The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure and research the current local forage. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
November Solunar Calendar
I’ll usually take a peek at the Solunar Calendar before I head out to tape some Illinois Fishing Videos – but I’ll be honest… even if it’s not an “excellent” day – I still go out and try to make my own luck! Check this out:
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure and research the current local forage. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
I’ll usually take a peek at the Solunar Calendar before I head out to tape some Illinois Fishing Videos – but I’ll be honest… even if it’s not an “excellent” day – I still go out and try to make my own luck! Check this out:
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure and research the current local forage. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
I’ll usually take a peek at the Solunar Calendar before I head out to tape some Monday Morning Bites – but I’ll be honest… even if it’s not an “excellent” day – I still go out and try to make my own luck! Check this out:
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure and research the current local forage. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
I’ll usually take a peek at the Solunar Calendar before I head out to tape some Monday Morning Bites – but I’ll be honest… even if it’s not an “excellent” day – I still go out and try to make my own luck! Check this out:
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
A few weeks ago I was able to get out and fish a few times. I went fishing with a buddy (looking for carp and catfish which is usually pretty consistent) and we caught 1 fish. Later, I went out by myself and caught a few dinks. After that I took two short afternoon trips and caught nothing.
Nothing.
Zero.
As a full-time website developer and consultant, I don’t get a ton of time to fish. In fact, I get very little – and it is very important to maintain the following mentality:
You have to do what you can, with what you got.
Well, when “what I got” is spent getting skunked… it makes it hard to keep going.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Do you relate? Do you ever feel like you should just quit?
DON’T QUIT. DO NOT QUIT.
Losers quit. You are not a loser.
You are NOT a loser.
Alright then – how do we deal with defeat? How do we deal with getting knocked down? Skunked? Defeated?
Adopt the mentality that you are doing reps, and remind yourself that these reps are important.
They matter.
Why?
When a person starts to work out, they lift light weights as much as they can. If you check back in on that person in a month – two months – three months – the weight they were lifting 90 days ago, and the amount of times they can lift that weight will have changed. They will now be able to lift significantly more weight then they could when they started.
This is assuming they stayed honest and consistent.
These are (literal) reps.
When a person starts to fix their nutrition, they start to log calories and pay attention to the foods that they lift to their mouth. They may start to plan their meals and adjust the groceries they put in their home. Then in time, their meals change. More veggies and fruits start to show up on the plate, lean meats and quality proteins, with fewer chips and Twinkies. Over time these meals become significantly more beneficial, as little improvements are made piece by piece.
These are reps.
When a person starts to build a business, they begin by defining a service or product. Once they have something to sell, they must look for customers. They need to look for people that would benefit from the value they are bringing to the table – and they need to contact them. One at a time. Rejection follows. Often. (Yes, I am speaking from experience.) But eventually that business owner will find their first customer, and if they make sure they are happy and repeat the process of contacting more people, they will find their next customer. In time, this compounds and their business may become significantly more profitable than when they started.
These are reps.
All of these things are worth doing, and all of them come with rejection, failure and hardship.
Nothing worth doing is easy.
If you want to become a better fisherman (and I know you do), then you need to accept the fact that you will get skunked. You will not catch fish some days, you will lose expensive baits, your plans will fall apart, you will be disappointed, and things won’t always go your way.
But this make the days when they DO go your way so much sweeter.
We talked about the value of hard work on a recent episode of Monday Morning Bites:
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
So keep going. You never know when it’s going to completely turn around. Adopt the mentality that you need to push forward no matter what.
Remind yourself that you are doing reps.
You are working on casting accuracy, bait selection, finding new spots, exploring, getting exercise and fresh air…
There is so much to be grateful for even when you are not catching fish.
On a personal note, when it comes to building this site and the associated YouTube channel, I have to remind myself of these same things. Progress leads to happiness, but happiness and progress don’t always come easy.
My videos don’t get much traffic, but I’m doing reps and working on getting better at editing them. My email marketing is lacking, but I’m doing reps and getting better at creating campaigns for my subscribers. My Google Ads are tough to pay for to promote this site, but I’m doing reps and getting better at managing them. My articles don’t always get picked up by the search engines, but I’m doing reps to try to become a better writer.
With all of these things, I would rather struggle towards something worthwhile than simply exist. If we don’t keep our line in the water – and if we do nothing – then we can expect nothing as the result.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
You grumble as you shuffle-step over to the coffee pot to get a bit of java.
“Morning bud“, he replies.
It’s just now 6:00 am, but Dad has been awake since 4:30. There is a crisp breeze coming through the windows. It’s refreshing, but a good reminder to bundle up a bit… it’s going to be chilly on the lake, even though the sun is finally poking up over the pine trees.
The surface is calm.
Glass calm.
Well… aside from the occasional strike as a panfish or smallmouth snaps a bug off the top of the water.
Even though Dad gave up coffee some time ago, he graciously prepared a pot so that you could enjoy a cup before the two of you hit the water to begin your annual “exploration phase”. It’s the first day here in Wisconsin after yesterdays 7 hour drive up from the cesspool known as Illinois, and you need to knock the dust off and get out on the lake.
“So, what are you thinking we start with this morning?“, you ask as you noisily slurp the piping hot liquid while sucking in air, attempting to avoid burning your tongue (unsuccessfully)… even though you already know what his answer will be…
“Deep weed edges“, he replies. “I grabbed half a pound of leeches before the bait shop closed yesterday, so we might as well use them. Dan said that fishing has been tough this year due to the heat… these leeches aren’t going to last long, and after this batch he’s saving what he can get his hands on for the guides.“
You quickly look up from your coffee.
“No more leeches after this batch? That could make things… interesting… I mean leeches have been our most productive method for years now.“
“Yup. I grabbed a few crawlers though, so we’re good.“
This is good, however… crawlers are challenging to use. Panfish magnets. While they may usually perform better than plastic, the amount of time you have to spend re-rigging fresh bait on your jigs makes it almost a wash.
