Category: Learning to Fish

I hate fishing with bobbers. Always have, always will. While there’s a few guys on the walleye circuit making a killing using them, I refuse. Every time I tie one of these stupid things on I regret it. They’re good for nothing but putting little anglers to sleep, they’re choking hazards for the more excitable, they litter tree limbs across banks like Christmas ornaments from hell, and if that wasn’t enough for you, they’re destroying America.

You heard me right. The Land of the Free, slowly but surely being bludgeoned to death by these little red and white, gumball-shaped wastes of time. Don’t believe me? Read on, dear patriot, and help me take our country back.

Fishing with Bobbers is BORING

I started this website to help parents learn how to take their kids fishing. This always seemed like such a strange thing to need to teach, because angling is naturally awesome. Unfortunately, there are many grown adults who don’t know how to fish. This is despite the fact that many of said grown adults, at one point in their life, had a parent or grandparent take them out on the lake. So what happened? Why didn’t it stick?

BECAUSE THAT PARENT OR GRANDPARENT TIED ON A BOBBER, AND BOBBERS ARE BORING.

Think back for a moment. Uncover that deep dark secret you’ve repressed all these years. Go lay down on a couch if it helps. You hate fishing because at one point or another, you were sitting next to a pond, just staring at a bobber. Well, that and being “shushed” constantly so you didn’t scare the fish. That’s right. As a child, you were tasked with BEING STILL AND QUIET while you stared at that stupid ol’ bobber quietly floating like the plastic piece of trash it is. No wonder you hate fishing. It’s amazing you can even function in society with an upbringing like that.

Imagine, however, that your childhood was different. Imagine if that adult “guide” of yours hadn’t sat you in a lawn chair staring at a puddle. What if they instead tied on a hook with a worm and told you to — gasp! — hold the rod and twitch it now and then as you slowly reeled it in! You might have actually got to feel the fish when it bit in time to do something about it (and get excited). It’s likely you would have caught more fish and had a better time if you were actively engaged in the activity, don’t you think?

Check out this article for more ranting about how bobbers are terrible for using with your kids.

Now, imagine that you started when you were a little older. Perhaps 7 or 8. You were old enough to cast reasonably well by then, and this guide of yours tied on a spinnerbait and told you to cast along the weed line. Perhaps then you would have felt the rocketing force of a chain pickerel or northern pike slamming your lure with reckless abandon! If you had, I’m sure you’d remember!

But no, instead that adult tied on a bobber and let you just watch it float. As a result, you’re now reading a fishing website as an adult trying to learn this great hobby. An entire lifetime spent doing something else that wasn’t as fun! Don’t do this to your children! Leave the bobbers at home!

Bobbers are Choking Hazards

Well, they are now, aren’t they? Many of them are are quite rotund and capable of blocking an airway. I know you’re probably wondering why anyone would eat a fishing bobber. If I haven’t made it clear yet, because bobbers will bore you stupid in a hurry. Stupid eats plastic. Unless you feel like bringing along that Dechoker the Facebook ads have scare-guilted all of us into buying, leave the bobbers at home!

Fishing Bobbers are Christmas Ornaments From Hell

Go walk around your favorite fishing pond. Look to the trees, look along the banks. What will you see? BOBBERS. EVERYWHERE THERE ARE BOBBERS. These photos didn’t need to be staged, folks! I could fill a page with them! Every single one of these things is a potentially danger to wildlife as well as just a stupid way to ruin a photo for a postcard. Think of all the Pinterest shots ruined by these lousy floats!

Please do your part to stop turning our ponds, lakes, and rivers into your own personalized version of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Leave the bobbers at home!

Bobbers are Destroying America

According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 100% of proceeds from fishing licenses go towards conservation and restoration. Further, there are taxes on many common fishing items that are also dedicated to these causes (source). Thus, the more people who buy fishing licenses, the more money that is available for conservation.

Most states don’t require small children to have a fishing license. Thus, they will only pay into this conservation practice if they grow up to become anglers. As you may remember from my first point, bobbers make fishing so incredibly boring that they put plenty of people off.

Let’s think this through:

If fishing licenses fund conservation efforts, and bobbers bore people away from fishing, then bobbers decrease funds available for conservation efforts. So… Yeah. Bobbers really are destroying America, one fruited plain and shining sea at a time! Stop destroying America! Leave the bobbers at home!

Conclusion: Be a Lively, Breathing, Non-Polluting American Hero and Leave the Bobbers at Home!

I don’t know how much plainer I can put it. Bobbers are stupid, they bore your children, they pollute our waterways, stringing up birds along the way, and are destroying the very fabric of our nation. There’s really nothing good about them aside from the fact that people recognize them and they make fine decorations for a “cutesy little fishing cake,” but then someone might choke on them. To each their own, but I’ll leave the bobbers at home!

Have a great day for fishing (just not with bobbers, unless you have no soul),

John Paxton

As an aside, if you are a bobber manufacturer or aficionado who is now furiously typing me an email or about to leave a nasty comment, consider the posting date of this article and if you shouldn’t take a little walk and sleep on it. Unless, of course, you think I should add “Bobbers Fuel Anger” as a subheading above too. Happy April Fools, everyone!

Sometimes I think I should have named this blog, “Ruminations of a Five-Year-Old.” Some of the more interesting questions I answer come from my son. His latest query was, “Daddy, can I use goldfish as bait?” I told him, “No, fishing with goldfish is illegal because they’re an invasive species.” I had no idea if that was true, of course, but threatened incarceration is my usual off-ramp to these conversations, and it worked this time too.

As it turns out, I was mostly right. It is illegal to fish with goldfish in a majority of states, including my own and most of the ones near me. This has nothing to do with sentimentality and everything to do with environmental protection. Goldfish are an invasive species and a particularly nasty one at that. They are prolific breeders and can quickly out compete native fish for resources.

Why Use Goldfish as Bait?

As mentioned above there are a number of states that allow you to fish with goldfish. The better question is why would you want to in the first place? There are far better ways to catch fish. Don’t worry – a bit further down I’ll do my best to convince you not to, but in the interest of being fair and balanced, let’s at least explore why someone, somewhere, has tried this.

They’re “Shiny”

As most parents know all too well, in the movie Moana, Jermaine Clement’s crab, Tamatoa sings:

Fish are dumb, dumb, dumb
They chase anything that glitters (beginners!)

The crab was on to something. Fish do tend to be pretty stupid, and are known for biting things that are shiny. Goldfish fit that bill.

People Think They’re Inexpensive and Easy to Find

People use goldfish as bait because they think they’re cheap. My local pet store sells them for about 31 cents each. Cheap bait is relative, though. Worms are free if you have a shovel and some rain. Further,

With that said, you can find goldfish in any pet shop that sells fish and they’ll have absolutely no qualms about selling them to you to feed to other animals (the inexpensive ones are called “feeder goldfish” for a reason).

They’re Durable

I’m going to have to take the internet’s word for this one, but people claim that goldfish are more durable bait than minnows. It makes sense to me as these fish are often a kid’s first pet and hold their own for some time, but I have no first hand experience with this and don’t plan to obtain any.

Reasons Not to Use Goldfish as Bait

Regardless of what your local legislature thinks or says, there are several reasons that using goldfish as fishing bait is a bad idea. While I don’t intend to preach (it’s hardly my business what you decide locally), it is true that the mere fact that your local government is OK with something doesn’t make it a good idea.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get into some specifics about why you shouldn’t use release goldfish or use them as fishing bait.

It Is Illegal to Use Goldfish as Bait in Many States

For many of us, this is the only reason that we need. As I stated above, it is illegal to use goldfish as bait in a majority of states. I hesitate to tell you precisely which ones for a few reasons. First, laws change much more quickly than this obscure blog post will. Secondly, I am not a lawyer and therefore am unqualified to interpret laws for you.

