Expect the unexpected

 In my opinion, fishing is a lot like gambling. Numerous players out on the casino floor, all using the same money hoping to get at least something. A few might get that really big wins, and some get enough to be happy. But the vast majority often leave empty-handed. We often try to get the upper hand or maybe stick to that one machine that paid out last time. But at the end of the day, it’s all out of our control. You can have the perfect lure, but it will not guarantee a catch. That’s the thing about gambling, it’s all about the luck of the draw.

Some say that there is no such thing as luck. By applying knowledge and skill you will have a better outcome than relying on luck. Some believe you can make your own luck. When going fishing once a year you need to be really lucky, or good, to catch a fish. When fishing once a week, you should have far better luck getting some fish. On one fishing trip, I got annoyed by the angler next to me casting in the exact same spot as me. We both simultaneously caught fish, mine an almost two-pounder and his an eight-pounder. Same baits, same spot, I can’t help but think maybe luck was involved.

When it comes to fishing, you gain the upper hand by understanding the fish’s behavior. Fish will behave differently at certain times of the year, making it easier to target those fish. In the heat of summer, it is easier to catch carp than trout, unless you move to a location where for instance water temperatures are colder. I do therefore plan my trips and the fish I would like to catch accordingly. But even here, lady luck plays a big role in how my trip ends up. Luck cannot be measured and leaves it open to interpretation.

While camping at Stewards Point during fall, I opted to use anchovies to try and catch striped bass during the night. Now as luck would have it, I needed only to catch a fish to be successful. But luck works in strange ways and I ended up catching a few largemouth bass. Not only was I not expecting this, but had not even considered bass to be up shallow while there were baitfish schools out deep. This surprise catch must be seen as lucky, but again it’s all about interpretation. I was lucky to catch fish at least, but even more so, I was lucky to just be out there.