uncle Leo Loc: St Louis Mo

very well put

Salmoneater22 Loc: I live in S.E. Washington state.

It all depends on what you're fishing for and where you are fishing and what you're using for bait and how long you been fishing and what country and what type water and and a million little factors, but short answer...yes indeed!

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

If only you had left out the word "DECENT".....LOL !

I can pretty much always catch SOMETHING. Unfortunately it sometimes is only a bass, small or large mouth-wise, which, to me is simply an annoyance, since I consider both to be "good fighters" but even greater fertilizer, and imo, rather lousy table fare.
I know, I know... some of you eat them, but then some eat carp and consider it a meal.
I had to endure that on a Boy Scout "survival overnight campout" on wooded farmland circa 1965....... two matches, canteen of fresh water, sheath knife, 20' of parachute cord, 20' of fishing line and one hook, an 8'x10' tarp, flashlight and your sleeping bag (inspection WILL occur by the Scoutmaster to be sure there's no "contraband" being snuck in !)....see ya' tomorrow at noon.
Managed my shelter, no prob. Managed to gather some blackberries and wild onions and some marginal apples.
Tried to create a snare to catch a rabbit I saw go under a log nearby..... that was a pipe dream. Disassembled the snare and used the fishing line and hook, along with worms I dug, to catch, not just one, but TWO fish....a 2' long gar and a relatively small (3-4lbs ?) carp. Worst tasting meal (except the berries) I have ever partaken of.
So....can you learn to catch something EVERY TIME ?...... probably, but DECENT FISH are not definitely NOT guaranteed, says a 12 yr old me, 55 years ago and to this very day.

As many have said.....if it was a sure thing it wouldn't be "Wanna go fishin' ?" It would be...."grab your gear , let's go catching".
Good luck, they're out there !

Jakestake83 Loc: Mooresville NC

The thing about fishing is that the fish seem to be getting smarted every year. Someday we might start to understand how Nature works teaching the animals to survive. You will have some great days and these great ones will remain in your memory and sort of cancel out the bad ones. Just learn to find other things of interest to learn on the days that are slow.

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

I just gotta say thanks for putting this out there, Louis. This is a great thread. Ive been fishing since I was a kid, and there are more than a few days when I feel like a totally sucky amateur. It’s really good to see all this advice and encouragement, and to be reminded that everyone has their slow (and fast) streaks.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

😃👍they're teaching us how to be better fisherman

Reded Loc: Now Virginia, after NJ then NY

Decent fish?
I never met a fish I didn’t like.
Never had one step on my toes.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Ever had one try to eat you? Me either, but I have I've swum with barracudas and I once had a halibut try to take off a couple of fingers. I ate it instead. Fishes can be mighty unfriendly.

GlennMc928 Loc: Tualatin OR

I have had days when 16 bass was all in a day's take and I have had a lot of days when only 4 or 5 was a good days take and bad days with no fish at all it all depends on the weather the tide and the fish activity of that day.

Fishbrain

Fishing from land is a tuff proposition. My best advice is to buy a IBOBBER fishfinder for about $90.00. Regardless from where you fish, a fishfinder is a super valuable tool. My son uses one to fish from shore with his three young boys, because it easier than fishing from his boat. He's had to put in some leg work, but this very good little fishfinder has all you need to find structure, fish, and bait, down to 135ft with a cone at that depth of 243' area. Works with several different systems[bluetooth, android, ios] on your cell phone. Gets good reviews on sale sites.