Across sprawling reservoirs, winding river systems and unfamiliar fisheries, Fischer has built a reputation for committing to her strengths and trusting her instincts, even when the most obvious patterns point elsewhere. Fishing from a kayak has sharpened that approach, forcing clarity, discipline and confidence that now define how she competes at the highest levels.
Preparation creates confidence, not certainty
When Fischer arrives at a new fishery, the goal is never to know everything. Instead, she wants to understand enough to make good decisions once the tournament begins.
“I don’t need all the answers,” Fischer said. “I just need clues.”
That distinction matters on big water. Lakes with endless arms, creeks and offshore structure can overwhelm anglers who chase perfection. Fischer avoids that trap by narrowing her focus early and committing to sections that align with her strengths.
She studies seasonal timing, evaluates where bass should logically position and builds a mental framework before ever launching. That preparation gives her confidence, but she leaves room for adaptation. Experience has taught her that over-reliance on history can be just as damaging as going in blind.
Big water rewards anglers who listen to what the lake is doing in real time.
Commitment over convenience
One of Fischer’s defining traits is her willingness to fish against the grain. If the dominant bite does not fit her style, she is comfortable walking away from it.
Fischer feels the most confident in fishing visible structure such as docks, letdowns, grass, and brush. She has extremely precise casting abilities and is an expert at getting her lure in the most particular hard to reach arias of visual structure.
This has led her into river sections, shallow cover and visual targets when others were chasing suspended fish or offshore structure. Once she chooses an area, she fishes it thoroughly and with intention.
Rather than bouncing around hoping to stumble onto fish, Fischer believes in letting patterns develop. She watches how bass reposition throughout the day, noting subtle changes that reveal when to shift depth, cover or presentation.
Big water often tempts anglers to leave too soon. Fischer resists that urge.
How kayak fishing sharpens decision-making
Fishing from a kayak changes how anglers think. Limited speed and range force better planning, but Fischer believes the biggest impact is mental.
Every move costs time and energy. That reality encourages efficiency and patience, two traits that become invaluable under tournament pressure.
Despite common misconceptions, kayak anglers are capable of covering impressive distances. Fischer regularly logs double-digit mileage in a single day, using electronics, motors and strategic relaunches to maximize efficiency. The difference is that every mile has a purpose.
“You learn to ask yourself if a move actually helps your day,” she said.
That internal check has carried over into her boat fishing as well, where speed can easily mask poor decisions.
Letting conditions dictate opportunities
Wind, current and changing weather often define success on big water. Fischer embraces those variables rather than fighting them.
Wind-blown banks, current seams and midday shifts have all played critical roles in her tournament success. Instead of viewing conditions as obstacles, she looks for how they reposition bait and activate bass.
Some of her biggest upgrades have come from leaning into wind-driven patterns, covering water with moving baits and trusting that fish will reveal themselves if she stays patient.
Adaptability, she believes, separates good anglers from great ones.
Measuring success beyond results
For Fischer, success is not solely measured by finishes or payouts. It is measured by understanding.
“There’s nothing worse than leaving a lake feeling like you didn’t learn anything,” she said.
Even when tournaments do not go her way, Fischer wants clarity. She wants to know why fish positioned where they did, how conditions influenced the bite and what she would change next time. That long-term mindset fuels growth across both kayak and boat formats.
Confidence comes from experience, and experience comes from paying attention.
What big water ultimately teaches
Fishing massive fisheries from a kayak strips the process down to its essentials. Preparation, commitment and trust matter more than covering every option.
Fischer’s approach proves that anglers do not need to fish everything to be successful. They need to fish the right water, at the right time, with confidence in their decisions.
Big water will always feel intimidating. But with discipline and trust, it can become one of the most rewarding challenges in the sport.
#BassmastHER
