Tips for Fishing Crowds

• The July Fourth holiday is upon is and it is a weekend when everyone heads to the lake to boat around, swim, fish and just try to stay cool. The lakes and rivers are packed, but that doesn’t mean you need to put away the fishing pole. Fishing in a crowd of boats can be a success if you adapt your techniques to match the busy-water conditions.

• It’s the shallow fish that get spooked by boat traffic so target the fish that are in the deeper water. A deep weedline or rockpile are perfect places to search. A mid-lake sunken island or reef are other great options.

• Trolling can be tough when you get boats anchored on your trolling path. Instead use a vertical jigging approach as you drift a deep breakline, or anchor yourself and work a zone with a slipbobber. These techniques are actually quite effective in early July.

• If you’re going to use a slipbobber use one with a bigger body so you benefit from the wave action created by the skiers and pleasure boaters. The up and down “jigging” motion created by these artificial waves can trigger bites.

• Although skiers that buzz your boat and pleasure-craft that cut you off can be frustrating, keep a positive attitude. I’m a firm believer that attitude makes a big difference in fishing success so realize immediately you’re going to have a lot of company on the water this holiday period and make it work for you.