I
t is the year 2025 and “WOW” has bass fishing
changed over the last 20 to 30 years. The innovation
in lure design, access to information and electronic equipment has grown leaps and bounds. I still remember
the days of reading my father’s and grandfather’s books
and magazines on “how to catch bass.” And, if I remember
correctly, there was very little talk about electronics, graphs,
and fish finders. If there was, it did not apply.
I was either beating the banks, float-tubing or borrowing a small aluminum. All of which, using a fish finder was not an option. However, I still managed to catch plenty of fish. And during this time, I learned many valuable lessons about fish that a graph simply cannot teach.
So, let’s take a trip to the past, with lures and knowledge of present and see if we can locate some fish in the old school way.
BASS FINDING BASICS
Understanding seasonal patterns is a critical asset and how most seasoned anglers caught fish long before the electronic world came upon. A basic understanding of how water temperature dictates where the bass and their forage will most likely be is a great place to start.
Water Temps: Water temperature will also determine depth and overall activity based on their metabolism. As the seasons change, the water temperatures will change.
Forage: Fishing the conditions is crucial to finding fish. Choose a presentation that represents the primary forage and fish at a speed that aligns with their metabolism. Once these key factors have been speculated it becomes a process of elimination.
Patterns: Covering water, trying to dial in on a pattern is always a good first choice. Spot checking as many diverse areas as quickly as possible, while remaining efficient is the name of the game.
Locations: Check extreme opposites
and everything in between. From points to coves, bluffs to flats, creek arms to main lake. All the meanwhile retaining every bit of information given.
As previously mentioned, it is process of elimination. Taking samples to establish a pattern.
There is no bad information, not finding fish leads to finding fish if you are properly logging information. It becomes easier once you have had practice. Basically, disregard what does not produce and expand on what does.
Here is where it gets interesting. Each year I have some incredible catches and a strong majority of the time I have zero help from my electronics. Over the past few years, I have been joking about my go-to fish finder that I rely on most.
I call it “Alive Scope.”
ALIVE SCOPE
This is where you use your eyes to find fish, and/or indicators that will lead you to fish. Both of which can be seen just by looking. There are three ways to best use “Alive Scope.”
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Fall 2025
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