The Fishful Thinker Podcast

The Fishful Thinker Podcast

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Thirty minutes of angling education, back story and details to motivate and educate you about catching fish!

Chad LaChance


    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 164 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Fishful Thinker Podcast

    Get your lures on a diet...

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 25:55


    Spring means shallow fishing and shallow fihsing can often be maximized by using lighter lures. Host Chad LaChance believes in getting the lead out and shares his thoughts on this episode. Hope you'll like, share and subscribe while you're here!

    Fishing the Holiday

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 21:37


    Memorial day is a great tiem to be outside near water, but can frustrate anglers. Chad LaChance lives overlooking a lake and public campground and shares his thoughts on dealing with the crowds and still catching a few fish. 

    Fishing is Going to the Birds...

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 29:11


    Birds can be a angler's best friend...if you are observant and know when they're relevant to the bite and when they're not. Host Chad LaChance believes the powers of observation, especially as it pertains to fishing birds, are an easy way to improve yoiur success and shares details in this podcast. 

    Being guided...best practices

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 34:10


    Taking a guided fishing trip is a great way to advance your skills and enjoy time on the water...if you book with the right guide. Doing that is part of what Chad LaChance discusses in this podcast, as well as how to get the most out of the day once you're there.  

    When conditions go against The Book

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 28:32


    Fish and fishermen love stable conditions, but what do anglers do when the weather is not cooperative...how does an angler adjust? Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on the topic, learned from 20 years of guiding and filming. 

    Sight Fishing Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 36:01


    If catching fish is fun and catching fish you can see ahead of time is even more fun! Whether it's trout in a river, cruisers feeding in shallow water or even fish guarding an area, casting to fish you can see takes skill and nerves. Host Chad LaChance loves to sight fish and shares his thoughts. 

    Tackle Buying Intelligence...

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 37:34


    Fishing tackle ain't cheap and the buying options are limitless; Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on choosing tackle to maximize your value and efficiency on the water.

    Fishing's One-Two Punch

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 27:36


    Power and finesse are two very different approaches to fishing! Chad LaChance believes that combining the two concepts on any given day is a great way to maximize catching, regardless fo what you're fishing for.

    Old school lures that still catch 'em

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 28:36


    Anglers typically gravitate to the newest lures, but many old school lures have plenty of merit in modern angling. Chad LaChance shares some classic lures he feels still deserve a spot in your tacklebox.

    Windy Day Lure Choices

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 27:37


    Heavy wind (not a breeze...real wind!) is a common problem anglers face, especially in spring and fall. Host Chad LaChance is no stranger ot fishing in the wind; his home lake sits in a valley known for its high winds. He shares his thoughts on what to throw when the windy really blows! 

    Walleyes of Spring

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 26:37


    For walleye anglers, early spring is a magic time to target them. Chad LaChance focusses his walleye fishing efforts around the late March- April timeframe and shares his thoughts. Please share and subscribe while you're here!

    In Praise of Small Boats

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 29:50


    Chad LaChance believes that small, hand-launchable boats may just be the way to have the most fun fishing. It's a huge trend in fishing these days, and he shares his small boat set-up experiences. Hope you'll subscribe while you're here!

    Reading the River

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 29:16


    Before you can catch fish you must locate fish and Chad LaChance believes in a systematic approach. He breaks down his approach to trout rivers in this episode. Please like, share and subscribe while you're here!

    Timing Your Fishing Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 26:49


    Did you know that the timing of your fishing trips will most likely have more affect on your success than all your fancy flies or lures will? Host Chad LaChance has built a career by planning his fishing trips around key times, and he shares the details here.   

    Fishing's Spring Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 24:59


    Like any sport, a little pre-season training and prep goes a long way towards a successful fishing season. Chad LaChance says it may be more important for serious anglers, but most casual fishermen could benefit from the time-honored sporting ritual as well. Please like, share and subscribe while you're here! #sportsmanswarehouse #berkleyfishing #abugarcia #fishingtips #fishingpodcast

    Tube details...

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 28:04


    The ol' plastic tube was originally designed for bass, but Chad LaChance feels the versatile plastic shape goes well beyond what the designers may have imagined. Please subscribe while you're here...it's a labor of love!