“I think I’ll opt for plastics“, you say out loud as you consider your options. Putting worms back on a jig every 2 or 3 casts does not appeal to you at the moment, especially considering your first cup of coffee isn’t even gone yet.
“Suit yourself – let’s get out there.“
The two of you grab your gear and head towards stairs that lead from the back deck down to the water where the Smoker Craft is tied up. She’s still covered, which means the interior will be free from dew. With a few quick movements you pull the cover off, toss your poles & tackle in the back, and Dad fires up the 90 HP Merc.
One shot is all it takes.
The 2-stroke motor vibrates back and forth, filling the air with that familiar smell of gas & oil as you as you idle next to the dock looking at the depth finder, mentally charting a path.
Without saying a word, you push the front end of the boat away from the dock and out into the channel, while Dad kicks the motor into gear.
The sun is a bit higher now, but as you look out ahead you can see that there is a rolling fog rising and moving across the still-calm water.
It’s beautiful.
As you putter out of the channel and into the deeper water, you realize something else…
It’s finally time.
It’s here.
After 50 weeks of waiting in Illinois – the two of you will fish Wisconsin again, just as you have in years past.
Dad drops the throttle and the motor pushes you back into your seat, and as the boat gets on plane your excitement builds at the thought of setting into a monster smallmouth, pike, or even a good walleye.
It’s been too long… and it’s time to get to work.
The Manitowish Chain O Lakes near Minocqua, Wisconsin
I’ve been visiting the Manitowish Chain O Lakes ever since I was a boy. My grandfather bought a little green house in the channel between Rest and Stone Lake, and we would visit for several weeks every year because… well… Grandpa didn’t charge us rent.
Grandpa’s Wisconsin House – Years Later
That meant it was a vacation we could afford.
When I was a wee lad, I only had the patience to fish from the dock. There were visible weeds and a ton of perch, bluegill and pumpkinseed ready and willing to smack a crawler. Fat rock bass as well. All were aggressive and more than enough to keep my extremely short attention span entertained before our daily dip in the lake.
Dad’s all business and I’m in my goofy walleye hat & 90’s t-shirt… tucked in of course… lookin’ good, dude!
As I got older though, I wanted to catch bigger fish… like what Dad was catching… but it would be some 20+ years before I would really develop the patience and knowledge necessary to complete this task.
Manitowish Lake Smallmouth (Wisconsin)
My family became extremely attached to the chain, and we continued to visit until I left for college. Grandpa sold his house around this time as the market was primed. He made a tidy sum, but as the years passed, we would look back at all of the photos and talk about what we would give for “just one more visit“.
Me, Dad & Zach fishing in “the green aluminum boat”… add another brother? Great idea!
Well, 7 or 8 years later, the family tradition was brought back like a phoenix from the ashes, and it continues to this day.
Wisconsin Walleye
Shortly after we started going back to the chain, I actually proposed to my wife in a boat on Island Lake.
For some reason she said yes… and she’s been exploring the chain with me every summer since – even continuing to fish while pregnant.
Speaking of exploration, the chain itself is awesome, and it’s made up of a series of 10 lakes. If you are like me, you’ll appreciate the beautiful mix of both complexity and accessibility. Lots of structure both shallow and deep, lots of fish-holding areas, and lots to explore.
Lakes include (in no particular order) Rest Lake (809 acres), Stone Lake (139 acres), Fawn Lake (74 acres), Clear Lake (555 acres), Spider Lake (272 acres), Island Lake (1023 acres), Manitowish Lake (496 acres), Little Star Lake (245 acres), Wild Rice Lake (379 acres), and Alder Lake (274 acres).
Common species include musky, pike, smallmouth & largemouth bass, walleye, perch, bluegill, rock bass, crappie and more.
Largemouth Bass Wisconsin Dock Fishing
The chain is located in Manitowish Waters in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. While it is indeed known for its fishing, the Little Bohemia Lodge on Little Star Lake is where John Dillinger had his famous shootout (naturally, the movie Public Enemies was filmed there).
The lakes are fed by the Manitowish River, which drains into the Chippewa River basin and ultimately the Upper Mississippi River.
Fishing the Lakes this Year:
I am writing this article less than 24 hours after returning home from the Manitowish Chain O Lakes for the year, and it is very fresh in all of our minds. The fishing this year was TOUGH, but also EXTREMELY REWARDING. My wife caught some great fish, as did several of my sons – and of course… Dad landed the biggest fish.
There’s so much more to say… but for now, let me leave you with this: if you get the chance to fish this chain, do so. Take care of it. Clean it. Don’t bring invasive species in on your boat, or in your livewell. Release fish that don’t fall within the slot limit, or that are too big to put on the table. Allow those big boys and girls back into the fishery to breed, so that our children may enjoy this special place like we do.
Leave it nicer than you found it… and maybe I’ll see you on the water.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
“Mornings are so peaceful in spring“, you think to yourself and the first rays of sunlight begin to trickle through your office curtains. A slight, cool breeze slips through the screen on your window as you sip your steaming black coffee.
Delicious.
The house is quiet. Kids are asleep. So is the misses. Slowly you turn back to the book you are devouring.
The wisdom contained within seems to jump off the pages as you scan the old drawings and think of a time when books were the primary source of information – not the internet. Grandpa told you that there were advantages to these “tomes”, and after reading this far, you can certainly see his point.
Something about the noise of the pages as they turn and the actual weight of the book in your hands seems to activate more of your senses and pull you into the material in a way that the small back-lit screen of your phone could never achieve.
Slowly, carefully you turn another yellowed page, completely mindful of even the slightest sound as the old paper crinkles and folds within your weathered hand –
… flap flap flap HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK! HONK!
A majestic goose flies overhead, absolutely shattering the peaceful morning that you were savoring just seconds before. In Illinois, these hissing, bulbous, noisy, flying poop-machines are excellent at making their presence all too known.
“DADDYYYY!!!!!!!”
The children…
They rise.
“Well now it’s a party“, you chuckle to yourself, placing the book upside down on your desk. You missed them last night as they slept, time for morning hugs and then you’ll (attempt to) return to the book later. Maybe after the kids eat and go outside to play. Maybe after work…
WORK!
