Entry 69-2
Debra Hengst
Handling Different Fishing Situations
Editor's Note: Debra Hengst of San Antonio, Texas, a member of Strike King’s Pro Staff, guides part-time at Amistad, Falcon and Choke Canyon lakes in south Texas.
Question: What do you do when a cloud cover rolls in to where you’re fishing for bass?
Hengst: Cloud cover is ideal for anglers, but not for fish. When the clouds come in, the fish scatter. You have to be able to present the lure to the fish in a way that they want it. I usually move to shallow water when clouds cover the sky where I’m fishing.
Question: What do you do when a heavy rain starts?
Hengst: I think heavy rain is perfect for a top-water bait like a Strike King buzzbait. Again, I tend to go shallower when the rain comes in, because heavy rain and clouds generally occur together.
Question: What do you do when a cold front moves into where you’re fishing?
Hengst: Cold fronts can be tricky. If the cold front is just beginning to move in, and the fish are in a feeding frenzy, I’ll switch to a fast-moving bait, like a Strike King Diamond Shad, a lipless crankbait or a spinner bait.
Question: What do you do when you have a lot of spectator pressure?
Hengst:Fishing is all about focus, no matter how much spectator pressure you have. When lots of people are around, I’ll try not to look around because that will make me lose my focus on the fish.
