Match The Hatch 2024

Nitrofreak reply :

It's interesting to see this term come up more and more.

Where did it originate from?

I think it may have came from trout fishing or it was created from or for fly fishing the first time I remember hearing about it.

What does it mean?

To me it means so many different things, but it seems it all depends on who your talking to about it.

When is it most commonly used?

I think about it 100% of the time when I am on the water, is it simply matching the right bait to the right structure or cover or water color? but am I right or wrong? without knowing for sure what this "match the hatch" phrase is relating to.

I have heard so many different versions of what this means, and I was wondering if some of you could shed some light on this subject for us.

roadwarrior reply :

The simple answer is matching an artificial fly to whatever specific

bug the trout are feeding on: exact color, profile and size. If you

apply this concept to bass fishing and the bass are chasing shad,

you choose a minnow bait that matches the shad.

J Francho reply :

In streams, there are predominant hatches of single species of bugs. Stream trout can get very picky about what they will eat, and if your fly doesn't match the hatch, you aren't getting bit. Applied to bass fishing (an analogy I absolutely despise) it means match the forage. Some lakes it's going to be gobies. Others it might be perch or shad. Some places are crawfish lakes. Do your research, see if matching the forage helps you catch more.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/18/2012 at 11:51 PM, J Francho said:

In streams, there are predominant hatches of single species of bugs. Stream trout can get very picky about what they will eat, and if your fly doesn't match the hatch, you aren't getting bit. Applied to bass fishing (an analogy I absolutely despise) it means match the forage. Some lakes it's going to be gobies. Others it might be perch or shad. Some places are crawfish lakes. Do your research, see if matching the forage helps you catch more.

I do ok with my home work it seems, but I find that this term has crossed over to bass fishing more and more when all along I thought it originated from either fly or trout fishing and I wondered if it ment doing all of the same things or if it even applies to bass fishing.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/18/2012 at 11:41 PM, roadwarrior said:

The simple answer is matching an artificial fly to whatever specific

bug the trout are feeding on: exact color, profile and size. If you

apply this concept to bass fishing and the bass are chasing shad,

you choose a minnow bait that matches the shad.

Thanx RW !!!

Crestliner2008 reply :

I agree with J Franco, matching the hatch has little effect in your fishing success. Sometimes though, especially when fishing during or right after a cold front, bass can become downright arnery when it comes to selecting what to eat. Fortunately for us, bass can be "made" to strike. Unlike their trout cousins which have more of a tendency to "feed".

"Matching the hatch" has become a very lucritive term for quite a few lure manufacturers though. Brainwash fishermen into believing that they "must" select a lure with just the right scale/color pattern (photo-finishes for instance) and fishermen will buy it. However, it's my belief that bass will eat based on opportunity, not color pattern. I could be wrong

gobig reply :

I believe there are times when it matters and there are times when it does not. I think the profile and size of a bait far out weigh color in most cases.

slonezp reply :

J Franco and Crestliner,

Most baits mimic forage. The angler chooses a bait that is similar to the forage species of the water he is fishing. For instance, In California, trout swimbaits are popular because the larger bass feed on stocker trout. In the Great Lakes goby, crawfish, and smelt/alewife baits are successful. Some of the powerplant lakes in IL I fish are loaded with shad and shad cranks are very effective. My home lake crawfish and bluegill patterns tend to work better. Other patterns will work in every body of water, but why deviate from the norm unless the norm isn't working? There are a few "universal colors" that can work most anywhere. In reality those colors are still mimicking forage.

Quote
Brainwash fishermen into believing that they "must" select a lure with just the right scale/color pattern (photo-finishes for instance) and fishermen will buy it.

This I agree with, but when you add the right wiggle to the lure, this it what separates it from the real thing and may cause the bass to strike.

J Francho reply :

I don't know why what I said was interpreted that I don't believe in matching the forage. I said I despise the "match the hatch" analogy for bass fishing. It's match the forage, hatches are for trout. On some days, you can probably get bit on a gummy worm. Active and aggreesive bass can be triggered to bite. On other days, you better have a bait with a certain color, or it's gonna be a tough day. For truly trophy fish, realism is a must. Get more things right than wrong, and you get success.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/19/2012 at 1:00 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

it's my belief that bass will eat based on opportunity, not color pattern. I could be wrong

I don't think your wrong here and I would have to agree with you... somewhat, I have been suprised by schools of shad just showing up from out of nowhere, and one particular instance I had a red craw lipless on and gave it a toss and let it fall through the bait ball and it got nailed.

