Fishing Used Water
by Bassin' Bob Smith
Every bass
angler has to face it. Tournaments are notorious
for it. Crowded, small, bodies of water see it happen very often.
You can even make it happen to yourself. Having to fish
"used water".
Used water is any stretch
of bank, structure, or area that has already been fished before
you get to it. After you yourself work an area it becomes used
water. Being successful while fishing behind another angler
requires three important elements. Your bait selection,
presentation and attitude.
Attitude
first. If your mental outlook on the situation is
bleak, then your results are likely to be the same. Keeping a
positive attitude toward what you are doing will often spell the
difference between a paycheck and a frustrating day on the water.
Watching another person
boating fish, especially keepers during a tournament, from
"your" spot is extremely depressing. There they are,
catching "your" fish! You just know that by the time
you get a chance to work the area that all the "good"
fish will have been caught already, and the remaining ones will
be turned off.
One way to
keep your outlook positive is to consider that
they are catching the most active fish, which are generally the
smaller ones. Looking at it from this perspective means that the
heavyweights are still there, waiting for you to catch them.
If they are fishing fast,
then you know you need to fish slow. If they are fishing
slow, then maybe you have to fish even slower still. Watch where
they are casting to, if possible, and make a mental note of the
whole scenario. Learn from what they are doing so you can
make good, sound, decisions as to your course of action.
Another thing to consider
is the depth they are fishing. If there is any cover or structure
a little further off the bank, or away from where they are
fishing, moving there could open up some "new" water
for you. Sometimes simply backing off a few feet can produce this
effect. Even if you created the used water, backing that extra
few feet from the bank could yield big dividends.
Paramount to success is choosing a bait that is
different from what has been thrown into the area. If the
area is pilings in three feet of water and everyone has been
using spinnerbaits and worms, try a crankbait or jig. Even if you
choose the same basic bait, try different colors and sizes.
Opting to change baits and presentations is
usually your best bet, especially if you know the area holds good
fish. Deciding that the place is "fished out" and
leaving often means that you will start form scratch and have to
locate new fish. During a tournament this move can be a
catastrophe!
Being observant and adapting are
keys to success in any fishing situation. So the
next time you find yourself working along a bank behind another
boat, watch carefully. Select a bait that is different from what
they are using. Fish slowly and methodically, while maintaining a
positive attitude. Remember, used water does not mean that the
fish are gone or will not bite. It simply means that you need to
adapt to the situation at hand.
. - Bassin' Bob Smith
Bob, thank you so much on behalf of the
Bassdozer visitors who have enjoyed reading your fine article.
Used water is something we all have to deal with sooner or later.
Please feel welcome to click here and visit Bassin' Bob's Bass Fishing Site.
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