Structure vs. Cover

Wanna start a fight?  Mosey into the fishing shop and start discussing the difference between fishing structure and fishing cover!!

If anglers chose to use the same terminology across the board, there would be no need for these discussions nor (for that fact) no need for this blog entry!  But for the fact that this discussion does take place and for the fact that I will be discussion various fishing tactics and techniques, it is only fitting that I put up a clarification of what I mean when I’m discussing fishing structure and fishing cover.

Definitions

Structure – a change of any sort in the “natural” surface of the bottom of the water body regardless of the depth of the water column.  This change can be in various forms:  depth and geological formation.

Cover – these are naturally occurring and man-made which include: vegetation (grass, weedbeds, etc.), brush piles, stumps, rock piles, wood piles, foundations of buildings, rip-rap, concrete pilings, sunken cars or heavy equipment (hey, they are out there!), sunken roads, sunken railroad track, etc.

Fish, whether they are freshwater or saltwater species, generally will gravitate to structure of some sort.  For example:

• Crappie – fish structure such as brush piles, concrete pilings as this species is generally not found out in ‘open’ water (no structure or cover).
• Amber Jack – fish structure such as oil rigs or sunken boats; again, this species is not easily caught out in ‘open’ waters.

To further elaborate, let’s say you and I are discussing a recent fishing trip of mine and I say, “I caught that bass off the rip-rap on the east side of the dam near the emerging weedbed.”  Just from that statement, you will know what structure I was fishing (rip-rap) and the cover that was nearby (emerging weedbed).   If I stated that later in the day I caught a bass off the hump, then you’d know only the structure that I was fishing.

However, if I said that I caught that bass off a stump on the hump just off of Hangman’s Point, you’d have a lot more information.  Here’s what you’d have:

1. Cover – stump
2. Structure (given) – hump
3. Structure (later quantified) – change of surface and depth.  You would get this information by looking at the water map to determine where Hangman’s Point is and then looking at the relief features to determine where the hump is.  Then you could determine the change of the surface and how deep that change was and much, much more.

Here’s a great video discussing this topic:

Nighttime on the Lake

At night the lake comes alive and darkness provides cover so that the predator fish does not have to use up some much energy when attacking their prey.  There is little doubt that on very clear lakes you’ll catch more fish at night and bigger fish than at any other time.

The jig-and-eel (or jig-n-pig) and the spinner bait are good night lures on most lakes during the spring and fall of the year. During the summer, a plastic worm or a spinner bait will take more fish.  Crawl these baits right along the bottom.  Surface plugs also often provide exciting action at night.  And it doesn’t really make a difference whether you fish on a bright night or on one when the moon isn’t shining.

Plus the one big benefit of fishing at night… the water isn’t as crowded as it is during the day!

Weather & Fish Behavior

All of us should know that weather affects fish behavior, and that this behavior can be amplified by the season of the year and the type of water.

1. It is believed that fish are more active on cloudy days.
2. A slowing rising/falling barometer seems to provide the best fishing.
3. Fish bite well just before a storm.  I’m not sure why but I hear that the plankton are able to move about in the water columns more easily.  I’ve been told that high pressure tends to force the plankton to  move down low which then causes the bait fish to be less active.  Some of my fishing mentors tell me that the dropping pressure was nature’s way of letting the fish know that a period of high pressure was on the way and that this would cause them to chow down (like animals eating up in preparation for their winter hibernation).
4. The muddier the water, the shallower the fish will be.
5. In a clear lake, you’ll do better with lighter lines and smaller lures and the fish will be relatively deeper than they would be in dingy or muddy water.
6. The windy side of a lake is often better because the breeze creates more oxygen, and it also pushes baitfish against the shore.
7. Fishing is often better along the rip-raps that border a dam when they are on the windy shore.

 

Bluegill Catchin Tip

While you see most folks fishing for bluegills/bream/sunfish with a hook-n-bobber… I love to fish using in-line spinners and don’t be afraid to use some wacky colors every now and then!!!  Always give them something that they haven’t seen before!!

I generally use the “double-ought” (or “00″) and then the “0″ and the “1″…. lots of black and brown in-line spinners in my pack but there’s also yellow, red, and chartreuse…. even a few purples.

