Author: AJ Hauser | Midwest Bass Fishing

Changing Temperatures in Rivers & Streams / Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams

The only constant in life… is change.

Yesterday, we took a look at some of the different water temperatures that fish prefer (with a focus on warmwater species). Today, we’re going to look at a range of elements that can have an impact on the temperature in a river or stream.

What’s a Good Way to Check the Water Temperature?

One tool that I keep with me whether I’m on foot fishing from the bank, or in a small boat, is my Deeper Pro+ Sonar. This is my preferred model because it allows me to check the temperature close to where I’m standing or on the opposite shore (if a cast can reach that far). It allows me to create and store my own topographic maps, it’s GPS enabled and syncs up with my phone to provide a depth finder & info on bottom composition:

Whether you’re fishing from shore, kayak or jon boat – the Deeper Pro+ Sonar is a great tool to have.

What Causes Stream Water Temperature Changes?

Understanding what causes the temperature to change in rivers and streams can have a big impact on your fishing success. Take into consideration the time of year: in early spring for example, fish will typically be looking for areas with warmer water, but in midsummer, cooler water can be key. If you have the tools and the know-how to find pockets of cooler and warmer water, you can enjoy some spectacular fishing year round. Even a difference of just a few degrees can have a big impact on fish location.

The following pictures come from a book that my grandfather gave me a few years back titled The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams, but before we jump into that let’s quickly discuss temperature differences in the pool-riffle-run configuration we first explained while discussing current.

Fast-flowing water is completely churned and has less time to absorb sunlight. This means it will retain a cooler temperature longer, especially if the section in question is shaded from the sun. (Think riffles and certain faster-moving runs.)

Slow-moving water may also remain churned (remember river and streams do not normally stratify like a lake does), but slow-moving water has a longer time to soak up sunlight and heat. In especially slow-moving sections of a stream with no shade cover, the water can warm rapidly. (Think slower-moving runs and pools.)

Incoming feeder stream with cool, shaded, fast moving water.

This is why spring-fed tributaries are so important. These – along with other incoming sources of cooler water – are what allow streams to stay cool enough to maintain healthy populations of northern pike, walleye, or any fish that prefer (and thrives in) cooler temperatures. Without these, streams could only maintain a population of fish that could tolerate very high water temperatures – like largemouth bass, catfish or redbreast sunfish.

*Note: Some streams located in the north or in higher altitudes are not as susceptible to this because their summertime water temperatures remain moderate.

Key Areas to Look For

Narrow, shaded portions of a stream will warm slowly because little water is exposed to direct sunlight.

Steep sections within a stream with fast-flowing water will warm slowly because the moving water absorbs little heat.

Flat portions of a stream with slower-moving water will warm faster (especially if there is no shade present) because the water has more time to absorb heat.

Surface-draw dams spread out the water and slow the overall flow, which increases the stream temperature.

Incoming springs can reduce the temperature of a stream in a small area below the entry point.

Wide, unshaded stream areas (like pools) warm rapidly because much of the water is exposed to the sun.

Coldwater tributaries (which are much larger than the incoming springs pictured above) cool a large area below the entry point.

Coldwater draws reduce the stream or river temperature by draining water from the cold depths of an upstream lake.

Moving Forward

Now that we understand what species of fish prefer what water temperatures, and the factors that can help determine that temperature in a stretch of river or stream, let’s look at some common food and forage options that these fish will be keyed in on. This will help when it comes time to select the right baits and presentations as we explore new streams this year.

Be calm. Be patient. The more we learn… the more we can help them be successful.

Tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Food & Forage
PREVIOUS SECTION: Preferred Temperature Ranges of Warmwater Gamefish

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February 13, 2021

Preferred Temperature Ranges of Warmwater Gamefish / Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams

Different species of fish prefer different water temperatures. The fish you have access to in your local stream or river will depend on the temperature and cover – and even though many warmwater fish can survive over a wider range of temperatures than coldwater fish, there are still ideal conditions for the species you are hunting.

How can I quickly & accurately test water temps?

Testing the water temperature when you’re fishing is a good idea in general, and one of the tools that I usually take with me is a Deeper Pro+ Sonar. There are multiple models available at different price points.

The added benefit is that you can tie this unit to your fishing line and cast it to inspect the opposite shoreline, deep holes or underwater structure. (Personally, I use mine to create useful topographic maps when I am fishing from the jon boat, and occasionally when fishing from shore. The maps are great for reviewing after I get back from a trip to learn even more about the area.)

Preference by Species

Most anglers know that trout need cold water, and largemouth bass prefer warmer water, but what they don’t realize is that there are considerable differences in preference even among warmwater fish. The chart below shows the preferred temperature ranges of common warmwater species – notice that the range covered is more than 30 degrees.

AJ with a Topwater Largemouth Bass — A nice topwater largemouth taken on a hot, sticky summer morning. Not a trout in sight.

