Some structural advice on finding and catching fish

There is a common thread of late from readers who appear to want a quick fix for becoming a better angler than they are now.

Several e-mails from fishermen ask the age-old question: Why do some fishermen catch more than others?

I'll distill all the technical jargon and explain my theory in everyday language.

Those who catch the fish are using their heads, and not their anchor.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I lived in Minnesota. One could find me on Lake Minnetonka just west of the Twin Cities at least three times a week. I was always looking for bass and crappies. But the problem was that I wasn't very successful with this task.

Over a period of time I watched another fisherman move from spot to spot, hauling in quite a number of fish. After observing his actions over a two-week period, I finally motored over to him and starting asking questions.

Nils Anderson, 75, was a retired railroad worker and he spent much of his time involved in woodworking projects and fishing. He was a kind chap who took a liking to me.

"Son, you have to keep moving to find the schools of fish, large and small in numbers," he instructed. "If you drop an anchor and stay in any spot for more than five minutes you may be wasting your time."

It's funny how I knew those facts but chose to ignore them simply because I was stubborn - stuck in a way of fishing and anchoring I had been doing since I was a little sprout, when I learned most of what I knew about fishing from my father.

I've always publically said that I never claimed to be an expert, but rather a fortunate angler who had hung around with some real brilliant fishermen who used their heads instead of their mouth when teaching others the tricks of the trade.

The word "structure" was a term coined by the late Buck Perry. He invented the famous Spoonplug, which back in the 60's revolutionized trolling for thousands of eager fishermen.

Others, like the Lindner brothers, Spence Petros, and Babe Winkelman, discovered that structure was not just a drop-off, but also a change in the makeup of the bottom . In other words, for example, walleyes have been known to migrate from large areas of mud flats to sand and gravel spots. Weed edges and inside pockets often hold fish at any given time. These fellow travelers discovered fish seem to relate to changes in water temperatures as well. All those elements spelled structure.

Nils Anderson didn't mince any words when he then pointed to a couple dozen boats sitting anchored in the middle of one of Minnetonka's bays.

"Most of those folks are just plain dumb and lazy," he declared. "Many of them have those fancy, new green boxes they call fish finders and never learned how to use them."

I have fished with Spence Petros numerous times, and on each eye-opening adventure I've managed to learn something that served as a reminder as to how to apply common sense in finding fish.

I constantly see fishermen anchored on the Fox Chain waiting for fish to come to them. That may be alright for those wanting to get a sun tan or just relax a bit. They will probably come off the lake complaining that the fish weren't hitting, or they may have been completely fed up with the Chain, claiming there are no fish to be had.

The annual Petros 2010 fishing classes are over. Both of his weekly sessions were filled because every year the word goes out that Spencer lays it on the line and force-feeds his students the right ways to go about "attacking" a lake.

Keep moving and try different lures and live bait presentations.

And keep the anchor in the boat unless you're going to eat a sandwich.

Outdoor notesI couldn't believe it when I receive a call from a friend in northern Wisconsin: "Mike, all the ice is gone and people are going nuts already going after crappie and bluegills in the Hayward area."And yes, it's a tad early but for the folks to the north, but it's been a long winter. Speaking of the Hayward area ... if you're in the mood for some real fun and action, consider the 2010 Hayward Crappie Contest, starting at midnight May 1 and continuing until 2 p.m. that same day. The contest is sponsored by the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and open to anglers of all ages and skill levels. You can register at Holiday Station stores locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin through April 30. Each $10 entrant will be eligible at a chance at $11,000 in prize money. For more information, call (715) 634-4440.Fishing report: Has the switch from summer-like warmth to that old familiar chill put the brakes on Chicago smelt fishing? It will probably take a solid two or three days for things to heat up again, thereby bringing the fish close to shore.In the meantime:Fox Chain: Some fishermen have switched tactics and are looking to submerged tree stumps and lay-downs in the various channels on the south Chain in order to find crappies. The channels are very shallow. There is some walleye action on the Spring Lake Channel, as well as just inside Pistakee Lake.Fox River: Give it a couple days to clear because of the heavy rainfall.Forest Preserves: Make sure you have an Illinois trout stamp if you plan to go after rainbows in the various Cook, Lake, and DuPage and McHenry County lakes where trout have been planted.