by Bob Jensen

People go fishing for different reasons. Some folks want to catch a few fish for the table.

Others like to be outside with friends, family, or by themselves. Fishing provides an opportunity to do that.

Most people though, if they're going fishing, really want to catch a fish. I'm one of those people. Sure I like to be outside, sometimes by myself but usually with someone else. Catching fish for a meal isn't a priority, but sometimes it's a nice thing. Mostly though, I really want to catch a fish, the more fish the better. If we can get some big ones, that makes it even more fun. And you know what? In the past few years, on many bodies of water across the Midwest, it's become more common to catch lots of fish, and big fish are also becoming more abundant on some bodies of water. Here's why I think that is.

This past year has dealt all of some unpleasant economics. Gas prices were very high for much of the summer, and some folks had and still have concerns about job security. Many of us had to watch our expenditures even closer this year. Some folks decided not to buy new vehicles or move into different homes.

A few folks decided that with gas being so expensive, fishing was too expensive. They decided that their expensive trip to Canada or some other far-off destination would be cancelled and they just wouldn't go fishing this year. That's too bad. Fishing doesn't need to be expensive and certainly shouldn't be cut out of our lives.

With four dollar a gallon gas, many of had to adjust. I know I did. However, I went fishing just as much this year, and I caught just as many fish, probably more, than I have in previous years. Here's how.

by Bob Jensen

Ice-fishing season is still a little way off for most Midwest ice-anglers, but it's not too early to start thinking about the upcoming ice season. You want to think about your ice gear before you need it, not when you need it. When the ice gets safe for foot travel, you want to be out there fishing, not at home fixing and organizing your gear.

First of all, if you have a shelter, make sure it's ready to go. Some folks have portable units, others prefer a more permanent shelter. I'm not very familiar with the permanent houses, as most of my fishing is done from a portable. Friends who have the permanent houses tell me it's important to make sure the gas for heat and the stove is in good working condition. They also say that it's a good idea to check the windows. Wind coming through a broken wind offsets the benefits of having a heated house.

For many anglers, the 2008 open water fishing season is quickly winding down. Many folks who like to go fishing also like to hunt, and right now is about the only time they can go hunting. There are also a lot of other activities that can conflict with fishing this time of year. While the opportunity to catch lots of fish and big fish is great right now, unfortunately there aren't a lot of anglers on the water in most Midwest locations. Now is when I like to reflect on the fishing season that has just passed. It is amazing how much we can learn from every fishing season no matter how much fishing experience we have.

Color is an important consideration when you're trying to select a lure. There are times when color is more critical than other times, but most successful anglers will agree that color is an important factor for catching fish.
I've worked with a lot of anglers of various skill levels through the years. There seems to be an evolution of how those anglers select baits, and it's kind of an interesting.
It seems like when an angler is just getting interested in fishing, color is their primary concern. When they visit the tackle-shop and are looking for new lures, the first question often is "What color is best?"