The phrase 'Match the Hatch' originates from fly fishing. It
is a fascinating concept that plays a significant role in the feeding cycle of
fish. During certain seasons, insect larvae incubating on or near a body of
water will emerge in mass. These occurrences create a specific feeding cycle
for fish that live in these areas. Savvy fly fishing anglers often target trout
and select their presentations by matching fishing flies that appear precisely
like insects on and below the water's surface. Hence the phrase 'Match the
Hatch.'
The lessons from "Matching the Hatch" extend
beyond just fly fishing for trout; they are applicable to all types of fishing.
Bass anglers, for instance, can apply the same principles by choosing lures
that closely resemble specific prey items. Here’s Tony Lain's approach.
A juvenile striper compared with a Reaction Innovations
Vixen topwater walking bait in a Tennessee Shad pattern.
The Advantage
"For a bass angler, this means selecting or customizing
a lure to look as natural as possible when compared to the prey bass are
feeding on," says Lain. This approach can be essential for getting a bite,
especially on high-pressure lakes, where the need for effective lure selection
is most pronounced. When most anglers continually present the same lures
repeatedly, bass become conditioned to this repetition. Matching the Hatch can
go a long way towards successful fishing.
During a practice session at the Lake Mead US Open event,
Lain's fishing buddies pointed out the presence of tilapia in the area. In
response, Lain searched for an image of tilapia online and created a Z-Man
Jackhammer lure with a modified Yamamoto Zako Swimbait trailer. This proved to
be a smart choice, as it helped him catch several bass during the prestigious
tournament.
Attention to Details
"I know tournament anglers that walk the bank before
they start fishing. They scan the water and look at the size and color of the
bluegill. They will flip over rocks to examine how the lake's crawdads
appear." Whether you are competing in a tournament or out fun fishing,
these details create an advantage for lure selections and the associated
techniques. Lain will watch birds that prey on baitfish. These diving and hunting
birds will often resurface with a baitfish hanging from their beaks, providing
a clue for size and color. Keep an eye open for dead or injured baitfish
floating on the surface. When this occurs, you can also observe bait details.
It's a practice that requires patience, but the rewards are worth it.
"This is extremely helpful if you are fishing a new lake."
A vibrating jig dressed with a Yamamoto Zako Swimbait
trailer tailored to imitate a crawfish.
Scent
"Matching the hatch does not stop with color, size, and
shape." The market is teeming with scented products in a wide range of
odors. Smelt, crawfish, shad, you name it, a scent is available to Match the
Hatch. Lain is a firm believer in the importance of scent in fishing.
"When I make my lures smell natural, I get more bites." This
understanding of the crucial role of scent in fishing will surely enhance your
angling prowess.
A Jackall Mikey wake bait (discontinued) with a custom paint
job to match a large shad, bass anglers will spare no effort for a lure with
perfect details.
Stomach Pumps and
Livewells
For avid trout
anglers, a stomach pump is a familiar tool that resembles a turkey baster. This
practical device allows anglers to slide the pump down a fish's throat and into
their stomachs. By squeezing and releasing the baster's bulb end, the pump effectively
collects samples of what the trout are feeding on, providing valuable insights
for the angler.
Bass anglers have their version of a stomach pump; it is a
bass boat livewell. Lain will place caught bass in his Ranger bass boat live
well. When placed in a live well, bass, presumably stressed from the
experience, frequently regurgitate what they have been feeding on. This
regurgitated evidence, a key to their recent diet, will sit at the bottom of
the live well. "I always observe this on practice days before
tournaments," Lain shares, highlighting the practical application of this
knowledge in refining his fishing strategies.
A custom vibrating jig equipped with a Strike King Blade
Minnow is an excellent choice for targeting bass that are feeding on large
shad. Vibrating jigs deliver a powerful thumping vibration as they move through
the water, effectively mimicking the signature of a larger prey item and
enticing aggressive bites. In these situations, this dynamic lure can create a
successful fishing experience.
Results
Lain reminisces about participating in the Wednesday Night
Shoot-Out fishing tournaments on his home lake, Lake Havasu, Arizona. These
tournaments feature a team format and take place from 4 PM until dusk. During
one summer season, everyone was buzzing about the excellent bite on buzz baits
that was happening.
Lain was presenting his white buzz bait during a particular
event. Unfortunately, the bass only swiped at his bait, resulting in zero
hook-ups. Lain spied a largemouth bass chasing baby bluegill from the corner of
his eye. These bluegills, driven by their survival instinct, were swimming for
their life, attempting to get up on the bank trying to escape this big
bass!
By switching to a bluegill patterned buzz bait and adding a
specific color single tail grub trailer, Lain significantly improved his
chances. The bass were lured in, leading Lain and his partner to win two out of
three events. Their dominance was further solidified by winning the big fish
honors three times after adopting this strategy. This clearly demonstrates the
undeniable advantages of employing the Matching the Hatch strategy.
Under Pressure
Angling pressure is a constant challenge, but with the right
strategies, we can overcome it. Whether you're fishing for fun, competing with
a friend, or in a high-stakes tournament, Tony Lain's Match the Hatch tips are
a remarkable strategized tool that can give
you an edge. They're a valuable addition to any angler's approach, helping you
stay well ahead of the curve!