But one trick I love to use is tying on a trailing fly!  I’ll tie it in using 2-pound (when you can find it!!) or 4-pound test line right on the d-ring used to hold the treble to the in-line spinner.  Give yourself about a foot of line and tie on your trailing fly.  This way, when the in-line spinner goes through the school, you’ll get a fish on there for sure but the all the other fish that have gotten excited will see that trailing fly and nail it too!!

Fish on y’all!

Bank Fishing Tips

Here are some handy tips to consider when fishing from the bank:

1.  Use jig-style lures (bottom bumpers)

2.  Keep track of how long it takes for the lure to hit the bottom.  This will help to identify the structure in that area… how it’s shaped/contoured, etc.

3.  Use 7 foot rods with no-stretch superline (10-14 pound test) and even go hi-vis!  Be sure to upgrade your line for tougher conditions as they warrant.

4.  The first sign of warming during late winter/early spring is the time to pound the banks!

5.  Look for fast-warming spots such as feeder creeks and backwaters, canals, and/or channels.

6.  Fish areas that get the first sunlight.  When the sunlight shifts, move to fish those areas.  But don’t forget to fish the shady spots during the heat of the day.

 

Live Well Tip

In the book, Bass Master Shaw Grisby: Notes On Fishing and Life, the topic of how to keep fish alive in the live well was brought up.

Put a generous amount of ice into the live well.  Instead of pumping in fresh lake water, recirculate the water in the live well.  Have plenty of a commercial preparation to replenish the slime coating on the fish.

 

Buzzbait Tips

Source: B.A.S.S. Advanced Bass Fishing Skills: Best Lures, Techniques and Presentations

 

1. To keep a buzzbait from tumbling and tangling on the cast, leave 18 inches of line between the lure and the rod tip.
2. Heavy line prevents breakoffs in thick cover, and it helps keep the lure riding high on the surface.
3. Maintaining the proper speed requires concentration.  In most cases, listen for a steady plop-plop-plop cadence.
4. The squeak of a buzz blade rotating on the wire seems to draw more strikes. To increase the noise, crimp the rivet a the end of the blade.
5. Tie a buzzbait to your car’s radio antenna as you drive down the highway to “tune” the blade.
6. For easier casting of 1/4-ounce and smaller buzzbaits, mash some split shot on the hook shank.
7. Superlines, either fluorocarbon or  braided lines, will aid in hook sets.
8. Prime time for throwing a buzzbait is warm weather just prior to the passage of a cold front.
9. Always keep a “comeback lure” – a worm, grub, or soft jerkbait – handy when fishing a buzzbait.  If a bass misses the buzzer, throw into the same area with the slow sinking back-up (comeback lure) bait.
10. Like most lures, buzzbaits come in a variety of colors. You can cover all the bases with white for bright days and black for darks skies.
11. Cast beyond your target, and you’ll get super strikes.  Tournaments have been won by anglers casting buzzbaits onto the banks and dragging them into the  water.
12. To prevent short strikes, trim the skirt to a point even with the belly of the hook.

 

Bonus Tip: Bass are notorious for striking buzzbaits and missing the hooks.  For extra strike insurance, add a trailer hook to the main hook.  Use a single stinger when the cover is thick, and a treble trailer hook in open water.

 

Purchasing Bait Tips

Source:  Freshwater Fishing Tips & Techniques; Gene Kugach

Here are a few pointers on purchasing bait for your fishing trips:

• Always use fresh, spunky offerings when live bait fishing.
• If using leeches, change them frequently.
• When buying live bait, make certain it looks lively.  Night crawlers and leeches should be firm; minnows and chubs should be swimming at the bottom of the tank, rather than the top.
• Cool your bait bucket before you fill it.
• Don’t over-crowd your bait bucket.
• Don’t put your bait in chlorinated water; use lake or well water.
• When fishing, keep you bait cold and out of the sun.

 

Getting Rid of that “Smell”

Trying to get rid of that smell?  You know, the one that tends to linger on you, especially when you are using smelly baits and such?!  Well, here’s a few remedies that you can use to get rid of that smell:

1. lemon-scented Wet Ones
2. Mountain Dew
3. Real Lemon
4. Liquid Orange
5. dirt
6. listerine
7. vinegar

 

Home-made Fish Attractor

I would not believe it if I had not seen it with my own eyes!  I’ve read about it but just blew it off as some other wise-crack attempt at attracting fish.  But then I tried it out and man did it change my mind!!

