Hot summer days, July 2010
I haven’t been fishing as much as I’d like this last couple of weeks due to the hot humid weather. I do however, venture out on some evenings after supper. Those evenings have also been limited due to thunderstorms that have also been prevalent during this period.
When I have gone out between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 pm the fishing has been slow. I know that I should stay out after dark but I don’t care for night fishing. The fish at night will be close to the bank in the pond and I find more than my share of snags due to my limited visibility. For example, I know where most snags are having fished the pond over a period of many years; I’ve even put many tree limbs and other brush into the pond to provide cover for the fish, but inevitability I’ll miss my mark and catch the snags that I’m trying to avoid.
Last evening I was making my last cast for the evening with Shaw’s paddle worm, I hooked onto a very large fish just as dark was settling in. I cast right next to a bush that I had buried this spring and sure enough that fish went straight for it and got my line wrapped up in it. My line broke. That fish could have been a bass or another big cat, I’ll never know. The point is that the fish was the only one of any size that I got bit by that evening from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. I had only had six bites before my quitting time, three small crappie, a bluegill, and two small bass. So, my quitting time should maybe be my starting my starting time if I want to be sure to catch fish. And, by the way, the River Bend lake where I fish closes at 9:00 pm.
So, if you like night fishing, I have to concede that your chances of catching the “Big One” during the hot summer will be at night, close to the bank, and with lures that closely match the prey that they’re after. Example, if crawdads are prevalent in the water that you’re fishing, use plastic or live crawdads. I don’t use live bait so, I use Yum Craws, (but during daylight hours), and they’re probably more effective at night. Or use whatever bait that is close to matching their regular diet and lures that move a lot of water and try to match the color of the prey that they are looking for, the fish are searching for what is normal to them. Yes, I have fished at night when I was younger and have had success, but I still prefer the daylight hours.
Whenever you fish, I hope you have fun.
Tight LInes
Jim
PS: To Wanda,
Thank you for your input about the older fishing equipment.
The reason that I have so much older equipment in that because over the many years that I have owned these rods and reels, I have taken care of their maintenance. I take my reels apart and clean them frequently and always before storing them. I use a tip that I read in one of the fishing magazines, “Using Pledge furniture polish helps keep the rod clean, the guides slipperier, and provides some waterproofing, helping to prevent rust or corrosion.” This is true and I do it.
I was trying to tell my readers that using your old equipment, expensive or not, will only be as good as how well you take care of it.
I don’t buy expensive equipment even though many of the new rods, reels and etc., are far superior to my equipment. It just doesn’t fit into my budget. If you can afford expensive fishing gear, by all means buy it, but take care of it and it will last you perhaps a lifetime. I also read in an article from and article about fly fishing, “ When choosing a fly rod that is on sale due to closeouts or discontinued models, remember that that rod or reel was the “latest and best” a few years ago,” I do buy these rods and reels when my budget allows.
New modern equipment is superior to the old rods and reels, lines and etc. I wish that I could afford more.
I have accumulated some nice equipment over the years and when I pass I have asked my executor to give to the Boys and Girls Club whatever my grandkids don’t want.
Tight Lines
Jim
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