By Capt. John Kumiski
Posted Tuesday, August 30, 2005
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Unless you've been living in a cave, or visiting Poughkeepsie, you've noticed that it's been raining lately. It's been raining a lot. It's been raining a lot almost every day. I'm almost forgetting what the sun looks like.
This means water levels in local lakes, rivers, and in the lagoon system are high and in many cases the water is discolored. If you prefer to sight fish, high water makes things difficult. Since the water is deeper, it's hard to see the fish. Because it's dirty, it's hard to see the fish. Since we have an unbroken layer of clouds the light is bad, making it hard to see the fish. What can you do?
If you're fishing in the lagoon system the most obvious strategy is to get into the shallowest places you can. In shallow water any movement the fish makes is more obvious. So if you must sight fish, shallow, clean water is what you'll need to find.
The other possibility is to change tactics. Try fishing blind. Use noisy lures to attract the fish to you.
The more subtle approach is to use a jerk bait with a rattle hook, such as those marketed by Woodie's Rattlers (woodiesrattlers.com). The rattle adds sound to your bait, making it much easier for the fish to find it.
Or you can go obnoxious. Bass fishermen use spinner baits and buzz baits all the time, and these work in saltwater. The spinner baits use a combination of flash and vibration to lure the fish. The buzz baits use sound, vibration, and a clearly visible surface wake to accomplish the same thing.
Lastly, a more traditional surface plug will work. Use a plug that makes noise anyway, and make sure it has an interior rattle. Popping plugs like Storm's Chug Bug or the MirroLure Poppa Dog are one way to go. Lures with propellers like Worden's Johnny Rattler are another.
One thing is for sure though, you have to go fishing. If you don't go, you won't catch anything. Keep your line in the water, come Hell or high water.
Article courtesy of Capt John Kumiski at www.spottedtail.com
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