What I would suggest you do is assume that fishing with goldfish is illegal until a state representative such as a game warden informs you otherwise. You can check your local Department of Environmental Protection (or whatever your state calls it) for more details. Some states, such as Indiana, seem to have this information readily available while others don’t.

Goldfish Are An Invasive Species

Goldfish are native to Asia, so unless you’re reading this blog from there, they’re an invasive species. Any time a foreign species is introduced to an ecosystem, you run the risk of considerable trouble.

Goldfish Can Out Compete Native Species

A prime reason why it is illegal to fish with goldfish in many states is that they can ruin fisheries. Goldfish are an invasive species that can out compete native species and eventually edge them out of an environment. This can have cascading effects, as everything in that pond naturally is there for a reason.

You might wonder how a tiny little fish like this could be any threat to other species. Consider a few things. First, goldfish are prolific breeders who can lay 25 eggs at a time. Each one of these fish can go on to to live anywhere from 7 to 30 years (source). That’s a lot of goldfish swimming around to compete with native species.

Also consider that your tiny little pet isn’t going to stay small for long in the wild. Goldfish over several pounds have routinely been plucked from lakes and ponds where they were released (source).

Goldfish can Cross Breed with Native Species

You might be thinking that it’s no big deal to use goldfish as bait if they all die, but if even one gets away, you could have trouble. There is evidence that goldfish are able to crossbreed with common carp and that the offspring may be able to have young of their own (source). In time, this could reduce the genetic viability of the native species.

Goldfish Introduce Disease, Bacteria, and Parasites

Goldfish are disgusting critters when you think about it. One of the reasons they’re so popular as pets is they’re one of the few fish that can handle sub-optimal conditions in their water tank. Diseases that they shrug off can devastate other creatures if this invasive species are introduced to a water body. Goldfish can introduce a number of bacteria, parasites, and diseases such as koi herpesvirus. Some of these can infect native fish and amphibians (source).

You Name the Darned Things!

Let’s level with each other here: if you use a goldfish as fishing bait and your kid starts talking about it, someone in his kindergarten is getting traumatized. There’s a reason farm kids don’t name the chickens! Fishing with goldfish is no different. They’re a pet to some and should remain that way.

There is Better Fishing Bait Than Goldfish

If i can’t appeal to your sense of stewardship, are you at least a pragmatist? If so, consider that a goldfish is unlikely to prove a better offering than any other bait fish. You’re probably much better off buying or collecting native minnows, worms, or even just using fishing lures. Heck, you can find a fishing lure that looks just like a goldfish if you really want to.

The bottom line is there are simply better options out there, so why run all the risks discussed above when you don’t have to? Buy some worms and call it a day!

Conclusion: Even If Fishing with Goldfish Isn’t Illegal, You Still Shouldn’t Use Them as Bait

I hope this article helped dissuade you from this idea. While goldfish can be used in some states, and probably work just fine, there’s just too much that can go wrong. You can inadvertently ruin your waterways or some kids’ birthday for no true gain. There’s far better bait out there that is legal and as effective, so why go rogue? Leave the goldfish at home, and do your bit to preserve our planet.

Please note that the art in this blog (including the cover photo) was used with permission from the artist, Violet Davenport. If you are interested in viewing more of her amazing work, or wish to reach out to buy a piece, please contact her at her facebook page.

Thanks,

John Paxton

I really lucked out on my first fishing charter. In just eight hours, my fantastic guide, Captain Mick Maynard, put my wife on pretty much every major game fish Lake Champlain has to offer, exposed us to new fishing techniques, and cemented a friendship that has lasted for years. I’ll do my best in this article to give you tips to choose a fishing charter that provides the same experience!

I couldn’t ask for more in a guide, but I do have to give myself a bit of credit as I did my homework before I ever hired him. Some people skip this step (or just don’t know what to look for or ask) and wind up having a horrible trip.

I hope this post helps you choose the sort of fishing charter captain who will keep you coming back for more fishing trips for years and years, but if there is anything I didn’t answer that you’d like me to expand on, please feel free to send me an email.

Let’s dive into some of the things you should consider when picking your fishing guide.

What is Your Objective With This Charter?

It’s a good idea to ask yourself what your objective is before you start looking for a fishing charter. Your goals will heavily influence which guide you choose.

• Are you just looking to try fishing for the first time?
• Do you normally fish from shore, but want to take your kids out on a boat in search of bigger quarry?
• Are you trying to organize a company team-building day, and want to spend it reeling in some fish?
• Are you an experienced fisherman looking to catch a trophy, or to work on refining a certain presentation or technique?

There’s a captain out there for every situation, but this is definitely not “one size fits all,” so if you aren’t clear about what you want up front, you can have a wildly different experience than you were expecting.

What is the Price and What Does it Include?

Before you balk at the cost of fishing charters consider all the expenses that the average captain has to contend with. Boats are an acronym for “Break Out Another Thousand” after all and they got that title for good reason!

Your captain has to pay for the costs of the boat and gear maintenance, insurance, licensing, bait or tackle and, of course, fuel. A fishing guide taking you out to local spots on his bass boat might only have a $20 fuel bill for the day, but if you’re headed offshore then you could easily burn hundreds of dollars worth of fuel during the trip.

With that being said, you still need to ensure that you understand exactly what the price is and what it includes before you leave the dock. Make sure you have accurate expectations surrounding the following:

• Is the price per angler or per boat? Getting this wrong could easily sour your entire vacation much less your fishing trip.
• If you’re fishing with bait, is it included in the price, or is there a surcharge?
• Is there a fuel surcharge?
• Are any sandwiches, snacks, or drinks included in this price, or do you need to bring your own?
• Is the cost of a fishing license included in the trip, or are you expected to supply your own?
• Does the price include the tip?
• Does the price include any costs for filleting and preparing fish if you intend to keep them?

Understanding the above will allow you to know what you’re getting into. It also will help you understand if a certain charter is “really” a good deal or not. The captain who is charging $400 all-inclusive for a trip might actually be better than the “$300” trip that doesn’t include fuel, bait, or drinks.

How Much Should You Tip the Fishing Charter Captain or Mate?

If the tip is not specifically included in the price of your fishing charter, you should plan on leaving a 15-20% gratuity for a job well done. This should be paid in cash.

If your charter boat has a mate and a captain, you’ll need to split the tip between them somehow for your fishing trip. The captain has more expenses to cover, but the mate is probably the first one on and the last one off the dock each day, so I’d argue you should tip 50/50.

When choosing how much to tip, bear in mind that there are plenty of things beyond your captain’s control. It’s not their fault if the weatherman lies and tries to kill you, for example. Also, some days just aren’t as good as others for fishing, but as long as the work ethic and enthusiasm is there, your charter captain and mate deserve a tip.

It’s worth remembering that the fishing world is smaller than you might think and you can earn a reputation (good or bad) by your tip or lack thereof. You might find it difficult to book a fishing charter in the future if you stiff someone on the tip today.

Think of a tip as an investment in future charters. If one doesn’t go exactly as planned but you still tip well, you can count on that guide going the extra mile the next time you fish with him.

How Many Hours is the Charter, and When Does It Begin and End?

Most fishing charters last anywhere from 4 – 8 hours, but you’ll want to be clear with the captain as to when your time starts, and also how far away they plan to fish.

It is customary that any time you spend on the boat driving to or from fishing grounds would be included in your 4 to 8 hour package. It would be unusual for a captain to consider time onshore filling out license slips or cleaning fish to be included in the package.

Every charter is going to be a little different but just make sure you understand exactly what you’re buying before you give them a deposit, so no one has hard feelings.

What Kind of Fish Do You Want to Target?

If you want to target a specific type of fish you should choose a charter with an individual who fishes for that species often.

Not everyone out there is a bass fisherman, or likes to target pike. If you’re keen to catch a lake trout or landlocked salmon, you’re probably going to do better with a guide who has downriggers on this boat than one who fishes shallow water 95% of the time from a bass boat.