Even though many warmwater fish CAN survive over a wider range of of temperatures than coldwater fish, there is still an ideal temperature range required for every species to thrive. For example, a warmwater fish could survive in a trout stream, but the water temps would be too low for optimal feeding and growth, making it difficult to compete with the trout or grow to the size we’d like to catch.

The temperature of a stream depends mainly on it’s primary source of water. To support a diverse population of fish, additional springflow is usually necessary. Springflow helps the water stay cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter (preventing freezing, and allowing fish to feed throughout winter instead of going dormant).

Other factors like shade, the course of the stream, the shape of the channel and the gradient of the streambed all impact the temperature as well. Different sections of the same stream can be different temperatures. For example, a shaded stream can run 5 to 10 degrees cooler than a similar stream in direct sunlight. A shaded run can also be several degrees cooler than an unshaded run in the same stream.

Water in narrow, deep channels tends to stay cooler than water in wide, shallow channels because less of the water comes into contact with the air.

Some streams or rivers also contain lakes along their course. Some are natural, others are the result of a dam. In either case, the stream temperature below a lake will be several degrees warmer than the stream temperature above the lake (unless the lake has a coldwater draw, which we will talk about in the next section in this series). The lake water may also stratify into different layers, however this does not happen in streams or rivers – the water stays turbulent and completely mixed – which means the surface temperature is darn close to the temperature right above the streambed (unless the water is very deep).

Water Temperature by Species Chart

Information provided courtesy of: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams.

*Species*	*Temperature Range*
Redbreast Sunfish	80° to 84° Fahrenheit
Flathead Catfish	78° to 82° Fahrenheit
Blue Catfish	77° to 82° Fahrenheit
Channel Catfish	75° to 80° Fahrenheit
Bluegill	75° to 80° Fahrenheit
Spotted Bass	73° to 77° Fahrenheit
Redear Sunfish	73° to 77° Fahrenheit
Black & White Crappies	70° to 75° Fahrenheit
Largemouth Bass	68° to 78° Fahrenheit
Muskie	67° to 72° Fahrenheit
Smallmouth Bass	67° to 71° Fahrenheit
Striped Bass	65° to 75° Fahrenheit
White Bass	65° to 75° Fahrenheit
Walleye	65° to 75° Fahrenheit
Northern Pike (under 7 lbs)	65° to 70° Fahrenheit
Northern Pike (over 7 lbs)	50° to 55° Fahrenheit
White Sturgeon	65° to 70° Fahrenheit
Wiper	64° to 66° Fahrenheit
Sauger	62° to 72° Fahrenheit
Shad	60° to 65° Fahrenheit

Moving Forward

Now that we know what species typically prefer what water temperatures, we’re going to look into some other factors that can impact the overall temperature of a stream or river. This is yet another piece of the puzzle that we are putting together to get ready for some new exploration this coming year.

Keep Fishing my Dudes & Dudettes – we have more work to do!

Onward my friends – tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Changing Temperatures in Rivers & Streams
PREVIOUS SECTION: Cover & Current Breaks [Part 2]

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February 12, 2021

Cover & Current Breaks [Part 2] / Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams

Now that we have gone over some of the different kinds of cover, where the most cover can be found, and areas that fish consider to be prime real estate – fish magnets – let’s look at some visual examples so that we have a better idea of what to actually look for when fishing a river or stream.

All of these images have been scanned and taken from an awesome reference titled The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams. I’m not going to place the photo link / credit after every picture because there will be quite a few – but make sure to try to get a copy of this book. (My grandpa gave this copy to me and it’s nice to have!)

We’ll start with a definition of a word that gets thrown around a lot…

What is an “Eddy” in a river or stream?

An eddy is an area in a river or stream where the water actually flows against the main current. This is the result of something disrupting the main current flow, like shoreline that extends into the channel, or a rock or log. Eddies typically form on the lower side of the obstruction, but they can also form on the side facing into the current, and in either case they usually create some sort of slack-water area.

How to Identify Eddies & Slack-Water Areas

Streamlined Boulders have an eddy on the downstream side only. This is because water can flow smoothly over the front. (As opposed to non-streamlined boulders, which can actually have an eddy on the downstream side AND the upstream side – don’t overlook the upstream eddies as they are potential fish-holding areas!)

Boils can form when water deflects off of a submerged object, like a boulder. An eddy can form below the boulder, several feet upstream of the boil.

Point-Bars form along inside bends in areas where the current slows slightly, allowing sediment to settle out. The eddies located below point-bars are prime fish holding locations in many streams.

Points or Sharp Bends in a river system can create major eddies. The larger the point or the sharper the bend, the larger the eddy that will form.

Bridge Pilings have eddies that form on both the upstream and downstream sides – just like large boulders (that are not streamlined). As a bonus this cover is usually even better than it looks because of rip-rap piled at the base to prevent erosion.

Notches in the Shoreline of the mainland or an island can cause slack-water pockets that often go unnoticed.

Logjams can sometimes block the entire channel of a river, causing a large eddy to form downstream, or even deflect enough water to cause a new channel to be cut out to the side.

Wing Dams are man-made current deflectors, and they create eddies on both the upstream and downstream sides. There can even be deep holes created off the ends as the current swirls around them.

Channel Markers – especially those built on rock piles – can be excellent fishing spots. These areas not only form eddies, but the rocks can attract minnows, crayfish and other forage for larger predators to chomp.

Dunes can often develop on bottoms with shifting sand. The current will brush the dune peaks, but a slack-water pocket will also form right below each one.

Tributary Junctions can be great fishing spots because the delta of the incoming stream creates an eddy downstream from the entry point.

Pools are areas below riffles & runs that look darker when viewed from above. These areas are slow-moving with a slick surface.

Weedbeds can create all sorts of interesting current patterns. Fish will hold in the slow water of the beds themselves, then dart out to grab food that comes drifting through channels within the same beds.

Rooted Weed Clumps can develop a mound of sediment around their base. This allows an eddy to form downstream, and can carve out a hole.

Tailwater Eddies form along the sides of the fast current below a dam. Sometimes the reverse current in these eddies can be as strong as the mainstream current.

Dugouts that form below waterfalls can be surprisingly deep. The eddying action of the water can undercut the base of the falls, providing fish with an ideal hiding spot.

Islands will often have large eddies on the downstream side. Depending on their shape, they may have a smaller eddy on the upstream side as well. If the sides are irregular (like the notches we mentioned above) even more eddies may form.

Additional Overhead Cover to Look For

Remember that the best spots to hide not only include slack-water – but overhead cover as well – these areas are especially attractive to larger fish!

Floating Leaf Vegetation like lily pads will grow in slack water. These areas will attract fish like sunfish, crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike.

Undercut Banks usually form along outside bends where the current erodes away shoreline materials. This creates an overhang which can provide shelter to many different kinds of gamefish.

Docks can be great fish-holding areas. Larger docks provide both overhead cover and eddies on the front and back sides of the posts (if they are large enough). Smaller docks will offer some shade, but larger docks with canopies will offer the best protection and therefore be more attractive to gamefish.

Freshly Fallen Trees will have many branches both large and small that will break the current and create a large eddy that can hold crappie or other fish that prefer slow current. However, over time (a year or two) the small branches will rot away – but the tree may still hold fish that tolerate faster current.

Again, all images provided by this great reference that I strongly suggest you get a copy of: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams.

Moving Forward

Next, we’ll take a look at what species of fish prefer what water temperatures. We’ll also discuss what can cause that temperature to change in rivers & streams. This will come in handy as we start to explore new water this year – so make sure to stay tuned for those videos as we report on both success and failure.

AJ Hauser with a healthy smallmouth bass.

Progress, progress, progress. Tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Preferred Temperature Ranges of Warmwater Gamefish
PREVIOUS SECTION: Cover & Current Breaks [Part 1]

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February 11, 2021
Cover & Current Breaks [Part 1] / Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams

Now that we have looked into current and the affect it has on the fish in a river system or stream, we should go a step further and discuss cover and current breaks. We’ll do this in two phases, starting with some basic concepts provided in: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams:

If you think about it, it’s natural that fish living in current would seek out anything that might prevent them from being swept away. The moment they hatch new fry are small, weak swimmers – and food for larger predators – but fortunately, they can find cover and concealment behind pebbles and gravel… to start.

Time for Hide & Seek…
[Photo Credit: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams]

As fish grow, they will need to find larger types of cover to both shade and hide themselves. It is common for the largest fish in a system to set up near the largest boulders, or near logs or banks with the deepest undercuts. Streams & rivers without cover like this will probably not hold as many large fish.

In the previous article we discussed the different species of fish found in currents of varying strength and their general tolerance to that current. Fish like smallmouth bass have a higher tolerance and so in an area with more current, a single boulder or even a branch can provide enough cover to hold a quality fish – but crappie and largemouth (fish that prefer slower current like what we could expect in a pool or low-gradient area) would probably require more substantial cover to block faster current enough to hold in that stretch of water.

Streams that wind and meander typically have more structure, cuts and cover than those that are straight. Remember too that smaller streams make it easier to see the pool-riffle-run pattern that changes the bottom composition and strength of the current, as the same amount of water has to move through narrow and wide areas – ultimately leading to many deep holes and undercut banks. Straight streams can be more uniform, and therefore offer less cover, meaning fewer adult fish will be present.

A nice little winding stream – let’s fish.
[Photo Credit: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams]

The best cover will not only offer a break in the current, but provide overhead protection (from the sun and predators) as well. This means that fish may well prefer the slack water of an undercut bank to say, slack water behind a boulder. The undercut bank offers more robust protection – but both can hold fish.

Whether you are fishing a lake or a stream, most bodies of water have some prime real estate. Areas of cover (either visible or submerged) that are just “fish magnets”. A good spot is a good spot, and when the largest and most dominant fish that set up in these areas are caught, they will either return upon release, or another fish of similar size will move into the area. Pay attention to areas that are productive and revisit them to test this concept.