“Oh shoot, I need to get through all of this work so I can FISH!“, you quickly open your inbox to take a peek at the situation.
Your heart sinks…
“DADDDDDYYYYYYY!!!!!!!??? I’M UUUPPPP!!!”
78 Unread Messages.
“Well… maybe I’ll fish tomorrow. There’s no way I’ll be able to help with the kids, get all my work done, get the boat cleaned up and ready to go, get my poles rigged, grab gas & bait, call Bill and Tim and see if they want to go, launch the boat… or have enough time to make any progress locating and catching fish.“
“I’ll go tomorrow.”
There it is.
The kiss of death.
Chances are, you won’t go tomorrow. Chances are, something else will pop up. Chances are, you’ll come to the same conclusion: “I’ll go tomorrow.”
It completely takes the wind out of your sails… but maybe it doesn’t have to be this way.
How to (actually) go fishing “tomorrow”
I’ll be honest with you – work is very important, as is faith, and family comes first in all instances. If you are a mother or father, your obligation is to your husband or wife and children first and foremost – but that doesn’t mean we need to completely deny ourselves the opportunity to fish…
Even if you are busy. Even if you are self-employed. Even if your family needs a lot from you – it can work.
Fishing from shore is the answer. It’s the real-world solution that many of us have (mistakenly) turned away from in favor of “my big boat on my big lake or my big river fishing with big baits for the big boys!”
This type of fishing takes big time – and on a weekly basis, chances are we don’t have that. What we do have, is 45 minutes to stop on the way to a job site, 60 minutes after work if we’re able to cut out early before we make it home for dinner, 90 minutes in the evening after we’ve helped with the dishes (see what I did there, ladies?) to fish that small city lake with the playground next to it that the kids can use.
We all have limited time… but we still have time.
Do you want to cut into that time dunking your boat and getting electronics working and poles rigged as you float around by the launch? By the time you’re done I’ve caught 4 fish and I’m just carrying a backpack and a single rod.
There is a time and place for boat fishing – and it is awesome – but if you are ready to realistically catch more fish every week, embrace bank fishing and carefully apply your time.
Do what you can with what you’ve got.
You will make more casts and catch more fish – I promise you.
The Advantages of Fishing From Shore
Fishing from shore is the easiest way to get up and go if you have limited fishing time.
It can make fishing trips less stressful, requiring less research & planning.
Fishing from shore also requires less gear. No need to worry about a spare for the trailer. Life jackets. An emergency paddle. Did I charge the batteries? Do we have gas? Will the motor start? Do the lights on the trailer work? Do I have all of my rods, bait and tackle? It also means you won’t slip and fall on your butt on the slippery boat ramp first thing in the morning… not that I’ve ever donethat… several times…
It allows you to fish smaller bodies of water, either because of motor-restrictions or lack of access. This means more options, plus the chance to find fish that are not heavily pressured.
Fishing from shore allows you to fish at any speed without worrying about boat control. You can fish fast. You can fish slow. You can work an area over once you contact fish, and you can focus on making accurate casts because if there are fish here – they are right in front of you. Simply focus on catching fish.
If you tread lightly, you have a chance to catch bass that are using the absolute shallowest shoreline, backed into inches of water. You can make long parallel casts with the bank, which can put your bait(s) in the strike zone longer. If you see a fish, cast well past him and bring your bait up slowly and naturally so you don’t spook ’em.
WARNING: be mindful that you are not clomping along or you will spook shallow bass and see them jet out from shore before you get a chance to cast to them! Tread lightly, and don’t forget to stand back at first and fish your OWN BANK before launching a bait across narrow areas. Don’t walk right up to the edge and start bombing away – be deliberate with your positioning and movements – you’ll catch more fish.
If you do some searching for honey holes, you can potentially find areas of complete solitude. While fishing city lakes can be fun and rewarding, in my humble opinion it is much better to fish surrounded by the sounds of nature as opposed to fishing while Bill mows his lawn and Timmy weed-whacks the entire ditch in front of his house. If you are fishing a city lake, you can look for areas that are hard to get into and find fish that are not hammered by every bank fisherman working the obvious spots.
Get away from electronics. Enjoy “fishing the old fashioned way“.
Trust me – it’s fun.
Bonus: fishing from shore is also good exercise and a way to burn extra calories. Let’s be real here… if we’re frying up fish and having a few brewskies, this doesn’t hurt!
The Disadvantages of Fishing from Shore
Nothing is magic. There are always pros and cons in every situation… so here are a few to consider.
If the fish are deep and far out from shore – which is an issue with large shallow flats – you may not have access to them.
If the shoreline weed growth is too thick, you may have very limited presentation options. It may also be extremely difficult to fish the outside weed edge, and fish will often hold here waiting to ambush prey.
You can only fish as far as you can hike, bike or walk.
You can only take what you can carry.
If the bugs are thick, you will get chewed up. If spiders, snakes and other animals are present (and they probably are) keep your wits about you.
If you get hurt or twist an ankle or cut yourself out in the thick of it, you have to be able to take care of yourself. Don’t put yourself in a position you can’t get out of if you have an accident.
Trust me – it will happen.
So… which will you choose?
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
I think so… but I don’t think that’s the right question to be asking.
It’s not really a question of “which is better?“, it’s more of a question of “what do I have time for?” Life is busy. Running a business, working long hours, supporting a family and being a good spouse – these are massive responsibilities!
There is a time and a place for fishing from a boat, a time and a place for fishing from a kayak, or wading a creek.
There is also a time and place from fishing from the bank.
Add fishing from shore to your repertoire. You will find yourself making more casts, testing more presentations, learning more about your area and catching more fish.
It sure worked for me…
My PB Largemouth (so far) – Caught from Shore
Tight lines!
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.Solunar Calendar for June 2021 Illinois Bass Fishing
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The secret is out: ElaZtech baits by Z-Man are a well balanced combination of salt (in most but not all cases) and plastic that is super stretchy & lifelike. These little dudes float, meaning they stand upright on a jighead, and they last forever.