Most guides have an extensive photo collection on their website or blog. If you don’t see very many photos of the fish you want to catch, that is an indicator that you might want to look elsewhere for your guide.

What Style of Fishing Do You Prefer?

There are some people who think trolling is the absolute worst way on earth to fish. There are some guides who do nothing but this. These two individuals would have an unpleasant day out on the water together.

If you’re new to fishing, you don’t know what you like so you’ll have to go out and try whatever the guide suggests, but if you’ve fished for a long time, you probably know what type of fishing you’d like to do, generally, and what techniques you can’t stand.

For example, I really enjoy mooching for salmon in Alaska, but I absolutely hate bottom fishing for halibut. I’m fine with trolling, to an extent, but find it much more fun if I’m involved with setting up the rod, or at least setting the hook.

It’s important to know what you like so you can ask the guide how they fish and figure out if you’re a good match or not. Honesty is important here – a good fishing charter will tell you straight out they aren’t for you on this trip, which might help you choose them for the next one.

How Much 1:1 Attention Do You Want (or Need)?

If you’re new to fishing it will be far better for you (and the guide) if you let them know that ahead of time. Ask them if they’re used to helping new anglers, and if there is anything you should do before your trip to help you prepare.

You also might want to consider booking a private charter, or one for just a few friends. While there are large party barges that can take several dozen anglers at once, you aren’t going to get much attention from the mates on these, as they’ll simply be overwhelmed by all the anglers out there.

I know it seems a little counter-intuitive to spend big bucks on a small/private charter when you’re just starting instead of spending a small amount of money on a party barge, but the extra cost is for the guide’s undivided attention, and it is worth every penny if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Do You Need Special Gear or Other Accommodations?

You should understand what type of gear the charter captain uses, and ensure that you’re comfortable using it. I once had a charter captain tell me that, “A paid trip is no time to learn to use a baitcaster” and he was on to something.

While we’re on the topic of baitcasters – not all captains have reels in left-hand retrieve. If you aren’t comfortable reeling in with your right hand it can make a trip tremendously less enjoyable (unfortunately, I know this from experience).

Other considerations include seats. My father is getting on in years and can’t fish standing for extended periods, so he always has to make sure his fishing guides have a seat ready for him. He travels all over Alaska to fish and the lodges there all know that he needs a special seat and have it ready for him, but that’s only because he calls them ahead of time to let them know.

If the captain doesn’t have gear that can accommodate you, that isn’t necessarily the end of the world if you know about the problem in time to do something about it, because then you can either bring your own stuff, or have it mailed to the captain ahead of time. If you only learn about it at the dock, you’re out of luck.

What Should You Bring on a Fishing Charter?

In addition to understanding what special accommodations are present or necessary, you also need to confirm that basic provisions will be available, as many won’t. While it’s wonderful if you can choose a fishing charter that is all inclusive, many aren’t and you’ll need to know this going in.

You should plan on packing anything that you feel you’ll need to be comfortable on the water. This means rain gear, an extra sweatshirt, sun tan lotion, food and beverages. If your child needs a potty or some shade, you should be prepared to bring it and not expect that the captain will have it.

Make sure you verify with your captain if you will need to secure your own fishing license ahead of time, or if you can purchase one from them at the dock.

If you’re purchasing a license, is there a particular one you need? For example, on Lake Champlain there are certain areas where a New York or Vermont license will be reciprocal, but there are other large sections where you need one from a specific state. Make sure you discuss this with your guide ahead of time, especially if you’re going to fish in interstate waters.

As to life jackets, while your captain is required by law to provide them, you can also bring along your own if you intend to wear it all day. I’ve invested in a very comfortable life jacket by Mustang Survival and I bring it with me when I book a charter. I’d rather wear that all day than whatever the guide has on hand.

What Should You Wear to a Fishing Charter?

The type of fishing charter you choose as well as the time of year and location will dictate what you wear. In colder climates and times of year, you’re going to get cold — very cold. There are few places as cold as a boat in the middle of the lake. Likewise, few get as hot. Dress accordingly.

A few fishing-specific items I’d consider wearing to a fishing charter include:

• A jacket or at least a windbreaker of some sort. Even if it is going to be a warm day, the ride out to the fishing grounds can be frigid due to the wind.
• A hat and sunglasses to protect you from the glare.
• I’m a huge fan of clothes that offer sun protection. You’re basically out there baking all day. A neck gaiter is a must-have, in my book.
• Boat shoes, or at least non skid shoes with light colored rubber soles. First of all, they’ll help you keep your balance and comfort throughout the day. Secondly, you won’t scuff up your captain’s boat!

Catch-and-Release or Catch-and-Keep?

People feel all sorts of ways about catch-and-release fishing, and it’s important that you and your captain are on the same page before you book your trip.

Some captains (especially those who charter offshore) rely on their catch for part of their wages, as they can sell the fish at local market. If you have misgivings against killing your catch, it could make for a bad experience if you didn’t realize they would do this up front.

In contrast, other captains (especially those who charter in freshwater) would prefer to release all the fish so they can catch them again with other clients another day. If you intend to keep the fish for a meal, you’d better let them know ahead of time before they throw supper overboard!

It’s just one of those things you might not think about until it’s too late.

Is Alcohol Allowed?

Not all captains will allow alcohol on their boats, and for good reason. If you like to enjoy a few suds while you’re out there, make sure you choose a fishing charter that allows it. Otherwise, you’ll come back to warm beer that has been sitting in your car all day!

Another reason for checking this policy is if you’re going out with a group of strangers. You might not have the most fun if you get stuck on the boat with an ugly drunk, so you may be better off screening for a charter that forbids alcohol in the first place.

What Type of Boat Does the Charter Use?

Most charter captains will tell you exactly what sort of boat they own and you’d be well-advised to go and google it to make sure it is something you’re comfortable fishing out of. Again, it’s all about setting expectations for yourself and making sure that your dreams aren’t dashed when you pull up to the marina.

There’s a few critical things you’ll want to understand about your captain’s boat:

Does the Boat have a Head (Bathroom)?

Depending on the size of the boat, there may or may not be a bathroom. This is definitely something you should ask the captain beforehand.

A lack of bathrooms aren’t always a deal breaker as there are often nearby marinas that you can pull in for lunch and a break, but this could cut into your fishing time so you’ll want to do your best to be ready for your trip.

Even if the boat does have a head, don’t have very high expectations. They tend to be tiny and crammed, especially if you’re loaded down with rain gear or other heavy clothing.

I’ve encountered my share of boats where the head was used as rod storage. If someone in your party needs to use the bathroom frequently, it would be a good idea to alert the captain or crew ahead of time so they can make sure it is accessible.

How Many People Can the Boat Comfortably Fish?

The size of the captain’s boat (as well as the captain’s license and credentials) will determine how many guests can legally go on the boat. The US Coast Guard provides ratings for each vessel that includes a maximum number of passengers.

It’s important to realize that the maximum number of passengers is often significantly more than the realistic number of people who can fish comfortably. Choose a fishing charter that has enough space for the people you wish to bring.

I own a 2012 Lund Impact 1875 Sport. It is rated for six passengers, but it also has a walk-through windshield that takes up a lot of space. It’s challenging to fish four people out of the boat and six would be very difficult unless we were vertically jigging.

You should know what your guide intends to take you out in, search the internet for pictures of it, and see if it’s really something you want to go out on with four friends or not. Many times, captains network with each other and will be able to accommodate larger groups if you think it makes sense to spread out over more boats.

Is the Boat Exposed to the Elements?

Not all boats are created equal. I’ve fished in Alaska in comfortable, custom-made 37′ cruisers equipped with heated cabins and restrooms. My father fishes each year at another lodge that used a converted landing craft totally exposed to the elements.

Which one would you bring your wife to?

You’ll want to know what type of boat your captain has to help you narrow your selection.

