Bob Jensen explains that successful anglers like Mike Frisch have learned that to be a consistent fish-catcher, you need to be a versatile angler.

It’s a new fishing season for many of us. We’re excited to get back on the water, and we’re also excited to try new equipment and techniques in our attempts to catch a few—or a lot of—fish.

Many anglers think of themselves as “walleye fishermen.” Others prefer to be considered “bass fishermen.” Others are even more specific. They proclaim themselves to be a “jig fisherman” or a “plastic person,” or some other technique-oriented angler. Most fishermen, though, consider themselves to be just that: “a fisherman.” It seems that most people who consider themselves to be “a fisherman” have more fun and, at the end of the day, have caught more fish.

When we begin our day of fishing, it’s a good idea to have a plan of attack. For instance, today we want to get after largemouth bass. Our plan is to start with spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits allow us to cover water quickly and bass like to eat spinnerbaits. Unfortunately, largemouth bass sometimes don’t think the way that fisher-people think. Today they’re not on a spinnerbait diet. After an hour with no action, we switch gears. We tie on crankbaits and try a different area. After more inactivity, we decide that crankbaits aren’t the answer, either.

Experience tells us that when faster-moving presentations like spinnerbaits and crankbaits aren’t working, a slower technique will produce. We tie on Zero Stick or Shim-E-Stick plastics and rig them Wacky style. These baits can be fished very slowly, and when the bass are reluctant to bite, slow is the way to go.

If the bass won’t respond to slow-moving plastics, we can either go home or do something completely different with our fishing. For most of us, going home is not an option. So, we switch gears completely. This is where the “just a fisherman” philosophy engages.

Instead of beating ourselves up trying to catch bass, we’re going to try to just catch something. Anything. Most people who are “just fisherman” prefer to catch crappies, walleyes, northern pike or whatever instead of not catching bass. Lakes that are good bass lakes are usually good panfish lakes, and in the Upper Midwest, many also have a good walleye population. When you get a lemon, make lemonade. Or in this case, when we can’t catch bass, let’s catch crappies. Or walleyes. Or whatever. Let’s just catch something.

Different species of fish behave differently. Often, when one species isn’t aggressive and willing to bite, another species will be. If you’re on a lake that has a good smallmouth and walleye or crappie population, consider chasing walleyes or crappies early and late in the day, and smallmouths at midday.

Don’t rely on one technique to catch fish. If you’re set on catching a particular species of fish, experiment with different techniques that have been productive for that species in the past. If you’re willing to chase different species of fish, and if you’re willing to try different techniques, this fishing season can be memorable in a good way.

For more insight and tips for fishing throughout the year, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.