What are your top tips for beginners looking to improve their fishing skills? I know it sounds broad. But are there best practices or time-tested methods that every angler should know...

MindfulMuser2246 Loc: Michigan / Florida

I know it sounds broad. But are there best practices or time-tested methods that every angler should know and follow? Anything you could have said to your-decades-younger-self to spare frustration or to improve productivity in catching fish?

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

MindfulMuser2246 wrote:

I know it sounds broad. But are there best practices or time-tested methods that every angler should know and follow? Anything you could have said to your-decades-younger-self to spare frustration or to improve productivity in catching fish?

Simply said, Know your target.

What type of cover do they like?
What water temp do they prefer?
Are they a predator?
What do they feed on?
Are they daytime or nighttime feeders?

Answer some simple questions about your target and go where the answers lead you.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

Hi there,

There's a ton of info on U-tube including video's. Any kind of fishing you want info on; like bass, crappie, catfish etc.

Next would be your local baits shops for gear, lures, location etc.

And finally, your state game and fish organization which lists lakes and kinds of fish etc.

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

MindfulMuser2246 wrote:

I know it sounds broad. But are there best practices or time-tested methods that every angler should know and follow? Anything you could have said to your-decades-younger-self to spare frustration or to improve productivity in catching fish?

All of the above and spend as much time on or at the water and pay attention to the details when you catch one. Then duplicate what gave you success. Nothing is a better teacher than doing it.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Go fishing 🎣 every day. Use the lightest fluorocarbon leader that you can handle. Dawn, dusk and night is the best fishing. Fresh, local bait catches the most fish 🐟. Post pics.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

All the replies are very good general advice.
I would also recommend that you learn to tie a few GOOD fishin knots.
The Palomar knot, uni/double uni knot, fishinfool knot and loop knot for starters.
There are others that you might wanna learn but these 3 or 4 knots will get you through over 90% of all fishin applications.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

MindfulMuser2246 wrote:

I know it sounds broad. But are there best practices or time-tested methods that every angler should know and follow? Anything you could have said to your-decades-younger-self to spare frustration or to improve productivity in catching fish?

MM, I pretty much agree with saw1, and add that you practice them at home before even attempting them at your fishing destination. I've done this indoors during the winter and sometimes even used a fan to simulate windy conditions, too.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

nutz4fish wrote:

MM, I pretty much agree with saw1, and add that you practice them at home before even attempting them at your fishing destination. I've done this indoors during the winter and sometimes even used a fan to simulate windy conditions, too.

🤠👍

MindfulMuser2246 Loc: Michigan / Florida

saw1 wrote:

I would also recommend that you learn to tie a few GOOD fishin knots.
The Palomar knot, uni/double uni knot, fishinfool knot and loop knot for starters.

Is there a reason to learn anything other than uni knot? (and uni-to-uni knot)
Can't I just get by with this one knot?

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

MindfulMuser2246 wrote:

Is there a reason to learn anything other than uni knot? (and uni-to-uni knot)
Can't I just get by with this one knot?

Well, that knot will suffice for MOST applications . But sometimes it easier and more convenient to tie a different knot.
.Plus, some knots work better than others in different situations.

lil mutt Loc: North Texas

FISH! FISH! FISH! Every time you go, you learn something. Experience is the best teacher. Seek other fishermen. You can learn something from everybody. Read. Read every article you can find, then discard 2/3s of it. But read it anyway. Keep the faith! Just one more cast will be the fish of your life!

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

MindfulMuser2246 wrote:

I know it sounds broad. But are there best practices or time-tested methods that every angler should know and follow? Anything you could have said to your-decades-younger-self to spare frustration or to improve productivity in catching fish?

Don’t know I’m still trying to learn

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Uncle_T wrote:

Don’t know I’m still trying to learn

My wife says I must have driven my teachers crazy

Commander Bell Loc: Lafayette Indiana

The best advice you can give a beginning fisherman is praise.
Last year I taught my 6 year old Grandson to fish.
His first few casts were horrible. I told him " That okay buddy just take your time ".
His first good cast. " Wow man that's great! You're going to be a better fisherman than Grandpa.
His first fish ever caught." Let's take a picture and send it to Grandma".
His very next fish was a nice sized Blue Gill " Aww man yours is bigger than mine. No fair your catching all the big ones ".
Now every time he visits " Can we go fishing 🎣 yet Grandpa? Is it warm enough yet?
Constant praise and no criticism is the best advice I can give to teaching someone to fish.
Trust me they'll be hooked. Pun intended.
Commander Bell

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Learn to use slip bobbers, they are a game changer!