But if they don't eat based on color patterns then we should have no need for color in our baits... correct or not?

slonezp reply :

On 1/19/2012 at 1:37 AM, J Francho said:

I don't know why what I said was interpreted that I don't believe in matching the forage. I said I despise the "match the hatch" analogy for bass fishing. It's match the forage, hatches are for trout. On some days, you can probably get bit on a gummy worm. Active and aggreesive bass can be triggered to bite. On other days, you better have a bait with a certain color, or it's gonna be a tough day. For truly trophy fish, realism is a must. Get more things right than wrong, and you get success.

Misunderstood the post.

J Francho reply :

No sweat

NBR reply :

Having at one time been an avid stream trout fisherman I believe that stream trout at times will be highly selective and will refuse flies not cloesly representing the natural feed they are taking. Look at an imitation trout fly. Starting at the rear the tail is obvious as are the body and the wings. But now the hackle which supposed to represent the legs. Most of the May flies trout feed on have 6 or 8 letgs. I can't remember which but that glob of hackle sure doesn't look like 6 or 8 legs. Fishing some highly pressured streams in Michigan some came up with a no hackle dry fly. Tough to keep floating and be upright but very effective at times. Another approach was the paradun with a sparse hackle tied on parrallel to the hook shank.

With no science to back it up my opinion is that trout in ponds or lakes are not as selective as their streams brethern. In a stream there is little or no significantly deep water for escape. I believe bass and especially smallies would develop the same cautions and selectivity in a trout stream type of environment. Maybe not as shy since a smallie tends to be more agressive and pugnacious than trout

lmoore reply :

I believe it originated with Ike on his City Limits show

It likely did originate with trout, like J Francho explained. Bass areusually more opportunistic feeders. Lot's of times, even in clear water, you could probably get a few to bite on a bright chartreuse brush hawg if you tried. It doesn't necessarily match the specific forage they're eating, but there's probably a few bass around who won't be able to pass up an easy meal. Still, IMO, you increase your potential for catches immensely if you match your bait to the forage at that time and location. I italicized location because that's also important. It doesn't do any good to throw a crayfish-type bait in the brush if most of the bass are feeding on schools of shad in the flats. It's important to match both factors to compltely maximize your day on the water. I could keep going but it feels like I'm starting to ramble

IneedAnewScreenName-972354 reply :

There are times when a certain forage item is so abundant that Bass will key in on that item specifically and will often (but not totally) ignore other forage items that it would normally eat. It can be frustrating some times but when you find what they want you can really put them in the boat while others struggle.

Sam reply :

hatch² (hch)

v. hatched, hatch·ing, hatch·es

v.intr.

To emerge from or break out of an egg.

v.tr.

1. To produce (young) from an egg.

2. To cause (an egg or eggs) to produce young.

3. To devise or originate, especially in secret: hatch an assassination plot.

1. The act or an instance of hatching.

2. The young hatched at one time; a brood.

[Middle English hacchen, from Old English *hæccan.]

What JF says is correct. You want your flies to profile what ever bugs and flies are hatching on the water you are fishing.

In bass fishing, the guys who say "match the forage" are correct as bass eat other fish and crawfish which we call forage.

No matter which term you use, the intent is to have your bait minic what the fish are eating at the time you are fishing.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/19/2012 at 6:43 AM, lmoore said:

I believe it originated with Ike on his City Limits show

It likely did originate with trout, like J Francho explained. Bass areusually more opportunistic feeders. Lot's of times, even in clear water, you could probably get a few to bite on a bright chartreuse brush hawg if you tried. It doesn't necessarily match the specific forage they're eating, but there's probably a few bass around who won't be able to pass up an easy meal. Still, IMO, you increase your potential for catches immensely if you match your bait to the forage at that time and location. I italicized location because that's also important. It doesn't do any good to throw a crayfish-type bait in the brush if most of the bass are feeding on schools of shad in the flats. It's important to match both factors to compltely maximize your day on the water. I could keep going but it feels like I'm starting to ramble

Nice job !!!!

