FISHING THE MIDWEST
It's mid-summer already. It seems like summers go by faster every year. Fishing across the Midwest has been pretty good so far this year.
In some areas the action has been outstanding. As we get further into the summer, the bite can change. If you don't adjust, you might think that the action has slowed down. Maybe it has, but the fish still need to eat. If you adjust, you will continue to catch fish.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the fish had just finished spawning.
They were hungry and willing to eat. Baitfish populations were also low earlier in the year.
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Now, those baitfish that were spawned a month or so ago are getting to a size where the larger fish can prey on them. The more forage fish there are in the lake, the better your presentation has to be.
Lastly, a month or so ago most of the fish were in the shallower sections of the lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Now they can be pretty much anywhere.
You need to find the fish before you can catch them, and finding them can be a little more challenging right now.
Many anglers like to cover water to find the fish. It can work well to troll to find the fish, especially if walleyes are the quarry. Try pulling a crankbait or spinner. The new Flicker Shad crankbaits have been producing well, as have the reliable Rainbow Spinners. These bait styles allow an angler to cover water quickly.
When you catch a couple fish from the same area, slow down and work the area thoroughly.
Covering water for walleyes is made easier with planer boards.
Summer walleyes, in some bodies of water, move close to the surface. If we troll right over those fish, they'll spook and not bite. Planer boards enable us to put the bait out to the side of the boat and prevent spooking.
The planer boards from Off Shore Tackle are easy to use, and the new Snapper releases hold the line very well.
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If bass are the target, cast to a variety of different areas to determine a pattern.
Again, when a productive area is located, slow down and work the area thoroughly.
I've been casting a new reel for bass this year. This new reel is called a Revo SX. It's made by Abu Garcia and it's the smoothest, best casting reel I've ever used. It casts into the wind easily, and throws lightweight lures effortlessly. There are several Revo models available.
There are so many different things to do in the summer that some folks disregard the fishing a little bit.
That's a mistake.
Some of the best fishing of the year can occur right now throughout the Midwest. Keep the things we just talked about in mind and you can take part in that fishing action.
For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com
