With all the marine electronics on the market today, it’s easy to forget to use some of the most effective tools you were born with. Over the years I have successfully targeted and caught significantly more bass using my eyes and ears than my fish finder. Although the fish finders on the market today are most definitely a great advantage, your basic senses are the most effective.

Understanding signs out on the water that will help you can often be the key to success. Whether you are fishing deep or shallow water, often similar signs can help you locate fish. Keep yourself alert at all times and scanning the water around you with both your eyes and ears. Some of the things that you want to be looking and listening for might be…

1) Minnows jumping out of the water-often when a predator is feeding on a school, the minnows will literally try jumping for the sky to get away.

2) Rings on the water – often rings on the water, small or large are created by bass feeding from the top of the water. Some times smaller rings equal big bass, so don’t think bigger rings equals bigger fish. Larger fish often become stealth predators.

3) Bubbles – often when bass are turning the bottom to find food, bubbles will rise as they release air pockets in the substrate.

4) Wakes – You will often see wakes darting around from fish. This could be for a number of reasons, and one of the likely reasons are that you just spooked the fish. Pay attention where the wake led too and cast beyond that point. If the fish doesn’t go, it’s time for you to leave and let him calm down. Give him some time and come back later to trick him into eating.

5) Lilly Pads – When bass move around in lilly pads or long grass, they can be bull dozers. If you see something move, it’s a good chance it’s due to a fish. Get your bait in there.

6) Kisses – Keep your ear out for what I could only describe to be kisses. Almost that same sound you would hear when a grandmother gave you that big kiss on the cheek as a kid. 99% of the time, the right lure casted in that direction is going to bring you a fish.

7) Small splashes along a bank are another sound that you need to listen for. It may not be fish, rather frogs jumping into the water. If there are a lot of frogs in a certain area jumping into the water, you can bet there are going to be some buckets there waiting for them.

By keeping yourself this aware of what’s going on around you, you will increase your catch more than you could imagine. Make sure that you invest in a great pair of polarized glasses. Spending the money in this area is worth it more than you could imagine.

By mixing all of these things together with a little confidence, you will be sure to hook up on more fish. If you haven’t had the chance to read my post The Vibration of Confidence, I strongly suggest you do so. Putting all these things together can lead you to one of the most successful days you have ever had on the water.

Yours In Boating