THE CHANGE UP

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No, we're not going to talk about baseball. We're going to talk about making a change, when fishing's tough.

A couple of brief examples:

Our annual September outing to Canada has really provided great insight. On one of our trips, while fishing with friends, I noticed huge schools of baitfish in deeper water. I had heard stories of the massive catches of big Crappies, and what a better time to try a change up. We were fishing for Muskies, and doing O.K.. A couple of spinning rods from the rod locker, reel's spooled with 10lb super braid, 1/32 to 1/8 oz Jigs, 2 inch Gulp minnows, and we were ready. I positioned the boat over one of the big schools with the trolling motor. Super braid allows for long casts with light jigs. The presentation was important- cast the baited jig as far as you can, and watch the line as the jig sinks. You will not feel a bite when fishing this way. The Crappies will hit the falling jig, causing your line to jump just a little. That's the indication to set the hook. That first day, we could have filled a 50 gallon barrel with 13 to 16 inch Crappies. A few were kept for the frying pan, and the rest released.

While Muskie fishing with two friends we were running and gunning looking for fish in areas not hard hit. I remembered a large bay that had produced a couple of nice fish. A short run, and I positioned the boat in the center of the bay, just off the weed edge. The first cast produced a 40 inch Northern Pike for one of my partners. I had just made a long cast, and needed to net his fish. I handed my rod to my other partner to bring in while the first fish was netted. At that time partner two gets a big fish on the rod I handed him. Another 40 inch Northern Pike. Well, the pike were in there feeding on minnows, and we hit it just right. The score after 1/2 hour was 12 Pike from 38 to 43 inches. No, granted they were not Muskies, but we were there for some of the best fishing on the planet. The key bait was a Bomber Long A (color didn't matter), but the way they were biting, I think we could have been using worms.

Targeting one species is great, but when nature offers you a "Change Up", take advantage of it. The two mentioned outings, are just a few of many I have experienced,

We still talk about those outings, and NO, they were not the target species, but spectacular memories. Don't be afraid to try something new, or a little off the wall. Fishing is not written in stone, and new ideas are introduced every day, that will make your fishing easier.

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