• If you’re bringing along a gaggle of kids, a bass boat probably isn’t going to be the best choice.
• Should you wish to troll on a hot summer day, you’ll be thankful if you choose a fishing charter captain who has a bimini top on his boat.
• If you’re headed to some frontier where the weather could turn at any moment, a heated cabin is a luxury you’ll crave.

Just try and match your expectations and needs with the type of boat your captain has and you’ll be fine. A quick question about his vessel coupled with a quick internet search to confirm what the boat looks like will make for a better experience.

If You’re Going Offshore, Does the Boat Have Multiple Engines?

If you’re chartering a boat offshore (or even in the Great Lakes), you really want it to have multiple engines in case one of them fails. This is an important safety feature as it can be extremely dangerous to lose power, especially in a storm.

If you’re on the Great Lakes, you’d do well to search for a guide who has a kicker motor next to their main outboard. While these small motors won’t get you anywhere fast, they do offer some peace of mind if the big engine fails.

What Do You Know About the Captain?

While it’s a great idea to make sure you understand the fine print of any fishing charter as well as the equipment and boat that you’ll be using, it’s all for nothing if you choose the wrong captain.

You should strive to find someone who is friendly, reputable, knowledgeable, and fully licensed and insured. Checking references is a must. You’re about to fork over a good amount of money to spend an entire day (or more) with this individual, so you’d better get along.

Is This the Captain’s Full-Time Job?

While I’m sure there are plenty of part-time guides who do a fine job, it stands to reason that you have a better chance of having a good experience if you book your fishing charter with a full-time captain, or at the very least a full-time fishing professional (such as a professional tournament angler who guides on the side).

Hiring a full-time captain means that you’re booking with someone who is guaranteed to have been on the lake very recently (usually, yesterday) and knows what’s going on. They’ll be much more in-tune with local conditions and fish movements and much more likely to put you on a good catch.

The part timer might be an excellent fisherman, but if this is the first time they’ve taken people out in a few weeks, you might find that you spend the first part of the day exploring and trying to figure out what works.

Is Your Captain Properly Licensed and Insured?

It’s important to ensure that you choose a properly licensed and insured fishing charter captain.

Chartering on federally navigable waters requires that the captain hold a current OUPV or Master Captain’s license, and a Department of Homeland Security transportation worker’s credential (TWIC). If your guide does not have this, and you’re fishing federally navigable waters, they are not compliant with the law.

What other laws are they ignoring? Are you sure they have life jackets?

As to insurance, you’ll want to make sure that they have proper coverage in case anything happens. Money won’t give you back life or limb, but it can at least pay for unexpected medical expenses due to an accident while on board.

A serious captain would have a proper license, and insurance. You’re trusting your life to this individual, so make sure they’re the real deal.

How Well Do They Know the Area?

It’s important to understand how long your captain has been fishing the area before you commit to hiring them. If you don’t clarify this, you could find that you’re one of the “exclusive first members” that helps them figure out what they’re doing. It just doesn’t make sense to spend several hundred dollars hiring a guide who knows as little about the area as you.

If they admit that they’re fishing a new area, see if you can negotiate a reduced price or extra hours to help them try stuff out. They might go for this because it makes it easier for them to learn about the lake and have better success with future clients.

When Captain Mick first started guiding in Florida, he offered to take me out from dawn until dusk for the price of a regular 8-hour charter, so long as I was OK with trying out a few different spots and helping him figure out some patterns. That was a win-win for both of us. I got to fish extra hours, and he had another person casting and helping him figure out a new lake.

Do They Have any Sponsors or Tournament Wins?

There are plenty of great fishing guides who don’t have any sponsors and don’t fish in any tournaments, much less win them, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt if they had these credentials.

At the very least, participating in tournaments shows that the fisherman puts his money where his mouth is, as the entry fees can be hefty.

Sponsorships are granted to fishermen who are able to move product for the sponsoring company. This is a good sign that they are a reputable fisherman, as companies would not waste time or money on just anyone. All the same, not everyone bothers with seeking a sponsorship, so I wouldn’t let a sponsorship or lack thereof be a deciding factor in how I chose my fishing charter.

What is Their Fish Guarantee, If Any?

Many fishing guides offer a “no fish, no pay” policy, though this isn’t standard across the industry. Even an unsuccessful fishing trip can be a beautiful (and expensive) boat ride, so it isn’t necessarily a warning sign if a guide doesn’t offer this.

Depending on the species you are targeting, it could be more or less likely that you’ll be successful. Muskies aren’t called “the fish of 1,000 casts” for nothing, after all, but if you just wanted your guide to help your kids catch some fish, one would hope they’d be able to find a bluegill or two!

Are They Comfortable Fishing with Children?

Not everyone is comfortable fishing with kids. I can tell you from experience that it presents a whole new set of challenges and some people just aren’t cut out for it.

You should ask your charter captain how often they fish with children, what kind of gear they have for them, and what the minimum age of kid is that they’ll allow on their boat.

You should also understand if they’ll provide worms if your kids are young or if you need to purchase these, as well as ask them what kind of techniques they intend to use for the day, and how well kids have been able to quickly learn them in their experience. If you are going to use worms, ask if there’s a place to store them to keep them fresh. While dead worms work in a pinch, you’re better off with live ones.

If the captain isn’t used to fishing with kids, don’t be afraid to keep shopping around and checking the local fishing forums to see if you can find someone who is better equipped for the challenge. It’s nothing personal; you need to choose a fishing charter captain who will work out well for you. Frankly, if you’re planning to bring kids along, and one captain isn’t up for it, your discretion is better for everyone.

How Can You Find a Good Charter Captain?

OK, so now that you know what to look for in a fishing guide service and captain, how exactly do you go about finding this gem? There’s a few ways that work pretty well:

Magazine Articles

Many fishing magazine articles detail a writer’s experience with a particular guide or lodge. These tend to be descriptive and will give you a good idea about the captain’s history, reputation, and ability.

If you read a great article about a certain technique you’ve wanted to try and notice that it featured a guide in a state you’re about to visit, the stars may just have aligned for you. Give them a call and see if you can book a trip to learn that technique from the master!

Forums

I’ve always been a big fan of forums for unbiased information. Most of the participants are somewhat anonymous and, shall we say, “unrestrained” when it comes to telling it like it is. If you find that a certain guide or service is held in high esteem by these internet warriors, it’s usually a great sign that they’re worth hiring.

Even better is if the guide also posts to the forum. This can give you some great insight into their temperament and disposition. For example, you can see how patiently they answer (sometimes stupid) questions from newer members, and also gain an appreciation for their values based on what topics they choose to reply to.

Internet Search & Interviews

A final way to help you choose a good fishing charter guide is by taking what you’ve learned in this article and applying it to your own research. Just simply Google “fishing charter in [your state]” and see what turns up.

Usually, you’ll find a bunch of websites for different captains. Start clicking on them to see what you can learn from the site itself (boat, terms, types of fish caught, etc.) and then call the captain and have a conversation.

If you do this, please start by asking if now is a good time and requesting a call back later if it isn’t. A good sign would be that the captain requests to call you in the afternoon. This means that he’s out fishing with a client and giving them his full attention, which is what you would want as well! It also is a good sign that his client is being successful, and the captain has his hands full!

Conclusions

While choosing a fishing charter poorly can prove an expensive mistake, if you select them wisely, you can have a very fun and informative time on the water and walk out of the experience with a new friend.

A guide can significantly reduce your learning curve and teach you new tips and tricks to make you a more efficient angler. They’re also a great way to fish from a boat if you lack one, or to go try something new and daunting.

It’s my hope that this article makes the process of hiring them, at least, a little less challenging. If you found it helpful, I’d appreciate it if you would share it so that it can help others.

Thanks,

John Paxton

There are few moments in life more thrilling than watching your child gleefully fight their first large fish, but their happiness can soon turn to heartbreak if you don’t know how to use a landing net.

To give yourself the best chance of being the hero and successfully netting the fish, you always want to net the fish head first in a scooping motion, being careful not to hit it with any part of the net that isn’t mesh as that could knock it off the hook.

