What seperates the fishermen from the boys? The ability to fish deep water

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Some time ago I did an article supporting the long-held notion of many that 10 percent of all anglers catch 90 percent of the fish, and that when it comes to true trophy-sized fish, the percentages widen even further.

Among the different examples of what separates the 10 percent from the 90 percent was the fundamental ability to successfully fish deeper water and not just plumb shorelines, however skillful a fisherman may be along the banks.

I always remember one of the basic philosophical tenets expressed by the legendary spoonplugger Buck Perry.

"Whenever you're positioning your boat to fish the shoreline, remember that 90 percent of the fish, including almost all of the truly big ones, are behind you." Perry siad.

This was years before underwater films from a variety of largely skeptical sources proved Dr. Buck correct beyond a doubt.

Further attention to the deep water revelations and subsequent studies showed this phenomenon included not just the largemouth bass that preoccupied Perry. Catfish, smallmouth bass, musky, pike, walleye and most panfish species also prefer deep water.

Still, attend any local or statewide bass tourney and almost all the anglers will spend almost all their fishing time cruising up and down various shorelines. What's more, they will often visit the same ones repeatedly.

What top anglers know is that some bass are tucked into available shoreline cover all the time. The jigging methods they have worked so hard to perfect are indeed the top method to hoist aboard these bank-bound and almost always smallish fish.

It seems that few want to take the chances necessary to raise their game up a notch or three, content to avoid the embarrassment of being shutout pursuing a methodology they are not familiar with, no matter what the potential upside.

These anglers had better get used to their standing as ongoing tournament fee contributors seldom to be bothered by those nagging post-tournament, time-consuming ceremonies reserved for those regularly "in the money."

Except for a very infrequent spasm of borderline success, this 90 percent who relegate themselves to their shoreline comfort zones are guaranteed to forever limit any ascendancy to the next level.

Those at the top of fishing's spire of success can be witnessed on the weekend TV shows winning tournaments almost always filmed amidst their runs for further winnings. These guys often fish well away from the shorelines that locals of moderate success and others of dubious achievement cling to like angling security blankets.

Those who have approached the pinnacles of success signified by full-time angling status long ago learned this lesson. The levels of success necessary to compete at the premier levels include going beyond avoiding shutouts.

To win, anglers must shoot for the big limits and bigger fish regularly available to them only by learning and studying breaklines, migration routes, roadbeds and varying bottom "structure." This is not to be confused with shoreline "cover," as is done by so many.

They've learned to take a chance to take their fishing game to another level, and have used days alone on the water to experiment and study deeper water on a regular basis.

The "shallow-water only" mentality also afflicts much of the panfishing community, especially early on in the open water year.

How many times have you heard a supposed panfisherman in the early spring lament that his favorite species "Aren't in yet." Just what is that supposed to mean?

Weren't they "in" and biting during ice-over? Did he suppose that fish cease eating during their transition to shoreline spawning locales so as not to confuse anglers until they are safely ensconced near shores where Helen Keller could limit out?

The fact is most bream (bluegill, sunfish, pumpkinseed and redears) live their entire lives within a baseball infield-sized area from where they originally spawned.

Prior to and after their spawn they can most often be found and caught in the deeper waters, just a few feet deeper from where too many anglers wait to cherry pick them rather than get over their phobia concerning deeper water and have a much better shot at the true bulls and slabs that regularly prefer slightly deeper water to begin with.

Think about it next time you consider sticking to the shoreline.

Editor's note: Readers can reach Jack Kiser through his Web site at www.buckeyeangler.com.

E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113