The difference between a good angler and a great angler can be as simple as his or her ability to put together a pattern based on the given conditions.  An angler must pay attention to the surrounding areas, water temperature and clarity, depth, and the fish's access to food.  When you land a fish, take a minute to carefully assess the area.  Once you have finished fishing a productive spot, try and find a couple of similar locations.  If these areas are productive also, you are set for a great day of fishing.  However, if the other spots do not pan out as well as the first, it can be effective to fish a completely different type of area.  Just keep fishing a diverse region of spots until you find a producing location and try to duplicate the hot spot as mentioned above.

In tournament fishing, a pattern can be the difference between placing in the money or falling just short.  An angler can put five quick keepers in the boat if they can sustain a pattern.  Getting on a hot pattern can be seasonal or be effective during only one part of the day.  It is up to the angler to determine when to fish what areas.  Much of this knowledge can be gained by time on the water.  Any pattern can be present on any given day, which is why paying attention to on the water experiences is so crucial to pattern success.

Brian Dolne