Over time you will start to recognize visual cues that mean there is cover present. At first, you will miss many of these spots – but that’s good for two reasons. First, other less experienced fishermen will miss them as well, and second, the more you practice, the more cover you will be able to identify, and the more cover you can identify, the more fish you will catch as you continue to develop as an angler.

Moving Forward

Now that we know more about cover and current breaks in a river or stream – and why they are important – let’s go ahead and put together a list of common slack-water areas that you can look for which may very well hold gamefish.

The combination of these concepts & targets will help us zero in on success.

Nice Tubby Smallmouth Caught on a Jig & Plastic.

Tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Cover & Current Breaks [Part 2]
PREVIOUS SECTION: What is Current in a Body of Water?

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February 10, 2021
What is Current in a Body of Water? / Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams

Recently, we discussed what a channel within a river or stream is and where it is located. This knowledge will help you find the deepest, fastest water without the aid of electronics. But are there other factors that come into play and impact how fast your body of water is moving?

Yes.

Does the speed of the current help determine what fish are present as well?

Yes.

Let’s take a look at what can increase or decrease current speed, and how fish behave in these different conditions.

What is current?

A current in a river or stream is the flow of water primarily influenced by gravity as the water moves downhill. Over time, this flow can lose its potential energy. The rate of movement, speed and direction are all important factors.

Current is the force of flowing water, typically discussed in terms of “speed”. This speed is usually determined by the slope – or gradient – of the streambed, the shape of the channel, and the amount of flow.

A high-gradient stream is one that drops rapidly in elevation. One that slopes slowly would be considered low-gradient. A stream can also contain both high and low gradient areas. The gradient is typically highest near the source, and it slows as it flows along, especially as sediment is deposited (this gradually flattens the streambed, slowing current). Usually the slowest current speed can be found near the mouth, where the flowing water enters another body of water. (Note that in some cases the water flow will slow and spread before connecting with another body of water, simply soaking into the ground.)

If the flow increases, the current will generally increase as well. A narrow passage or shallow area can also increase current, because the same amount of water is forced through a smaller area.

What are pools, riffles & runs?

When the current increases, it can excavate a deep pool. In this pool, the current is much slower and the sediment carried here settles out. As the sediment builds up though, it can cause the water to get shallower – and remember when water gets shallower it causes the current to speed up because the same amount of water is forced through a smaller area – this increased current is called a riffle. Riffles are shallower, faster moving areas of a stream, and their fast water starts to dig the channel deeper, creating a run. This run is usually characterized with a more moderate current and it will continue until reaching the next pool where the process repeats.

This is what leads to the typical pool-riffle-run configuration, which is very noticeable in smaller streams, but can be harder to identify in larger bodies of water.

Pools also look calmer on top, because the sediment that settles in the slow current consists of fine materials: sand, silt or muck. In riffles and runs where the water moves faster, sediment washes away and the gravel, rocks and boulders that remain can deflect the current and produce more turbulent waters.

How does current impact fish behavior?

Fish behave differently in fast current versus slower current. For example, fish in faster water are conditioned to grab food quickly without much examination. If they didn’t the current would simply sweep their meal away! This means that fish in faster water are quicker to hit a lure when compared to those in slower water. Fish are also easier to locate as they are typically confined to slack water areas where they can avoid fast current – as opposed to being scattered all throughout an area.

The deepest, fastest water always follows the outside bends along a channel, and expert stream fishermen can quickly spot these deep zones at a glance. They also know that most stream species hang out in or alongside these areas.

If you are targeting a specific species of fish, it helps to know which fish prefer high-gradient areas, medium-gradient areas and low-gradient areas. Let’s take another peek at one of our references: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams:

From left to right we can see high, medium and low gradient areas in a stream or river and the types of fish that frequent these areas. While this is not always the case, it can help you target more productive water if you are looking for a specific species.
[Photo Credit: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams]

High-Gradient areas are favored by species like smallmouth bass and steelhead. The higher the gradient, the more the fish hug the bottom to escape the current. These areas typically hold the largest rocks and boulders.

Medium-Gradient areas are favored by everything from walleye to channel catfish, sauger, muskie, spotted bass, sturgeon, striped bass, wipers and shad. These areas have a more moderate current which means the fish don’t have to hug the bottom quite as tight, and there are usually fewer boulders but a good mix of rocks and gravel.

Low-Gradient areas are favored by largemouth bass, pike, blue & flathead catfish, white & black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. The slower current means silt and muck can settle, resulting in a smooth streambed and fish cruising further off the bottom.

* These “speeds” are relative. There are usually no fish found in the absolute fastest water.

Moving Forward

Next, we’ll spend a little time discussing cover and current breaks. If you need a refresher, make sure to bounce back to review what a channel is – all of this knowledge we are amassing is important as we get ready to explore new streams and rivers this coming year!

Last year we had good luck in small lakes… this year, we have our work cut out for us.

AJ Hauser with a nice 4lb Largemouth Bass taken on a crappie jig from a small city lake.

Let’s keep making progress. Tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Cover & Current Breaks [Part 1]
PREVIOUS SECTION: What is a Channel & Where is it Located?

