So there is a pond I fish. There is big fish in it I’ve caught 3-4 pounders in it. But you really gotta work for it. And it’s definitely not a numbers pond. You can catch a few 1 pounders in an outing but it takes a while. But this pond is loaded with crappie and blue gill. You can see them as you walk the bank everywhere. So besides normal fishing pressure does anyone else believe the whole why hit a lure when the real deal is plentiful? 

I hold the opinion that yes it's harder to catch fish if there's an abundance of forage.

 

You have to get a reaction strike vs a I'm hungry strike. If that makes any sense. 

It's part of the fun of fishing.

Tricking the fish into taking something artificial whether it's natural forage or not.

Healthy lakes should have an abundance of forage and an abundance of fish 

Yeah I mean I wouldn't want to fish for bass somewhere that they struggle to get enough food.  Wouldn't really be any big bass there.

 

I think time of day and presentation and where you put your bait and all that stuff matter the most because I'd argue you're almost always fishing for a reaction bite with artificial lures.

 

We are not mimicking forage with lures as much as the bait monkey wants us to think we are!

In that situation I try to throw something that is the opposite of what the natural forage is.  Sometimes it’s better to be different.  

Great responses guys!! Thank you. And I agree every catch there has been a reaction strike of some kind. 

That is currently playing out on a large central MN lake right now.  Mille Lacs has plenty of walleyes (some of which can be harvested) but no one can get them to bite with any consistency.  Not even tournament anglers.

 

There is an abundance of forage in the lake right, plus a bunch of bug hatches.  You can see them on the graphs but they won't eat.

 

My plan would be what has already been stated: go for a reaction strike.  A faster, more aggressive presentation might get a few to take a snap at it.

5 hours ago, TOXIC said:

In that situation I try to throw something that is the opposite of what the natural forage is.  Sometimes it’s better to be different.  

Exactly! why be one of a million when you can be one of one?

You're only going to catch big, healthy fish in a place with an abundance of forage... which is exactly what allows the fish to get big and healthy. It seems counterproductive, but I much prefer fishing in bodies of water with healthy forage populations, because I know the bass will be healthy and active. It's quite possible that your struggles with this pond are more due to the size of the pond (lure-educated bass) than the amount of forage. That would be my assumption, knowing very little of the situation.

 

My advice in forage rich environments is similar to what the others have said, be different. Fish something that looks like the natural forage, but fish it slower or faster, more erratically so it looks injured, deeper or shallower, etc. You gotta stick out from the crowd somehow. 

Excellent advice! That’s honestly what try to do. That pond does see a ton of pressure. Lots of bobber fisherman on that one in particular. But it’s got great fish 

56 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

Fish something that looks like the natural forage, but fish it slower or faster, more erratically so it looks injured, deeper or shallower, etc. You gotta stick out from the crowd somehow. 

 

^^^this keeps getting reinforced as truth the more I fish^^^

 

I'd maybe add slight profile tweaks, bigger/smaller.

 

 

scott

 

 

I will say catches in general are better for me mimicking actual forage for sure. 

Greetings All,

Opportunity appears to be the key theme. Over all the years of being outdoors and simply observing behaviors, of people and critters, many decisions are driven by opportunity. Something that presents a low effort with merit opportunity is usually selected. 

Many of us have pets where you've observed a tantalizing toy or bit of food when presented as an easy opportunity, it gets pounced on. I believe there is a parallel with angling too. If you present something of interest within comfortable striking range it is an opportunity for forage. There are factors involved, such as stress, which will adjust what is considered 'comfortable'. 

 

I have found if you make it easy enough you'll get a response. If you make it too challenging, you'll only get a response under better conditions. This parallels the overwhelming sage advice that is prominently shared by successful anglers, simply "slow down" for more success. Sure you can enjoy the occasional smash and dash thrill of very dynamic baits. However, if your objective is to catch fish then provide the best "opportunity" for success. 

Just $0.02 put in for consideration. Be well, Cheers!