Finding a pattern in order to catch fish

crappie anglers looking for a pattern to catch fish. (Submitted photo)

Anglers often hear the phrase, "When you find a pattern, then you can catch fish." The problem, of course, is finding that pattern.

In many ways, each species of fish is individual. Because of this, the pattern for catching each will vary with the fish's movements, seasonal habits as well as feeding periods. You can work out your own catching pattern for each species.

First, be mobile in order to cover a lot of water in a days time. This doesn't mean you have to be an aquatic hot-rodder. If you move around too much and too fast, you will just catch a lot of water, not fish. With a lightweight boat, you can cover your area like an assessor. The more waters you fish, the better your chances to find catching patterns.

What is a catching pattern? In a few words, it's the key to catching fish. It can be a certain lure's action or color. The lure can be presented in a certain depth or cover type. Also, it can be the same time of day or night, when fish are feeding or a location you've found where fish are holding and foraging. It can also be something as simple as adding a strip of pork rind to a lure. If it works, it will work again.

These patterns must be woven as you watch constantly changing factors of light intensity from sun movement, water clarity variations due to rain or algae buildup, or developing food chains of the species you are fishing for. It sounds complicated, but really it isn't. Especially when you apply some of these strategies ---- you'll see the results for yourself take place.

The thing to remember about your own catching patterns is they will repeat themselves. So, it's wise to keep a small logbook and make notes after each fishing trip. This is a very valuable tool to use during each year and also for plotting next year's fishing.

For example, one thing to watch for is cyclic peaks of lakes. Your logbook may tell you that for the past three years, X lake has been getting better in fish per trip while Y lake has been worsening.

Brad White (left) takes a stringer of bass and walleye from Luke Jarman, that the pair caught after finding a pattern that worked. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

You should concentrate on X lake because it is in an up-cycle while Y lake is on the down side. Nature works this way in fish populations, so it pays to keep track of a number of places through your notes, checking with fishing buddies and area tackle stores.

It's all part of working out your particular fish catching pattern. This may sound strange to you, but once you form this habit, you won't go to bed wondering where to fish tomorrow. Instead, when you get up you know exactly where to go. (Sometimes your wife will tell you.)

An angler's instincts are sharpened by experience ---- the more you read, think and fish the more that amazing brain of yours helps you solve the catching pattern of the day.

Years ago I met a fishing guide on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas who taught me a lot about patterns for catching fish. He kept a log on his guide trips and said it helped him catch fish for his clients. He said "I learned a lot about where and when to go to find fish from knowing more about the patterns of different species of fish. In my business, you need to produce results to keep it going."

Kevin White, with a limit of crappie he caught after finding the right color of jig to use. He caught all the fish in one spot using a yellow jig. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

Matt Herron, the recent winner of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Lake Roberts, used patterns to produce a winning catch of bass. He demonstrated flexibility despite changing water levels and weather conditions. He won the tournament by a mere 8 ounces and took home $100,000.

In terms of developing a pattern, Herron was quoted as saying, "All I needed was a first bite and a confirmation bite, after that I ask myself questions, is this a main creek, a pocket or the main lake? Then I set my site on duplicating the first bite by seeking out similar structure."

It was his ability to adapt that enabled him to win the tournament.