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February 9, 2021
What is a Channel and Where is it Located? / Learning to Fish Rivers & Streams

To the angler that does most of their fishing in lakes and reservoirs, approaching streams and rivers can seem quite foreign. (I’m speaking as someone who is currently intimidated by these winding bodies of rolling water.) The fish behave differently, they use different locations, respond to different presentations, conditions can change constantly… things are just… well, different.

However, a 30 second internet search will reveal the truth: there are many stream & river fishing opportunities that we are missing.

Question is… how do we fix that? Where do we start?

Answer?

Right here, right now.

Let’s discuss what a channel is, and where the deepest water in a river or stream is typically located.

What is a channel?

A channel is typically a narrow, fluid body of moving shallow water that provides a path for sediment flowing within the stream (or river) banks. Vegetation, sediment load, slope and flow can lead to constant changes that affect both aquatic & terrestrial life.

Because the water is moving, the fish in these areas can be slightly more resilient to changing weather conditions like cold fronts, cloud cover and changes in air temperature. If you have the option to fish either a small lake or a stream after a cold front – it might be a good idea to pick the stream!

It is also important to note that many sources seem to refer to the channel as something that is actually within the stream or river itself. The channel is part of a river or stream. Look back at our definition above, the channel provides “a path… flowing within the stream (or river) banks”.

Where is the channel actually located?

Next, it’s important that we understand the general underwater makeup of these channels, especially since most of us will not have access to our depth finders or the electronics we’re used to relying on when we’re fishing lakes. To understand where the channel itself is located (along with the deepest water) let’s look at a cross-section provided by The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams:

In a straight section of a river / stream?

This image displays a straight section of this river / stream. The cross section inset shows the channel located dead center. The deepest water in this stretch of water is located right in the center of the stream / river.
[Photo Credit: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams]

Along an outside bend of a river / stream?

This image displays an outside bend section of this river / stream. The cross section inset shows the channel actually shifts to the outside edge of the bend. The deepest water in this stretch is located there, and the fastest moving water is indicated by the dark blue area. Current is slower on the surface, bottom and along the sides because of friction with the air and streambed.
[Photo Credit: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams]

Along an inside bend of a river / stream?

This image displays an inside bend section of this river / stream. The cross section inset shows the channel actually shifts to the outside edge of the bend – just like the previous image but in the opposite direction. Again, the deepest water is located there, and the fastest moving water is indicated by the dark blue area. Current is slower in areas of friction.
[Photo Credit: The Freshwater Angler™: Fishing Rivers & Streams]

Moving Forward

Next, we’re going to talk more about current, current speed, and the different elements that factor into this attribute in your body of water. This is important knowledge to have, especially if you’re like me and plan to hike & explore as many streams as you can find in the near future!

That’s a big goal for this year.

Last year, it was important to take some bad habits and turn them into good behaviors. These behaviors resulted in a whole bunch of awesome fish – now this year, it’s time to repeat that process and catch more fish from more bodies of water.

A 3.5 lb bass taken from a small local lake. The result of better behaviors.

Let’s keep pushing ahead. Tight lines!

NEXT SECTION: Understanding Current and How it Affects Fish Behavior

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February 8, 2021
Rob Friedley’s Guide Service Tip

In Wisconsin this year we had a chance to book some time with Manitowish fishing guide Rob Friedley. If you are considering hiring him, I suggest you do so – he is extremely helpful and accommodating, and he has been fishing the waters of Vilas, Iron, and Onedia Counties since he was a child.

I booked a day with him so that I could take my father walleye fishing, hoping that we would also learn a thing or two and be able to replicate our success throughout the remainder of our trip. We were not disappointed, and in this video I’ll share a few things I learned from Rob.

You can learn more & book time on his website: https://www.manitowishwatersfishing.com/

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 2nd Week of June
Temperature: 80+ degree water temp / sunny & calm

November 12, 2020
Fishing Tips | Minocqua Wisconsin Multi-Species

Fishing tips for Minocqua Wisconsin – that’s what we’re talking about today. My family makes the time every year to head up north and fish the great state of Wisconsin on and around the waters of Minocqua and Vilas County. We typically load up on supplies at Townline Sports (5198 US-51, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545) before we head out on the lake in my Dad’s boat.

On this trip we decided to start by looking for new spots while fishing presentations that would appeal to many different species while we were exploring. Some of you already know what I’m talking about…

Plus – I got to fish with my wife for two days. Awesome!

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 1st Week of July
Temperature: 80+ degree water temp / sunny & slight wind

November 5, 2020
Illinois Bass Fishing

Illinois fishing can be difficult at times. However, with the proper tools and presentations (based on the area you are fishing – the cover, the bottom color and composition, water clarity and local forage etc.) you can have some really successful days. Even if you are stuck fishing the bank like we were today – and yes… even if you are stuck fishing small city lakes… like we were today… and even if you are fishing pressured waters… like we were today… you can still have a great time.

DO WHAT YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU GOT!

