If you're anything like me, you probably scroll through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to see which of your friends and acquaintances are reeling in the big catches. It's easy to notice certain individuals consistently showcasing impressive fish, which might leave you questioning your own fishing prowess.
But why do only a select few seem to have such consistent success, and how can you improve your chances of joining their ranks? Seeking answers to these questions, I reached out to a group of experienced anglers known for their expertise in the field. Here's what they had to share.
5.
Securing Longevity: Maintenance Tips for Your Fishing Rod1. Keep it quiet
Even if you're not chasing after easily startled fish like permit or bonefish, keeping noise levels to a minimum is a crucial tip according to two seasoned anglers.
Lenny Rudow, a respected angler in the Chesapeake Bay area and the author of "Rudow’s Guide to Fishing the Chesapeake," emphasizes the importance of silence during fishing endeavors. He highlights that many anglers unknowingly scare off fish with loud noises, which can travel even better underwater than in the air. Rudow advises anglers to minimize slamming hatches, dropping tackle boxes, or speaking loudly to avoid spooking fish, asserting that quietness can significantly enhance fishing success.
Shawn Kimbro, another experienced angler in the Chesapeake Bay region and author of "Chesapeake Light Tackle: An Introduction to Light Tackle Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay," shares a similar perspective. He emphasizes that excessive noise on the water is a common mistake among fishermen. Kimbro stresses the importance of stealth when targeting bigger, more astute fish, recommending actions like shutting off the engine, handling caught fish quietly, moving softly, and closing hatches gently to avoid disturbing the surroundings and improve chances of success.
2. Embrace Unconventional Tactics: Doing the Opposite for Fishing Success
It's common to observe and imitate the strategies of other anglers, but when your success rate declines, experts advise that thinking outside the box often leads to more fruitful fishing endeavors.
Captains Sarah Gardner and Brian Horsley, renowned for their proficiency in autumn false albacore fishing off Cape Lookout, N.C., and guiding anglers worldwide, emphasize the importance of deviating from the crowd. Sarah Gardner, in response to a question about moving away from a group of boats and feeding fish, highlights her tendency to avoid following the crowd constantly. She acknowledges that while this approach may result in occasional setbacks, more often than not, it leads to discovering better fishing spots away from the pack. This was evident during a recent trip when they relocated a few miles to the east, encountering a school of feeding albacore exclusively.
Fishing legend Lefty Kreh, credited with advancing the sport of saltwater fly-fishing, emphasizes the unconventional nature of successful anglers. He notes that individuals belonging to the top 10 percent of anglers tend to adopt approaches that defy convention. Kreh illustrates this with an example involving Capt. Lefty Regan and Dr. Webb Robinson, who pioneered the technique of teasing billfish to the boat. Contrary to traditional methods where anglers pursued fish, Regan and Robinson discovered that luring fish close to the boat increased their receptiveness to flies or lures, revolutionizing billfishing strategies.
3. Watch the birds
Any proficient saltwater angler understands the significance of birds in pinpointing the whereabouts of feeding fish. Observing their behavior closely can make all the difference between landing a few small catches and hooking a trophy or two.
"Understanding bird behavior is crucial," Gardner emphasizes. "When targeting species like false albacore, and many others, birds serve as our guide to locating fish. Terns and gulls are particularly valuable indicators because they prey on the same baitfish as albacore. The altitude at which they fly indicates the depth at which the albacore are feeding. As they descend closer to the water and become more vocal, we know the fish are about to drive the baitfish to the surface."
Kreh echoes this sentiment, highlighting the heightened environmental awareness of the top-tier anglers. "Another defining trait of the top 10 percent is their acute awareness of their surroundings. They not only spot birds but also interpret their actions and motivations. Birds exhibit distinct behaviors and flight patterns depending on the fish's activity. A skilled angler keenly observes these cues and adjusts their tactics accordingly."
4. Keep moving
Both of our experts emphasize that repeatedly casting into the same spot without any response from the fish is not productive. Instead, it's more effective to relocate to a more promising area if the fish aren't biting.
"Sticking around in one spot hoping for a change of luck might work with certain species, but with striped bass, it's a different story," Kimbro advises. "Either they're there and active, or they're not. There's no sense in wasting time on an unproductive location. Give it a few casts, check the sonar, and if there's no action, move on swiftly. This way, you'll cover more ground and increase your chances by exploring different areas until you locate feeding fish."
Joe Bruce, an accomplished author and avid saltwater angler, shares Kimbro's perspective. "If the fish were present and hungry, they'd be going after our bait," Bruce explained during a striped bass fishing trip off Poplar Island in the Chesapeake. "It's often futile to cast repeatedly to uninterested fish or barren areas, although many anglers do it habitually. When the action is slow, it's best to pack up and find more promising waters."
5. Change tactics
Bruce and Kimbro emphasize the importance of adapting your approach when faced with unproductive results, echoing the famous adage that repeating the same actions and expecting different outcomes is futile.
"Fish don't strike short," Bruce emphasizes. "They're simply not as active as the retrieve you're employing. The key is to adjust your pace or experiment with different tactics, such as altering the size of the lure or fly."
Kimbro shares a similar sentiment, stating, "Just because a particular lure or technique was effective one day doesn't guarantee success on another occasion. If you're dissatisfied with your results, it's senseless to persist with the same strategy. Switch up your lures, vary your techniques, and be open to trying something new. Continuously repeating the same actions without catching any fish is a waste of time."
While there are numerous strategies to boost your chances of success on the water, our panel of experts unanimously agrees that beginning with these five tips is an excellent way to dive into the world of fishing. By implementing these techniques, you could soon find yourself proudly sharing photos of your impressive catches on social media platforms like Facebook.
These foundational tips serve as a solid starting point for anglers of all skill levels, offering practical insights that can lead to more fruitful fishing expeditions. With dedication and practice, mastering these fundamental principles could significantly enhance your ability to reel in those prized catches and elevate your angling prowess. So, whether you're a seasoned angler or just dipping your toes into the sport, incorporating these strategies into your fishing repertoire could pave the way for exciting adventures and memorable catches.
