6 Fishing Secrets Passed Down from the Pros

Secrets… it seems that every angler I know has a ton of them. Whether we are talking about secret spots, secret techniques or secret baits, it's usually easier to find a needle in a haystack than it is to pry any secret fishing tips out of most fisherfolks. However, if experienced anglers never shared any fishing tips, it sure would make it harder for beginners or less experienced anglers to learn and improve.

Thankfully, there are professionals out there who are willing to open up every once in a while to offer secret words of fishing wisdom. Some of these professionals make a living through fishing tournaments while others are full-time fishing charter captains. Regardless, the one thing they all have in common is a great deal of time spent on the water, so here are 6 fishing secrets that have been passed down from the pros:
 

1. "In the heat of the summer, I like to start off with a top water bait early in the morning. This way you can see if you can capitalize on aggressive fish." — Kevin VanDam, Professional Bass Angler

2. "Keep the slack out of your line and always maintain steady pressure on the fish." — Greg Stamper, Professional Charter Fishing Captain

3. "… smallmouth bass relate more to a well-defined structural edge — such as a drop-off in a natural lake or a reservoir channel break — and to sparse, isolated pieces of cover, like a little patch of rocks on a sand flat or a lone stump at the end of a reservoir point." — Chris Noffsinger, Fishing Guide and Bassmaster Competitor

4. "The best time to fish floating baits is in the early morning or dusk. Fish will feed on the surface in these low light conditions." — Gary Burch, Professional Charter Fishing Captain

5. "Don’t stress or over-think things. Just get out there, do it and have the confidence." — Allison Shaw, Professional Bass Angler

6. "Use a lake map and break it down into areas that contain the biggest coves, creeks or bays. These areas generally have the best fishing opportunities." — Mike DelVisco, Professional Bass Angler

Have one or two of your own fishing secrets that you don't mind sharing? If so, then head on over to the TakeMeFishing.org Facebook Page and comment on the link to this post with one of your fishing tips or secrets.