It’s not ideal, braving the crowds and fishing on holiday weekends. Many that have the luxury, choose not to be on the water when larger crowds are present. Those of us that will try and wet a line, anywhere, anytime need to keep a few things in mind when venturing out on a holiday.
First, plan to fish early, late in the day, or at night. Fish sense the increased traffic that comes with busy weekends so getting out while things are quiet will work to your advantage. I’ve had some pretty good nights fishing on a busy Lake Of The Ozarks at night when the pleasure boaters are off the water. Second, set realistic expectations. Your success rate will likely be lower so perhaps spend more time teaching your kids, fish for easier species to catch like bluegills, and take in nature and the beauty around you. Finally, pick an area of the lake with limited access away from the busy main-lake portion. With this spring’s cooler weather water temps were lower than normal on Memorial Day weekend and as a result, more fish were shallow and accessible. Pick an area in a river or creek further from the busier boat ramps and away from most of the crowd. The bass in this blog’s featured image was caught on a buzz bait over Memorial Day weekend. Good luck and don’t let a holiday keep you off the water. There’s success to be had “Bassin’ on a Budget”.