Matching the Hatch

Matching the hatch is a term usually reserved by fly fishermen when they're talking about using artificial flies. The idea is to present a fly that looks real and accurately represents the currently hatching insect on the stream. The idea of matching the hatch can be expanded into other live bait, as well, and involves offering fish the bait they're used to eating. When a stream is full of leeches, hook one on and let it go in water where a bass or a panfish may be lurking. Small minnows under a bobber account for more crappies than we know. Shallow, weedy ponds produce both frogs and largemouth bass, and one of the quickest ways to catch a big bass in these waters is to offer it a leopard or small bullfrog. Use bait that is natural to the water you're fishing. Give fish what they're used to eating and they'll eat with abandon. That means more fish on the line.