Five tips that help to catch more fish...what are yours?

Based on the forum list. The #1 thing that will help you catch more fish is:

Get off your Butts and actually go fishing.

Other recommendations to help increase your odds are:

Some believe live bait catches more fish even though artificial lures can be as productive as live bait.

Learn to be meticulous about tying good knots and try to do your rigging in idle hours at home so there's no mistakes on the water.  It also allows for more fishing time. 

Learn to have the discipline to wait for the rod to really load up before setting the hook. With circle hooks, just reel into the fish once the rod loads up.

The ocean can be like a desert, with productive areas where fish congregate, scattered here and there. Location is everything. Study that.

There's truth to the statement that 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. If you're around a ten percenter, pay close attention. Watch and learn!

It's all about the angle of the dangle. And pay close attention to where your line enters the water. Possibly more important in freshwater, but you should always be aware of the geometry of your cast, in relation to the shore/structure/water. Each cast should be efficient.

When you start hooking up, try to figure out why-- tide, structure, conditions, lure/bait, presentation-- what changed?

Pay attention to NCKA members who post good fishing reports. Joining them for fishing trips can be extremely rewarding. Participate in NCKA events and gain experience.

If you know fish are there but they won't bite, try different lures or bait. 

Support your local bait shop! The guys in the local bait shop are usually very knowledgeable. You will pay more for your bait and lures, but you will walk out with the knowledge of where/when/how to use those baits and lures.

Know the area you are fishing. 

"Follow the bait." the fish do.

Gear:

Fish minimally with the lightest tackle for the species you are targeting. 

Use high quality line and inspect the last couple feet of line for abrasion. Remove damaged sections.

Use sharp hooks.


Not directly related to catching more fish, but has happened to many of us:

If the fish won't bite try to eat something..

early to bed
early to rise(more time OTW)
be prepared for what you are targeting
have all your gear ready to transport from veh. to shore/yak (more time OTW)
have some food and water packed (more time OTW)

early to bed
early to rise(more time OTW)
be prepared for what you are targeting
have all your gear ready to transport from veh. to shore/yak (more time OTW)
have some food and water packed (more time OTW)

X 100.

Goes for spearfishing as well.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

One of the most informative threads I’ve seen in a while!  Some real gems in here from some of NCKA’s finest.  Props to y’all.

Pretty timely too.  An old high school friend of mine has really gotten into fishing over this last year, and lately he’s been lamenting about skunk, after skunk, after skunk (this is all freshwater).  Getting all exasperated about it and wondering why he’s not doing well.

My advice: you gotta be willing to adapt and change your methods according to the seasons.  Study up on not only your target fish (spawning seasons and habits, food preferences, temperature preferences, etc.), but also their food sources and how a large lake changes over the seasons (stratification, thermoclines, etc.).  A lot of this can be done at home, but that’s only half of the puzzle.  Time on the water is the other half, and that’s where you connect the dots from what you read to what’s actually happening in real life.  Your mind should be a sponge, absorbing everything that’s happening around you, especially if it’s a good day of fishing.  That way you can use that knowledge you gleaned from a good fishing day and try to mimic it in the future.

If it’s a new water or a species you’re unfamiliar with targeting, hooking up with someone who knows the water and the fish can shorten the learning curve immensely.  Having confidence in your bait and presentation is HUGE, and getting a simple reassurance from a knowledgeable angler can spell the difference between success and defeat because you’ll actually put in the time with that bait and presentation.

Good fishermen aren’t just born good: they put in their dues, they suffer the tough times, they’re always learning from their adventures, and they evolve into the successful anglers that they are.  There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect score’ in fishing, and every time you think you’ve completely figured something out, the fish love to throw a curve ball and remind you of how little you actually know.  And that’s what keeps it interesting.  Hoping my friend takes this advice to heart and doesn’t get discouraged—after all, fall is coming  .

Non-electric initiation, and water resistant explosives.... Spartan 150 cast boosters in a ziploc for you quarry guys. Get it down as deep as you can, get your nets ready. #fireinthehole

If the fish won't bite try to eat something...

If you really want a bite start eating a sandwich AND take a piss.