By George J. Roth

            How many times have you anticipated implementing a particular technique, only to find that the fish didn’t agree with your plan?  This scenario can plague the seasoned angler as well as the novice.  Rather than rummaging through the tackle boxes in a fit of frustration, utilize the P.D.C.A (Plan-Do-Check-Adjust) technique the next time you have difficulty putting a pattern together.

            Plan.  This can be one of the most exciting parts of your fishing outing.  You can relax in the comfort of your home with piles of tackle strewn on the table (or floor), while pouring over contour maps.  The internet may be utilized to accumulate a wealth of information for a given body of water.  While in the planning stage, the angler takes into consideration a plethora of elements in an effort to construct a winning pattern.  Time of year, weather forecasts, water clarity, type of available cover, etc., may all taken into account.  These varying conditions will dictate a range of techniques that should be the most effective.

            Do.  This is where you put the elements of your plan into action.  Most anglers arrive on a body of water with a given technique that they intend to implement.  It may be a jerk-bait in the early spring, a drop-shot in the heat of the summer, or a top-water in the fall.  Unfortunately, the fish don’t always read the book, nor do they agree with what they “should” be doing.  This can be a source of great frustration once your well thought out plan fails to produce the results you had expected.  Your plans deserve a fair trial under varying conditions, but if the fish aren’t cooperating, it is time to regroup.

            Check.  At this point, reconsider the techniques you have been utilizing to see what changes can be made to make them more effective.  You could be right on the money and hauling in the fish, one after another.  Most likely, the conditions may dictate that you scrap, or at least adjust your previous plans.  The wind may begin to blow, shutting down the top-water bite.  The fish may be swatting your crank-bait or jerk-bait, but they are not eating it.  The sonar may indicate that the fish are holding on structure in 20’ rather than roaming the bank as you’d hoped.  The water clarity may be more stained or it may be clearer than you expected.  There may be a number of boats sitting on your “secret” spot.  You get the idea.  I believe that you will be able to add your own examples to this list from personal experience.

            Adjust.  This is the time when you process your present techniques and how they relate to the current conditions.  If the wind is blowing, switch from a top-water to a crank-bait or spinner-bait.  These will be better visualized when the surface is choppy.  If the fish are striking but missing your bait, try changing colors.  Fishing stained water may dictate a bait containing chartreuse while clearer water may dictate the use of a natural colored bait.  If the fish are deep instead of shallow, switch to a jig, spoon, drop-shot or Carolina rig.  When your secret spot takes on an appearance of an “on the water chat room”, look for fish in other areas with less pressure. 

            Once you have taken into account the current conditions, you can Plan a new strategy and Do it.  After a period of time, you can check your new Plan, to see if it was more productive.  If not, it will be time to Adjust your plans, once again. 

            As you can see, this becomes a cycle of doing and adjusting.  By fine tuning your pattern in a methodical manner, you are more likely to hit on one that the fish will be more receptive to.  The next time you plan to be on the water, just remember P.D.C.A., and see if your fishing experience isn’t more productive.

“Graphic by Stacy Young”  - http://www.bubbanbinki.com/saygraphics.html

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Note:  The P.D.C.A. concept came from attending a TEAM Leadership Development Seminar.  The thought occurred to me that it would not only apply to leadership principles, but with fishing and most any other pursuit in life.

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