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/19/2012 at 8:44 AM, Sam said:
You want your flies to profile what ever bugs and flies are hatching on the water

All of the answers here are great and this is why I love this site, you all have great knowlage of what we love to do and you help us grow as human beings and as fishermen, I for one can not thank all of you enough for sharing your time and knowlage with us.

J Francho reply :

I think I want to talk about this:

"Bass are opportunists."

Yeah, I get that, all animals are opportunistic. I don't think they are opportunistic feeders, though. They definitely have modes where they are inactive, neutral, or active (and varying states along that range). I've watched bass react negatively to prey that I've also seen them chase aggressively. That isn't opportunistic behavior to me. Just the opposite. I think they have a definite preference in food, and it is our job to try and match it. On some days, that might not matter, but on most days, I think it matters more. I think we also assume a great deal about what we think our bait is doing. A jig is a crayfish, a crank is a minnow, a toad is a frog, etc. The presentation can play a big part in what you are trying to sell a less than aggressive bass.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/19/2012 at 10:32 PM, J Francho said:

I think I want to talk about this:

"Bass are opportunists."

Yeah, I get that, all animals are opportunistic. I don't think they are opportunistic feeders, though. They definitely have modes where they are inactive, neutral, or active (and varying states along that range). I've watched bass react negatively to prey that I've also seen them chase aggressively. That isn't opportunistic behavior to me. Just the opposite. I think they have a definite preference in food, and it is our job to try and match it. On some days, that might not matter, but on most days, I think it matters more. I think we also assume a great deal about what we think our bait is doing. A jig is a crayfish, a crank is a minnow, a toad is a frog, etc. The presentation can play a big part in what you are trying to sell a less than aggressive bass.

I don't know for sure but as far as being opportunistic, I would have to disagree, I have caught fish on different baits before as I am sure you may have as well, for example, I lost a fish throwing a worm and turned right around and tossed a jig and caught the same fish, now granted their primary food source where I fish is shad, so on some days you are correct it does not seem to matter, but if a bass can not find a primary food source, such as shad, then does that fish after a period of time become tuned in on other food sources as well? does that not make it opportunistic?

If an opportunity presents it self as a possible food source I think a bass will take it, weather they are cruising around under a bait ball or cruising a flat they will take whatever opportunity they have to ensure their survival.

J Francho reply :

No, it just says they are in an active to aggressive mode.

lmoore reply :

Aggression and the active state of specific bass and certain bass certaintly plays a part, especially in areas that recieve lots of fishing pressure. I think the biggest thing that makes me think of bass as more opportunistic than trout is the variety of forage associated with bass. This probably applies more to Largemouth than smallies. In any given lake/river at any given time, there is usually 2-3 different "patterns" you can play to while fishing. There usually will be a predominant pattern which correlates closely with the time of year and the activity of the various forage species in the body of water, but there are usually small groups of bass who are feeding on a different forage species.

Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that in order to be a successful fisherman (of any kind), you need to learn to match your bait to the specific forage. However, I think bass offer the inexperienced angler more room for error due to the (assumed by me) higher variability of forage species.

J Francho reply :

Trout are extremely opportunistic, it's forced on them due to their dynamic lotic environment. They are nomadic creatures in constant search of food in a high calorie environment. Trout eat what is there, when it is there. That's why hatches are so important to understand when you fish for trout. When there is a hatch on, that's all they are keyed on - show them something that represents a copy of the millions of others, and if you can present it right in front of them, you'll get bit.

By contrast, bass are homebodies. They sit on structure, and wait, until the bait comes to them, when they are hungry. The very opposite of opportunistic.

lmoore reply :

Very good point. The reasoning behind me saying bass are more opportunistic is that, in my mind, they are less likely to become zoned in one one type of forage than a trout. I certaintly agree that trout are much more active in the search of food and are more constantly in a "feeding" mode.

