Proven Tips to Help You Catch More Fish

Have you been out fishing but have struggled to catch fish?

Although sometimes catching fish is outside of our control due to several factors, there are certain strategies and techniques you can do that will dramatically increase your chances of catching more fish.

Target High Percentage Areas

The number one tip that will help you catch more fish than anything else is to target high percentage areas.

In general, fish can be found where there is food, cover, and a variety of water depths.

Here are some proven areas that are known for holding a lot of fish.

High Percentage Fishing Areas

Points
Secondary Points
Docks
Inlets/Creek Channels
Hard Cover
Humps
Windy Banks
Grass Lines & Flats
Rock Piles
Trees
Wood
Bridges

Targeting these specific areas on your fishing adventures will give you the best chance at catching a bunch of fish. All these spots are proven to hold fish and present anglers with some great fishing opportunities.

Match the Hatch

“Matching the hatch” is a fishing phrase or theory that just means finding out the type of forage that is in the body of water you are fishing and choosing a bait or lure that best mimics that forage size, color, and species.

Downsize Your Baits & Lures

Another easy tip you can do to catch more fish consistently is to downsize your baits and lures. Going with a smaller more “finesse” presentation will allow you to attract a wider range of fish.

Change Colors

Although a bait or lure color may not seem like it’s that big a deal, it can be a big difference-maker.

Regardless if you are fishing with Power Bait for trout or targeting bass with a crankbait making sure you select the right color is crucial.

A common mistake made by many anglers is that they don’t realize how or when to adapt their lure colors based on the given conditions. This can be a costly mistake.

Add Scent

Another simple tip that will help you catch more fish is to add scents to both your lures and baits.

Tipping your baits and lures with scent is not only a great way to mask unnatural scents that tend to get on your bait (usually from your hands) but it also increases the drawing power of your offering by leaving a scent trail that can attract more fish.

Fix Up Your Retrieval Speed & Cadence

There are three main reasons why a fish will bite your lure or bait; they are hungry, their predatory core response is triggered (reaction strike) or they are being territorial and are striking out of defense.

A great way to catch more fish is to get a fish to react to your lure (reaction strike).

Fish are opportunistic predators and can’t help but take advantage of easy meals.

If you can present your lures in a way that looks like a wounded fish or easy meal, they can’t help but bite.

Do Some Research

Much like anything doing your research ahead of time and being prepared is extremely important and will give you a huge advantage even before you hit the water.

Here is a list of some of my favorite tools and resources I use to help me find good fishing spots:

Google Earth – use it to scout out lakes, ponds, and reservoirs ahead of time and it will even let you go back in time and look at low water years to help you identify the key structure.

YouTube/Websites – there are also a ton of different online articles, information, and YouTube videos that can provide you with some great information.

Change Baits & Lures

A common mistake is sticking with the same bait or lure for too long.

For whatever reason, fish can be finicky and prefer a certain style, color, or method of fishing over others on any given day. What worked last week, yesterday or even this morning may not necessarily work later on.

If you have been fishing with one lure or bait for 15 to 30 minutes and have not received any bites or fish caught, change what you are using until you can find something that is working.

Target Different Depths

Fishing at the right depth is key if you want to be able to catch fish. If you are not fishing where the fish are, you’ll have a hard time finding success.

Each species of fish will prefer to be at a different depth and a lot of it will depend on the water temperature and time of the year.

However, fish will move around as conditions and seasons change and will move deeper when it gets hot or shallower to feed upon baitfish, and so on.

Fish During Prime-Time Hours

One of the best ways that you can position yourself to catch more fish is to fish during “prime time hours”.

The prime-time hours are the times of the day when the odds are in your favor of catching fish. Fishing is always best in the early mornings, at dusk, at night, and when it is windy or cloudy.