 |
|
| |
|
BBB HONOR ROLL |
|
|
Lessons In Mobility!
Jeff Snyder - 3/12/2001 5:49:14 AM
|
It was still early in the ice fishing season and I was becoming a bit concerned. My traditional panfish hotspots were not as hot as they usually were at this time of the year. Normally, I can be pretty much be guaranteed of some decent action nearly anytime I go out. Today the crappie bite had been tough.
On my way home from the lake I forced myself to think about other options. The early ice period was long over and the cold stretch of winter had truly set in. The trouble was, the patterns that go along with this time frame were not as prevalent as they had been for the past couple of years. It was time to check out some new areas.
It was several days later when I again headed for the ice. This time I committed to driving a little farther than usual to reach a lake that is often good in the later season.
I was not surprised to find only one other vehicle on the lake when I arrived. The temperature was well below zero and the sane people were home in bed.
It didn't take me long to get to the area I usually fish. After putting on an extra layer of clothing, I cranked up my Jiffy Ice Auger and began to punch some holes or "making casts" as I often say. After a dozen or so, I checked them for fish and found some encouraging marks showing up just off the bottom.
It was during the first magical drop that a small mark rose up to meet my descending jig and I stuck my first crappie of the day. I took several more fish from this hole before my RayMarine L365 FishFinder told me the crappies had moved.
The rest of the morning was spent in solitude chasing the school of crappies round and round the same area. It was a far cry from the miserable outing I had experienced a few days earlier. It was also very satisfying to have made the right decision about moving on to other lakes in search of active fish.
Following the bite as it occurs on different lakes is certainly not a concept that has just been hatched. This egg has been around for a very long time. However, it is not a concept that has totally matured in everyone's brain.
This fact was made very clear to me the next time I returned to this hot crappie lake. One angler that came to talk to me was bemoaning the fact that his house was not in the right location. He figured he would tough it out this winter because his house was so darn hard to move.
I found this interesting. Even though he was in the wrong location, he was still lucky to be on a lake where the fish were biting and was managing a few fish every time he came out. I couldn't help but wonder what he would do if he were on a lake where the fish weren't going at all?
In the course of a winter, I will usually fish about a dozen different lakes. The lake I go to will depend on the time of the year and the activity level of panfish on that lake. Lakes aren't all doing the same thing at the same time. Being able to move to where the action is located is critical for continued success.
It comes down to following the bite. It comes down to traveling to where the action is hot and avoiding the lakes where it has died off. It also means that once you do find some activity that you stay on it by moving when the fish move.
I have seen anglers take their portable Fish Traps out of their vehicle, drill one hole, and sit there. They are defeating the purpose of the mobile fish house concept and they don't even know it.
Following the fish is something anglers do all summer long when they are fishing from boats. It needs to be done in the winter months as well. You have got to be willing to travel to where the fish are active if you want activity yourself.
|
Back to Articles
|  |
BasStar Lures
