ORGANIZE A GAME PLAN

We can remember our early years when fishing seemed simpler, our tackle fit in one small box. Fishing has become more technical in the past few years with more new lures, improved presentations and innovative techniques.
With all of this new stuff and an overwhelming amount of fishing information, we find the fishing shows each year help us learn new techniques and tools to help put together a game plan. Over the years we have gotten smarter and become more versatile in our fishing for many species from these experiences.
We realized there is a need to learn new techniques, and more important is to use and practice these new techniques and you will soon find yourself getting comfortable and gaining confidence which can relate to catching more fish. Fishing is like anything else with practice you get better.
With these new techniques or presentations comes the need for the proper gear to make these more productive. There is a lot to be said about matching your equipment with your type of fishing.
The 2008 Fishing & Outdoor Shows are underway giving us all an opportunity to see new tackle and hear the latest fish catching techniques during the many seminars at these shows. One of the best local shows the end of this month is the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo in Bloomington on January 25-27. With six of the best local anglers sharing knowledge on fishing for all or any species of fish along with outdoor host Babe Winkelman. You will find a lot of tackle and new gear, various fishing guides, several resort owners and more. Oh yeah, we will have a booth with Frogg Toggs (at special prices), our 2008 Fishing Calendars and we will raffle FishGillz floating sunglasses, so come out and see us.
There are a lot of things to consider when putting a game plan together and here are some tips to help you organize a game plan for unfamiliar water:
1- Obtain as much information you can about a new lake to gain a better understanding of how fish react during certain times of the year, and during certain weaker conditions.
2- If you know some new lakes you may visit this year, outdoor shows are a great source of info by talking to pros or resort owners.
3- A good topo map is a great tool for finding structure, if this lake is shallow or deep and just learning the many features on this new body of water.
One of our best resources is our fishing log that is tremendously valuable in developing a pattern for our fishing and to put together a game plan. This will help so you can have a couple rods rigged ahead and ready on each trip.
It is always best to have a game plan as to what fish you will target on a given outing. The season will give you ideas of the pattern fish will be in and where they are located and lures or baits needed along with best presentation to start out using. Conditions can and will change so be prepared to also change. Knowing what the fish are doing will help you to be in the right spots and know what may catch fish. Refer to our 2008 Fishing Calendar to know when fish will be most active each day, and be sure to use those coupons.
As we see it, the 2008 fishing season has started for us and our last tip would be to get organized. This is a great time to organize your tackle and gear. You will not only make it easier on yourself to fish but you will have a better idea of items you will need for this Fishing season. Proper planning and having a game plan is why anglers are more successful and this year you will be one of them.
Next month we will be at the Tinley Park Fishing & Outdoor Show on Feb. 9-10th, mark your calendar and watch for more on this show next month.
This year we will have a 2008 Fishing photo contest with winners receiving a pair FishGillz floating sunglasses each month during the fishing season. Check out our website for details soon as each month may be something new.
We hope to have the New contour map of Evergreen Lake available at the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo and on our website along with our New 2008 Fishing Calendar full of money saving coupons & more. Check our site for your copy, new product reviews, more fishing material and a full listing of 2008 Fishing & Sport Shows at www.larrysfishinghole.com.

Till Next Time, GOD BLESS & GOOD FISHING !
and HAPPY NEW YEAR..