What Makes You Different?

Unless your idea of a good time is cutting a hole in the ice, most of us regretfully take a few months off from fishing. In this issue, we’ll kick off the summer season with our fishing spectacular. Nothing could be more enjoyable than the thought of wetting a line once again.

On a typical weekend, eight PWCs, six pontoons, and three bass boats will all cruise through my fishing spots—guaranteed! To top it off, all six anglers in the three bass boats will be throwin’ the same bait that I am.

Is it just me, or does it feel like we’re now dealing with a population of highly educated fish? I can’t speak for everyone, but it’s becoming a full-time job just to fool these creatures into taking a chance on my lure.

You can blame global warming, increased pressure, or the popularity of catch and release if you want. The fact is, to enjoy a measure of success on a busy weekend, you’ll have to change things up this year.

One thing I’m going to try more of in 2026 is fishing with new lures. They say—and by “they” I mean the salesmen behind the fishing counter who want to make the sale—that fish often react positively to lures they have never seen before. Works for me. I’m always willing to try out something new. It’s part of our competitiveness as we secretly hope to discover something that will jump-start a successful weekend.

But at the same time, sometimes it’s also nice to revive the old classics. Grandpa’s baits still work, and besides, I seriously doubt the fish have seen his lures in a long time, so the first tip still applies.

Another option is to alter your angle of attack. Most anglers cast deep to shallow. When was the last time you tried the opposite approach? There are plenty of other anglers out there working just as hard as you. It’s not a bad thing to be different if it means getting the trophy to the boat.

What about tweaking your speed? Sometimes, faster retrieval is better than slower. I’ve often found that quicker isn’t just better, but much better.

And if all else fails, just change the colors. I remember fishing with my friend a few summers ago. We were both using identical lures, but mine was a different color. I continued to have success, while he wasn’t even getting a nibble. After ignoring his bitter stares, I finally and reluctantly offered him the same color I selfishly had in my tackle box. Hey, if you say you don’t keep score when fishing with friends, you’re either a liar or a bad fisherman. We can be happy for each other without helping, right?

For those considering giving fishing a try, June is a great month. Most states offer free fishing days where a license isn’t required. It’s part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which is typically the first full week of June. In recent years, this week has been used to raise awareness about sustainable fishing and keeping our recreational water spots clean.

Hopefully this issue, designed to get you excited for the angling season, has you as ready for the upcoming year as I am.

Brady L. Kay,
Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor