Watching bait fall

If you’ve followed the fishing articles I’ve written over the years for Lake magazine, you may have noticed that I commonly revert to a basic theme for getting fish to bite. It’s a simple two-part equation: (Bait and Presentation) + (Location) = Bites. Having a great bait and presentation but trying in the wrong place won’t yield the best results. Likewise, being in the best spot on the lake won’t be worth much if the bait and presentation are off.

I’ve experienced these scenarios many times, whether fun fishing or on the professional tour. It’s the reason I’ve sometimes watched other people catch fish while I didn’t. And it’s why I’ve been the main one catching on a few occasions. Although the equation is simple, the challenge of finding the right combination at a given time is immense. Honestly, figuring it out is what drives most anglers.