In some cases you’ll want a softer bait, or a bait loaded with more salt that sinks faster, but in many cases being able to put on a bait that lasts forever (that gets more and more effective the more it gets ripped up with each and every battle) allows you to focus on the task at hand: casting, working the bait, and catching more fish.
The other issue though, is that ElaZtech is so tough and so stretchy, it can be difficult to properly line it up on a jighead, or work it over a keeper… and we want to use a keeper, because it will lock the plastic in place and help us focus on fishing – not fixing.
Let’s go over my top three selections for jigs and the specific applications in which they excel. All are in heavy rotation this year in #TheHuntFor250. They will help make your life a lot less frustrating… and put more fish in your boat!
The best jig for ElaZtech is without a doubt the Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig. The jig comes in multiple sizes and colors, and in both a Trokar and a Laser Sharp version. The Pro-V bend in the hook is exceptional, it is low profile and when you stick a fish – it stays put. (Make sure you have pliers of hemostats with you to dislodge these jigs when you land a fish.) The paint chips and wears quickly if you are fishing rocks, but that’s no surprise.
The real benefit though, is the keeper. It is heavy duty and it will not bend when you pull the ElaZtech into place, but it is also pointy enough to be easily worked into the stretchy material. Flimsy wire keepers can actually bend as you push ElaZtech over them, and as you’ll see below, keepers that do not have a sharp edge won’t get buried – making it far too easy for the plastic to slide off. Jigs like that are useless for this kind of plastic material.
The Pro-V Finesse Jig is hands down the best jighead for ElaZtech jigworming.
The Berkley Half Head Jig is a solid option for softer plastics that don’t need a robust keeper. They are a great jig for softer baits when you aren’t fishing around heavy cover, and the paint holds up well in rough terrain. These jigs also have a thicker wire than what you would find on similar jigs of the same size, which is nice if you are fishing around stronger fish that can straighten a hook.
ElaZtech, however, will slide right off of the collar-style keeper when you set the hook or pop your jigworm. I no longer use these jigheads for that application – but I am not getting rid of (minimizing) them – just re-purposing them.
This is an excellent jig for small soft plastic applications.
The BEST Jighead for Small Paddle Tail Swimbaits
Earlier this year I had a chance to meet Ethan Dhuyvetter (YouTube: The Online Outdoorsman) and we discussed his Mule Jigs. I ordered a few thinking I would try them on jigworms, and he very graciously tossed in a few packs of his Donkey Tails.
I’m glad he did… because up until this point I had not used smaller paddle tail swimbaits… but man… these things flat out catch fish! (I’m not kidding – we’re talking 40+ fish from 4 short trips so far this year, and 4 different species – videos will be out soon. Make sure to subscribe!)
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
We’ll do an in-depth review of these products in the coming weeks, but I had to mention them here, because the short shank on the Mule Jigs makes them a perfect pairing for small paddle tail swimbaits, like the Donkey Tail and the Donkey Tail Jr.
Mule Jigs paired with Donkey Tails, Fat Albert Grubs and Strike King Lightning Shad plastics
This short shank is extremely important for smaller swimbaits, because it allows them to displace water with their maximum action. They come to life. Longer shank hooks will actually prevent more of the body of the bait from moving, meaning less wiggle and less thump.
The skinny wire keeper on the Mule Jig easily slips into the Donkey Tail material, which is super stretchy like ElaZtech – meaning they last until you break them off.
For paddle tails swimbaits, the Mule Jig is the standout option.
Want to Learn More?
The 3 jigs above are all perfectly balanced for use with a unique fishing application.
If you’d like to learn more about how I rig the Pro-V Finesse Jig, download your free copy of Ned Rig Secrets. We discuss making Ned Rigs that are extremely effective while utilizing the Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jigs as our primary delivery method.
All that’s left to do is grab some of these jigs for yourself, and get to catching some fish. I hope that the suggestions listed here help you become a more effective angler.
Tight lines!
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Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
We’ve talked about this many times before – but how do you figure out what everyone else is doing so that you can do the opposite? Here are a few quick tips:
1. Ask Around
I know… these days it seems so “old fashioned” to interact with actual people. Especially – *gasp* – ones we don’t already know! The Horror!
One of my favorite things to do it speak with people on the bank, at the boat launch, in the parking lot, the bait shop or the fishing aisle of the local BigBox.
Here’s the secret phrase that will open up a world of information… you ready?
“Catching anything?”
Try it.
Test it.
Trust me.
Just say these two words to the next 5 people you pass on the bank with a smile on your face and I guarantee you one of these people will share something you didn’t already know.
Just make it clear that you’re not trying to figure out SPOTS. Don’t waste time looking for SPOTS – try to figure out presentations and techniques.
Never, ever ask a fisherman for his favorite spot. He will not share it with you, and if he does – he’s lying.
Ask what he believes to be the best bait. Ask him for his expertise in lure selection. Play to his ego. Don’t blow smoke up his rear, but let him know you are ready to listen and learn – be humble, and there is a darn good chance he’ll share some general information with you that will help you put the puzzle together.
Want to double-check the information you’re getting? Try this.
Head to the local BigBox store and take a look at what is on the shelves.
The products ON the shelves is are as important as the ones that AREN’T.
Look at what should be stocked that isn’t there – if there are multiple spots for Senkos that are sold out – chances are these are being used heavily in the local area. You can either try some of your own as a starting point, or opt for something a little bit different – for example, a heavy salt Zoom Zlinky.
If you have a Bass Pro nearby, you can look there as well… but you will get better information at Walmart, Farm & Fleet or Rural King.
Why?
Because these stores are ONLY going to stock what sells fast locally – products that they know they can move quickly. They are dealing with a healthy mix of hardcore anglers that are looking at the fishing section while getting groceries with the wife, but also hobbyists and dreamers that have a limited knowledge base (no offense of course) and limited time.
Bass Pro needs to keep all of their shelves stocked so they are seen as the authority. They are equipped to meet your every fishing need (and want). Therefore, stocked shelves are just as important to them in terms of how they are perceived by their customers, and their bottom line.
