As an OHIO angler trying to establish himself in the pro ranks, I have had the opportunity to learn some neat tricks and techniques from some of the best fisherman.  These tricks and techniques have allowed partner, Mike Toht and myself, to catch fish in situations that many other anglers have zeroed.  Not that we don’t have bad days.  In fact, the fishing we have in OHIO is some of the toughest in the country. I hope you learn something from my monthly columns.  My goal is to share my knowledge and experiences with you and improve your success on the water. 

After fishing a BASS CHAMPIONS Pro Team Tour Event on Table Rock last year, many local anglers were curious to here how we Ohio boys did so well.  Someone always seems to catch those finicky bass.  Where and Why are often simple adjustments to your standard bassin tactics. My partner Mike Toht and I depend on nature’s clues to help us bag more bass.  Even with heavy fishing pressure, there are a few factors that bass must do to react to in every lake or river in America. First, running/rising water. This should be a no brainier.  Fish the foam. We had 5 inches of rain before and during the Table Rock Event. This pattern worked for all the first day leaders who milked it.   Second, wind. No matter how much fishing pressure a lake receives the windy banks will produce. There was only a little breeze on the second day of the tournament.  No matter where you are in the country bass will stack up on the windy side of the lake.  Wind current is critical in understanding one of nature’s biggest clues.  Wind generates current along the top of the water column. BASS can sense this and position themselves in the windblown areas to intercept baitfish and other forage.  What’s great is many times you will have these areas all you yourself because beginning and average fisherman hate to battle the wind.  Even a breeze.  This means more activity and less pressure.  You’re bound to catch them.  The wind tactic will work on any body of water, especially ones you are not familiar with.  Have confidence, pick the right lure and get on the trolling motor and start casting.  Pick lures more closely mimicking baitfish and shad.  I use a worm in clearer water conditions.  The worm works best when you can see about 6 to 8 feet down.  Cover the entire water column.  Spinnerbaits and cranks work best in stained to dirty water.  The flash and vibration of the blades help bass hone onto the lure in the wash of waves.  A fact that most people neglect is how shallow bass will move with rising water or in windy conditions, even under bright sunny skies.  Bass position themselves just under the wave breaks where they can intercept disoriented bait.  You must adjust your boat positioning to bring the lure with or parallel to the wind direction.  I try to set the boat so we can cast into the wind and bring the lure back with it.  When that’s not possible, position the boat to make long casts parallel to the windy bank.  Either way you’re not pulling the lures from behind the bass, which are always facing the wind.  That often spooks them instead of making them bite.  Learning more about bass and their habitats will increase your creels.  Just remember, bass are not necessarily getting smarter, they simply adjust to factors presented to them.  All nature’s creatures do.  Now adjust your tactics to suit the fish’s behavior and locate, catch and win.

Best Fishes

Brent “Brody” Broderick