Angling is about many things. We certainly enjoy the time outdoors, the sounds and smells of nature, the stress relief, friends, and the other fun things about fishing but…
At some point every angler hopes to catch a couple fish! Sadly, many anglers do not successfully catch their limits of fish or fun. There are many reasons why catching success is limited. Here are some things to consider.
Lousy anglers;
Have lousy gear. Modern gear is way better than much of the older junk. It is important to learn how to use whatever gear you are using.
Never sharpen hooks. Lefty Kreh preached that sharpening hooks will help you catch 3 times more fish. I even sharpen new hooks.
Use old lines and outdated equipment. Old line becomes twisted more easily and is brittle. Put new, quality line on your reels. Line conditioning can also be helpful.
Point the rod at the fish when hooked up. When you hook up, make the fish bend the rod. Keep the rod tip at 12 o’clock, don’t point the rod at the fish.
Don’t know how to set the hook. This is a learned skill. If the hook is not completely embedded in the fish, you will miss the bite or lose the fish. Set the hook during the bite.
Rush their cast/ can’t cast. There is a correct way to hold and use your rod and reel. Practice for accuracy and distance. You can use a practice plug and a bucket for a target. You should be able to put your cast in a teacup at 20 yards.
Can’t tie a real knot. Knots hold the hook or lure on. Poor knots will fail. A proper knot will decrease line strength, but a lousy knot will make your line fail.
Unable to control their excitement. Become the Terminator. Focus until the fish is in the net. Now I am excited.
Do not know what a reel’s drag is/allow too much slack. The adjustable drag will give way as the fish strains the line. This prevents a breakoff. Learn how to adjust your reel’s drag and understand that slack or too tight of line will lose fish.
Do no homework/Lack a mentor. Find an experienced friend to mentor your fishing skills. Many anglers are happy to share knowledge. Pay attention. Look at books and You Tube videos to improve your learning.
Ignore the weather. The barometric pressure changes the bite. Use an app or weather report to understand when fishing can be the best.
Use the wrong sized lures/bait/flies. Too big, or too small, means more or less bites. If the minnows in the lake are 1 inch long, use a one-inch lure. If the bugs are size 12, use that size bug.
Fish at the wrong time in the wrong place/wrong depth. There are good and bad places to fish. Move away from heavily fished spots. If you are not catching anything, move to a new spot. Remember where you have had success and find more spots like that. Changing depth can be a simple fix.
If you want to catch more fish, pay attention to these details. With some minor adjustments, you can become more successful. Every cast is a new opportunity to hook up. Don’t give up. That’s why it is called “Fishing” and not “Catching”.
Catch a Biggun!
Montana Grant
