This is my 4th year on the river and I’m focused this year on expanding my fishable area. I have found it to be extremely humbling as it’s not uncommon to go hours without much if anything to show for. However, it is so much more rewarding when you find them. It’s only a 25″ but this is exactly what I needed to keep going and reassure myself I’m in the right areas.
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So hard to leave fish to find fish.
I’ve been trying to do this with my bass fishing also. Dave is right, it’s so hard to leave fish and yes, you do go hours without fish sometimes. But it feels so good to find new fish and new spots that just crush. I have an even harder time doing it walleye fishing because they are so much more finicky than bass. Nice job!
I have pretty much mastered the top of p4 from dam to 1st cut. and now learning wisc back channel to point no point Have a bunch of experience from long point to bitten end of lake city both side I really like the challenge
Some day I hope I catch so many big walleyes I can say “it’s only a 25.”
Honestly though, for me finding fish in new areas is a huge part of the fun of fishing. It’s nice to have the honey holes where you can always go to catch a few, but the constant search for new areas and news ways to catch fish is what keeps it interesting for me.
Great fish Tom, keep hunting.
I’m a firm believer you need to keep trying new spots on the river especially. I really enjoy fishing new spots. I also think it’s important to go back and try ones that you’ve struck out on in the past because the river is constantly changing. Take note of the time of year, water level, and especially current at each place you find fish. I’m spending a lot of my time quickly checking new spots with side imaging now as well. No reason to fish a spot with no fish on it!
My brother used to get pissed off at me when we would be on a bite and go looking for new spots. If the bite is tough that is not the time to look for new spots. To me it is easier to look when the bite is good.
I couldn’t agree more with everything stated here. I try to fish a “new” spot for a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour each time out. It’s humbling but has the potential to be extremely rewarding.
Yesterday there was a clump of 15 boats or so drifting the same area as adjacent to the river channel. I had fished that spot last week and knew there were some scattered fish there and it’s fished heavily, but elected to try the opposite side of the channel 500 yards away from the crowd in considerably more current. On our first pass we had a double of an 18″ walleye and a PB tying 22″ sauger. Being discreet was thrown out the window landing both fish together. By the time we released both, there were 4 boats headed directly our way from the other crowd. After pulling another short and more boats closing in, we left with a nice slow big wake circling out and a friendly wave to the net chasers. That alone was 100x better than drifting with the clump of weekenders in a community spot anxiously staring for nets.
I try never to use a net unless it is a true pig James Holst him self was big on that slide them over the transom and keep your rod low.
I like when I an on a spot not catching fish to stand on my line and trick the window shoppers to come fish. stand on line reel your pole bent and dang I missed that big girl at the net oh it calls the shoppers in! When your with your buddies try this it’s good fun! Lmao
My brother used to get pissed off at me when we would be on a bite and go looking for new spots. If the bite is tough that is not the time to look for new spots. To me it is easier to look when the bite is good.
Love this logic
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