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Hooked Up: March 2009
As predicted in last month's article, the fish are moving into the shallows in numerous locations of Baffin and the Laguna, and March is prime time for searching out shoreline depressions that are holding the bait that the game fish rely on to sustain life.
With March, comes big wind. Some days are from the north, but are more commonly from a blistering southerly direction. These gusts can make fishing tough, but they can be dealt with. The first part of dealing with these conditions is in our minds. I'll be the first to admit that fishing in brown/muddy water that wears a hat of floating grass makes me want to chew on the propeller while in gear. But you have to stay confident and know that fish must eat to live, regardless of water quality and howling winds.
I recently had Mac McCune of Lake Management Services on a charter. We were fishing in some of the conditions just mentioned, and I threw out the comment, "This dirty water makes me crazy."
Knowing more than your average guy about water quality, Mac offered up a great analogy that instantly boosted my confidence in water that I considered almost too ugly to fish.
The analogy is this: "Look at it from the fish's perspective. To us it looks ugly and blown out. But if you were to take a glass jar, fill it up with the same water and set it on the console, how does it look? It looks pretty darn clear versus looking at it from the boat."
I instantly knew he was right. And whether he realized it or not, this will always stick in my mind while grinding in ugly water that I have confidence the fish are using.
In my tenure as a fishing guide, I have been blessed with some great clients that have hard drive for the sport. These guys, and occasional ladies, have been willing to go in some nasty weather, even on days that I advise against it. This has forced my hand in fishing in conditions that most people would never consider; but the upside is that we are always learning new ways to accomplish our goals. Saying this, there are those days when the north wind blows in, and just shuts it all down. I recently had a trip like this, and we had to cut it short due to the front hitting early, bringing a drop in air temperature that none of us were prepared for. I felt bad for the clients, but common sense prevailed, as it always should in brutal weather.
I wish there was a magic bullet I could give you to turn these tough days into solid catching, but there is no such ammo. However, I can let you know what works for us on a daily basis: Fish areas that you have confidence in, and be willing to slow everything way down.
The slowing down part needs to apply to both your feet, and your lure. You need to have your reel spooled with a quality braided line. Using a braid, in my opinion, is one of the only things that you can do that will instantly make you into a better fisherman.
Use a rod with lots of back bone. I prefer the 6'6" Waterloo Slam Mag.
My favorite lures for these conditions are the 5" Shad or 5" Turbo Sea Shads fished close to and bumping bottom. The next choice would be a Rapala Skitterwalk or a full-size Super Spook.
In closing, I would like to say thank you for the positive emails and feedback I have been receiving from the readers. As crazy as my wife, Sally, accuses me of being, I'm glad to know that there are so many other like-minded people out there that have wind burnt faces, bad hair, cracked skin, and believe that Simms waders are the ultimate fashion statement.
Practice Catch and Release,
Capt. David Rowsey
With March, comes big wind. Some days are from the north, but are more commonly from a blistering southerly direction. These gusts can make fishing tough, but they can be dealt with. The first part of dealing with these conditions is in our minds. I'll be the first to admit that fishing in brown/muddy water that wears a hat of floating grass makes me want to chew on the propeller while in gear. But you have to stay confident and know that fish must eat to live, regardless of water quality and howling winds.
I recently had Mac McCune of Lake Management Services on a charter. We were fishing in some of the conditions just mentioned, and I threw out the comment, "This dirty water makes me crazy."
Knowing more than your average guy about water quality, Mac offered up a great analogy that instantly boosted my confidence in water that I considered almost too ugly to fish.
The analogy is this: "Look at it from the fish's perspective. To us it looks ugly and blown out. But if you were to take a glass jar, fill it up with the same water and set it on the console, how does it look? It looks pretty darn clear versus looking at it from the boat."
I instantly knew he was right. And whether he realized it or not, this will always stick in my mind while grinding in ugly water that I have confidence the fish are using.
In my tenure as a fishing guide, I have been blessed with some great clients that have hard drive for the sport. These guys, and occasional ladies, have been willing to go in some nasty weather, even on days that I advise against it. This has forced my hand in fishing in conditions that most people would never consider; but the upside is that we are always learning new ways to accomplish our goals. Saying this, there are those days when the north wind blows in, and just shuts it all down. I recently had a trip like this, and we had to cut it short due to the front hitting early, bringing a drop in air temperature that none of us were prepared for. I felt bad for the clients, but common sense prevailed, as it always should in brutal weather.
I wish there was a magic bullet I could give you to turn these tough days into solid catching, but there is no such ammo. However, I can let you know what works for us on a daily basis: Fish areas that you have confidence in, and be willing to slow everything way down.
The slowing down part needs to apply to both your feet, and your lure. You need to have your reel spooled with a quality braided line. Using a braid, in my opinion, is one of the only things that you can do that will instantly make you into a better fisherman.
Use a rod with lots of back bone. I prefer the 6'6" Waterloo Slam Mag.
My favorite lures for these conditions are the 5" Shad or 5" Turbo Sea Shads fished close to and bumping bottom. The next choice would be a Rapala Skitterwalk or a full-size Super Spook.
In closing, I would like to say thank you for the positive emails and feedback I have been receiving from the readers. As crazy as my wife, Sally, accuses me of being, I'm glad to know that there are so many other like-minded people out there that have wind burnt faces, bad hair, cracked skin, and believe that Simms waders are the ultimate fashion statement.
Practice Catch and Release,
Capt. David Rowsey