A lot of us on RH, Texoma, name your lake, tend to go to the same spots most know on a regular basis. Why, because they produce. But, where are the other fish in the lake while most of us are at " Bob's hump"? Are they all right there at the spot we are catching? Good question isn't it? They aren't...

I've been meaning to write this up for quite some time and always seem to forget about it.

MANY years ago my grandfather picked me up one morning well before daylight and told me to leave my fishing pole and tackle at home; he said we were going to fish school that day... I was a bit irked since grandpa always took me fishing, not for a boat ride like the rest of the grand kids wanted... But, what Grandpa said, went!

What we did was get into his old boat and go exploring. We put in at a totally different ramp than usual on Grapevine Lake and started towards an area where the "old timers" said were "fished out". I voiced my opinion, got a look from grandpa, and shut up....

When we got close to the area he wanted to explore, he turned on his old flasher and brought out his "sounding line". He knew the depth from the flasher, and I know now, that the sounding line was to look for submerged brush and structure...

We spent almost all day "schooling" in that area. He told me about creek channels, bird roosts in trees, and a lot of other drivel, but I never knew what he found since he didn't say, but the following weekend, he and I loaded the boat with fish! (I know now, but was lost with that info at the time)

Sadly, I can't remember what all we caught... I was about 7 or 8 at that time but I know we were fishing with minnows that we seined the night before and put into a big bucket with an air pump in it.

Until I became a regular on RH, I'd forgotten the lesson he taught me that day. All the fish aren't in one spot. Find the ones that aren't being molested on a regular basis.

Now days, it isn't uncommon to see me and my toon slow cruising over spots less traveled by fishermen... You never know what 21st century electronics can show you 1/4 mile away from the "boat show".... An old flasher and a hank of rope with a weight tied on it showed my grandpa where to fish years ago, and it produced for many weeks to come. Just imagine what you can do when you break away from the pack and explore with DI, SI, sonar, etc...

As a pontoon fisherman, I try and keep a good distance from the shows since one good gust of wind can "sail" me into the fray... No need to worry now! I went to "fish school" almost 40 years ago...

Now, am I a pro, nope! Do I have fun and catch fish where others only ski and cruise, yep!

Now all I need is a jet ski repellant.... But that's a totally different story (felony?)

This is what we're doing on our trip tomorrow...leaving the poles in the locker and cruising

Da truf, so sayeth Charlie.

No problem! I pot lick your spots regularly!

I like to try to fish as many different lakes as I can. It's easy to get what I call: tunnel vission, if you fish the same lake all of the time. Traveling to different lakes can put you in "fish school" really quick if you like it or not.

Very good information. On my home lake (Buchanan) I am always looking for new fish. I did this the morning of the 4th and found some nice fish that nobody had been fishing.

Great read, great share!

Nice read.