Are you experiencing little to no bites from fish? If so, you may be asking yourself, why am I not catching fish or why can’t I catch any fish? It’s possible that you really can’t catch a fish – even a single one.
This experience can leave you disappointed and frustrated. But, don’t fret as we’ve got you covered!
So Why Am I Not Catching Fish?
We know it’s not easy for anyone to say that you’re having trouble getting a bite. In this article, we’ll answer all your questions – why aren’t fish biting and why am I not catching any fish – and provide you with tips on how to mitigate the problem.
Being Unprepared for Angling
We know this sounds stupid. After all, who would forget essential fishing equipment, right? With so much fishing gear required for a successful fishing trip, it’s not surprising to forget to bring one or two essential items.
It could easily be as simple as not bringing extra bait or not having the proper lure. But it can also be something serious like not having your fishing license with you or forgetting to bring spare fishing lines.
In order to avoid mishaps, make sure that you prepare every single item that you think you’ll need before the day you’ll go fishing.
Most have a physical checklist for fishing gear needed and they’re in their place, ready in advance so there’s no chance of leaving behind something important.
You Are Too Loud
Regardless of the skill level, every angler, at some point, asks, ‘why am I not catching fish?’
Even when you use the same techniques and fish in the same exact spot as you did before, you can still fail in getting a bite if you’re being too loud. Fish can easily be spooked and when they are, it will take hours before they come back.
Fish can feel vibrations from noise and movement. When this happens, it’s better if you just move to another area. When you’re in a new spot, make sure you try your very best to keep quiet so you can sneak up on fish.
You Are in the Wrong Area
This is also a mistake that can easily be committed by anglers of all skill levels. It’s possible to spend too much time trying to get a bite in the wrong area. The saying, “ninety percent of fish are in ten percent of a body of water,” is absolutely true.
If you are not successfully catching fish, you’re most probably in the wrong area for fishing. We recommend you spend a maximum of 45 minutes in one spot. If you haven’t seen any fishing action during this time window, then move on.
You can also move constantly until you catch one. When you do, slow down and try to catch as much as possible in the area.
Using the Wrong Bait or Lure
If you’re being quiet, and you’re absolutely certain you’re in the right area as other anglers are catching fish, you can still be unsuccessful in landing fish if you have the wrong kind of lure or bait.
Fishing can be very unpredictable. What worked for days may not work for you the next day. This is why it’s necessary to try to mix it up in terms of the lure. If you have been using the same technique or lure for a while, switch it up and see if the fish responds.
All seasoned anglers have made the common error of sticking with one bait or lure for far too long at least once. Pay attention as fish usually tell you exactly what they want on certain days. Your job is to present fish with the stuff they like.
Your Lure is Too Small or Too Big
Another common reason as to why fish aren’t biting is because the lure size is wrong for the species that are in the area. There are species that key in on small size bait.
If you’re also trying to land larger fish, you’ll also have to size up with the lure. Bigger fish usually prefer larger meals as this means they won’t have to expend as much energy.
Remember to match the hatch. This means using baits and lures that resemble what fish feed on. This will improve your chances of catching your target species.
There’s a Cold Front
If you have already been fishing for years, you may have run into cold fronts in the past. A cold front is what anglers dread, and it’s for a good reason: it’s known to shut bites down.
So, what is it? Cold fronts are transition zones wherein cold air mass replaces warmer air mass. The temperatures can drop 15 degrees or more in the first hour of a cold front.
Is fishing tough when there’s a cold front? You can bet it is. It’s close to impossible. If you really want to experience fishing during one, you might want to be tight to cover, use a small lure, fish deeper, and slow down the presentation and retrieval. This will improve your chances. But, we suggest you don’t get your hopes up.
You Have the Wrong Lure Color
Color can seem minor but it has an impact on an angler’s fishing success. When fish aren’t biting and you’ve changed the size and technique, try using a different color.
When switching between different colors, choose the one that’s a contrast to the lure you used that has been a failure.
In clear water, fish like natural colors. In stained or murky water, they prefer dark and bright colors.
Conclusion
The next time you ask yourself, why am I not catching fish, try to remember the possible causes we mentioned earlier.
Slowly make your way through the list of reasons why you’re not successful. Take your time. Do your homework. Remember that it can also be a combination of the possible causes.
As you get more angling experience, fishing becomes easier. Just be patient and you’ll find fishing more enjoyable!
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