Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you keep coming back from your fishing excursions empty-handed? You spend hours scouring the water, casting, and waiting, and all you have to show for your hard work and patience is a few small fish, or maybe even none at all.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. There’s a long list of mistakes that new or inexperienced anglers make in their attempts to fish. Most of the time, you don’t even realize you’re making them. We’ve put together a list of some of the top fishing mistakes, so you can familiarize yourself and make sure to avoid them on your next trip!
1) Heading out to the water unprepared.
If you want to be successful in your fishing pursuits, you need to go in with a plan. Going to any old spot with any old equipment you can find is going to yield nothing. You need to know ahead of time what species you’re fishing, where to find them, and how to catch them. You should also be prepared to spend several hours on the water, which means having provisions such as snacks, water, and extra boating and tackle supplies.
2) Using the wrong equipment.
Different species and sizes of fish respond to different bait and lures. Once you know what and where you’re fishing, you’ll need to research and acquire the correct bait, lures, lines, hooks, and rod and reel. Have your tackle organized before you head out too, so you’re not wasting time on the water searching for what you need.
3) Fishing with worn-out line.
Even if you have everything else right—the location, the equipment, the time of day—an old or deteriorating line can ruin your catch in an instant. If your fishing line is old, frayed, brittle, or has abrasions, kinks, or other irregularities, it will break more easily and cost you a fish or lure. Check the condition of your line regularly and replace as needed.
4) Only fishing in open water.
Inexperienced anglers often avoid cover areas because they don’t want their line to get snagged or risk losing bait. Or, some just assume it’s easier to fish in open water because of the better visibility. But the reality is that most fish actually hang out and hide under cover to wait for their pray. Make your lure their pray by fishing cover areas such as grass beds, laydowns, docks, dead trees, and slews.
5) Not checking the weather.
Knowing the conditions you’ll be fishing in will allow you to come prepared to catch fish and stay comfortable. Find out what the weather will be like and take into account how conditions (rain, wind, temperature, clouds/sun, etc.) will affect the behavior of the fish, so you can choose your equipment and plan your strategy accordingly. It’s also important to know the weather so you can dress appropriately for your excursion.
Make your next fishing adventure one you’ll never forget and book a trip to Lawrence Bay Lodge!
We offer guided fishing trips that help inexperienced and experienced anglers alike hone their skills on the water. Our waters are home to several different species that range from small to trophy-sized, so there’s something for everyone to reach for, no matter what level you’re at. When you’re done with your afternoon of fun, head back to our cozy modern lodging accommodations for a quick snooze before dinner.
Contact Lawrence Bay Lodge today to book your first-class fishing trip for the upcoming season!