Fortunately this is a win-win, because they also know that they can move less trendy items.
Moving Forward
So go ahead – take a peek. Ask around to get a grasp on what people might be using, but then double check what they tell you by stopping by the fishing section at some of the smaller chain-type stores.
You might be surprised at what is – and what isn’t – on the shelves.
Oh… and remember – never trust that a serious fisherman gave you his “best spot”.
That would just be silly.
Tight lines!
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
The Solunar Calendar provides a window into the activity of wildlife. If you’d like to learn more about how you can use this tool to your advantage, make sure to read our article on The Solunar Method & History.
Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it’s also a good idea to monitor barometric pressure. Use all of the tools available to you to maximize your time on the water!
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.Solunar Calendar for April 2021 (Illinois)
Tight lines!
(OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area.)
Icicles are gone, but there are still random piles of dirty, crusty ice in sporadic locations all around town. These are the dead remnants of another miserable winter.
But the combination of these signs and the first few solid days with sun poking through the dark canopy of thick cloud cover gets my heart racing. I immediately start thinking about setting the hook, feeling my line tighten up and seeing it rip off to the side while my drag screams bloody murder.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Oh, how sweet it is.
Once the daydreams kick in… so does reconnaissance. Me and the boys start going to “play at the lake”… which really means Dad is going to check the water temperature and look for signs of life… like baitfish:
Small baitfish my son found – color & size will help when selecting our initial presentations this spring. We think it might be a Steelcolor Shiner but there are a few other likely candidates on this DNR list of minnows in Illinois.
Once the water hits about 50°F, bass become more active. Question is, how are we shore anglers supposed to check in on the water temperature without the aid of fancy bass-boat electronics?
Well, there are 3 options as far as I can tell:
Stick your head in the water and guess (GOOD? Yes. Worked just fine for your grandpa, sissy.)
Get a small water thermometer to toss in… and wait… and wait… (BETTER)
Get something like the Deeper Pro+ Sonar and get the temperature as well as much more useful information about the body of water you plan to fish! (BEST)
Create your own topographic maps, get water temperature and down-imaging-style fish finder features right on your phone. Use from shore or in a boat (with the appropriate mount).
The feature that initially got my attention with this unit was map creation. It allows you to make your own topographical maps. Literally cast out from shore, slowly reel the Deeper unit back – and as long as it stays connected to your phone (which can be a bit of a challenge at times) it will track bottom contours, depth, temperature and draw out a map that will automatically upload to Deeper Lakebook™ the next time you are connected to WiFi.
This is a great way to be more efficient. Instead of going to check the temperature alone – grab this unit and check temperature, depth, look to see if you can mark fish, and draw a topo map – all at the same time.
I also took this unit out on the jon boat this year and just let it run in the background, recording the bottom. After returning home, everything I charted was uploaded to Deeper Lakebook™, and I could go back and review bottom contours and deeper areas that I missed from the comfort of my desktop PC.
This helped me focus on fishing while I was on the water, but still go back to find the deepest area of the small city lake (about 25 acres) after the fact. This is critical for those of us with limited fishing time.
Find areas of interest after you’re off the water. Focus on fishing while you’re out! It’s like another set of eyes for those of us that fish alone.
Guess where I’ll be starting this spring?
Moving Forward
The daydreams continue.
They become even more vivid when it’s warm enough to open windows around the house. The smell of the breeze pulls me out of whatever website I am designing, and I’m transported to the lake.
Fortunately, with these recordings I am able to pull up my maps from last year and start to strategize where I’ll go first. This is so helpful for those of us that fish alone, and those of us that fish small lakes and ponds with no topographical maps to be found.
Last season was the best I’ve ever had, and the fishing continued up until the snow started to fall. I’m ready to start back up again.
Are you with me?
Spinnerbait largemouth bass caught while using the Deeper Pro+ Sonar to record a little city lake on a COLD morning! Video will be up for this one in the near future!Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
My inbox threw up all over itself again last night. There are emails everywhere.
Whenever I answer a message, two more take it’s place. It’s going to be very difficult to fish this week – especially without feeling guilty the whole time. But… we have to go. The goal is to catch at least one every week, and gosh darn it, that’s what we’re going to do!
Question is… when do we go to maximize our time so we can give ourselves the best chance at success?
Let’s discuss Solunar Calendar Fishing and see how it can play into our minimized fishing lifestyle.
*Audible Groan*… SHE’S GONNA BLOW!!!
When are Animals Most Active?
Any sportsman that is blessed enough to spend a fair amount of time outdoors quickly realizes that there are time periods when the local wildlife exhibits heightened activity levels. For us fisherman, the first thing that comes to mind is an aggressive topwater bite in the early morning, or perhaps the swirls & ripples that appear on the top of a calm lake in the evening as the sun sets and bass really start to chase around their evening snacks.
For hunters, similar activity has been noted for whitetail deer. Dawn & dusk are active periods, with increased activity at times in the middle of the night – which can be seen on trail cams.
In the 1930’s a man named John Knight started to wonder why these periods of increased animal activity seemed to be consistent, complimented by less activity during the day. His research led to the development of The Solunar Table. Fishermen and hunters alike use this to try to “get an edge” – but the question is… is there any legitimacy to this theory?
Knight’s method relies on lunar phases – the changing angles of the earth, the moon and the sun that dictate how the moon “looks” – and the time of sunrise and sunset. These factors have in fact been shown to have an impact on wildlife activity.
Deer. Bass. Coyotes. More bass. Your Mother-In-Law. Etc.
In May 1926, John Alden Knight put together some fishing folklore and other fishing factors such as the sun and the moon, hence the name Solunar (Sol for sun and Lunar for moon) to form a theory on the patterns of animal movement. Knight compiled a list of factors which control or influence the day-to-day behavior of many freshwater and saltwater fish. Each one of the 33 different factors were considered. All but 3 were rejected. The three factors retained were the sun, the moon and the tide. For salt water fishing, tides have long been known as a factor that controls fishes’ behavior. As Knight’s research progressed, he found that rather than just tides themselves, the relationship of the moon and sun’s positions relative to each other may be the determining factor. In addition to the time of moon up (moonrise) – moon down, his research determined that there were intermediate times of the day that occurred in between the two major periods. From that he establishes that there were major periods (moon up – moon down) and minor periods. Knight published the first Solunar table in 1936.