The only thing I really disagree with there is that bass eat only when hungry. That may certaintly be true with some bass in some areas, but in general, a bass will eat if there is an easy meal nearby. I used to keep a few small bass in an aquarium and they would literally have minnow tails sticking out of their mouths while still trying to eat others. Side note, I should mention they were, of course, of legal size

J Francho reply :

I would hesitate to make any assumption about the feeding behavior of pet bass in an aquarium relating to fish in the wild. Fish in the wild are limited by food and water quality. They have unlimited resources in the aquarium, and quickly learn to use the tank structure itself to their advantage. Quite simply, the gorge because they can. I am not saying that a bass won't seize an opportunity to eat, if an easy meal is presented. What I am saying is that isn't the norm. Opportunities for unlimited feeding occur seldom in the wild, and we can see that as well, typically pre spawn and late fall. The rest of the time, they wait in ambush to feed. Why else would they be so predictable to the avid angler?

lmoore reply :

Another very good point.

Along the lines of what you were saying there, Bass are significantly less opportunistic during warm summer months and cold winter months. Partially due to the fact that there isn't a large supply of food congregated in small areas, like you find in the spring and fall season as you mentioned, but also because (IMO), they become more reserved at points of peak activity. The optimal temperature for bass activity, if I recall it correctly, is right near 70 degrees farenheit. It's probably not a coincidence that the times of year where bass appear to be most opportunistic happen to be times of the year where water temperatures approach that numer.

EDIT: Re-reading your post, I essentially just elaborated on the food and water quality idea. Looks like I just happen to be a lot windier today. LOL

J Francho reply :

For largemouth it's higher. What I've read for smallmouth is they often occur at deeper cooler temps simply by being edged out by more dominant predators. Given the choice, they will choose much warmer water.

Bass are cold blooded. They need to eat more when it's warmer. Simple as that.

lmoore reply :

Interesting about Smallies. That makes sense, I'd never heard that before.

Googled the temp, first article I read quoted a study that said the optimal temp for largemouth was right around 80, which makes more sense. Bass do need to eat more when it's warmer, 110% correct, but activity level starts to decrease at higher temperatures. I assume it probably has to do with the declining Oxygen levels as temperature rises.

EDIT: I thinkacticity level moght be the wrong phrase there. Bass are certaintly very active at warmer temps, they just don't seem to move as far to find food, like they sometimes will in the spring or fall.

J Francho reply :

You are right on track with O2. Water holds less O2 as temp increases. So, you'll see short bursts of activity, followed by rest. Otherwise too much lactic acid builds up in the tissue, and can poison them.

lmoore reply :

I would've never even thought to correlate lactic acid build up from exercise to the same type of thing in bass. Kind of common knowledge in the gym, but ertaintly applies to more than just weight lifting. Things like this are the reason I absolutely love BassResource.com. Sometimes, even if I observe a behavior in bass, I can't really fully explain the reason. January is the time to expand my thinking and try and get a better understanding of the behavior that will be affecting my income (hopefully in a positive way ), come April.

J Francho reply :

Fish like pike can actually die, if not allowed to shed the lactic acid after a prolonged fight on rod and reel. Many other species as well. Not so much bass, because stack the odds in our favor to make the battle short and sweet.

lmoore reply :

I actually read a study about the survival rate of large Pike after a fight. This was a couple years ago so I don't remember the exact details, but they caught the pike using rod and reel and then tagged them and tracked them. The mortality rate was right around 50% and most of those that died simply went to the nearest deep water and sat on the bottom until they passed away. I'm sure lactic acid poisioning was the cause of the ones that did that.

Nitrofreak reply :

That's a pretty interesting point you guys made about the warmer water temps and how the bass react during that period.

If I can find the waters that contain the right amount of oxygen I can find fish, thermoclines, what part of them plays a roll in the right amount of 02 levels? upper level? don't think that would be it, middle layer maybe? I have seen and caught bass in that range before, under a thermocline? that to me makes the most sence, not sure though as to why, is it because the water is cooler under the thermocline and carries more o2?

lmoore reply :

Thermoclines are kind of a whole new beast. During the warm summer months, thermoclines involve a layer of warm water on top an a layer of colder water below. It would make sense that the colder water would have more oxygen, and I think they do when the thermocline initially forms. However, as the thermocline stays and the colder water down below never has access to new oxygen supplies, the oxygen levels drop because oxygen "leaks" through the thermocline into the warmer water above. Because of this, the water with the most oxygen ends up being right above the thermocline, the coolest water of the upper warm layer.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but that's my understanding of thermoclines in relation to oxygen levels.

