Hot fishing tip

[robfisher]

Hot fishing tip

One thing I am trying to learn is to stay aware when catching a fish. What I mean by that is when it’s slow (or even when it’s not that slow) I relax and go into what I call my fishing zone which is good for my soul. It’s a state where I shut off non essential parts of my body and transfer the awareness to my arms holding the rod and my brain. The result (ask Howie) is a sprung Ninja! As soon as there is a nibble I’m all over it like a rash! And that’s where the trouble starts for me. I concentrate solely on the fish and getting it into the boat. If it’s a decent fish there is the camera to get out for the photo shoot and after that a smoke to calm the nerves and help the adrenaline dissipate.

So what’s wrong with that you may ask? Well by the time I’m once again aware of my surroundings etc we could have drifted and could be miles from the “spot”! I now can’t remember where it was I got the bite and what the structure it was that held the fish or what the depth was or anything! In fact all I can remember is what rig and bait I used and what the bite felt like. Luckily Howie is around to take me back to the spot and give me a run down on it because he has been doing this a lot longer than I have. I just thought I would share this pearl of wisdom. The moment you get a nibble try and concentrate on everything so you can duplicate it again as soon as the fish is safely in the livewell!

Of course what I really should do it take out time to make notes in a notebook. Making notes and keeping a log book may seem like a lot of work but it pays dividends 365 days later. I have started going back to the report backs I wrote a year ago and it’s uncanny how things are similar today as they were 365 days ago!

[crankystanley]

thats why keeping a marker bouy on the deck open is always handy as you hook a fish kick it over the side then you dont loose the spot.

[August]

A marker boy is usefull any time. Even if I am not working a hot spot. When fishing open water,just by putting it out there it helps orientate yourself. So you find that if you cast 2 or 3 m to the left or right or whatever of the boy you feel structure and get the nibble. Helps you going back again and again.

[Hawkeye]

Must admit I have yet to use a marker buoy, Guess the opportunity has yet to present itself where it would be usefull