8 Powerful Ways to Improve Your Fishing
There’s so much more to fishing than baiting a hook, dropping a line, and hoping for the best. While there’s nothing wrong with being a casual hobbyist, if you really want to take your fishing game to the next level, you must be proactive. Like any skill, becoming a master angler takes time, effort, persistence, and a desire to learn. From shallow brooks to the deep sea, here are eight simple and effective ways to become a better angler.
1. Pay Attention to the Weather Conditions
There are many factors that can play a role in your fishing trip’s success (or lack thereof). First, you need to be aware of the best time to fish. Typically, fish bite more in the early morning and evening, although that’s just a general rule and not always guaranteed. During the day when the sun is beating down on the water, they tend to retreat to deeper waters to stay cool, so you may want to adjust your strategy accordingly.
You’ll also want to consider the season. During summer, fish when it’s cooler — early mornings and evenings. During spring, fish when it’s hotter — during the late morning and early afternoon. During fall, fish later in the evening when the water has had time to warm. During winter, break out your ice fishing gear or get your fish at the grocery store. Of course, temperatures fluctuate regardless of season, so adjust your approach based on the day’s weather conditions.
2. Talk to the Locals
Even if you frequent the same familiar fishing hole every day, there’s always something new to learn. While some anglers may be hesitant to share their secrets, the community tends to be welcoming to fellow enthusiasts looking for insider information. Maybe there’s a certain spot where fish congregate, or maybe they get especially hungry at certain times of the day. It never hurts to chat with the locals (especially if you’re new to the area), and you might even make a fishing buddy.
3. Go Beyond the Beaten Path
Exploring is part of the fun of fishing! Whether you’re hiking, boating, cycling, driving, or rollerblading, finding a fishing spot is much more than a way to catch more fish — it’s an excuse to enjoy the beauty of nature. Often, the best fishing happens in locations where other anglers aren’t around. Make it a point to go somewhere new every so often. Over time, you’ll get to know the lay of the land (and the water), and you’ll become the local who other anglers turn to for tips.
4. Take Your Time Reeling
Learning how to reel a fish properly is a simple way to boost your skills, but it often goes overlooked, especially among amateur anglers. When you get that bite, your adrenaline starts pumping, and it’s so easy to reel frantically without even realizing you’re doing it. Instead, be very methodical and deliberate, reeling slowly and steadily, keeping your line taut throughout the entire fight. While you’re waiting for fish to bite, visualize the fight so you know exactly what to do when it begins.
While you’re brushing up on the basics, you may also want to learn how to cast more effectively. Many anglers learned to cast at a young age, and never bothered to improve their technique, instead of relying on improper muscle memory. Improving your casting skills is a huge step forward, as it empowers you to really hone in on your targets. Even world champions are constantly looking for ways to improve their technique.
5. Track Your Progress
Keeping a fishing journal is an incredibly effective way to improve your success rate. Write down your location, the time of day, the weather, your bait, your catches, and any other information you think could be useful to have as a reference. Logging this data lets you make informed decisions on a day-to-day basis, and as an added bonus, you’ll have a neat keepsake full of memories.
6. Upgrade Your Setup
Better gear doesn’t always mean more fish, but it certainly doesn’t hurt! Besides using higher quality equipment, consider using more equipment. There’s power in numbers. For example, one fishing dredge is great and all, but know what’s even better? Two fishing dredges!
You don’t need to be dredge fishing to use this simple concept either. Instead of leaving one line in the water, why not double your odds with two? Letting two lines hang out is an easy way to improve your chances.
7. Adjust Your Approach on the Fly
Your fishing journal will give you hard data to reference, but at the same time, fishing can vary widely from one day to the next. It’s important that you’re able to adjust your tactics in real-time. If that heavy sinker isn’t working out, it might be time to try something shallower. If fish aren’t biting your plastic lures, try natural bait. Fishing is all about persistence and patience, but try not to get stuck in a rut.
8. Learn Every Day
Top anglers don’t just go fishing — they live and breathe it. When you’re not fishing, spend some time learning. The internet is an incredibly powerful resource for learning virtually any skill you can imagine, so watch some videos, chat with other anglers on forums, and read helpful guides like this one. Not only will growing your knowledge increase your skills, but you’ll have a blast incorporating your new knowledge next time you head out.
Keep Your Expectations Reasonable
The simple truth is that even the top dogs have off days. Sometimes, no matter what you do and how hard you try, fish just aren’t going to bite, and no amount of fishing tips can change that — that’s a life lesson, not just a fishing one. Just keep working on your craft, and with time and experience, you’ll develop a second nature for when to keep pushing and when to call it a day. Most importantly, have fun! When you’re gone fishin’, you’re in your element, so enjoy it.
