A lesson in positivity, perseverance, and an open mind.
By Derrek Stewart 12/17/15, revised 12/3/24
The setting is late fall at
Cherokee Lake, but this message is inconsequential to the location or time of year.
Look closely at the dark spot just a few yards in front of
Troy Lindner. Do you know what is in the water?
If you guessed a substantial school of baitfish, you'd be
right! These baitfish, a crucial part of the lake's ecosystem, were the key to
our successful angling. However, the solution was only apparent after a period
of patient observation and understanding.
Have you ever experienced a fishing day when bait was
abundant in the lake, but the game fish showed no interest in your artificial
lures?
This is the size of the abundant Threadfin we found
throughout the lake. Striped bass were also plentiful yet highly focused on the
baitfish.
The Situation
Occasionally, a school of bait would break the surface as a striped bass
attacked from below. There were also instances of solitary striped bass
attacking on the surface. A single striped bass often hits the bait on the
surface and immediately swims back down. There were no sustained strikes
involving more than one fish, a problematic situation.
The scattered solitary boils were challenging to
predict. Getting your offering in front of a striped bass before that 'busting'
fish went back down was a heart-pounding, impossible race against time. These
circumstances made catching these fish a frustrating test until Troy could
put things together and found a solution.
The Solution
Speaking out, Troy said, “I’ve got it,” then I watched him tie on a
Rapala Jigging Rap. This bait was initially designed for vertical jigging, a
technique commonly used in winter and ice fishing. However, the Jigging Rap is
quite versatile, especially when used by a skilled bass angler.
Rapala Jigging Rap W9 7/8 oz. 3.75"
Troy was prepared to cast, but he wasn't necessarily trying
to intercept a boiling striper. Instead of reacting quickly and meeting the
striper on the surface, his plan was to follow the fish down immediately after
the top-water explosion.
The Plan Pays Off
An Excellent
Cherokee Lake Striped Bass!
The Jigging Rap, with its unique falling action and flat
horizontal body position, proved to be a game-changer. Its weight and casting
ability allowed Troy to place the lure directly on top of the feeding striper
and quickly descend with the convincing attitude of an injured bait fish.
Did the surface-busting striper take the Jigging Rap, or was
there another striper waiting below to take advantage of the baitfish carnage?
Both scenarios are plausible, but it doesn't matter. A respectable catch was
made, and that's what counts!
Doing Something Different
So, what is the message of this report? It's an excellent
striped bass catch, but more occurred that day. The lesson is that when you
break down what Troy did to catch this fish, it showcases adaptability. He was
confronted with a problematic situation but was able to examine the condition,
tie on a particular tool, and use it in a certain way that turned a problem
into a solution. That is classic outside-the-box thinking!
The next time you find yourself in a similar situation,
remember this lesson: don’t give up. Keep searching for positive outcomes, and
most importantly, maintain an open mind. Sometimes, we can become too attached
to our methods. Never stop expanding your horizons!
Empower yourself with the knowledge that staying positive,
remaining in the game, and having an open mind that allows for outside-the-box
solutions are not just tenets, but the very essence of excellent angling. Using baits in a unique method can often lead to gratifying success,
showcasing the power of adaptability in fishing.