It’s a homemade fish attractor and it’s really easy to make!  You start off with an empty and clean 2 liter bottle.  Make sure all the labeling and glue are off of the plastic.  Drill some holes in a somewhat even pattern on the sides and around the neck of the bottle.  Leave about 5 to 6 inches from the bottom without any holes, you’ll need this to hold some water when you are putting in the minnows.  Next, drill a hole in the cap just large enough so that the cord/line you are using will slip in.  Tie the cord/line around a washer to that it won’t slip back out the hole in the cap.  Now your rig is ready to be used!

Fill the bottle with water from the lake or water from the minnow bucket up to the first series of holes on the sides.  Put in a handful of minnows and screw on the cap.  Lower the bottle over the side of the boat 0r dock and wait for the predator fish to show up!!  Drop in your lines and start catching!!

Trip Snacks in a Pinch!

I’ve used this quite a bit whenever I’m heading out for a day of fishing or hunting.  One of the best things to do is pack a meal that will be easy to eat and not call for a lot of work to put together or require different utensils.

So here’s what I do… First I make up a bunch of East Texas Po-boy Sandwiches.  Take some saltine crackers, mayonnaise packets (Hellman’s of course!), deli meats (turkey, chicken, roast beef, etc.) and cheese slices.  When ready to eat, spread a light spreading of mayo on the crackers, put on some deli meat and cheese and then top off with another cracker.  Po-boy sandwiches at their finest!!

Another great lunch is to take a big-mouth thermos, put in some beef franks or hot links and put however many you are going to be eating that day.  Boil some water and pour into the thermos.  Make sure the franks/links are completely covered with water.  When you’re ready for a snack just take out the frank or link and toss it onto a bun.  Squirt on some mayo (better be Hellman’s!) or mustard, or whatever and chow down!  That thermos will keep those franks/links nice and warm throughout the day!

Hypothermia Tips

Make sure during the winter season that you protect yourself from hypothermia; and the best way to do that is to avoid it!

If you stop for a moment and think about it… we outdoorsmen are prime candidates for suffering from hypothermia.   You need to be sure to take into account the wind chill factor.  You need to be sure to wear several layers of clothing while you are out (wool cap, mittens/gloves, thermal wear, insulated boots, etc.).  Wearing several layers of clothing helps you to retain your body heat.

Make sure you’ve got plenty of food and hot liquids while you’re out.  And take along some chocolate if you’re needing some quick energy boosts.

Also, you need to know what the symptoms of hypothermia are:  dizziness… disorientation… drowsiness… slurred/slowed speech.  If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, you need to take action.  First, get emergency help on the phone.  Next, get them covered up with lots of blankets or something that will get them warm.   If possible, get a fire started (it should go to say that you should NOT start a fire in the boat!!).  Give them warm food and something warm to drink; but don’t give them alcohol.

So be safe out there.  Winter is an awesome time to be in the great outdoors … but be safe at all times while you do!!

 

 

Random Fishing Tips

On every fishing trip I carry along a little notepad to jot down notes (I need to get me one of them mini-recorders so that I can just speak my notes and record them.).  We learn something on every fishing outing and I know my brain won’t keep it all up there even though I convince myself that I can!!

Tip 1) Keep your head out of the tackle box!!!  I found that I was not as organized as I thought I was.  So I spent a few hours and reorganized my bags and boxes into a more efficient system.  And oh it was not a pretty ordeal but it was a necessary evil.  I told my wife that I need another 3-day fishing spree to ensure that my system is working efficiently.   I’ll let y’all know the answer once she stops laughing!!

Tip 2) Always watch the water!  When I was fishing Joe Pool, a buddy of mine, JW, and I hit a point and fished it thoroughly and it was somewhat clear water.  A few hours later we went back to that same spot and it was muddy!!  So what works at one point in time during the day may not work later on!!!  So keep an eye on the water clarity and adjust your presentation accordingly!

Tip 3) Listen to the fish.  I always find myself being dogmatic whenever I get a fish in the boat.  By dogmatic I mean that I recall exactly what I was doing and where the bait was when the fish hit.  And then I work that presentation like it’s the end of the world!  The problem is, that presentation may no longer be working.  So always be flexible and change up the presentation when the bite goes ‘off’.