Now tie on a power presentation, a finesse presentation, start bankin’ and get to work!

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 4th Week of June
Temperature: 70 degrees / morning / overcast & slight wind

October 29, 2020
Testing a Rapala Scatter Rap on Bass

The Rapala Scatter Rap is a unique little hard bait that incorporates an oddly shaped lip that causes the lure to wiggle back and forth erratically on the retrieve. Since I didn’t have a lot of experience working crankbaits, I decided to tie this one on hoping it would “do some of the work” for me.

This was not because of laziness… it was simply due to my lack of confidence.

Fortunately, I got some good fish, some good casts and some good experience – and that’s what it’s all about! Getting better. This was the beginning of “Crankbaits 101” for me, something that has paid big dividends throughout the remainder of the season. I definitely had a lot to learn though… and this was only the beginning.

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 4th Week of June
Temperature: 78 degrees / afternoon / slight wind

October 22, 2020
Catching Lots of Bass with Jig Worms (Simple Bass Fishing Technique)

Jig worms are one of the easiest presentations to use when it comes to targeting bass, especially if you are new to fishing or want to get your kids using something that is a bit more active than a bobber. They have the potential to catch numbers of fish – or a monster. Largemouth and smallmouth bass love these little bite-sized morsels. They look like an easy meal.

A minnow. A leech. A little snake. Who knows? Food. Easy food. That’s what matters.

You can fish them from the shore just as easily as you can fish them from a boat. Skip them under docks, work rip-rap shorelines, pick apart underwater timber, points and cuts, or other familiar structure where fish set up shop.

Remember to be mindful of that exposed hook.

Over the years I have caught bass ranging from bite-sized themselves to just under 4 pounds on a simple plastic worm less than 4 or 5 inches in length on a small jig head. I’ve used many brands… but the brand is less important than the size and color which should be selected based on the local forage and bottom composition (at least as a starting point).

In this video we’ll use Hula Sticks, a Z-Man product that floats – which means the worms stand straight up off the bottom when they are at rest – on an Eagle Claw / Trokar jig head that weighs in at 1/16 oz. My son used a Gopher Tackle Mushroom Head Jig in the same weight. This is perfect because the local forage is small baitfish – not shad, but minnow-shaped… small… well… minnows. I’m not sure what species, but they’re slender!

Wind was not a factor, and the water was no deeper than 7 feet at any point.

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 3rd Week of June
Temperature: 76 degrees / morning / slight wind

October 15, 2020
Fishing a Spray Painted Frog & Burnt Stickbait (Sebile Pivot Frog & Strike King Ocho)

One time I wanted to fish a frog for largemouth bass, but I lost my black frog a few days earlier and all I had left was a bright orange and chartreuse monstrosity (Sebile Pivot Frog). I wanted a more natural color… so I spray painted it.

It was ugly – but it worked.

I also wanted to fish a Strike King Ocho (stickbait), but the one I had been using was ripped after very little use. I figured there was more life in the bait… so I melted it with a lighter and stuck it back together.

It was shiny – but it worked.

Then my friend Leslie came to the lake with her poles and decided to make a few casts. She had not done so since her husband passed 3 years earlier. We got to fish together.

What a good day. Interesting – no doubt – but a good day.

Sometimes the good Lord puts you where you are supposed to be.

You can pick up your own Sebile Pivot Frog here.
You can grab a pack of Strike King Ochos here.

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 3rd Week of June
Temperature: 70 degrees / morning / no wind

October 10, 2020
Bass Fishing for Quantity vs Quality

Bass fishing for quantity over quality – fishing for a large quantity of fish, versus fishing for a few quality fish. Yes, this is a decision you need to make every time you are on the water. You see that decision manifest itself in a fisherman’s bait selection most often – however – if you are lucky enough to fish multiple bodies of water, you may notice trends and patterns surrounding each pond, stream or lake. You may also notice that some lakes have a healthy population of larger fish, while others have a slightly stunted population with many more fish that are smaller in size.

Once you have made this type of discover you have the option to select what you are fishing for before you hear out to the water, before you tie on a presentation, or before you spend precious “free time” at a location that is not going to help you meet your own personal goals.

There are many reasons to select one over the other, and we’ll cover several of those in this video.

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 3rd Week of June
Temperature: 78 degrees / evening / light wind

October 2, 2020
Bank Fishing High Percentage Spots for Largemouth Bass

Want to catch more bass from shore? Keep your eyes peeled and make a point to bank fish high percentage spots. Recently we posted a video called “Bank Fishing Tips for Small City Lakes“, and this tip is meant to be an extension of that information – so make sure to check that out.

As I continue to improve, I want to see you do the same!

We’ll have more information coming soon regarding bank fishing, and we recently made some new modifications to the jon boat and took it out to test. We have a lot coming down the pike!

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 2nd Week of June
Temperature: 55 degrees / morning / no wind

September 24, 2020
Fishing with Kids: Let them Fail

Fishing with kids can be a great bonding experience, but remember this: it’s ok to let your kids fail at things from time to time. Without failure, they will never understand how special a victory – something that comes as the result of their hard work and dedication – truly is.