    Spinning Winter Tailwaters...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 25:39


    Tailwater fisheries are just about the only open water option for a bunch of anglers this time of year adn while most folks target them with fly tackle, Chad LaChance will most often utilize spinning tackle on these low, clear and cold fisheries. He shares his thoughts in this episode. Please like, share and subscribe if you enjoy these podcast!

    The art of lure color selection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 33:58


    Host Chad LaChance has developed a systematic approach to chooing colors based on generalities. It helps to reduce lure choices and builds confidence; he shares his thoughts in this episode. 

    Life's short...buy the boat!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 27:53


    Chad LaChance has had dozens of boats over his fishing career, ranging from full blown tournament fiberglass bass boats to 14 foot "tin" tiller boats. He shares his thoughts on key buying details, with the timing being perfect since winter is boat show season!  

    Five Tips For Better Angling

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 22:00


    Chad LaChance believes that if more anglers focussed on these five things, they'd catch more fish. It's a simple path to more catching! 

    Fishful Thinker TV...how we plan a season.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 29:28


    Chad LaChance, the host and producer of Fishful Thinker TV now in it's 17th year on cable TV, gives an inside look into how they plan and build a 13 show season of fishing trips.  

    Season Lessons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 30:49


    Chad LaChance looks back at the lessons learned watching and editing 13 new Fishful Thinker TV episodes filmed over the last season. He discusses what went right, what went wrong and what he took away from the season. 

    Finish 'Em with the Finisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 25:58


    It takes a whole fishing season for host Chad LaChance to gain confidence and trust in a new lure, and the new Berkley Finisher passed that long-term test with ease. LaChance shares his thoughts on tackle and presentation details for this super versatile lure. 

    Fishy Gift Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 21:53


    'Tis the season and it's Black Friday...here's a few ideas for the outdoors folks on your list! 

    Treble Troubles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 30:59


    Treble hooks...love 'em or hate, they're very common on conventional fishing lures. They require maintenance and in some cases are not even legal. Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on all things treble hooks, including replacing them with single hooks. 

    Fishing Frugally...

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 37:38


    Fishing ain't cheap, but there are ways to save a few bucks in your angling. Host Chad LaChance is frugal by nature; here's how he manages some of expense of angling. 

    Fall Prep for Spring

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 24:19


    It may be mid fall and you're still fishing, but now is the time to start evaluating and inventorying your tackle, thus allowing plenty of time to take advantage of year-end deals and winter's free time. Host Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on the first steps towards next spring's fishing. #sportmanswarehouse #berkleyfishing #abugarcia

    Upsized Trouting...

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 23:38


    Conventional tackle trout anglers have a strong tendency towards small lures, but host Chad LaChance believes they'd be well served to upsize their lure offerings, at least during the spring and fall seasons. 

    Fall Fishing Concepts

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 25:38


    Hyperphasia, or the fall feeding binge, is upon us and that is happy information for anglers. Host Chad LaChance loves fishing this time of year and shares his general thoughts on fall fishing for multi-species. Thanks for tuning in; please like,m share and subscribe if this podcast is of interest! 

    Catching Consistency

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 28:57


    Over nearly two decades of traveling around filming FTTV host Chad LaChance has focussed on one key thing...consistency. He shares his thoughts on keys that have helped him, and could help you, catch fish every time you hit the water.

    Lessons from a tough roadtrip...

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 29:39


    Somedays the fishing just doesn't go like you want it to...but how you deal with it defines your day. Host Chad LaChance just returned from a tough trip and shares his thoughts on keeping the wheels from falling off!

    Fly Motion...

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 30:19


    The dead-drifted fly, be it nymph or dry fly, may be classic and part of the sport's history, but host Chad LaChance believes moving flies can catch fish in scenarios that dead-drifts fail. From streamers to wets and even to dry flies, LaChance likes to make his flies move...and often they move really quickly! 

    Combatting the finicky early fall bite...

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 26:38


    Early fall can be a tough time to fish due to a range of variables. Host Chad LaChance has filmed fishing shows and guided clients during this time of year for two decades and shares his thoughts on details to combat the finicky early fall season. Please share and subscribe...it's a labor of love!

    Fall rainbows and browns

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 28:00


    Host Chad LaChance loves to pursue trout, both rainbows and browns, in September through November. He fishes each species differently and shars those details and others in this episode. Please share and subscribe while your here!

    Reservoirs vs Natural Lakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 25:18


    The difference in fishing reservoirs versus natural lakes is far more than simply the presence of a dam. Host Chad LaChance breaks down differences from water levels to weed growth to species mixes, nad talks about how it affects angling.