Wikipedia
Sounds scientific.
What this method doesn’t take into account, is the weather. Changes in temperature will have an impact, so will storms, and any sort of increased cloud cover at night can reduce the amount of moonlight passing through to the earth. This means visibility will be reduced; animals on the hunt for food, or animals hoping to avoid predators will all be at a disadvantage.
Additionally, some believe the force of gravity – something we all experience on a subconscious level – comes into play as well:
Using these tables, a fisherman and a hunter can tell when the moon is directly underfoot or overhead. The strongest activity occurs when there is a full moon or a new moon, and is weakest when there is a quarter moon or a three quarter moon. This is because the combined gravitational force of the moon and the sun is strongest when both are directly above or directly below our heads.
Wikipedia
When reviewing a Solunar Calendar, take note of the major feeding periods and the minor feeding periods. Major feeding periods are 2 hours long, centered around (sandwiching) the solunar time. Again, most activity is usually predicted to take place around the full moon or the new moon. During a quarter moon or a three-quarter moon, activity is predicted to be at it’s lowest.
Summary: Solunar calendars can provide you with a nice baseline for potential animal activity, but you must also take into account local weather conditions leading up to (and during) your outing. If you’re fishing, it might be a good idea to take a peek at barometric pressure. Use all of the tools that are available to you!
Moving Forward
Planning is important – especially for those of us with very limited time to fish. But your next trip should not be planned using just a single tool. Take advantage of all sources of information at your disposal. Consider all options and factors.
But don’t obsess.
The most important thing is that we make the time to go and be on the water – whether we’re catchin’ ’em or not.
That reminds me… I need to hammer out some of these emails. Sitting here feeling sorry for myself isn’t going to improve the situation… and I really need to get out and catch a fish.
You’ll Never Have Time… So Always Make Time to Fish With the Kids
Tight lines!
OH! Before you go make sure to check out In-Fisherman’s Solunar Calendar Tool. It’s free and fantastic if you’re wondering what the current solunar calendar looks like in your area!
In fact, change is the only thing that’s consistent.
Two years ago when I started this website, my intent was to simply get better at fishing while reducing the amount of clutter I had accumulated. (Banjo Minnow, anyone?)
If you would have told me that certain changes to my behavior (which we have outlined in Thursday Night Fishing) would have resulted in a total increase of 10x in bass caught last season over the one before it – I wouldn’t have believed you.
Thankfully it happened.
Now, I find myself staring down a new challenge that I bet many of you can relate to. That is the challenge of facing new kinds of water.
To date all of my productive fishing has been done in lakes (both large and small) all throughout the Midwest, from Illinois to Wisconsin. It wasn’t that long ago we did a video focusing specifically on Illinois Fishing:
We followed this with a few videos on Fishing in Wisconsin:
Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Very productive… but now… no we’re looking south. We’re looking at property in Arkansas very seriously. We’re even looking at land and considering the possibility of buying a few acres and building over the next 2 years. This would mean spending most of my time fishing rivers, streams and reservoirs as opposed to my beloved natural lakes.
I’m sure some lakes are present, but when you look up Arkansas, you see things like Bull Shoals Reservoir, and The White River that flows beneath the dam – famous for year round trout fishing due to the cool, deep water flowing from Bull Shoals. You’ll see Norfork Lake, another man-made reservoir, and countless hiking trails and streams.
In one sense, this is like a dream come true. A guide I spoke with last week said they call Bull Shoals “The Lake of 5’s“, because you can catch a 5lb largemouth, smallmouth and spotted (“Kentucky”) bass all in the same day. There appears to be more water here than one person could ever cover in a lifetime – and this is only scratching the surface.
On the other hand… I have no idea how to fish for bass in deep water reservoirs, or streams or rivers. I have never targeted trout, or hiked a stream in search of panfish.
So while I am excited… I’m also a bit overwhelmed.
Fortunately, this has also pushed me to develop a few new behaviors that have been very productive – and also helped calm my nerves a bit. I started to spend some time every morning (literally 15 – 25 minutes) researching things like river and stream fishing. I started to dig deeper into the presentations that had worked to help me 10x my overall catch count last year, and this week I’m going to start to dig into seasonal movements of bass based on water temperatures in reservoirs.
I am also sharing all of my notes with you – absolutely free – so please take a look and share them with others if you like what you read:
So is this an exciting time? Absolutely. Is it also overwhelming? Absolutely.
You combine moving with building a home or buying land with re-learning everything you know about fishing and it can make your head spin. But even though all of these changes are uncomfortable, being uncomfortable is a great way to help force you to improve yourself.
So let’s do that.
If you find the notes I am sharing with you helpful, please share them with others. If you have questions let me know – and if you have suggestions from experience regarding ways that we can all improve, I would be most appreciative if you’d email me and share them.
The first bass from last season… let’s get that counter going again ASAP!
Ok… not really… but it is probably not an awful idea to wear boots if you are going to be walking around ponds and lakes where there is a decent amount of fishing pressure:
Protect your dogs! Click the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
So I’m joking about the “attack”… but only slightly. It’s a good idea to be careful when you are fishing pressured ponds and lakes. Opt for some protective footwear unless you are really watching where you are stepping. Had I been wearing light flippy floppys… this would have been embedded in my foot.
That could have sucked…
Now with that said – here’s a funny little tidbit:
So the stowaway that almost killed me has more road to travel… he’s not done… his legacy is still being written!
After pulling him out of my boot with pliers, I straightened out the crooked hooks and sharpened them so he’s currently ready for action… if it ever stops snowing.