J Francho reply :

That's basically it. I've never caught a bass below the thermocline.

Back to another point; I was rereading the In-Fisherman Largemouth book last night, and it parroted my description of how largemouth feed. Except they called it opportunistic, LOL. <facepalm> So, I guess whatever you want to label it as is fine, so long as you understand the biology.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/20/2012 at 10:15 PM, J Francho said:

That's basically it. I've never caught a bass below the thermocline.

Back to another point; I was rereading the In-Fisherman Largemouth book last night, and it parroted my description of how largemouth feed. Except they called it opportunistic, LOL. <facepalm> So, I guess whatever you want to label it as is fine, so long as you understand the biology.

lol, I guess there is some truth to that, I enjoyed your discussion about the topic though.

J Francho reply :

It reinforced something I've always felt: most of the time, bass are either neutral or negative. They are rarely truly active. Makes sense, considering their environment and lifestyle.

lmoore reply :

LOL. I think it comes down to how you describe opportunistic. I think our general idea on the variation between trout opportunisticism (it's not a word, but it should be), and that of bass is pretty acurate.

I tend to think of bass as predominately neutral. You sometimes see short periods of high activity, and sometimes see periods where they won't do a d**n thing, but for the most part, they're like a fat guy laying on the couch. Pretty content not to do anything, unless a large piece of cake drifts in front of their face.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/20/2012 at 10:47 PM, J Francho said:

It reinforced something I've always felt: most of the time, bass are either neutral or negative. They are rarely truly active. Makes sense, considering their environment and lifestyle.

When do you feel they are truly active? like when in spring and they are actively feeding for the upcomming spawn?

J Francho reply :

Well, they have to become active once a day, right? I mean, I assume they eat at least once a day. Here's the thing, and it's a reason why bass fishing is so cool. SOMEBODY always figures out how to catch them. Even on the worst days. You just have to look at any local tournament results to see it. So that gives me confidence that at it's worst through trial and error, I can luck into a few bites. And once I have a few bites, I might have enough info to get the rest I need.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 1/20/2012 at 10:53 PM, lmoore said:

I tend to think of bass as predominately neutral. You sometimes see short periods of high activity, and sometimes see periods where they won't do a d**n thing, but for the most part, they're like a fat guy laying on the couch. Pretty content not to do anything, unless a large piece of cake drifts in front of their face.

LMAO !! that is a great analogy, but it's during those times i enjoy fishing the most...I forget to put the right kind of iceing on the cake from time to time.

bigbassctchr101 reply :

On 1/20/2012 at 11:02 AM, J Francho said:

Fish like pike can actually die, if not allowed to shed the lactic acid after a prolonged fight on rod and reel. Many other species as well. Not so much bass, because stack the odds in our favor to make the battle short and sweet.

Rockfish do this as well. I'd really like to know if a bass COULD though. I can't really see it happening to a largemouth, but i've had hold of some pretty mean smallmouth that may push the limits.

As far as matching the hatch... We have a bunch of willows in our lake that the mayflies and other insects will lay eggs and (nest??) in. The bass would lay around them and munch on the flies. So we would take a long pole and bump and shake them trees so all the bugs fell in the water and throw a pop r or something in and just wait lol I know thats not matching the hatch. More like mimicking. But, at least thats closer to the trouth terminology cuz of the insects instead of fish or crustaceans

Nitrofreak reply :

Quote

Well, they have to become active once a day, right? I mean, I assume they eat at least once a day. Here&amp;#39;s the thing, and it&amp;#39;s a reason why bass fishing is so cool. SOMEBODY always figures out how to catch them. Even on the worst days. You just have to look at any local tournament results to see it. So that gives me confidence that at it&amp;#39;s worst through trial and error, I can luck into a few bites. And once I have a few bites, I might have enough info to get the rest I need.

LOL, I hear ya, and I agree, I finally placed in a tourny not long ago after 2 years of effort, and the fact of the matter is I thought I went from zero to hero but after weigh in I was back to zero or well third anyway...lol, I guess in short it is most likely one of the most frustrating things at times when they develop lock jaw but when you do get it right...man it's like the gates of heaven have opened and the light is shinning down on you...(enter voices singing) AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!...lol, well maybe not that joyus but you get the picture.

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