    Road Trippin'...

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 30:43


    Preparing for a long range roadtrip to fish somewhere fun can take some planning. After 20 years of running around the country chasing fish, host Chad LaChance has planned and packed for literally hundreds of fishing roadtrips and shares his thoughts on getting your tackle pared down to manageable amounts and transporting it safely.

    Cook More Fish...

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 38:38


    Host Chad LaChance loves to cook fish and game almost as much as he loves to fish and hunt. He shares his thoughts on some slightly different ways to cook the fish you harvest, from bluegills to trout. 

    Lessons from the River

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 27:28


    A quick trip to a local canyon reminded host Chad LaChance of the some of the key details for being successful on even low-key fishing trips. He shares his thoughts on this podcast; if you enjoy or learn from it, please subscribe while you're here!

    Chasing the open water bite...

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 30:52


    Late summer heading into fall means many sportfish chasing baitfish in wide open water, most often on main lake areas. Locating this baitfish/sportfish feeding frenzy is part of the battle, and getting good presentation is the other part; host Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on both. If you enjoy or learn from this podcast, please subscribe wherever you listen from!

    The Venerable Spoon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 29:37


    Spoons may old school and simple looking, but there is a reason they are so popular with so many anglers...they catch fish! Host Chad LaChance believes spoons are under-rated and shares his thoughts on their use for everything from redfish to walleyes to lake trout to salmon. Please subscribe while you're here!

    Going Vertical

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 28:56


    Did you know that anglers catch more fish per hour on average fishing vertically than horizontally? Host Chad LaChance is a fan of vertical fishing and shares his thoughts. 

    Mid Summer Pause...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 30:55


    It's a very busy time of year for anglers everywhere, especially those in the fishing business. Host Chad LaChance has been "in the biz" for 20 years and shares his thoughts- and lessons - from a mid-summer pause in the action.

    ICAST primer...fishing's biggest week.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 32:16


    ICAST is the largest trade show in the fishing business and it's only open toe members of the media, manufacturer's, retailers and others in the fishing industry. It's closed to the public so host Chad LaChance gives you a behind the scenes peak of what working the ICAST show looks like. 

    Most Commonly Asked Questions...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 25:38


    In 20 years of fishing professionally, host Chad LaChance has heard a lot of questions and many of them are very common. He addresses the most commonlky asked ones in this podcast. 

    Summer trout the easy way...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 28:15


    Summer trout season is in full swing and lot's of folks are targeting "stockers". Host Chad LaChance discusses some simple things that will ensure you can catch - and safely release - lots of trout.

    Fishing the Flood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 29:25


    Reservoirs look beautiful at flood stage and it can be great for the long term health of the fishery...bvut it can make anglers' days very frustrating. 20 years of guiding on a lake that flooded almost yearly taught host Chad LaChance how to deal with very high water, and he shares his thoughts in this podcast. If you enjoy, please like and subscribe wherever you listen!

    Fishing the Dog Days of Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 24:53


    Fishing's springtime party is over and the dog days of summer are looming. Fishing is getting trickier for all species and host Chad LaChance shares his thoughts on how to overcome the heat and crowds. Please subscribe while you're here! #sportsmanswarehouse

    Crankbaiting...The Details

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 34:28


    Winding a crankbait seems simple enough but like mostr techniques, there are details and nuances that separate great crankers from average winders. Bass, walleye, white bass, trout and others respond well to crankbaits and host Chad LaChance shars his details for the efficient fish-catching lure. Please subscribe while you're here! 

    Fly Fishing...for Bass!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 30:49


    Bass are America's most popular sportfish but not many anglers fly fish for them. Host Chad LaChance does and shares his thoughts on this fun way to catch spring bass. Please share and subscribe if you enjoy this podcast...it's a labor of love!

    Building Confidence in Your Angling

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 30:31


    Host Chad LaChance believes in the power of confidence in all aspects of life and feels it's especially important in angling success. He discusses ways to build your own confidence initially, as well as repairing damaged confidence for more experienced anglers. Please like, share and subscribe while you're here!

    Snag-free fishing...

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 33:40


    If you fish much, eventually you'll get snagged. Host Chad LaChance shares his ideas for both preventing snags and freeing them when it happens. If this podcast is helpful, please subscribe wherever you listen from!

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