Tip 4) Know what the bait is doing.  Just like in #3 above, you gotta know what that bait is doing in the water.  For far too long I would just buy something and tie it on and start tossing it like the fish were just going to hit it like the magic catch-all lure!!  Well I hope you aren’t doing this because it won’t work as often as you’d like it to.  I have a large fish tank and when i get a bait, it gets tied on and into that tank so that I can see what it’s doing and what it looks like.  Also, know what the bait feels like.  You can buy 10 of the same lure and each one will act just slightly different.  Be sure to ‘tune’ each lure so that they all behave the same and you’ll know exactly what it’s doing because they are all the same.

Tip 5) KNOW THY TROLLING MOTOR AND KNOW IT WELL!  While out on Ray Roberts with another buddy, Kyle, I got the duty of manning the trolling motor at one point.  Well all was going good.  Got us pointed in the right spot.  Gave us some good thrust at full power and then shut her off.  Time came to hit the TM again so I click the ON/OFF button on his wireless pad….. I darn near fell into the drink!!!  So know what that trolling motor is going to do when you shut it down and then turn it back on!!!!  Just might save you a swimming lesson that you didn’t expect to take!!

Tip 6) Use the buddy system!!  Fishing is always better when shared with a friend!  Start with different presentation styles and when you find the one that works then that should be the one you both use.  When the bite goes off, switch back to different presentation styles until you find the next one that works  and keep repeating that process.  You’ll learn twice as fast what the fish wants when you do it this way.

 

Where’s Your Attention?

I was in Bass Pro Shops a few weeks back and something an older fisherman said has just stuck in my head and I don’t ever want to shake it off!!

I was watching a video on spinnerbait tactics and watched the guy pull out a nice bass; not realizing the older fisherman was right behind me.  Again the guy on the video pulls up another nice bass and I just shake my head in utter amazement.   The older fisherman then asked, “What are you watching for?”

An odd question to say the least and I’m sure the look on my face showed I had no clue on how to answer.  He then stated, “Don’t pay no attention to the fish they are catching.  Pay attention to their techniques and, more importantly, to the details that they provide in their narratives.”

You know, it would be nice to spend a day on the lake with that old man.  He could probably teach me more in one day without ever uttering a word than a whole library of how-to fishing videos ever could!!

 

Fishing Tip: Seasickness? Easy to beat!

Do you easily get seasickness?!  Well my friend it’s easy to beat!!!  Try out these helpful tips and enjoy your time on the water!!

(1) eat salad and salmon the night before…. goofy but there’s something in that salmon that works.

(2) Dramamine … take 2 pills the night before, then 2 the morning of, then 2 at lunch and you’ll be fine!

(3) don’t do a lot of drinking of alcoholic beverages….. save that for when you return from the trip!!

Choosing Healthy Shrimp

Can ya hear it?

Can ya feel it?

It’s the call of the SALT!!! I don’t know what it is but come March-time and all the way through into December… that saltwater is calling me!!

One of my most favorite methods to fish is using a popping cork and live shrimp. Yeah fresh-dead shrimp can work well but I just prefer me the action of that live bugger down there twitching and making those salties chomp down on them and then come up into the boat with me for a ride to the grill!!

One key factor that you need to keep in mind is how to choose healthy shrimp. When you go to get your shrimp, get them from a bait shop that you are familiar with and that provides good, healthy bait. This will take some time but ask around and GET THERE EARLY! Be sure that the shrimp are lively and scooting about … don’t get those that don’t look healthy or are slowly swimming on their sides or upside down and not moving!!!

But there’s been some research being done to find ways in which to produce more healthy, stronger, longer living shrimp for those serious saltwater anglers. Researchers are finding that a serious workout routine produces great benefits for the shrimp just like it does for humans! That’s right…. exercise. From the moment the shrimp is born it is being thrust into a program that has one plan in mind … make it bigger, healthier and stronger. Now researchers are not informing folks at this time of all their research due to secrecy clauses but a video of some of their research has surfaced and it’s only right that I share this with you….

The following video may cause an unending desire to go saltwater fishing. If it does, don’t blame me and just head to the coast and fulfill that “Assault the Salt” urge!