If you’ve never had to net a fish before, this can all be a little scary. All the same, the fact that you’re reading this ahead of time will help to get you through it. Let’s talk more about the different steps to landing a fish, what type of net you should use, and what to do if you need to land a fish without a net.

How to Land a Fish With a Net

When you or your fishing buddy has a large fish thrashing on the line, your objective is to make sure that fish gets into the landing net. Your goal, after all, is to pull it into the boat without it breaking off the hook.

Communicate With Your Fishing Partner

The very step is simply to communicate with your partner, be they your tournament co-angler or just your four-year-old. You both need to be on the same page and identify what each other is trying to do, and where each other is going to position themselves.

If you’re netting the fish for an adult, let them tell you what they want you to do. They’ll have a better idea if the fish is going to keep making runs or if it is tiring. Further, they’ll know where they plan to bring the fish near the boat. Let them tell you which side of the boat they plan to go to, and then stand near them but out of their way with the net ready.

If you’re netting the fish for your child, you need to take charge. Coach them through what they should do so you can land it. The most important thing to tell them is not to horse it in. It’s unlikely that a fish is going to spit the hook near the boat if constant pressure is kept on it. It is much more likely to snap the line, especially if your kid tries to lift it out of the water and towards the net.

Make Sure the Fish is Ready for the Net

A fish needs to be properly fought and ready for the net. While you don’t want to overly stress them, you do want them tired enough that they go into the net easily rather than making a sudden plunge.

The mere fact that a fish happens to be right next to the boat does not necessarily mean it is ready to be netted. Certain fish, like northern pike and chain pickerel, are renowned for following a lure right to the boat before biting. Attempting to net them immediately would be a mistake.

Play the fish out, and make sure it is ready and under control before you attempt to net it.

When trolling, a fish will let you know it is ready because it will tend to come in on its side, “surfing” through the water rather than continuing to fight. If you’re just drifting or sitting still, you’ll know they’re ready because they’ll stop fighting and will glide along wherever your rod leads them.

Position the Landing Net in the Water at an Angle

You’ll hear some people say that you shouldn’t put the net in the water until the last moment. I disagree. If you wait until the fish is close to suddenly plunge the net in, there’s a good chance you’ll end up hitting the fish and knocking it off the hook.

You are better off placing the net about 3/4 of the way in the water at about a 45˚ angle. You would then have your fishing partner guide the fish into the net with their rod, rather than jabbing towards the fish with your net.

Be Ready to Pull Back and Out of the Way

If you misjudged the fish and it continues fighting, be ready to pull the net away. If a fish hits its head or the line against the net’s rim, there’s a good chance that this will provide enough leverage to dislodge the hook. You’re better off just pulling back and waiting to try again.

Bring the Fish in Head First and Scoop It Up

You should position yourself so that you can net the fish head first. This is a little counter-intuitive. You would expect the fish to see this and get scared, but it’s hard for a fish to turn 180˚ in a tight space with a hook in its mouth. In contrast, there is nothing stopping a fish from surging or jumping if it feels the net touch its tail. If you try to net the fish from behind, chances are you’ll lose it.

While it’s usually best to let the other angler guide the fish into the net with their rod, this isn’t always possible, especially if you’re with kids, so you might need to go after the fish. This should be done with a scooping motion and never a jabbing motion. Again, you want the fish in the center of the net. You do not want to knock them off with the rim.

Once the fish is in the net, don’t delay. Scoop it up and out of the water and bring it into the boat. You’ll find that doing this often dislodges the hook so don’t play around with the fish. Get it out of the water where it might thrash and escape and safely into the boat.

Be Careful of Hooks

It’s pretty easy to get jabbed by a hook that’s in the net. Depending on how the fish is positioned, it can move the netting substantially with any jerk. I’d strongly urge you to grab the lure with some pliers and toss it over the side of the boat. Get it out of the way before you attempt to lift the fish for a photo.

What Type of Landing Net Do I Need?

You’re going to need a net large enough for the fish you intend to catch. It is very difficult to to land one if your net is too small. My father and I were fishing for longnose gar one day and just had a heck of a time landing them. All we had was a bass net. Trying to fit a 3-4′ long fish into a net designed for a 20″ bass is a very frustrating experience and we wound up losing most of them.

With that said, giant nets take up a giant amount of space. There are some models that will fold up for storage but it’s not really practical to keep them folded because that makes it challenging to have them at the ready.

I found this out the hard way. $200 later, I have a gar-sized net that rarely leaves my tackle room. It just isn’t practical to bring it along unless I’m specifically targeting that species. This is very rare, so it probably wasn’t the best buy.

It’s really a “goldilocks” situation where you’re trying to find a good balance between size and storage, but you should buy a net that is large enough for the fish you’re most likely to frequently encounter.

Also, don’t let me scare you too much with the longnose gar example. They’re a weird fish that have a long, hard snout that doesn’t bend, so you really can’t fit them in a small net. The same bass net that gave me fits with the gar has handled 10lb northern pike without an issue. I’d recommend you go with a bass net for every day use unless you’re targeting king salmon or some other giant species regularly.

Are Rubber Nets Better for Fish?

Rubber nets (and rubber-coated mesh) are indeed better for the fish than fiber mesh nets. This is because they don’t scrape away the fish’s protective slime as badly as a mesh net would.

This does make them a little bit more expensive, but even if fish slime isn’t enough to spark your inner altruism, you’re still better off with a rubber net because it will make your life easier. This is because hooks are significantly less likely to get stuck in a rubber net than a fiber mesh one.

That same treble hooked lure that would find a way to jab each and every hook point into the fibers will rest its bend harmlessly against the rubber. This will save you time, energy, and frustration. It will also tend to mean you release the fish faster, reducing stress on them and increasing their chance of survival.

Forgot Your Net? No Problem.

While landing fish with a net is certainly easier than without one, that’s not always in the cards. I’ve written an entirely separate article on how to land fish without a net. You can find it here.

Keep Things in Perspective

Netting a fish can be a stressful situation for you, your fishing partner, and the animal, so it is important that you’re as prepared for the moment as you can be.

Hopefully these tips will help you have a better experience out there on the water, but you need to bear in mind that fishing is fun because it is hard. You will lose some fish while trying to net them. Don’t let this stress you out.

No matter how big that fish is, there’s always a bigger one just around the point, and if you got it close enough to the boat to net it, at least you got to see what it was.

You can’t control how someone else will react to your failing to net their fish, but you can control how you react when someone else lets you down. Don’t make a big deal out of it. They already feel bad about it and there’s nothing they can do to fix it at this point. No fish is worth ruining a trip or friendship over!

As always, if you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it so it can help others. You might also want to check out my book. If you are trying to get your kids into this sport, or know someone who is, it’s worth a read. Please consider purchasing it for yourself or a friend.

Thanks,

John Paxton

Many of my blog posts are devoted towards helping your kids get better at fishing, but in order for them to improve, you need to improve your fishing skills as well. If you’re completely new to this sport, you might have some questions about how you can quickly improve at fishing. While some people think fishing takes more luck than skill, that just isn’t true. This skill based activity requires specific effort to become better, and I’m here to help.

Besides the obvious “practice,” there are five key steps that you can take to become a better angler and fisherman for your kids: You can hire a guide, join a forum, join a club, volunteer at professional tournaments, and keep reading everything you can.

Hire a Fishing Guide

Vince Lombardi once said, “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” He was right.

While you can go out there on your own and simply start casting, hoping to get lucky, you’ll improve at fishing much faster if you hire a skilled guide to help you learn the right way to do things.

Look, I’ve started hobbies before–I know that when you’re just starting out, the last thing you want to do is invest a ton of money into something. You might be wary of forking over $300-$500 for a fishing guide to take you when you don’t even know if you’ll still like the sport in another six weeks.

Well, if you pick the right guide, you might like the sport for another six decades.

