Pattern fishing.....what's that?

[Ramses scribe]

Lately there seems to more than the normal amount of questions from guys new to musky fishing asking for advice on rods, reels, baits etc. While they're getting some good responses, we all know that the right equipment and basic techniques is just one small part in successful fishing, which started me wondering if there isn't something more we can give the new guys to help them shorten the learning curve. For example, take the concept of "finding the pattern". Many magazine articles, fishing books and videos will talk about finding what they want - "finding the pattern for that day", but I personally have never seen anyone lay out a step-by-step blueprint on how to do that.

If you are an adherent of the pattern fishing theory, and were asked to explain the procedure you follow, could you do it?

[Serendipity]

If they’re not biting shallow try deep
If they don’t bite a bucktail try a jerkbait
If they don’t bite bright lures try natural
If they don’t bite a slow retrieve try fast
If they’re not in the weeds try the rocks
If they’re not on the rocks try the wood
If they’re not in the bays try the big water
If they’re not in the current try the flats


If you catch a fish, one guy keeps on doing that, the other keeps on repeating the above.

That’s my simple breakdown. I’m not sure I have ever recognized a pattern though. I fish my same good spots when there are good fishing conditions. When the fish are moving it doesn’t matter what you throw. I just wish I had more flexibility to get out when it’s good.

Trying to find a pattern is an excuse to focus on when fishing all day and they’re not biting. lol

Then there are seasonal patterns…