

Fish, especially big largemouth bass become reclusive and conservative in the summer. This means that you're going to have to work pretty hard to get a good sized bass to take your lure. Don't worry this it the time of year when you can catch a larger variety of fish. (Bluegill and crappie to be specific)

During the fall season bass tend behave like its spring. Storing up and looking for that easy meal. Anything that looks like its dying is a pretty good bet.

As you may have read before, a fishing buddy and I were out fishing a private pond and we caught largemouth and bluegill literally left and right, in the middle of a bright, sunny day. So to me, it truly doesn't matter what time it is, it's always a good time to go fishing. Remember, keep happy thoughts and good fishin' to you.