What a Good Guide Can Teach You

A good guide can teach you so much in as little as 6 – 8 hours:

• You’ll learn the basic mechanics of fishing like casting, retrieve speed, and proper lure presentation;
• They can talk about why they have certain gear and make recommendations for your budget (as a bonus, you get to try it out before you buy it if you go with their setups);
• Your guide can teach you why they’re taking you to certain spots, and what they’d look for to find spots like it in your area;
• They can teach you about the different major fish species, where they typically live, and how you can typically make them bite;
• They can teach you about how to properly hold a fish and safely release;
• The list goes on and on.

How to Pick a Fishing Charter

I’ve written an in-depth article about how to choose a fishing charter, but I’ll give you some basics for what you’re looking for now:

• You want 1:1 instruction at this stage (or at least 2:1 if you bring your wife or girlfriend). You will not get this on one of the large “party barge” charters;
• Try to find a guide who specializes in species you might target with your kids (bass and pike would be a good bet);
• You need to find someone who is properly licensed and has any necessary U.S. Coast Guard certifications.

Depending on your goal and the age of your kids, you might want to leave them at home. Don’t get me wrong–bringing your kids on a fishing charter is a WONDERFUL idea, sometimes. It’s a great way to spend time with them and bond. All the same, if your goal is to acquire 1:1 instruction, this trip is not for them. If you bring smaller kids, the guide is going to spend all of their time with them, and rightfully so.

Even if you feel like you have a pretty good grasp of the basics or even consider yourself more advanced, a fishing guide can still teach you new things and expand your horizons. I’d been fishing for two decades before I went on my first charter, yet I’ve still learned tons from my guide. How could I not? My two decades were spent fishing every few weekends. He had over four decades of fishing nearly every day!

You can always learn more.

Join a Fishing Forum

I’m a member of several fishing forums and lurk on several others. I’ve found them to be a fantastic way to help me improve my fishing skills. I love how they connect anglers from all over the globe as if everyone was chatting at a local tackle shop.

If there is a forum about you’re favorite fishing hole, consider yourself in luck. Fishing Forums are great ways to quickly increase your skill set and experience because you can search for certain topics and get years worth of opinions. It does take a little digging sometimes, as well as some skill with the search function, but there is gold to be found on fishing forums.

Unbiased Opinions

Forums also help to see through the marketing cloud that is so heavy in the fishing industry. Rather than wading through someone’s sales pitch, every day anglers will get right to the information that you need. There are plenty of pros who will give you tips interlaced with sponsor plugs, but for the most part the people on fishing forums are regular folks like you and me. They just talk about what works for them. I value that.

On the other hand, if you consistently see the same lure or manufacturer mentioned over several years by dozens of different people, then maybe there is a reason that product has withstood the test of time. Perhaps the marketing talk is more than just words. That’s how I learned of PowerPro braided fishing line, and other items I used each day.

One of the main reasons I go to forums is for research on lakes. Knowing what spots other members went to and what lures they used successfully can save you a lot of time. I talked a bit about how I gather this information in my post about why you can’t catch fish – and what to do about it.

There’s a forum out there for everything. Regardless of what species you target or what region you’re in, just conduct a google search for “bass fishing forum” or “Nevada fishing forum” and you’ll soon find a home.

Join a Fishing Club

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better way to quickly improve your fishing skills than by joining a local club. This is a great way to meet local anglers, make new friends, and learn from dozens of more experienced anglers. Some clubs have access to private waters including trout ponds designed for members’ kids to fish, which can be a huge plus.

Do a little research before you join as club culture can vary widely. Some are very competitive and host very large tournaments for experienced anglers. Others are more down-to-earth and just a way for a group of friends to hang out, have a few beers, and shoot the breeze. Choose a club that will fit well with your personality, interests, and goals.

If you’re looking at a club that hosts tournaments, consider spending the first year or two as a non-boater. Even if you own a boat of your own, this is a good way to start. Doing so will allow you to spend time with numerous boat owners in the club and get to know them all better. You’ll get to see their different fishing styles and be exposed to numerous techniques. It can be a great way to quickly learn how to fish. One thing is for certain. You’ll quickly learn that fishing requires more skill than luck after you notice the same old timers bringing in the wins week after week.

Granted, it can be a little intimidating to join a club full of strangers. You’ll need to be able to take a joke (or 10) and poke fun at yourself a bit, but just remember that everyone in the club was in your shoes at one time. Give it a short while and you won’t be the rookie any more.

Volunteer as a Marshal at a Tournament

An exciting way to get better at fishing and improve your skill set is to volunteer as a marshal. Several of the larger tournament trails have a marshal program where individuals can sign up to basically act as a referee for the professional fisherman. It’s the marshal’s responsibility to ensure that the professional follows all rules and regulations and generally to keep an eye on them during the tournament.

In addition to acting as a referee, marshals act as reporters of sorts. They are responsible for taking photographs, reporting back on the approximate size of the pro’s catch, etc. It gives you something to do besides just sitting there watching someone else fish.

While you do have to pay a fee to watch others fish and can’t fish yourself, acting as a marshal for a tournament would be akin to sitting in the passenger seat of a stock car at a NASCAR race. You’re not going to get closer to a professional athlete in the middle of a competition. Depending on your luck, you could watch one of the most skilled anglers in history go fishing!

That last word is important to remember: while professional fishermen tend to be great people, they’re also under a ton of stress in each tournament as this is how they provide for their families. You can learn a ton from this experience, but don’t be offended if the pro isn’t very chatty.

Keep Reading About Fishing

While nothing beats on the water experience, you can learn a lot about fishing by sitting down and reading. You are in luck, as there is no shortage of information out there. For example, there are several outstanding magazines and blogs that you subscribe to. Reading these articles and trying to soak up everything you can will go a long way towards improving your fishing skills.

I’m a big fan of In-Fisherman. I prefer this magazine over other popular fishing ones because whereas others tend to cover one species only (usually bass), In-Fisherman covers multiple species (including bluegill, crappie, sunfish, and other fish that make great objectives for a fishing trip with kids).

The folks at In-Fisherman also have a ton of great videos and television programs available and several books that have been in publication for decades. Some of my earliest memories of reading are of staring at their books about northern pike and just marveling at the photos. For some suggestions, check out my post about the best fishing books I’ve ever read.

Other Helpful Fishing Resources

Of course, you can also find several good articles on this blog (though I might be biased), or drop me a line at johnpaxton@fishingfather.com and ask your question directly.

• Why You Can’t Catch Fish – And What to Do About It
• The Basic Skills You Need to Take Your Kids Fishing

Finally, please consider purchasing my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. In it, you will find numerous tips and tricks for teaching children to fish. If you are trying to get your kids into this sport, or know someone who is, it’s worth a read. It will help you improve your skill set, and stop thinking that fishing is mostly luck.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

Fishermen can be pretty secretive about their honey holes. They also tend to hide what they’re catching them on in the middle of a tournament. Even so, for the most part, serious fishermen are eager and willing to help others learn.

It’s in our best interests. This entire hobby exists because of all the new folks joining it each year and giving the old timers something to write about, all the individuals buying a license that protects the environment, and all the people who dare to be great and pay an entry fee for a tournament, on top of all they spent on their equipment.

We need your enthusiasm and we’re willing to trade you our knowledge to get it. So don’t be afraid to ask!

As always, if you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it so it can help others.

Thanks,

John Paxton

At one point or another, every fisherman is going to have a day where the fish aren’t biting. These days can be extremely frustrating, and I wouldn’t blame you if you looked desperately to the sky and whispered, “Why can’t I catch a fish?” It’s likely that you’re making a few mistakes on your fishing trip.

If you’re new to fishing, you might have no idea what these mistakes are, or why you can’t catch anything, and that will only frustrate you more.

I’ve been there. I know how much it stinks. While this won’t turn you into a fishing superstar, I’m going to do my best to get you over that hump. In this article, I will discuss five common fishing mistakes that I see people making and I’ll offer advice for how to correct them.

