Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
I have to admit I get tired of all the discussions about where the fish are biting? What on? How? Depth? Water temp.? Best moon phase? Barometer? Best color? How to hold your mouth? Etc. etc. etc. . . .
Want to know why?
None of it makes as much difference as plain ole spending time on the water!
As a matter of fact, the only way to begin to make sense of all of those variables, is by having a large sample size–lots of time on the water. Problem is many things become almost superstitions for many anglers because they are looking for magic shortcuts to success.
The one common denominator of all the good anglers I have known is that they all spent a lot of time fishing. In fact some of them had reputations of always being on or near water and at those times, no matter what they were doing, they had at least one line in the water. Do that and guess what? You will catch a lot of fish and some of them will be big fish. Even better is that is the way to begin to figure out a few things in the process.
Naturally, we all have our favorite baits, colors, times and places, but none of it makes as much difference as just spending as much time as possible fishing. It absolutely helps to master certain skills. For example, if you learn how to fish a jig well, you will catch a darned lot of fish. Learn to be good with a jig and you flat out will be a good stick.
Know how to accomplish that?
By this point you can guess my answer. . . .
Time on the water!
We do live in a time when there is a wealth of information easily available. You should pick the brains of other anglers. Read everything you can find on fishing, especially the fishing you like to do. Watch the videos, listen to podcasts, attend seminars, yes, yes, yes, do it all. But having done all of that you still have to take it to the water and apply it.
Most importantly, do that.
If you can, quit your job, tell the world you are gone fishing. But most of us have to be more responsible than that. So, do the best you can. I believe it is particularly useful to choose a waterbody or two close to home that have good potential and make as many trips there as possible. You may not necessarily be able to spend whole days there. More likely, you can slip out frequently for a couple hours. Execute that as often as you can.
Without a doubt modern technology can be a tremendous aid. Thing is, you have to learn how to use it. Best way to do that? You know–time on the water. There are a lot of anglers who have the latest and greatest equipment and technology, but really do not catch any more fish because they never spend enough time to learn its full potential.
Shortcuts to success?
Nope.
Time on the water.
Now, quit reading and. . . .
GO FISH!