We, as anglers, place high stakes on those outings in which we are successful in our pursuit, and landing of, our target species. It hardly matters if you’re a die-hard fluke angler in the Northeast or primarily chase tarpon on the fly in the mangroves of the south.
With that being said, there are things we could all do better, and the truth is that many fishermen repeat the same mistakes that are all-too-common among us. These are 9 of the worst.
Not Getting Close Enough to Structure
Unless you’re targeting a pelagic, or you know for certain that the fish you’re chasing are schooling and suspended in open water, 99% of the time, the fish you drop or cast to are going to be hugging structure.
That structure could be the bottom; it could be the thermocline in the water; it could be a jetty or a series of submerged piles. But the fish will be there, and they will be close.
Some fish are very aggressive, and others are not so much. You need to get aggressive with how close you present your jig. For us slow-pitch fishermen, that means getting comfortable with occasionally hanging up on the snags. The closer you get to structure, the more you will be rewarded.
Being Too Aggressive on the Hookset with Circle Hooks
This really only applies to anglers fishing bait with circle hooks, but you’re actually not supposed to set the hook at all, in the conventional sense.
If you’re fishing bait and circle hooks, let the fish turn and run a solid second or two (sometimes even more is needed), before you apply pressure. The fish will hook itself in almost every instance.
Not Using a Fish Gripper
There are many good reasons to use a fish gripper rather than handling a fish with your bare hands. One of the best reasons is that the fish gripper helps prevent you from wiping off the fish’s slime coat, which is an important part of its immune system. Stripping a fish’s slime coat will in almost all instances kill it.
The other reason to use a fish gripper rather than lipping it with your bare hands is that, if the fish is toothy - as in the case of barracuda or bluefish - you can avoid the obvious danger. Another good reason is that a fish gripper keeps your hands away from swinging assist hooks.
Making Other Egregious Handling Mistakes
Not using a fish gripper is one thing. There are still other heinous sins fishermen commit against fish every time they catch one.
First, lipping a fish (assuming it’s appropriate to do and the fish will not bite your fingers off) is completely acceptable; as long as you support the weight of the fish. Do not stick your thumb down a snook’s throat, pick the fish up only by the mouth, and then hyperextend its jaw. You will kill it and if you don’t you will severely injure it. Always, always support a fish’s weight with two hands - unless it is very small.
Also, when supporting the fish, do not squeeze the middle of its body, where its guts are. Doing so can also kill or badly injure it, increasing bycatch mortality. And another note - do not, under any circumstances, handle a fish with a towel. You’ll damage the slime coat.
Here’s another thing. If you’re planning on releasing a fish, do not gill it, period. You will kill the fish at worst and at best seriously injure it. If you’re keeping, it’s a moot point, but if you plan on release, keep your hands away from its gills.
Cinching Down on Dry Line
Here’s a tip for you - whenever you tie a new knot, make sure you wet the line first before you cinch down on it. Cinching down on dry line, specifically mono or fluoro, is going to stress the line and lower its breaking point. Wet first, cinch second.
Fishing a Slow Pitch Jig Too Aggressively
Most of the strikes you get on a slow pitch jig will be on the drop. In fact, almost all of them will be. Plus, the name “slow pitch” should key you in - they are not meant to be ripped. They’re meant to be dropped, to flutter, to roll. Let the jig’s action shine, don’t work it too hard or too fast.
Not Using Appropriate Jig Weight
In order to produce the best presentation, you want to be using a jig (and line weight) that makes it possible to keep the jig perfectly vertical, if you want.
As a general rule, and assuming you are using appropriate line weight, this comes down to about a gram of jig weight per foot of water depth.
Not Checking Your Line and Knots After Every Big Fight
If you swing a 30 pounder over the rail, you should be checking your knots and line before you drop down again. Doesn’t matter if it’s a 30 pound bluefish or a 30 pound tilefish, that thing’s going to put the hurt on your line.
Check your knots to make sure the line is in good shape, and check the leader where the fish might have dragged it along nearby structure. If there is any sign of compromise or abrasion, cut away that section of line, leader, or the knot and re-tie. Better that extra work up front than a lost trophy on the next drop.
Being Superstitious About a “Spot”
Look, we all have spots that seem to produce all the time, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you have a spot and you hit it hard and you catch, there’s nothing wrong with that. Keep at it and guard the location.
But if you’re there for a day, or days at a time, and nothing’s taking the (literal) bait, pull up anchor and go somewhere else. Changing currents, temperatures, the presence or absence of bait and other factors can all impact the fruitfulness of a given fishing location.
In other words, don’t let your superstitious attachment get in the way of you and fish. As fishermen we all do it from time to time. The trick is to be aware of it and make adjustments.
Stay Tuned for More Fishing Tips
Hopefully you found these tips helpful, and now you can address any mistakes you’re making yourself when you’re on the water. Till next time, bookmark our blog and check back periodically so you never miss helpful tips, tricks, and angling advice.