By Ian G Burden
It can be frustrating and tiresome not to be getting any fishing action but sometimes all it takes is to change the speed that you retrieve your line.
The predatory instincts of most fish are triggered by anything that resembles an injured and easy meal. There's less work to be done chasing after something that's swimming a few strokes, pausing, lilting on its side, then slowly moving on again. To mimic that effect, try pausing the retrieve for a few seconds with floating crank baits. These lures are made with balsa for their obvious buoyant reasons. The front lip has an angle pulls them underwater to the desired depth for swimming, but as soon as you stop they will begin their ascent to the surface. It is at that point that any fish interested in having your lure will usually thrust their hungry violence upon it. Muskie and Northern Pike are especially good at appearing from nowhere and its no wonder with an attack speed of around 3 meters a second. Trout are a little more wary and zigzag behind the lures before deciding they'll take, often just as you're out of line and straight under the rod.
If you're not the most patient of an angler, then you'll find chilling on that retrieve will work better than a normal constant retrieve.
Spoons work well with a steady retrieve and it can be frustrating to lose fish that you know are hitting the lure but just not the right way. Sea trout are famous for this. They love the kinds of spoons that deflect their angle of attack more often than not and you only need to add an extra ring or two to the treble on the back to guarantee more sport.
If you're the kind that likes to fish after crappie and bass with a pole over the tangles of waterlogged and gnarled roots of flooded forests, then try dangling softbaits like craw daddies and small frogs. Mice are also extremely lethal, but be very prepared for the specimens to hit the latter. Fish that lurk deep and dark will often see the large silhouette of a protein packed meal such as a mouse and hit it with a vengeance before speeding back to the cover they came from.
These techniques will often trigger feeding instincts from the shyest fish in most places on any day and in any weather.
You have nothing to lose by adding a marabou tail feather to a lure or crank bait, or even swapping a feathered treble or hook from another fishing lure to one you're using can get your dead lines tight again.
Your hook size could also be the problem so if you feel like you've had a hit, but missed it, change down to a smaller size and see if it helps.
When all else is failing over a day, consider using natural baits. You may have decided not to bring any, but grabbing a tuft of grass and giving it a good shake can easily dig up worms. There's plenty life underground and grubs or centipedes can also make a great meal for any fish. Like good golfers make sure you return your divots firmly afterwards and don't leave your fishing area looking like a moonscape.
Understanding thermoclines is also an important factor in nailing fish on those off fishing days. There are special fishing thermometers that can measure layers for you and more advanced anglers have been satisfied by knowing more about the science in these methods for catching fish. It's a little technical but worthwhile depending in how committed you want to get about increasing your sporting chances.
Hydrographic maps of your fishing holes, lakes, rivers and seas are very useful if you can't manage to use or own a fish-finder. These maps are readily available in most places these days and will put the odds in your favour if you can see the underwater terrain where fish may be hiding out.
Above all, be aware of your surroundings. Fish love any kind of cover such as the boat mooring pier at the lake, underwater obstacles, submerged trees and many other place you might not think to set a hook in, on or under. Look there first and fish cautiously. Approaching your water with stealth and cunning on foot or boat will also see you enjoy a lot more sport. Tight lines.
