You're Fishing All Wrong

I’m generally a pretty positive guy, but from what I understand about algorithms, they love negativity. And so, since this publication is online as well as in print, negativity is the theme of this piece. Optimism and encouragement? Walk the plank. Today we’re going to focus on 

WHAT YOU ARE DOING WRONG 

…While fishing.

To this point, I’ve asked several guides and really good anglers to weigh in on what they think are some of the biggest mistakes committed by less-experienced anglers- besides not bringing enough beef sticks for everyone on board. Let’s see if you recognize yourself.

Bass guide Brian MacKinnon says if you’re going to fish, FISH. “The number one reason why people don’t do well is not keeping their bait in the water. It’s crazy how much time people waste by re-tying their rods or looking at their (sonar) screens” as they hunt around for the “perfect” spot. MacKinnon says to have several rods tied up ready to go, and if you’re scouting around with electronics, you can still be actively fishing, too.

Kokanee Power President Garry Erck says the #1 anglers do wrong is “Not having a plan for what tackle to use and what areas to work.” Also, “Learn your electronics and understand what they tell you.”

Longtime Trout and salmon guide Jerry Lampkin says simply, “Don’t leave fish to find fish”. Especially if they’re biting. On a lake like Folsom, where trout and salmon can often be scattered, finding a school or just a rough cluster of fish together can be difficult. If you find fish, stay there. 

Another well-respected guide, Kevin Brock, cautions not be too quick to change things up. “Whatever you caught a fish on before? Use that. Start with that”, especially if you’re seeing fish on your sonar. “Trust your graph. Don’t live by it, but trust it. If you’re seeing marks at 55’, put your bait down to 55’ and leave it there.” He says just because they’re not biting now, things can change (which aligns with Lampkin’s comment about not leaving fish). 

Trout and salmon angler Chris Jimmerson emphasizes that “Matching the speed needed for the lure or bait is important”. For kokanee expert Brock, who uses small blades, spinners and “hoochies” to chase his quarry, that’s between 1.3 and 1.5 mph. For someone targeting trout with Speedy Shiner spoons, says Jimmerson, it might be upwards of 3 mph. And, he cautions, be careful “mixing and matching. A spoon meant to be trolled faster might not pair well with a flasher meant to be slow-trolled on another rod”.

Understand habitat below the surface. Guide Mike Mezzanaras says “90% of the fish are in 10% of the water. Beginner or average anglers tend to miss that concept. Learn how to locate the ‘prime real estate’”. To that point I would also add: that doesn’t mean just places on the lake, but depths, as well. Salmon and trout, for example, need cold water. As summer heats up they follow that cold water down as it sinks. You should too.

In fact, legendary Folsom lake fisherman Kevin Fogal says many anglers are darn near illiterate when it comes to reading water. “Fish tend to feed into the current and into the wind”. Troll AT them, not with them”. Also, says Fogal, realize that currents, plankton, bait, predators…they all use and are affected by the underwater landscape. “Troll around islands, high spots and drop offs, trees, gullies, etc”. If your electronics include GPS/underwater topography, he says learn to understand contour maps “because salmon, trout and bass all use structure to corral and/or ambush bait”.

Upper Sacramento River fly guide Jason Thatcher says you should think like a kid. “Adults, when fishing a fly under an indicator, look for reasons for a movement or a bump to NOT be a strike. Adults are skeptical.” But kids - the same people, he notes, who still believe in Santa- also believe “Every movement or bump IS a strike. Believe in Santa, and you might be surprised what turns into a hookup.” Which is just a great quote in general.

Kent Brown of Ultimate Bass Radio advises practice, practice, practice. “Being able to pinpoint cast…if you watch the guys on TV, they can all do that. Whether it’s a spinning or baitcasting rod, your pitching, your flipping, your underhand casting…you should be able to put that bait exactly where you want it 95% of the time.” He says to think like a golfer: “They’re always working on their game. Pitching, putting, driving. As anglers, we never work on our casting.”  Helpfully, Brown also wanted to add that “the best thing you can do if you’re a trout or salmon fisherman is become a bass fisherman”. Kent’s got jokes.

Hey, these are all great tips and the only thing I might personally add is pay attention to your catching and netting skills. Many times, trout and salmon are not hooked well because they often swipe at a bait or a lure instead of a full-on attack. It’s amazing how often the lure falls free as soon as the fish hits the deck. As for netting? As much as you can, let the fish come to the net, then dip and scoop. Don’t chase or stab at it. In fact, I’d suggest good netting ability is probably one of fishing’s least-appreciated skills, along being the person who brings enough beef sticks for everyone.