KEEP IT SIMPLE

Even though they can become very spread out at this time, there are still fish to be caught near easily accessible shallower structures, and you don’t need to incorporate complicated techniques and technology to catch them.

The 2013 fishing season definitely got off to a strange start with many of the Lakes in northern Wisconsin still covered in ice until mid May.  The fantastic fishing that has followed made it worth the wait!  Unusual weather has continued to be a common theme throughout the season.  What would normally be considered the “Dog Days” of summer has felt more like early fall as of late with nights cooling into the 40’s along with very mild and comfortable days.  The result has been water temperatures maintaining in the high 60’s to low 70’s on our inland lakes when we typically see them spike into the 80’s during this time of year.  Historically many of our fish will push into deeper water when this happens, holding on deep humps, reefs, and breaks near main lake basins.  Many larger predators will also suspend over these basins following schools of bait.  Although these deeper fish are still very catchable, many anglers become frustrated with trying to locate feeding fish and end up putting the boat away for the year.  Even though they can become very spread out at this time, there are still fish to be caught near easily accessible shallower structures, and you don’t need to incorporate complicated techniques and technology to catch them.  In fact, this is the time of year when less can be more.

Last year, Nate Berg from Babe Winkelman Productions and I filmed a show for Good Fishing that displayed a very simple yet very effective approach to catching fish during a time of year when many folks trade their fishing rods for golf clubs.  NOT SO FAST!  Cancel that tee time and get on the water.  Remember to keep it simple, and you’ll be surprised at what you’re able to put in the boat.  Enjoy the show!