| Matt Johnson Outdoors Catch More Fish Out of One Hole |
| Matt Johnson Outdoors |
By: Matt Johnson
We’re starting to embark on
the time of year where fish
tend to meander more
frequently. Staying on top of
the fish can be very difficult at
times and it seems as if we’re
only catching one or two fish
out of a hole before the school
moves on. If this appears to be
a routine trip for you then
don’t loose hope. There are
ways to help you catch more
fish out of each hole…
Staying on top of a school of
fish is oftentimes more than half the battle. If you could only get one
or two more drops down before the fish move on. Then you move to
the next hole in hopes that the school went in that direction but you
only find an empty water column on your flasher. Sound about right?
These fish need something to help them stick around and they need
to obtain a certain level of comfort, especially when dealing with
trophy-size fish.
Adding some sort of attractor is very critical in situations like this.
Dropping down something loud and flashy can sometimes draw fish in
(although at times noise can be a detriment to finicky fish, so use
noise more sparingly than visual appeal). Something flashy is more
likely to attract fish to the area. A shiny jigging spoon or a gold or
nickel jig can draw fish in. Grab their attention and then let them
decide if they want to eat.
Another option is to drop down a lively minnow out of a separate hole
nearby. It doesn’t have to be drastic. A simple crappie minnow can
even do the trick. What this does is draw fish in and more often than
not keeps them in the area. The curious fish will relate to the
struggling minnow, and even though they might not be interested in
eating it, they still find it somewhat appealing. Result factor being that
you get more swings at that cruising school of fish.
The minnow trick can work for all species; you just might have to
upsize the offering in order to entice the desired specie. Sucker
minnows are great walleye and even perch attractors. Even panfish
will relate to a struggling sucker or shiner minnow, so don’t neglect
the fact that smaller fish will target larger prey. Again, we’re not
expecting these fish to necessarily eat the offering; we just want them
to be attracted by it.
Keep in mind however, that this decoy line is considered one of your
two lines (if in Minnesota), so now its up to you to catch the fish with
your jig rod.
Yes the minnow trick is nifty, but when I’m looking for that added
punch I turn towards my artificial structure in the form of Reel Weeds.
We’ve all seen its recent wave of popularity in recent years, and its no
secret that these fake weeds work. Adding structure into a structure
less area is worth its weight in gold during certain conditions… and if
you ask me, one of those conditions is right now when we’re trying to
keep the wandering school underneath us.
Dropping down a series of Structure on a String will increase your
chances at keeping those schooling fish in your area. Even in areas
where weeds are currently present, adding a piece of structure out of
the norm with grab the fishes attention. Just look at it this way… when
we see a new steakhouse open up on our favorite highway we notice
it, and more often than not we soon decide to stop in for a bite.
Consider that new addition of structure to be that brand new
steakhouse.
Now, we’re not looking for the fish to stay there forever, all we’re
looking for at this time is to have an extra swing at the ball, or even a
swing at all. Instead of watching the school move, you now have more
opportunities to set the hook. Even the most negative of fish will stop
in to take a peek.
Fish equate green weeds with forage… forage oftentimes equates to
hungry fish… and hungry fish equates to more pictures of you holding
trophy fish. Even though Reel Weeds might not produce oxygen, we’
re dealing with fish who do in fact believe the appeal and color are
indeed real. Fish are simple creatures really. Drop something shiny
down and they flock towards it. Drop something down that moves and
they’ll swing in for a look. But drop something down that looks real
and provides comfort… well then, you might just have found yourself
a hole with more than one fish.
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson
***Reel Weeds are designed by LaDredge Outdoors and come in
several different options. To learn more about Reel Weeds and to
watch underwater footage of Reel Weeds in action please visit www.
reelweeds.com. If you’re interested in purchasing Reel Weeds please
visit www.thornebros.com.
We’re starting to embark on
the time of year where fish
tend to meander more
frequently. Staying on top of
the fish can be very difficult at
times and it seems as if we’re
only catching one or two fish
out of a hole before the school
moves on. If this appears to be
a routine trip for you then
don’t loose hope. There are
ways to help you catch more
fish out of each hole…
Staying on top of a school of
fish is oftentimes more than half the battle. If you could only get one
or two more drops down before the fish move on. Then you move to
the next hole in hopes that the school went in that direction but you
only find an empty water column on your flasher. Sound about right?
These fish need something to help them stick around and they need
to obtain a certain level of comfort, especially when dealing with
trophy-size fish.
Adding some sort of attractor is very critical in situations like this.
Dropping down something loud and flashy can sometimes draw fish in
(although at times noise can be a detriment to finicky fish, so use
noise more sparingly than visual appeal). Something flashy is more
likely to attract fish to the area. A shiny jigging spoon or a gold or
nickel jig can draw fish in. Grab their attention and then let them
decide if they want to eat.
Another option is to drop down a lively minnow out of a separate hole
nearby. It doesn’t have to be drastic. A simple crappie minnow can
even do the trick. What this does is draw fish in and more often than
not keeps them in the area. The curious fish will relate to the
struggling minnow, and even though they might not be interested in
eating it, they still find it somewhat appealing. Result factor being that
you get more swings at that cruising school of fish.
The minnow trick can work for all species; you just might have to
upsize the offering in order to entice the desired specie. Sucker
minnows are great walleye and even perch attractors. Even panfish
will relate to a struggling sucker or shiner minnow, so don’t neglect
the fact that smaller fish will target larger prey. Again, we’re not
expecting these fish to necessarily eat the offering; we just want them
to be attracted by it.
Keep in mind however, that this decoy line is considered one of your
two lines (if in Minnesota), so now its up to you to catch the fish with
your jig rod.
Yes the minnow trick is nifty, but when I’m looking for that added
punch I turn towards my artificial structure in the form of Reel Weeds.
We’ve all seen its recent wave of popularity in recent years, and its no
secret that these fake weeds work. Adding structure into a structure
less area is worth its weight in gold during certain conditions… and if
you ask me, one of those conditions is right now when we’re trying to
keep the wandering school underneath us.
Dropping down a series of Structure on a String will increase your
chances at keeping those schooling fish in your area. Even in areas
where weeds are currently present, adding a piece of structure out of
the norm with grab the fishes attention. Just look at it this way… when
we see a new steakhouse open up on our favorite highway we notice
it, and more often than not we soon decide to stop in for a bite.
Consider that new addition of structure to be that brand new
steakhouse.
Now, we’re not looking for the fish to stay there forever, all we’re
looking for at this time is to have an extra swing at the ball, or even a
swing at all. Instead of watching the school move, you now have more
opportunities to set the hook. Even the most negative of fish will stop
in to take a peek.
Fish equate green weeds with forage… forage oftentimes equates to
hungry fish… and hungry fish equates to more pictures of you holding
trophy fish. Even though Reel Weeds might not produce oxygen, we’
re dealing with fish who do in fact believe the appeal and color are
indeed real. Fish are simple creatures really. Drop something shiny
down and they flock towards it. Drop something down that moves and
they’ll swing in for a look. But drop something down that looks real
and provides comfort… well then, you might just have found yourself
a hole with more than one fish.
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson
***Reel Weeds are designed by LaDredge Outdoors and come in
several different options. To learn more about Reel Weeds and to
watch underwater footage of Reel Weeds in action please visit www.
reelweeds.com. If you’re interested in purchasing Reel Weeds please
visit www.thornebros.com.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
