07-30-2003, 10:32 PM
[cool]It's always frustrating when you can find fish and can't coax them into biting. But, with trout and kokes, when they are holding around the thermocline, they are either orienting to a temperature preference or following their food...or both. Sometimes the fish are in a negative or at least a neutral mode. If so, they will not chase a trolled lure. But, if you wiggle something enticing in front of their snoots, you might at least get a tentative reaction bite.
It's a lot like ice fishing in the winter. After the fish have been subjected to declining oxygen over the winter (or increasing temps in the summer), they become a bit stressed and less active in the feeding mode. That's when something sexy, with a bit of sweetener to seal the deal, can often get a bite or two when the usual methods ain't working.
The key to catching suspended and finicky fish is usually SMALL and SLOW. Drop little tubes or marabous down to just above their heads, with a tiny piece of worm or mealie on the hooks. Even a single egg or small piece of power bait can do the trick. Instead of working the jig like a yoyo, try holding the rod absolutely steady and moving your craft just enough to keep the lure moving through the same plane in the water. Hits will often be nothing more than a bit of back-pressure...a rubber band feel. If they smack it, so much the better.
Another trick, when presenting jigs to suspended fish...near the bottom or anywhere above it...is to tie the knot toward the front of the hook ring, to make the jig ride as horizontally as possible. Whenever you get a hit or catch a fish, check the knot to make sure the jig rides level, instead of hanging at an angle. This can make a big difference and will drive your fishing buddies nuts when you are catching fish on the same lures that they are using and not getting bit.
Hot summer is the toughest time to get many species of fishies, but trout can be especially tough. The deeper they go, the more difficult it is to fish them effectively, and the more inactive they become.
Keep on keepin' on. Let me know if you make good use of the advice.
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It's a lot like ice fishing in the winter. After the fish have been subjected to declining oxygen over the winter (or increasing temps in the summer), they become a bit stressed and less active in the feeding mode. That's when something sexy, with a bit of sweetener to seal the deal, can often get a bite or two when the usual methods ain't working.
The key to catching suspended and finicky fish is usually SMALL and SLOW. Drop little tubes or marabous down to just above their heads, with a tiny piece of worm or mealie on the hooks. Even a single egg or small piece of power bait can do the trick. Instead of working the jig like a yoyo, try holding the rod absolutely steady and moving your craft just enough to keep the lure moving through the same plane in the water. Hits will often be nothing more than a bit of back-pressure...a rubber band feel. If they smack it, so much the better.
Another trick, when presenting jigs to suspended fish...near the bottom or anywhere above it...is to tie the knot toward the front of the hook ring, to make the jig ride as horizontally as possible. Whenever you get a hit or catch a fish, check the knot to make sure the jig rides level, instead of hanging at an angle. This can make a big difference and will drive your fishing buddies nuts when you are catching fish on the same lures that they are using and not getting bit.
Hot summer is the toughest time to get many species of fishies, but trout can be especially tough. The deeper they go, the more difficult it is to fish them effectively, and the more inactive they become.
Keep on keepin' on. Let me know if you make good use of the advice.
[signature]