3 Mistakes Anglers Make Fishing Pressured Lakes!

[@littlerich2644]

Matt Thanks for bringing up the old school term “dead stick”. Toughest thing to do. Doesn’t make a spectacular video but it works. A Texas-rigged creature bait marinating like an olive in a martini is something nobody can resist Be well my friend

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed!

[@natehoodoo6246]

Just fished the wolf river chain for the WI BASS 2 day championship as a co. I linked with another guy so he could fish as a boater. I am sharing this video with the boater I was linked with on day 2. Every place we went into had like 7 other boats from the tournament. I tried my best to till an older gentleman that fishing behind this many people doesn't work and waste of time. But we did it anyways and 6 hours later. We had no fish. So he did what I offered, because as a co we don't control the boat, And starting landing fish. Told him that fishing memory can be good and bad at times. I caught 5 to his 1 fish, all small fish / just at the 13 1/2in mark. We did weight 2 keepers but figured it out with just 30min left in the tournament. He asked why I was catching more fish- as a co? Because I threw something different than everyone else! Thank you Matt for the great tips! Clearly has improved my fishing!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for the support over the years! I would add that lure builders have an advantage over others since you recognize the nuances of when and where baits will work best. HooDoo Lures are high quality so not surprising you were out fishing the pro.

[@jonathang5139]

I def use retrieve techniques. My favorite lure is a Heddon torpedo, typically first lure im throwing, i can pop it, walk it, fast retrieve it and really make it hit all the triggering actions to see what the bass are doing. Since i fish from bank mostly i work left to right a few times, if no luck then i know i atleast got attention and im throwing my weightless worm, texas, wacky/neko etc behind it. Worked well all summer fishing ft braggs managed lakes

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺I enjoyed your BTL interview today. You were well spoken, professional, and honest. Great job.👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garyroberts7752]

I know a lot of the local stuff gets pounded I like the big square bills and flipping the brush deadsticking works. Good advice Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on

[@catchofthedave8681]

This is dead on. As usual your advice is on point Matt.....love your vids man, I probably learn more from your vids than I do from all other anglers' channels combined. I just fished a tourney at Dale Hollow, dec. 3rd. Everyone was fishing either grass for largies, or chunk rock and points for smallies. The guy that won the tournament caught all his fish on "boring" banks he said. Banks that were like blank dirt or clay that looked like they shouldn't be holding anything at all. He said it was slow, tedious fishing with a finesse jig. Like you couldn't hop it, or swim it at all, you had to keep it in the mud and just drag it excrutiatingly slow. He said it was literally the exact opposite of what you would think you should do on that body of water and it was all largemouth that he caught on a world famous smallmouth lake.

[@MattStefanFishing]

not surprising! thanks for sharing!

[@mgdwj]

I have my first local tournament this weekend, and I might try these approaches this weekend.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@johnrayner5599]

These are some really good ideas for pressured lakes, I never thought of going bigger, I always thought small… this may help on our heavily fished lakes!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try!

[@shawn_r_schultzfishing4883]

Tons of good info here. I have had good luck throwing bigger top water baits than you would think would work on my lake, so it would make sense. I will have to try the small baits and see how those do by comparison. Thanks again Matt🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@adamestepp6527]

Matt with new opens setup will.u try fish them all and make the elites ? Thanks . Good luck in whatever u choose .

[@MattStefanFishing]

not sure yet

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺That’s what I do, so for me, I found this video and information provided with in to be solid, truthful, and spot on advice…. Nicely done Matt.👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Excellent!

[@richardporter1455]

I do like looking for the subtle points, humps, drops and anything that has been passed by most of the summer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

they can be gold!

[@northeastpac-man5692]

Matt, May I also add a 4th one,, is to throw a completely odd or different color., throw a firetiger when everyone is throwing a shad pattern etc,,

[@MattStefanFishing]

good tip

[@stevekeen7035]

I know you want to help people catch more fish, but most people downsize when it gets tough. I usually go very big. Ive kept that to myself for years...your killin me Smalls. Great video Matt...but dang man, your giving away all the juice that sometimes gives me a tournament advantage. I reckon keep em coming😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

just trying to help others catch some fish!