We’ll keep you posted… 😀
So watch your back and your footing – but make sure to keep getting out! I would trade 2 awesome topwater strikes like these for a hook in my foot any day…
Largemouth Bass Strikes on TopwaterClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Let me know if you have a favorite pair of fishing boots, I need some new ones (plus a new fishing backpack now that I think about it) and take care of yourself out there!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
ElaZtech Damage to Other PLastics & BaitsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
Now Jake here had a few thoughts on this and left a comment on the YouTube video. He also warned us, mentioning that ElaZtech plastics can literally melt if they get too hot, spilling out of their package and leaking onto other things.
YouTube Comment Section
I have experienced this while fishing in direct sunlight in the jon boat, and the kayak. ElaZtech plastics melted together on deck while my other plastics (Dingers, Ochosand a handful of Senkos) retained their shape. My TRDs however… they melted together… just a big clump of ElaZtech…
This is something we all need to be mindful of. On a recent camping trip to Lake Shelbyville, we sweat through everything and I guarantee ElaZtech left in direct sunlight under those conditions could melt.
Once in a while we fish on big reservoirs like Lake Shelbyville. If you’ve read any of the other posts on this site, it’s no secret I really do like ElaZtech products – but the heat, and the way you store plastics both on or off deck, together or separated – it all needs to be top of mind if you hope to avoid problems.
Lake Shelbyville looking for Largemouth Bass… found a few…… and my wife found the best of the evening. Sweet.
ElaZtech Can Also Damage Painted Lures!
It doesn’t only affect other plastics. I was shocked to find damage it had caused to my spoons, and in this case temperature wasn’t a factor. These baits were simply tossed into a Ziploc storage bag after vacation, and brought home in a backpack, then placed in my basement. All things considered, this reaction happened under pretty cool conditions!
As you can see, it turned the paint and finish into muck! I’ve left them out for months and the paint is still liquid, still wet, and it won’t dry and harden back up.
If the worst thing I have to deal with today is a couple of ruined spoons, well… it’s not terrible. We’re not burying anybody, so I’d say it’s a pretty damn good day!
Stay mindful. Stay grateful. Take nothing for granted.
Now even though you have to be careful with your ElaZtech baits, it’s worth having them. I explain that in the following video – they’re not a magic one-size-fits-all-situations bait that we tie on and leave on all year (remember we’ve talked about how that is not what a minimalist fisherman does), but they are awesome!
If you would like to learn even more about Ned Rigs and how we like to fish them, make sure to check out the article on that very subject, or take a peek at the video we just published for even more info.
Ned Rig ImprovementsClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
Get Articles & Videos First
Catch More Fish Than Your Friends. Laugh At Their Tears.
Your support directly funds the creation of weekly articles and videos that promote the development of better anglers and better men. Our country (and our kids) need both. Please share this site, and consider a monthly, weekly, or one-time donation. You are helping us make a difference!
Pond fishing is one of the most accessible ways to get into – or back into – fishing. Chances are there’s a pond nearby that is thriving, full of low-pressure fish that are eager to bite the right presentation.
Whether you’re new to fishing or a veteran that has skipped these small bodies of water for some time… consider giving them a look. Here’s how I got back into the game…
In the past I’ve fished tournaments, high-pressure lakes, creeks, water with absolutely no shoreline access that requires a small boat and rivers all over Illinois. Instead of approaching these adventures as a minimalist, I went at them as… well, maybe what you would call a maximalist. You might even say that I was profligate with my preparations.
In English? I took too much crap with me!
When I returned to Illinois from a Wisconsin vacation in 2019, I bought my fishing license really late in the year, but I wanted to find a place to fish with my sons. Somewhere that didn’t require a boat, because at the time we would be lucky to have 30 or 45 minutes to get out. I didn’t want 20 of those minutes to be me swearing at the trailer.
So I started looking for something that was easy to access, and not extremely popular or loaded with other bank & boat fishermen.
Good News: I found a place! Bad News: I had no idea how to fish it!
“Uh… where do I even begin?”
Let’s look at the first two trips that I took to this new pond so that I can show you what went right, what went wrong, and how you can take what I’ve learned and apply it to your own situation so you can catch more fish in the ponds near you!
A Summary: Getting Back Into Pond FishingClick the banner to jump to The Minimalist Fisherman on YouTube.
First Day at The Pond
Allow me to set the stage. Remember I mentioned I started keeping that journal in 2014? Well… I actually started keeping TWO. One for business, and one for fishing. This has been an extremely useful practice and I strongly suggest you start a journal of your own.
I wrote these notes in that journal after we returned on day 1…
September 14th Pond Fishing in IL “Weather: around 60 degrees – got a start at 6:00 a.m. and left the house at 6:45. The big man was fishing from shore using a Ned Rig with an exposed hook, I had a crankbait that I wanted to practice with, and also a weightless wacky rigged 4? Ocho like we had been using in Wisconsin. Well, fun fact – the pond is super sludgy, and has all sorts of muck on it – and in it. I tried the crankbait about twice, and found out it was impossible to use. Then we both fished the plastics we had tied on – and nothing. I think I’d like to go back and try 1 pass with a straight topwater frog, 1 pass with a weightless jerkbait like a fluke and a big hook that will be able to move about medium speed, and finally 1 pass with either a weightless Senko or wacky worm (maybe an Ocho again, or a trick worm). I do not think that the bass will hit our bait if it is buried in the muck, or even inhale it off of the bottom – so how can we maximize our time in the strike zone? Gotta be up somehow, and not hung up (super weedless). I’d also consider a drop-shot maybe but that sounds like kind of a pain to manage… let’s try these other ones first.”
What I Learned: Day 1
The bottom content of the pond was disgusting. Typical Illinois MUCK BOTTOM, I assume it’s all dead algae or vegetation and decomposing build-up. In Wisconsin we were fishing lakes with clear water and really nice rocky shorelines or weed to sand & rock transitions… so I had been conditioned to fish a jig with an exposed hook, and the fish in Wisconsin were not afraid to hit those jigs right on the bottom… but that wasn’t going to work in the muck-bottom Land of Lincoln.
The water was reasonably clear, and the bottom was dark green. In fact, everything seemed to be some shade of green.
The pond had many large floating algae pads. Some were thick. Some were thin. All had visible space underneath where fish could cruise. That doesn’t mean they werecruising – but they could.
