3 Things to Make you a Better Angler

We like to think of ourselves as pretty good fishermen, don’t we. Even the fisher-women. Come on, admit it. You’re pretty good at figuring out the fish and catching your share, aren’t you? But as with most things in life, there’s always room for improvement. Try taking a look at these three things that experienced anglers do and ask yourself if you could use these top tips to catch more fish the next time you’re headed out to the river, creek or lake?

#1. Prepare Early. – Don’t wait until the very last minute to throw things into the car or truck and hope you’re going to have everything you need. You’re fishing success depends alot on how much you know about the fish you’re after, how you react to changing conditions and whether or not you can put those two things together to pinpoint places you’re most likely to catch fish. However, if you leave your reel at home, forget your 6X tippet, or fail to load that box of foam hoppers in your vest before your trip to the bass ponds, you may be handicapping yourself before you ever get to the water. Try to gather your things for a fishing trip at least two days beforehand. That way, you have plenty of time for all the little things you might have normally forgotten to “pop into your head” so that you can make sure to pack them before the morning of the trip.

#2. Choose your water wisely. – Many times, fishermen can be too often “creatures of habit.” We go to the same fishing spots over and over again because we’ve had luck there before. But there’s something to be said for greener grass and all that when it comes to picking a place to fish. Try to use what you know about the species you’re fishing for and make a plan that involves the current weather conditions, the fish’s habits, the seasons, and the water conditions. Fishing for largemouth bass on a hot, still lake can be a chore in summer…but find a spillway or dam and you may find willing bass in the cool, oxygenated waters below such structure – even in the most sweltering heat! The same concept can be applied to trout fishing: Fly fishing for trout in a low elevation stream is fine for spring, but when summer heat warms up the water, try going higher for more active trout. In the process of finding more willing fish to catch, you’ll avoid over-stressing the fish during hot seasons. In the winter, pick your days carefully if you can and fish after a warming trend of at least 2 days. Sometimes it pays to experiment a little and try new water along with new tactics!

#3. Rely on Others. – I can’t tell you how many times my day has been saved just because I swallowed my pride and decided to ask the guy near me what he was using! Fishing is a great solitary pursuit. However, there are plenty of people who fish not only for the catch and the fish-fry, but for the social aspect of angling as well. Don’t be afraid to say hello to your fellow angler, and then should you get a pleasant reply (and not a grumpy slant-eyed stare down!) don’t be too shy to ask “what are they biting?” While in a tournament or other fishing contest this question may be answered with a snarl and a sudden case of selective hearing loss, your fellow recreational angler will normally give you at least a hint about how he or she is catching them. Don’t be too proud to admit it when you’re not really “wearing them out” and you may find yourself into the fish in short order – and you may just get a new fishing buddy out of it, too!