[@mikecollett8513]

Watched a gentleman from the Texas fisheries discuss a radio tracking study for Sam Rayburn and another lake that escapes me. He said on average more fish were pinged on flats than any other bottom structure. Readers digest recap but it was very interesting and falls in line with one of your suggestions. At a BASS seminar back 25 or 30 years, Zell Rowland advised working a Pop-R so quick it was unreal, 3or4 twitches per second (he gave a demo and it was crazy fast). Also burning a buzz bait, just bend out the cup on the blade until it doesn't roll at speed. Interesting and unorthodox stuff.

[@juleswinnfield826]

Todd Driscoll is the guy from Texas fisheries/wildlife. Ken Smith has 6 vids on his you tube channel talking with Todd.... good stuff, worth watching if you haven't already.

[@MattStefanFishing]

it was an interesting study

[@mikecollett8513]

@@juleswinnfield826 Thanks Jules, very cool series of videos from Smith, and I commented to him.

[@mikeeller557]

Thanks Matt, you make it sound easy, we know better.

[@MattStefanFishing]

always easier said then done

[@crowe1974]

I just order the ChatterBait minis and I used ur tackle Warehouse I always use your tackle Warehouse link thanks for the content thanks for the tips thanks for taking the time out of your day to help us

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome! thanks for the support!

[@fishindoc6025]

Can't tell you how many times fishing stuff others aren't has been key for me

[@MattStefanFishing]

agreed!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Thanks for the tips, Matt. There are too many darn people out there

[@MattStefanFishing]

its getting crowded

[@erichoffman2014]

these are great pressured water tips! Also, if I may, go when it's crap weather, get there at 0400, get there at 2100. Do stuff others aren't willing to, or able to. Those fish know when to sleep...

[@MattStefanFishing]

good advice!

[@terrytresemer2864]

I haven't much else to add, from my play book. Sometimes an old lure they haven't seen in 10+yrs will work.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good point!

[@jamesbarron1202]

I think the electronic technology is causing tougher fishing more than fishing pressure. When you combine both its a double whammy.

[@MattStefanFishing]

cant argue with that

[@davelerner8461]

Good stuff Matt, thank you for the tips and will use!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Any time!

[@Triple87]

I was fishing pressured water when this went live. Didn’t have time to watch until now. Probably should have watched it. 🤣

[@MattStefanFishing]

never to late to watch

[@commoncents235]

Always solid information!! Thanks Matt for everything 🐟🐟🐟

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@mbeieler]

man cant wait to get out and try these tips!! 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺I just got my new I-phone 14 max pro and I’m having a little trouble finding/learning all the new features. Hopefully I’ll learn it quickly so I can follow this channel effectively.

[@MattStefanFishing]

you can do it! haha

[@davehuggins5777]

Great topic and tips! Love this channel!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks so much for the support!

[@stevesteve4350]

Good BTL show today thanks.😎✌️

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video and tips!!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks! you Too!

[@chundle09]

I know for a fact these tips work. Especially going bigger. I threw a big glide bait through these balls of tiny bait and ended up catching my new PB on that body of water on one of the most difficult days of fishing I’ve ever had.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@williamknight5142]

I'll give those a try. Watched BTL sad to see one of the top level circuit's gutted.

[@MattStefanFishing]

really is

[@clintperry799]

Good advice ! 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelloucks4448]

Hey Mr Stefan matt I have some of your guppy jigheads can you do a video on what kind of different baits you use with your guppy jigheads or if you did let me know witch video it is. Thanks for all the good tips you give us. God bless you and your family your pal fisherman Mike.

[@MattStefanFishing]

good video suggestion!

