How to catch a fish might seem like a basic question but in reality, some species of game fish are very smart and elusive. It is those qualities that make them such popular targets among anglers of all skill levels. For those who are beginning anglers, the question of how to catch a fish is very real. This blog discusses that question and provides tips that we hope will help improve the quality of every fishing adventure for those who want to catch fish every time they drop the bait into the salty brine.
While there is no guarantee that you will catch a fish that challenge alone is part of what drives anglers to try. The following ten tips can help to improve your odds regardless of your angling skills.
1. Going fishing Is More than Just Going Fishing
Sometimes you go fishing to just get out and enjoy a quiet day on the water. Most times you go fishing it is with the goal of catching a fish.
Usually, you plan to go fishing and that planning helps the adventure become more successful. There is always the risk that you won’t catch anything but a good plan with potent information can help increase the odds of not only catching a fish, but the type of fish you want to catch. While you can just go fishing and see what happens it is often better to plan out your adventure and then adjust those plans to fit the fishing environment. We get more into the strategy of catching fish in the following tips.
2. Plan Your Adventure
Look closely at your fishing goals, especially what your goals are about catching fish. Do you have a specific type of fish in mind, or do you just want to go fishing? A good tip taken from successful anglers is to plan your fishing adventure. That means considering the type of gear you take, the weather you may encounter, the season of the year, and the availability of fish where you plan to have your fishing adventure. How to catch fish is not a static plan. The process is very dynamic because there are many variables that go into catching fish and the differences between fishing species. By planning your trip you are arming yourself for success. Consider:
- Presenting the right bait
- Fishing with the right method – casting, drifting, plunking, etc.
- Fishing at the best time of day
- Fishing in the proper depth of water
- Using the right kind of gear – rod, reel, line, tackle, etc.
When you plan your fishing adventure to match the type of fish you want to catch, then you improve the odds of winning the very basic battle between angler and fish.
3. Generalist vs. Specialist
The terms – generalist or specialist – apply to both anglers and fish. When you are an angler that targets a specific species or specific group of fish, you are a specialist. That applies to each fishing adventure you undertake. Certain species of fish are also generalists – meaning they eat a wide variety of foods. Other species of fish are considered specialists, meaning that they consume a very narrow list of foods. Catfish are a good example of a generalist while most species of tuna are an example of specialists.
Catfish eat whatever they find. Tuna eat most baitfish and squid. If you want to fish for specialist species, you need to present the right types of bait. A couple of general tips for fishing for a specialist species is to understand their diet, and how their diet changes throughout the year. Then matching your bait selection to the season and the fish. In so doing, you are presenting the right type of bait at the right time of year.
There are a number of specialist species. Those include:
These three examples are some of the most requested charter boat fishing options. There are many species of fish that anglers enjoy targeting.
4. Don’t Go It Alone
If you are new to fishing or if you are new to a specific species of fish, and you want to learn how to target that species or learn how to fish then consider a guide or a charter that specializes in the type of fishing adventure about which you want to learn. Deep sea fishing is a good example. Not only will you learn about the specialized gear needed for deep sea fishing, but also the way you use it under different circumstances. A lot of times you also gain insider knowledge such as the best times of year to fish in certain spots or the types of baits that work best on certain types of fish. Using a guide or specialized charter is an excellent way to also experience that level of fishing without the huge upfront cost of buying new gear.
5. Knowledge is the Road to Success
Reading about the types of fish you want to target is one of the best ways to improve your ability to target those fish successfully. Every species of fish is different, even if those differences are minute, they still matter. For example, you might want to target big fish such as tuna, but the differences in location, bait, and rigging will vary from yellowfin tuna to little tunny albacore. We are still talking about tuna but also the differences between one species of tuna and the next.
When you go deep-sea fishing, it is important to know what is available and make a list of options to target and then prepare for those opportunities. That means learning the different types of baits, water depth, and methods – trolling or chumming – to target those fish. The reason for this is that when you get to the deep waters, you may not have a choice over which fish to target because some of those fish on your list may not be available. Knowledge allows you to take advantage of the fishing situation as it unfolds.
6. Go Deep or Go Inshore
Some species of fish may be found in deep water or inshore. Cobia is an example of a fish you can find in deep water or inshore. Where you fish matters and there are differences in how you approach both even if you are targeting the same fish. For example, a cobia that is located inshore is likely hunting shrimp or smaller fish. In the deep water, they may not recognize the same types of bait you would use inshore.
It is helpful to know where you will be fishing so that you can set up your gear, bait selection, and approach to match the environment where you plan to fish – saltwater or freshwater, inshore or deep sea.
7. Fishing with the Family
More and more families enjoy fishing together and that is a very positive experience. Fishing as a family is an excellent way to spend time together, offers opportunities for parents to bond with children, and allows spouses to experience quality time as a couple. It is easier to fish as a family in freshwater but learning how to saltwater fish is a logical next step. Many charter boats are family-friendly and offer a safe way to experience saltwater fishing inshore or out in the deeper water.
Saltwater fishing offers many venues from shore fishing, to deep sea fishing to a myriad of options in between. You can learn to shark fish from shore or hit the big sharks in deep water. You can learn to fish inshore for bonefish, snapper, cobia, and other common fish, such as snook and redfish.
8 Fish the Water Column
It is important to learn how to fish the entire water column from the top to the bottom. Many fish will take bait from the water’s surface and others are only caught by bottom fishing. How you choose to fish the water column depends on the species of fish you target. That’s true for freshwater or saltwater fishing.
Learning how to catch a fish is not overly difficult, and it is often a personal journey. If you ask ten people how to catch a specific type of fish you will likely end up with several versions of the same method with tips for line, bait, and season that may overlap or be completely different. The alchemy of fishing is often made up of individual recipes for various outcomes.
What many anglers learn at their own pace is that there is a huge percentage of chance involved in fishing. The fish, the water, and the seasonal impacts are all variables that every angler must face. That is one reason why this blog offers general fishing tips on how to catch a fish.
Two of the best tips you can learn are to fish often and never let not catching a fish deter you from trying again.