Entry 74-3
Fishing With Chad Brauer
Fishing The Unexpected
Editor's Note: Chad Brauer of Osage Beach, Missouri, son of fishing pro Denny Brauer, has grown up in a fishing family and has fished professionally for almost a decade. Brauer has made a name for himself on the professional bass-fishing circuit, finishing in the top-10 in many tournaments, and has competed in the Bassmaster Classic. This week he discusses with us how he reels in success in situations where most fishermen want to bring in their reels.
Question: How do you fish after a cold front hits?
Brauer: When a cold front rolls in, bass become like men during football season. The bass will get closer to structures and become more lethargic and non-aggressive. So, if you’re fishing a spinner bait around docks when the cold front hits, you have to switch to a bait you can put in the water right in front of them.
Usually, I’ll change to a flipping tube or a jig. I’ll employ a pitching or a flipping technique to get the bait close to the fish. Since the bass's strike zone will shrink, you have to get something into the cover, and your presentation has to be precise.
Question: Will you switch to a smaller bait after a cold front hits?
Brauer: Not always. Typically, I’ll start out with a bigger bait and worker it slower and more precisely. If that doesn't produce enough strikes, then I’ll downsize after that.
Question: What do you do if spectators congest your fishing area?
Brauer: Spectators on the water are an integral part of the sport that you love to see. But, when you’re in a tournament, they make it tougher to catch fish. However, you never want to discourage them to be out there. Without people wanting to see you fish, you’re out of luck and a job.
Luckily, there are ways to successfully fish with spectators around. If I have spectators following me, I'll usually fish a little slower and approach the area slower. That way, the people behind me aren't making a lot of noise. I may move between cover slower and be more precise with what I’m doing to limit the possible spectator movement and further disturbance of the fish.
Contents:
- Part 1: Cloud Cover Fishing
- Part 2: Fishing the Unexpected
- Part 3: Muddy-Water Fishing
- Part 4: When a Lure Stops Producing
- Part 5: Fishing Un-Ideal Conditions