If your kids are ready to move from bobbers to more active presentations, to target bass or other species and really feel like they are “fishing” and not just “sitting” or “waiting” – this video should help.

Just don’t make it too easy…

In this video we’re going to discuss some of the lessons I have learned over the years – both things I have done right, and things I have done wrong. Hopefully this helps you have a great trip with your kids and avoid some of my mistakes.

Enjoy the outdoors with your kids.

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Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 2nd Week of June
Temperature: 58 degrees / morning / light wind

September 17, 2020
Bank Fishing Tips for Small City Lakes

Looking for bank fishing tips that work well in small city lakes? Start here. Not everyone has the option of fishing from a boat – but being land-locked doesn’t have to be frustrating. Several whopper fish can be had with the right gear, the right location, the right knowledge and a little bit of luck.

Actually now that I think about it… these bank fishing tips will work for MOST bank fishing situations. At the very least, they will help.

In this video we are going to discuss the things I have learned over the past year after spending quite a bit of time fishing from the shore… and catching some really, really nice bass along the way.

Time to fish.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 2nd Week of June
Temperature: 80 degrees / morning / no wind

September 14, 2020
Fishing with Kids: Hunting Largemouth Bass

Fishing with kids can be a ton of fun… and an extreme test of patience. If your kids are ready to move from bobbers to more active presentations, to target bass or other species and really feel like they are “fishing” and not just “sitting” or “waiting” – this video should help.

My son set the goal of landing a nice largemouth bass all on his own. It took several trips, but he stuck with it and got to learn the value and reward that comes with working hard to complete a goal that you set for yourself. He didn’t want a handout – he wanted to catch his own fish.

In this video we’re going to discuss some of the lessons I have learned over the years – both things I have done right, and things I have done wrong. Hopefully this helps you have a great trip with your kids and avoid some of my mistakes!

Enjoy the outdoors with your kids.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: Early May & Early June
Temperature: Varied

September 4, 2020
Dealing with Depression | 1 Step That Works

Physical activity is a good way to deal with depression. In my case, getting out and fishing – walking – casting – landing fish – all help. If you are struggling with bouts of depression or anxiety, it would be worth testing this out for yourself… especially if you already have experience fishing!

Get out.
Catch fish.
Test theories.
Make progress.
Get better.

Both the act and the progress will help improve your mental state.

Take care of yourself – and keep your chin up.

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Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 2nd Week of June
Temperature: 92 degrees / afternoon / 5 mph wind

August 28, 2020
Fishing a Strike King Lightning Shad for Panfish (PB Bass!)

Fishing a Strike King Lightning Shad (Mr. Crappie) is a great way to target panfish, crappie – and in some cases… 4lb largemouth bass. The main takeaway here is that fish eat what they want, when they want, and it is in our best interest to be on the water as much as possible so we can catch them when they are willing to bite!

Keep at it – you never know what you are going to catch.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 1st Week of June
Temperature: 73 degrees / early morning / 10 mph wind

August 21, 2020
Build It Break It Fix It Fish It

Fix your broken fishing rod with this super strong repair! This tutorial covers everything from supplies to technique and includes a segment where we take the repaired fishing rod out to test it on some feisty largemouth bass. Also, to show you how much I believe in it – I bought completely new components and built a brand new fishing rod just so I could break it for this video.

That was painful… but the end result is fantastic.

BUILD IT BREAK IT FIX IT FISH IT!

Click Here to Download the FREE Rod Repair Checklist

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

If you are looking for the FREE Fishing Rod Repair Checklist you can click on this link!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

OH – here are some additional pictures of the finished rod repair and the process in general. As you can see it came out really nice! If you try this method make sure to contact me and show me your results!

Broken Fishing Rod Before Our Rock Solid Repair

Splint for Fixing Our Broken Fishing Rod

The Final Result: Completely Fixed Broken Fishing Rod

The Final Result: Fixed Broken Fishing Rod Tutorial

Beautiful Fix for a Broken Fishing Rod

August 13, 2020
Get Better at Fishing – Learn Constantly

Whether you are fishing or not – it is important that we make the best out of every situation. When it comes to fishing, that means LEARNING no matter what. If the bite is on fire and you’re slaying fish – make sure you are learning, but if the bite is tough and the weather sucks… MAKE SURE YOU ARE LEARNING.

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

This is one way to make sure that each and every fishing trip you are lucky enough to head out on serves a greater purpose in your life. That purpose is increasing your experience and education, and becoming a more weathered and knowledgeable fisherman so that you can share that knowledge with other anglers, your kids, your spouse – even complete strangers.

Test things out.
Learn from people you can talk to.
Watch other anglers and see what they’re doing.
Figure out where structure and cover can be found.
What is the forage?
Is there current?
Work on your casting accuracy.
Explore the area and look for new hot-spots.

There is so much we can do to make the most out of the slowest of days.

So focus… and don’t take ANY days (even the slow ones) for granted!

Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 1st Week of June
Temperature: 78 degrees / afternoon / 15 mph wind

August 6, 2020
Bigger Baits for Bigger Bass (Small Bass Too!)

Fishing bigger baits for bigger bass sounds like such a simple concept. Bigger baits should mean putting more & bigger bass in the boat – right? Pulling more largemouth out to the shore, or sticking a better breed of smallmouth?

Well, it can… if the fish are keyed in on larger baits.

But what if the fish are focused on smaller forage?
What if you feel uncomfortable using bigger baits?
What if smaller baits have been working?
How do you gain confidence?
How do you reassure yourself that you’re not missing fish?

Simple. You test. You make changes and see what happens. One of the most important things you need to do is spend time on the water, and the truth of the matter is that a lot of that time needs to be spent testing new concepts. Otherwise, you’ll never grow, and progress goes a long way when it comes to happiness.

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As I mentioned, a 5.5″ stickbait is a morsel for some fish – but up until this day I had only been using a smaller 4″ stickbait. It was shorter and skinnier… and it had WORKED to this point. I wanted to try to see what would bite the larger bait.

I found out, and I suggest you try a similar test on your body of water!

Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 4th Week of May
Temperature: 58 degrees / morning / no wind

July 29, 2020
Testing Don’s MinnerZ on Largemouth Bass

When everyone is zigging… don’t be afraid to zag.

That sounds like free-form jazz.

Boo-whop skoopa doop. Beedely boop!

My man Don over at Show-Me Fish Tales has a very interesting little modification he makes to his Z-Man TRD MinnowZ… he calls the end result “MinnerZ”, and you can see on his channel that he absolutely slays all sorts of fish with it.

Well… he and his sis would probably say they “reap”.

Make sure to take a look at Don’s channel for examples of the baits he modifies, field tests and more!

I was glad I took an extra rod today, along with my trusty stickbait and swim jig for good measure. These presentations have both been very good to me this year – but the lake is changing. The algae is getting thicker, and the sun is setting on my swim jig… fishing is slowing down a bit… or is it?

The next few weeks will tell the tale, but for now, let’s focus on getting bit.

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One other change I noticed is that all of the fish that were up shallow doing their spring-thing seem to have moved out. Now what remains to be seen is whether “out” means out about 25 feet further from shore, or our across the lake to thicker cover – but either way, they ain’t sitting in 2 feet of water like they were!

Time to fish.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 4th Week of May
Temperature: 65 degrees / early morning / 5 mph wind

July 6, 2020
Redemption

Not all that long ago I was force-fed humble pie.

It was brutal.
I lost sleep.
I grumbled.
I sulked around the house.
I kept thinking about redemption… redemption…
Am I a hack?!
Can I redeem myself?!?!

Well… nothing else to do but try…

Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.

For this trip I left early, about 6:30 in the morning with bright conditions, a comfortable 68 degree temperature & little wind. Lots of bass were up shallow, but they were mostly interested in doing their spring-thing. They was all twitterpated.

I rigged up my trusty swim jig with a new, more compact trailer, and also tied on a PowerBait General (5″ stickbait) incorporating a weightless TX rig. This bait seemed to sink faster then the Ocho I had been using earlier in the year, but it was also something that the fish I missed 4 times – yes you read that correctly – on the last trip had reacted to. This also used a larger EWG hook as opposed to the VMC Wacky hook I had been using…

When life gives you lemons… tie on a bigger hook.

There was a lot of congestion this morning as well, so I decided to walk far away from the pack. This paid off almost immediately, and I watched them from far away to see if they pulled anything out of the lake.

They didn’t.

They didn’t even move.

It seems like these guys are willing to work a spot for hours – to live or die there. I do not recommend this approach, and after the guys moved out of the area I had planned to fish – I swooped in, slowed down and made contact.

Quick note: the first fish I caught completely ignored my swim jig, he also ignored my stickbait when I brought it THROUGH the muck, but when I tossed it past him and brought it back on top of the algae, then allowed it to sink down next to were he was at vertically – he picked it up. The second fish I caught hit on the right side of a little algae cover – but not on the left side.

Try different retrieves!

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 4th Week of May
Temperature: 68 degrees / early morning / no wind

June 27, 2020
I Suck at Fishing

Yesterday was amazing. Today I was force-fed humble pie.

Most people would delete this kind of footage. They’d act like it never happened. I was tempted to do the same… but… who does that help?

If we truly are going to get better, then we need to be honest about the victories AND the losses.

This was a loss.
It made me lose sleep.
It made me doubt myself.
It made me crazy.

It also made me want to go back.
To redeem myself.

Have you ever had an experience like that on the water?

Don’t give up.

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Don’t give into the temptation to ignore it or act like it never happened – instead, learn from it. Get better.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for improving, or a pond or creek to fish, or just want to say hey in the comments or on social media. I’m always trying to improve and appreciate your input. Thanks much!

@aj.hauser

Let’s get better.

Time of Year: 3rd Week of May
Temperature: 62 degrees / afternoon

June 19, 2020