Your 5 Craziest Fishing Questions Answered
By Debbie Hanson
Jun 09, 2014
If you are brand spanking new to fishing, it only makes sense that you are going to have A LOT of questions.
If you are brand spanking new to fishing, it only makes sense that you are going to have A LOT of questions. You might have questions about baits, questions about fishing techniques, questions about fish behavior or questions about where to fish. Learning to ask the right questions is a big part of the learning process, so hopefully you have a patient mentor or fishing buddy that doesn’t mind a bit of angling interrogation every once in a while.
While no question is a dumb question, there are a few questions that might make a seasoned angler raise an eyebrow or maybe even cringe a bit. Here are some examples of questions that are often asked by new anglers, which to experienced anglers, may seem plainly obvious or maybe even just a little bit… crazy.
Do artificial bait colors really matter? Absolutely! Colors do matter when selecting a lure, fly, or bait. Although, color choice usually has more to do with the water color than the preference of the fish. When the water is cloudy or dirty, metallic flashy baits and bright colors like chartreuse or orange tend to work best. In clear water, natural or muted colors are usually a better choice.
Are the fish in the same spot all of the time? They can be, but this also depends on the conditions, tides (if you are going to be fishing a saltwater spot) and whether or not the fish you are targeting is a migratory species (tuna, for example, are highly migratory). However, even if you were able to fish the same spot day after day, you would be creating a considerable amount of pressure or stress on that particular habitat. In other words, try to avoid fishing the same spots all of the time and give the fish a break.
What time do the fish start biting? The answer to this question depends on whether you are fishing freshwater or saltwater. If fishing freshwater, just before sunrise or sunset are usually two of the best times. If fishing saltwater, check the tides using a tide chart and plan to go fishing on an incoming or outgoing tide when the current is moving. It’s also worth noting that fish often feed heavily during the time period just before a drop in barometric pressure.
Where do you go to the bathroom when fishing on a small boat? If there is no bathroom on board your boat, you can dock and use a shoreside restroom or buy a small portable toilet to keep on-board and then empty it out at a proper dump station (many marinas have dump stations or pumpout stations). Human sewage from boats can create environmental problems and human health problems, so always follow environmentally sound boating practices.
What do you do with the fish once you hook it? If the fish is within the state fishing regulations and you want to eat it, you can filet the fish and take it home to cook. However, catch and release fishing is always encouraged so that fish populations stay healthy and other anglers can catch the fish another day. Make sure you learn proper catch and release practices so that the fish has the best possible chance of survival.
While no question is a dumb question, there are a few questions that might make a seasoned angler raise an eyebrow or maybe even cringe a bit. Here are some examples of questions that are often asked by new anglers, which to experienced anglers, may seem plainly obvious or maybe even just a little bit… crazy.
Do artificial bait colors really matter? Absolutely! Colors do matter when selecting a lure, fly, or bait. Although, color choice usually has more to do with the water color than the preference of the fish. When the water is cloudy or dirty, metallic flashy baits and bright colors like chartreuse or orange tend to work best. In clear water, natural or muted colors are usually a better choice.
Are the fish in the same spot all of the time? They can be, but this also depends on the conditions, tides (if you are going to be fishing a saltwater spot) and whether or not the fish you are targeting is a migratory species (tuna, for example, are highly migratory). However, even if you were able to fish the same spot day after day, you would be creating a considerable amount of pressure or stress on that particular habitat. In other words, try to avoid fishing the same spots all of the time and give the fish a break.
What time do the fish start biting? The answer to this question depends on whether you are fishing freshwater or saltwater. If fishing freshwater, just before sunrise or sunset are usually two of the best times. If fishing saltwater, check the tides using a tide chart and plan to go fishing on an incoming or outgoing tide when the current is moving. It’s also worth noting that fish often feed heavily during the time period just before a drop in barometric pressure.
Where do you go to the bathroom when fishing on a small boat? If there is no bathroom on board your boat, you can dock and use a shoreside restroom or buy a small portable toilet to keep on-board and then empty it out at a proper dump station (many marinas have dump stations or pumpout stations). Human sewage from boats can create environmental problems and human health problems, so always follow environmentally sound boating practices.
What do you do with the fish once you hook it? If the fish is within the state fishing regulations and you want to eat it, you can filet the fish and take it home to cook. However, catch and release fishing is always encouraged so that fish populations stay healthy and other anglers can catch the fish another day. Make sure you learn proper catch and release practices so that the fish has the best possible chance of survival.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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