Fishing Tips, Volume 1
by Buck Perry

 
I Know Where The Fish Are

In my fishing classes, I have a saying that always get laughs. I tell my students,

"I always know where the fish are. They are either in the shallows, the deepest water in the area, or somewhere in between."

To many this statement may sound stupidly amusing, but have you ever watched a fisherman thrash the shoreline shallows all day, never getting a bite, and never fishing the deep water or the in between water? You would never do this, would you?

Learn To Troll

In presenting lures, good control calls for both casting and trolling skills. Trolling is the teacher when you're on the water. It tells us where, when, how, and what to cast. When we put both casting and trolling skills together correctly, we eliminate remarks such as, "What a terrible trip." Or, "You should have been here last week."

Master Adverse Conditions

Too often fishermen let the conditions (weather, water, boat traffic, etc.) ruin their fishing trips. They lose the enjoyment and satisfaction for which the trip was made in the first place. Knowledge of how to overcome these adverse conditions will increase fishing fun, and result in good catches, even when these conditions prevail. Remember, knowledge is the key to fishing success!

Sometimes We Must Be Patient

One thing is important to keep in mind at all times. Fish do not move or become active constantly or consistently. We must exercise patience, and repeat our presentation of lures until we make contact with the fish.

Check Out An Area Before Moving On

When we catch a fish by trolling, it is wise at times to throw a floating marker, and to position (anchor) the boat, and fan cast the area. If our fan casting efforts fail, resume trolling in the area at the depth where the fish was caught before retrieving the marker.

Use A Big Net

Nets sure get in the way, but they are an important item to have in the boat. The net should be big enough to do the job. Since most fish are lost near the boat, a large net can save a lot of fish, and keep a lot of hooks out of fingers and hands. Use a rugged net at least 16 inches in diameter with a 3-4 foot handle. A larger net is more efficient, especially for larger fish.

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