Fishing Mistake #1: Lack of Research

The first mistake many people make that prevents them from catching any fish happens well before they get to the lake: they don’t do any research ahead of time whatsoever.

Fishing is a thinking person’s sport. If you want to catch fish, you need to do your homework. Otherwise, you’re going to spend a lot of your time wondering why you can’t get a fish to bite.

I’ve fished in many unfamiliar bodies of water over the years and while I won’t claim to be a fishing expert, I’m generally successful and put a few fish in the boat no matter where I go.

I attribute my success to all the research I do before I ever leave my house to head to the lake.

These days there really isn’t much excuse for not knowing what to expect at any given lake. The internet is absolutely full of information on most bodies of water, what kind of fish are in the lake, and local fishing techniques that work.

I do five things when I want to learn how to fish in a new lakes:

1. I’ll check Google Earth Pro for helpful satellite photos;
2. I consult a fishing app;
3. I seek out articles and tournament results on the fishery;
4. I’ll try to find forums for the lake, and seek out “fishing reports” posts;
5. I phone a friend.

Using Google Earth Pro to Find Good Fishing Spots

I absolutely love using Google Earth Pro to help me prepare for fishing trips. I cannot praise the resource enough, and feel it has helped me catch many fish over the years. Not only will it give you crystal clear satellite images of pretty much anywhere on earth, but it even allows you to view historical imagery by selecting that option under the view tab:

Why Historical Imagery Is Great for Fishermen

The historical imagery is a tremendous tool for fishermen. Take the following two screenshots for example. Both are of the waters near Fort Ticonderoga and the mouth of the La Chute River, which is one of the best fishing spots on the lake.

The first image was taken in May, 2015. Generally speaking, the water level on Lake Champlain is going to be higher in the spring than later in the year, and 2015 was no exception.

If you were to plan a trip for May, you could reasonably expect that the water levels would be somewhat comparable to the photo below, and plan accordingly.

This second image is of the same exact location, but from October, 2016. Now, the water will usually be much lower during the fall regardless of the year, but 2016 is remarkable in that it was exceptionally low.

As you can see from the screen shot below, the area around the mouth of the La Chute River is almost completely dried up. Only the channel of the river and the deepest pools remain under water. Now, you can see where those pools are.

Now let’s zoom in on the 10/6/16 image. Note how you can see a few rock pilings within the red rectangle. These cannot be viewed from the May 5, 2015 satellite images, but are uncovered during the period of extreme drought.

Google Earth Pro: Final Thoughts

Google Earth Pro is a true game-changer for fishermen. Case in point, I’ve been fishing Lake Champlain for over thirty years, but I would have never uncovered some of the structure that the historical imagery from the drought of 2016 captured. This has allowed me to hone in on some super productive spots that I never knew were there.

Even if a particular hazard is marked on a navigational map (such as the ones I’ve shown above), you often don’t really know exactly what they are, or if they’re likely to hold fish and worth exploring. Google Earth Pro allows you to quickly scan your favorite lake and uncover some hidden gems.

In addition to finding hidden structure, there are several other great advantages to using this tool, some of which include:

• If you have a larger boat with a deeper draft, map study might show you areas you can get into certain times of the year, but not others.
• You might notice where the weeds grow early, which could give you a decent idea of where to start fishing.
• It’s possible that you could see several fishing boats in the same area on several satellite images over the years. This would be a great indicator that the spot is productive.

If you don’t already have Google Earth Pro installed on your computer, go to this link to download Google Earth Pro for free.

Download a Fishing App

Google Earth Pro is an exceptional tool in and of itself, but it really shines when you combine its powers with one of the better fishing apps out there, Fishbrain.

I want to be very clear with you right up front: I am not an affiliate of Fishbrain. I receive absolutely no compensation from them, nor do they sponsor me in any way. They did grant me permission to use an image from their app to show you why I like their product so much, and how I use it to help me catch fish, but that’s it.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at what makes this fishing app so great and why I believe in the product and recommend you subscribe.

Fishbrain is an app that relies on participant anglers to post their fishing results so that the data can be pooled collectively and shared with all subscribers. It tracks catch location, type of lure, time of day, etc. Basically, all the information you might want to know to help you catch a fish.

How Fishbrain Helps You Learn Water Quick

Here is a screenshot from the Fishbrain app of the same general area depicted in the Google Earth Pro images above. Note the green circles on the map. These are coordinates where users of the Fishbrain app declared that they caught a fish.

The little green and orange dots are where subscribers have reported catching a fish. As you can see, the area around those rock piles has produced several catches, as has the area around the La Chute River. Granted, that Ticonderoga is a good fishing spot is not exactly news, but this same app can be used on less-known waters to give you great insight into where you should start casting.

Also note the subscriber pictures at the bottom of the screen shot. When you click on one of the little dots, it brings you to a detailed page that will include all the data the subscriber provided, including a photo and the type of lure. The photo can provide some good information of what the conditions were like at the time of the catch.

Contour Lines on Fishbrain

A really exciting feature are the contour lines. This data is uploaded from subscribers own fish finders and other mapping software. Although you can usually find navigational a map of most major lakes, the contour lines featured are nowhere near as detailed as this. On smaller bodies of water where you can’t always find this information, Fishbrain is about your only shot.

These do rely on subscribers uploading their data, so you aren’t going to find them everywhere, but it’s definitely worth checking out as you can use this app to find underwater structure quickly.

Consider a Drone

Drones are becoming more mainstream for everything these days. Your insurance company has a fleet of them, your neighbor has probably crashed one on a nearby roof by now, and yes, fishermen are putting them to great use.

The great thing about using a drone is that it provides you with real time information. While Google Earth and apps like Fishbrain are awesome tools, you are looking at images from the past. A drone, on the other hand, can transmit live data that lets you know exactly how the weebed has grown this year. The implications are immense, to say the least.

Thus, there’s good reason to take that techie cousin of yours out for a fishing trip! If you’re interested in learning more about using a drone of your own, check out this article on drone fishing tips that provides a good basis for beginners.

Seek Out Articles and Tournament Results

Bass tournaments take place on most of the major lakes throughout this country. All but the smallest club tournaments tend to be fairly formal events, often drawing media coverage of some kind. Even those tournaments too small to attract the press will usually have their results posted somewhere on the internet.

When I’m preparing for a fishing trip, I like to try and figure out what techniques the tournament fishermen were using recently and how successful they were. This can really help you break down the lake further and get a better idea of what the hot lures are in the area.

You have to take this information with a grain of salt. Many professional fishermen out there are marketing machines and you never quite know how much they really used the particular lure they’re plugging at the moment.

I’m much more confident in press articles that were written after the tournament concluded than one written on one of the first few days. Now, I know no one would ever insinuate that fisherman could be anything less than honest, but with money (and often, a lot of it) on the line, who could blame an angler from being secretive about their exact location or lure?

Frankly, the best way to use this sort of information is to compile and read several years of it. That way, you can ignore the brand of lure that they’re pitching and focus on the type instead (a frog is a frog is a frog, even if the manufacturer name on their hat changes from year to year).

Having several years of results also allows you to ignore precise locations of fish (which aren’t very reliable year to year) and instead focus on trends regarding the general areas that they fished.

Find and Read Posts on Fishing Forums

I know that forum posts get a bad rap in certain industries as you never know who is providing the information, but when it comes to fishing, I find them very useful.

If fishing is popular in your area, someone has probably built a forum for local anglers to show off their catches and to ask and answer questions. A quick google search for “[the lake’s name] Fishing Reports” is often all you need to find a number of these forum posts.

Read the posts from around the same time of year that you intend to fish the lake. It doesn’t have to be the exact same date (weather fluctuates after all), but a report from December probably isn’t going to be that useful if you’re going fishing in June, as fish do tend to move around and favor different presentations throughout the year.