I had no idea what the max depth of the pond or preferred local forage was.
As a result, I took too many presentations that were the wrong color with exposed hooks that got caught up on everything… and it was just a nightmare. We spent more time cleaning off our hooks than fishing!
But it also made me very curious… what was living in here? What werethey eating?
The most frustrating thing about the whole day, was that I had let my son down. All he caught was a weed fish, some pond scum and I believe some old fishing line attached to a bobber. I had failed to put him on fish, and that could potentially leave a horrible taste in his mouth and make him less likely to go fishing again.
He’s smiling but… but not really all that happy… shoot.
We salvaged the morning with a trip to a nearby playground… but I knew that I had to go back to explore the pond again.
Alone.
Second Day at the Pond
I took a few days to think about what I had learned. Remember, time on the water is important, and even if we get skunked, we should be able to learn something about the location, ourselves or the environment. I knew that I needed to take a presentation that was going to stay up out of the muck on the bottom, and also free of debris. The logical choice was a topwater… but I had literally zero confidence in topwater presentations…
So what did I do instead?
I made a complicated plan to make myself feel better. Fish a topwater for just 15 minutes, then switch to a toad for 10 minutes, a fluke for 5, then a wacky rig for 20… all in the course of an hour.
Not gonna happen. Complicated fishing plans never work!
September 18th Pond Fishing in IL “Weather: around 60 degrees – skies were clear and stable yesterday and last night. I was out the door about 6:30, made it to the pond right after 7:00 a.m. and was immediately able to start throwing a frog. The PLAN… was to fish a frog for 1 lap, a toad for 1 lap, a fluke for 1 lap (weightless) and a wacky rigged Ocho for 1 lap… but I never switched away from the frog. I caught a 2.5lb largemouth back in the “corner” by the bridge under that algae that looks like tiny little green pieces. It’s not super dense, and it was only about a 20 foot wide by 10 foot deep patch of cover, tucked back in the corner of the lake by calmer water. I was just looking for life, saw a heron and some small fish, and the cool thing was as the fish started to move in that shallow water I could literally see the water bulge up on top, so I threw it two more times in the general area and he smacked it and pulled it under. I think I got a good hook set because the algae was so thin. Then about 30 minutes later I missed this guy’s big sister but she was on the opposite side in a little bay kind of across from the parking lot. I turned her after she took the frog, but the bait popped right out, and it was LOADED with thick sludge. So I think what happened was when this bass hit, she took on a bunch of muck as well, and I didn’t get a good hook set through that crap. Absolute heartbreak. Missed another nearby in the same stuff as well, smaller though. Then that was it, I wrapped up and there was never any reason to switch to the other baits – but it was cool to find life here and catch my first legitimate frog fish.“
What I Learned: Day 2
I used one bait but had planned to use 4 (minimalist fishing approach for the win). Note: since I had no confidence in a topwater but wanted to use one, I should have ONLY taken a topwater – nothing else – which would force me to dedicate time to it, building confidence faster.
I knew that even if I did use 4 presentations, they all needed to stay out of the muck… BUT… I was really unsure of what I would do… my complicated plan was just a safety net, a false sense of security… or possibly an excuse.
I was looking for LIFE anywhere, even above the water. Since I had never caught a fish here and I was still exploring, I decided to go where the heron was which turned out to be a good decision. He was eating small fish (maybe even frogs?), and so was the largemouth bass.
I didn’t even see the bass strike, I heardit, looked, couldn’t find my frog and decided to reel down and set the hook. Before this I had seen the water bulging in the area I was fishing, underneath and around the thin overhead cover. Duckweed, in this area – and this area alone.
I missed two other fish in an area with really thick muck on top of the water, using a Strike King frog with a traditional frog hook (2 prongs). This was due to a combination of things. With the first fish my hookset was weak, I had the two prongs (which means the force of the hookset was distributed), and she took in a bunch of algae with the bait. I don’t think my hook penetrated the algae, or it may have caused a “blow out” when I set the hook. The second fish that I missed actually smacked the bait up in the air when he tried to strike it.
Just for reference, there was a small feeder creek near where the heron had set up shop. This could probably adjust the water temperature and also provide a replenishing source of food as bugs and critters and minnows washed into the pond.
Look at that sign of life over there!
Give Pond Fishing a Chance!
The second day was a success… accidentally!
No matter – the simple act of catching a fish – a good fish – got me even more fired up about fishing ponds. Not only was I making time to fish with an extremely hectic schedule, I was learning new techniques (topwater) and bringing big ‘ol bass up onto the shore with me.
… but… If I’m being honest…
I wish my son had caught it 🙂
AJ Hauser with a nice 2.5 pound pond bass (largemouth)
Next time.
So How Can You Catch More Fish Out of Ponds?
If possible, explore the body of water ahead of time and look for things like cover, bottom composition, bottom color and forage. This will help you pick your presentations and bait colors.
Don’t make a complicated plan. Tie on baits that you have confidence in, or if you want to gain confidence in a new bait – just take that one bait and dedicate some time to it.
Upon arrival if you don’t know where to start fishing, look for life above and below the water. Birds, turtles, frogs, deer, minnows, bugs, tadpoles, frogs or anything else.
Pay attention to your surroundings and look for cues, like the water bulging up above the surface giving away the position of active bass in shallow water, or topwater strikes nearby as bass chase and attack frogs or other fish.
Stick with it – and no matter what happens – learn something new about the location or your skills every time you are out on the water.
Most importantly… have fun, and enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy the fresh air, the wind, the sun, the rain, the hot, the cold – soak it all up. Remind yourself that there are a lot of people that will never experience the simple act of pond fishing – and just as many want to fish but are stuck at work… if you know someone like that, you might want to tell them about Minimalist Fishing.
Every trip is a blessing, no matter the outcome.
Now get out and explore some ponds of your own! Tell a friend, simplify your approach – and if this has helped you in any way, make sure to let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
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Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
P.S. – I’m still finding new ponds and small bodies of water to fish, like Snapping Turtle Pond… check it out, and let me know what YOU find!
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