Over four decades, as the owner and captain of a charter fishing vessel, I have fished in both freshwater lakes and on the open sea. Every fisherman has the same excuse for not catching more or larger fish: all fishermen are alike. Perhaps the following suggestions will help make amends for this.
Tackle
Today’s market is flooded with options for any fishing, and the best brands may be pretty pricey. This fact does not preclude the possibility of catching many high-quality fish without breaking the bank.
You should plan and equip yourself for the type of fishing you intend to undertake but don’t assume that you can use your freshwater gear for saltwater or vice versa. Ensure you have everything you need, do regular inventory checks, and keep your tackle in pristine condition. A high-quality, razor-sharp knife is an often-overlooked but crucial piece of gear.
When going sea angling, having a well-stocked first aid pack containing sunscreen is essential.
Weather
Should I depart, or should I stay? The captain has the last say on whether or not sea fishing conditions are safe, but you can always opt-out. Do not go sea fishing for the first time if the forecast is for winds of a force four or higher; the experience could turn you off to the sport forever. I’ve had many inexperienced fishermen show up for trips, insist that they’ve fished in rougher conditions before, and then half of them beg me to take them back an hour later since the weather improved. Going on a journey without being at least 90% confident you won’t feel seasick is unfair to the other passengers.
Old fishermen’s proverb, “the east wind doth blow, no fish will show,” rings true in my experience as a fisherman. Overcast days with a light to moderate wind have proven to be the most fruitful for me. Special, quiet days at sea might be relaxing, but they aren’t necessarily ideal for catching fish.
Again, cloudless hot days appear to put the fish to sleep on freshwater fishing, whereas a lovely wind and somewhat cloudy sky are better. I have had some of my best catches on wet days, even if they are not ideal for the angler. If the wind isn’t too strong, try fishing with it blowing in your face. Fish prefer deeper, cooler water in the summer when the water temperature rises. Therefore, a deep pool in the shadow of some trees is ideal.
Dress and Method
Remember that you are a hunter, and act the part. You must use stealth and a well-camouflaged, waterproof outfit to fish successfully in freshwater. Keep your distance from any other fisherman who may be out for the day with their families; you can be sure they will make a lot of noise.
Rather than letting the fish thrash on the surface, you should put your landing net in the water and bring the fish to the net. It’s essential to replace the fish carefully; I’ve seen too many anglers carelessly dump them back, which might hurt the fish and spook others nibbling on your ground bait nearby.
Clothing for a sea angler must be sufficient to keep you warm and dry without being too cumbersome; concealment is less crucial. The sun may not feel as intense at sea, but trust me when I say you’ll burn faster there. Make sure to put on plenty of high-factor sunscreens if you must expose your lily-white body. A wide-brimmed hat and lip balm are must-haves when venturing into the wind.
Wear soft-soled, weather-resistant footwear, and try to keep your voice to a minimum while on the lake. Don’t make loud noises, such as slamming your rod against the boat, spilling your drink, or dropping your tackle box lid. When I was on a ship once, the captain threatened to throw anyone who whistled overboard. Whistling up the breeze was his catchphrase for the only occasion you need to cast while fishing from a boat—when spinning—but be sure to have the skipper’s OK first. I insisted that only one angler turn at a time and do so on the forward deck, out of sight of the other fishermen.
When fishing from a boat, one helpful piece of advice is to cast from the stern, where there is less chance of your line being tangled with other fishermen. Perhaps it’s because this is where the seasoned fishermen always seem to end up!
Bait.
The bait and ground bait you use must be the highest quality and freshest possible. A wise skipper will ensure that his sea angler clients have access to an ample supply of bait and actively seek out fresh mackerel, sand eels, etc., on the route to their chosen mark.
The freshwater fisherman is responsible for selecting bait and ensuring he has plenty of it. Running out of appeal that produces consistent results is frustrating beyond words.
No good will come from using last week’s leftover ground bait.
Ensure your hands are clean and free of sunscreen and other substances that could contaminate the bait before you begin ground baiting or affixing the appeal to the hook. Before touching the ground or hook bait, smokers should thoroughly wash their hands or massage their hands in the grass or mud if fishing from a boat.
Conservation.
Millions of people worldwide fish every day, making it the most popular sport in terms of spectator numbers. The need to protect marine and fresh fish populations should be self-evident. Even though many marine fish are edible, there’s little purpose in maintaining and killing more than necessary, and it’s illegal to slaughter juvenile fish.
When I went fishing in Darwin a few years ago, it was great news to find out that all the charter boats practice catch and release. Each vessel is equipped with a fish tank large enough to keep enough fish alive until the end of the day, when the anglers can choose the ones they want to keep for dinner and release the others. Fish too large for the aquarium are measured, photographed, and returned immediately. The days of fishermen bringing their catch of the day ashore so it can be strung up and photographed are long gone.
Freshwater fishermen should have a keep net large enough to release the fish safely at the end of the session, but unless you’re competing, it’s best to quickly weigh and photograph your catch before releasing it.
Conclusion.
I hope you’ve learned something new or at least been stimulated by this article. Join my email if you want free access to a forty-year-old proven way to catch fish without fishing; they see themselves and for more information, advice, and sources on where to go for fishing vacations, where to get excellent tackle, bait, etc., etc.
Angling Success
In the 1960s and 1970s, the author pioneered the charter fishing industry in Jersey. “Phils Angling Charters” has been in business for over 40 years, with expertise in freshwater and saltwater fishing.
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