While many fishermen guard their favorite spots closely, there’s always a few people on the forums who tell everyone all about every fishing trip they take. They often include photos, sometimes with distinct landmarks in the background that allow you to zero in on exactly where they caught a fish.

Phone a Friend

Do you have a buddy who fishes more often than you or just got back from the lake you want to check out? Do you trust them? If so, why not call them and ask them what to expect? There is nothing that beats timely information.

You don’t even need to know the person. If you’re fishing with your kids and see another angler out at your lake, ask them where you should fish, or what is working. While some strangers might be hesitant to give up this information to an adult, most of us have a soft spot in our hearts for kids and want them to be successful. We will leak information like a sieve if we think that it will help a kid catch a fish.

Fishing Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Lure or Presentation

If you’ve done your homework as described in step one and still aren’t catching fish, there’s a good chance that you’re either using the wrong lure, or presenting it the wrong way.

Match the Lure to the Fish You’re Trying to Catch

The first step to selecting your lure is to understand what type of fish you want to catch. Your research above should have told you what type of fish are in the lake, so which one do you want to try for? What kind of lures would work well for that species?

You wouldn’t want to use a giant frog designed for largemouth bass if you’re going for little bluegills. Likewise, a little minnow meant to catch crappie probably isn’t going to entice many pike to bite.

I would recommend that you start off your day with a hook or lure small enough to catch bluegill and sunfish so you can at least have some success early and gain some confidence. You’ll find that they often inhabit the same areas as larger fish, so once you find a school of panfish, you can start throwing other stuff trying to find a nice “bonus fish” as well.

Hold Your Rod

Do you know that guy who always fishes from the shore, sitting on a bucket while his rod is held up by a forked stick? He’s not catching as many fish as he could be.

It is a very common fishing mistake to put a rod down and leave it there, waiting for something to bite. While there can be a place for this at times, your success ratio is going to increase if you actually hold onto the rod while you’re waiting.

Generally speaking, there are three reasons you want to hold onto your fishing rod instead of setting it down somewhere:

1. It’s very hard to detect light bites unless you actually have the rod in your hands, especially if there is any wind whatsoever;
2. If a fish does bite, it’s very probable that they will spit out the bait before you are able to pick up the rod and set the hook;
3. You miss out on the lack of information, i.e. situations where there are no bites or nibbles for an extended period, which should be an indicator to you that you need to move.

I see fishermen make this mistake all the time. If this is you, stop immediately as it could definitely be a major reason you aren’t catching anything.

Don’t Use a Bobber

This goes hand in hand with holding your rod above. While bobbers do have their place I generally find that they are a less effective way to catch fish. Indeed, I go against the grain by suggesting that you shouldn’t use bobbers when fishing with kids.

First of all, if you’re fishing with a bobber, you probably have your rod braced against some stick, which would be a mistake.

Secondly, bobbers present bait in an extremely unnatural way. Just how many things in the lake do you know of that stay perfectly still in the middle of the water column? The answer is nothing. Fish can be very stupid, but you’re really counting on it if you’re using a bobber.

Finally, if a fish does bite, they’re instantly going to feel the weight of the bobber and will know something is amiss.

They just aren’t usually an effective presentation. Use a bare worm, or even a drop shot instead and you’ll likely catch more fish. If you don’t know how to tie a drop shot, check out my post on The Basic Skills You Need to Take Your Kids Fishing.

Fishing Mistake #3: Giving Up Too Soon

Fishing requires some patience. While I do think that you can usually figure out if small fish are around an area quickly, the key word is “area.” That usually isn’t as narrowly defined as “the 3-5 feet surrounding your very first cast.”

There are some islands and points up on Lake Champlain that hold fish all year long, but the fish tend to favor small little sections of those formations at any given time. Through experience, I have a pretty good handle on where they will be, but if I didn’t, I might think there are no fish to be caught there when really, all I needed to do was cast 10 or 20 feet away.

If you researched and found what you thought would be a promising spot but aren’t instantly catching fish, don’t give up right away. Stick it out a bit and saturate the area. Try different casting angles. Make a few casts really near to the shore or structure and a few leading away. Cast to all sides of a rock and see if there is a particular one they want. Invest some time and energy.

I think we’ve all seen that guy who roars into a cove in his bass boat, stops, makes 10-12 casts, and then packs up and roars away. Maybe he knows something no one else does, but it’s more likely he just isn’t giving the area a chance.

Caveat: Kids Lack Patience in General

Granted, if you’re fishing with kids, you might not be able to stick it out as long as you would if you were on your own, but you should still try to invest some time. Don’t stay long enough to bore them, but do try to impress on them the benefits of commitment.

When fishing with children, you should be targeting smaller fish like bluegills and sunfish first. These are much easier to catch (or at least detect by their nibbles) so you’ll know if an area is completely barren fairly soon if you’re targeting them.

Fishing Mistake #4: Sticking With One Thing Too Long

I appreciate that this seems contradictory to the advice I gave you in the section above, but as with all things in life, there is a balance to be achieved when fishing. While you do want to give an area or presentation a chance, you don’t want to stick with a clear loser, either.

There’s this old saying in fishing that you need to “Let the fish tell you what they want.” What this basically means is do what the fish want, not what you want.

A Personal Example

I made this mistake myself a few weeks ago. I was fishing at Lake Champlain with my family for the 4th of July. This is one of my favorite times to go, because in the evening just before sunset the frog bite can be spectacular. I’m talking strike after strike after strike. I’ve had nights where for an hour at a time it would be unusual if I didn’t see a swirl within 3 or 4 seconds of my frog touching down.

I love this time of year and look forward to it throughout the winter. I took my son out after dinner on a very calm night, eager to show him all the splashes and thrills.

We managed one pickerel in about 10 minutes while my friend was reeling in fish after fish just about 30 yards away. We were both in prime real estate – this wasn’t a matter of him just being in a better spot.

The difference was that he was doing what the fish wanted, and I was doing what I wanted.

While I was throwing a large, obnoxious frog out over the weeds and popping and crawling it back to the boat, he was throwing a soft plastic lure and letting it slowly flutter to the bottom.

I picked up on this and swapped over to a Senko. I started casting to pockets between the weeds and letting it sink. It rarely reached bottom.

My son had a great time and we had one of our most productive nights together, but it was all because I figured out I needed to switch things up slightly and was willing to do that.

Read the Water

While research and preparation are both extremely important steps for a successful fishing trip, so is reacting to what you see on the water. Pay attention to what is going on and what is or isn’t working for you and for others and adapt.

If you really think rocky points will be the ticket, but you show up and the fish aren’t there, try a shallow grass flat.

If you think a fast moving lure is what you need to score a strike, but all you’re doing is tiring yourself out with nothing to show for it, slow things up and toss a slow sinking worm instead.

Whatever the case may be, remember to embrace change and react as necessary and you’ll have a much better chance of catching a fish.

Fishing Mistake #5 – Not Trying At All

FDR once famously said, “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

This is great advice.

Maybe you slept in late and missed the morning bite. Perhaps it’s the day after a front moved through and you see those dreaded “blue bird skies” that announce post-frontal conditions. Maybe your trolling motor is acting up and you’d have to use the old-fashioned drift and anchor system instead.

There’s always going to be a reason not to do something, and it’s no different in fishing. You need to ignore these reasons and get out there and give it a shot.

Even if you do follow all of the advice in this article and others on this site, I can’t guarantee you that you’ll catch a fish if you go out on the water. I can, however, guarantee you that you won’t catch any sitting on your couch.

If the conditions are safe and you are breathing, go out there and give it a shot. Remember: EVERY CREATURE HAS TO EAT.

Prepare for your trip as best you can. Take a lure or presentation that has a good chance of working, and try it. If it doesn’t work, admit it frankly and switch it up. But above all, go fishing

If you enjoyed this article, consider purchasing my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide. If you are trying to get your kids (or yourself) into this sport, or know someone who is, it’s worth a read.

Thanks,

John Paxton