Fishing Lures

Recently I've joined the ranks of the fishing industry, mind you, I lack the necessary knowledge to tackle such a broad-scoped venture. But as with anything else in life, I decided to enter the job with an open mind, and solve problems based on facts presented before me. Little did I know that there seems to be a large lack of evidence supporting claims by most fishing tackle manufacturers. Despite the dastardly claims of this years 'Holy Grail' of new fishing lures, I stepped aside and applied my own personal, rational thought to the process. Not knowing anything about fishing, and a huge fishing trip planned with the boss on Lake Oahe in South Dakota, I geared myself to study a subject that had been tarnished over the past many years by manufacturers trying to make a profit.

Working for a fishing tackle manufacturer like Hagen's would make a great source for the product in question. They offer just about everthing the tackle industry has to offer, so there shouldn't be any shortage of fishing lures, or other tidbits that I could use. Second, we had two boats, and maps for all the good spots known for Walleye fishing.

Early in the first morning, we cast off just as the sun was coming up. A light wind cast a nice 'Walleye Chop' on the water. Indeed, according to my initial research, this would be a perfect day for fishing. Finding our first spot, we threw the float, and started preparing the poles. I prepared my line with a bottom bouncer (commonly used in these parts), and asked for the tackle box to attach my first test lure. However, what I was handed wasn't anything near what I had expected.

Attached to a leader was a small pink plastic bead, and a single hook. Nothing else. I asked my boss where the spoons were, the spinner baits, jigs, weedless, diamond patterns, glow products, scent boosters, brass bodies, line floats.... pretty much anything but this tiny, seemingly worthless little bead, which was completely dwarfed by the time I got the worm on. He simply explained that they don't use those products in these parts. But how could that be? If all these products are proven to catch fish, why are we using something so miniscule?

As we were trolling along, he simply stated thats what has worked for years, and he wasn't about to change. I figured he'd seen too much sun already, and we were heading for a dreadful day on the river. However, he managed to prove me wrong! The entire boat of four people, limited out before noon, using nothing more than a bead for a fishing lure. Yet, for some reason, the second boat was on the river all day and didn't catch anything. Why was this? They were using the same tackle, fishing in the same general area, and both boats were nearly identicle. Already, my first day had handed me unlogical results. Perhaps this was just the luck of the draw. The second boat, with three people, didn't limit out all day and only came home with about six fish.

The second morning arrived. Not to be discouraged by the first days results, I got ready for yet another study of the fishing tackle industry. Again we cast off early, and again we go to the same spot, using the same tackle. This time, people discovered what we had already known, and there were about 15 other boats in the area. So we discreetly made our way to one of the other spots on the map. Rigging up our line, our boat was ready to do the same damage we did the day before.

However, this time the tables had turned. We never caught anything for over two hours, yet the other boat was reeling them in left and right. Discouraged by our bad luck, we left the other boat and found some other hot spots on the river. Cast our lines, and began the hunt. But once again, our fishing results were far less than desirable.

Next we decided to start fishing with plugs. Finally, a change in the tackle selection. After about a half hour, our luck had turned around... but just slightly. We fished the area for a few hours and only got about four fish total. Not a very productive moment considering there were four of us in the boat.

We then moved to a new area, and tried the same combination. Fished with the beads for a bit, and then with the plugs. Neither one proved to be successful, and we we went home far beneath our limit. So what happened? Why was the fishing so different per boat, per day? Even with a tackle change, we didn't seem to procure much more than the other team the day before.

The only sensible conclusion that I could find, was to keep a variety of tackle selections on hand. Shear luck does seem to play a part in fishing, and having multiple options available could change things around. So keep a variety of fishing lures on hand, stick with your basic knowledge, and finally... don't give up.

Next year, I'll be sure to bring my own tackle selection.