[@Jeeg_Quebec_CAN]

Great video again!! 🎣🔥

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks again!

[@bamadondon0495]

You know what would be awesome is if you made a really good in-depth 2d sonar video.. I've been trying really hard to get better with my 2D split screened with my down image! But just the 2D alone I think a lot of guys have gotten away from it, it would be really cool if you can make a good video on that!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good idea!

[@Bankfishindude]

Great stuff as usual man, thanks! I can’t wait to play chicken this weekend lol!

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha!

[@skyocean639]

great 👌 Intel🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks ✌

[@Glock-1]

Are those sunglasses your wearing considered a large frame cause I like those and I have a big head so I need a large frame?

[@MattStefanFishing]

im not sure off hand.

[@dalbert4991]

I like it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@0017Bulldog]

Great vid Matt. These are definitely helpful hints. Hey, last evening on my home lake here in PA I noticed tons of bait fish swarming on the surface. This went on for hours. I tried to catch something that I figured was chasing them to no avail. Is this topic vid worthy? What are the right tactics when this is happening?

[@MattStefanFishing]

shad rise to the surface in the evening as the plankton they eat rise to the surface to capture the little bit of sunlight left. Its a great time to work topwaters, but just because baitfish are high doesnt mean bass are as well.

[@kenneth9874]

Bass don't eat constantly, you can be fishing around bait for hours doing much of nothing and then catch a half dozen in a short period in the same place when they decide to feed

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanks Matt. So zig when they zag, got it. Just kidding. I like using techniques they are not. Today's fishing pressure and electronics leave few stones unturned. I try to get the ones they can't get to bite . A different way of doing what you are. Believe it or not few throw swim jigs, so all year I have had one tied on(thanks again for all the swim jig videos). Few throw Ned's or nekos, so I am learning every thing I can about them. I bat clean up. Matt have you ever tried a small jig for a drop shot sinker(I don't even know if it is legal in tournaments) ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

its not legal in my tournaments and some states but using a bait as your drop shot weight does work.

[@reality2748]

I'd rather catch 1 big bass a day than 30 small ones. But my 'day' is

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing with us!

[@FindingAdventure]

I have no experience fishing south and am curious because you used to fish where I fish now. how does the pressure lakes by me (lake Geneva, fox chain, delavan) compare to the large reservoirs in the south yall tour around?

[@MattStefanFishing]

similar pressure

[@jeremyduncan9165]

Burn burn burn pause!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@LowBrowFishing]

My goal when it comes to fishing pressured waters is to cheat - I'm building my own private lake. That might be the hardest route, but I think in the long run it's the best option.

[@MattStefanFishing]

one of my dreams!

[@LowBrowFishing]

@@MattStefanFishing When I get it finished, you're welcome to fish it any time you want to!

[@frankhunt5018]

#1 Rule, don't go to the back of coves, Randy Blaukat has already fished those spots out, lol.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha!

[@drock5404]

They're all pressured. Even the private waters.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@tonyduran4764]

Pay Matt comment

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks1

[@wolverinex4243]

Pressure? There's no pressure. Only suck outs. I up the ante by dropshotting three baits on one line. Triple up is common. I need to get on da Tube. The fishing world needs me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@kenneth9874]

We're all waiting with bated breath

[@tphvictims5101]

Bass know when it’s larger or smaller than every other bait ? I’ve seen fish in general taken on all kinds of GARBAGE and I mean garbage. So you should try this that and the other thing. Speed up your slow down and slow down your speed up but never double talk.

[@53iBro]

Not sure what this means!

[@kenneth9874]

PRESSURED FISH are a little different, I've seen a bass jump out the water to grab a plastic worm hanging over the water but I wouldn't make a habit of fishing that way

[@kevinbeaudean704]

When you catch bass like that you are living right.

[@MattStefanFishing]

it sup to the angler to recognize what presentation works best. at times anything will work, but thats not normally the case.

[@kenneth9874]

@@53iBro neither does he