NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Helping Each Other Out => Topic started by: thompsonny on February 13, 2009, 06:25:27 AM
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I'm new to the fishing scene - what is the biggest mistake that a fisherman can make? any tips?
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Without giving it much thought, probably one of the biggest mistakes is giving up on a spot too soon. You may need to wait out a tide change for the bite to begin.
Not matching the hatch is probably the number two big mistake.
There are plenty of other little mistakes that are made but my opinion is the above are two the most importants ingredients to put together a catch.
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I agree with Joe. I think another is, especially if you frequent any of the boards it not listening to what people are saying about catching. Don't be afraid to ask questions. That is what this board is all about. We are not here to ridicule but to teach and learn as well.
This is suppose to be a fun sport and relaxing don't get wrapped up into advanced equipment at first that will put you in the poor house. Yes they will help out in many ways but the fish have no idea how expensive your gear is.
And lastly practice, practice, practice.
Don't give up...
Have fun...
Happy Catching
Paul
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I think the biggest mistake is not going fishing and waiting for "ideal" conditions. If you waited for the right tide, right moon, right wind, right temperature and right barometer to all line up...you would never get to fish. Just get out when you can and when it is safe to get out. There are many days that the reports or weather doesn't look good. Then you go out, the weather is great and you catch because you are fishing.
I think another mistake, which kind of ties into the first one, is over thinking and over analyzing everything too much. Sometimes trying too hard, doesn't produce any catches. Historically, people have fished with sticks and string and any sharp piece of metal for a hook in any body of water nearby where they live ...and they catch plenty...enough to sustain themselves and family members. First time or new people fishing always seem to catch or out catch the experienced fisherman. So, I think if you just go out, cast and reel, or put bait out and wait, you will catch. There are certainly some types of fishing which require more experience(tog) or a lot of experience and equipment(offshore), but in general, there is always something to catch for the occassional less experienced fisherman/woman!
You have to fish to catch and have to have bait or a lure in the water to catch. If you don't catch, it is still a good day fishing, out on or near the water in the outdoor air, not having to think too much about anything.
Good Luck and enjoy grtn!
TT^
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whs use to have a casio watch I recieved as a gift and it was a fishing watch,you set it up for your area and it would show the best times to fish by displaying o to 5 fish on the display,I use to tell friends while we were out fishing when it displayed fish to get ready,but never did any better,other times excellent fishing without showing anything.just have to get out and try no matter what conditions,tide, weather,moon phase,not catching if not trying. 5hrug
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The biggest mistake an angler can make is not paying attention. That means paying attention to many things such as, weather, water conditions, lure color, speed of retrieve, depth, bird activity, other anglers, etc. etc. etc.
There are a ton of variables in fishing. If you want to relax, that's fine. Just toss a worm on your hook, throw it in and wait. If something bites, great. If not, no big deal. Many people enjoy that type of fishing, and there's nothing wrong with that.
But, if you want to catch, pay attention. t^
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I think the biggest mistake is forgetting that you're out there to have fun.
Be safe, have have fun and always try to learn and challenge yourself...
As for the tecjnical stuff, I'd say not paying attention to the tide and other environmental conditions.
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Telling your wife your fishing with the GUYS,and and and and and and and and and .....(I bet there are a million stories out there) rofla rofla ;D
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wow.. biggest mistake would be.. not being prepared. Set drag, use correct bait, make sure your net is handy
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Almost lost a few poles while surf fishing. Stake not deep enough drag wrong and not paying attention. Kind of funny though when you have to chase your pole. cfzd
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How about laying a rod on the console instead of putting it in the rod holder...lost 2 outfits like that. rgmn
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happened to a friend of mine,didn't put in the rod holder and over it went,I was up front on the bow and I got blamed for it,he blamed everyone on board,it was an expensive rig also.I still bring it up to him how he blames everyone except himself.watch your own pole I'm not watching it. nosmly
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1) Not be willing to adapt to the condition and try something different.
2)Letting your spouse know who much the new Avet reel cost! slt
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I actually saw them both go over in front of my eyes. Both times I laid the rod on the console to quickly take by jacket off and...whamo...over it goes just when my arms are behind me taking of my jacket. Did I say rgmn rgmn
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Probably, depriving yourself of the experience of fishing simply because you did not expect to catch anything. While it is true that some days are very unlikely to produce, it is certain you will not catch anything by staying home and watching Bill Dance. Fish as often as you can, because all the forums and fishing literature in the world cannot replace time on the water.
Good Luck
blynch
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Not paying attention to the terminal end of your tackle.....sharp hooks, properly tied knot, no nicks or abrasion on the leader, etc.....that's how a lot of bigger fish are lost or not hooked. I can take a skunk day because that will happen if you fish enough, but don't want to lose that really good fish because of carelessness at the business end of my tackle.
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This is a great thread ;D!
I think some other big mistakes are not being safe in general. Every year I read about people being killed while fishing...drowning, lightning strikes, boat accidents, etc...
Another one is not being patient and when getting a hit, setting the hook too early or too late. Setting the hook like the "pros" on TV is not always necessary...especially with these new no stretch superlines. I have seen people rip the bait and hook right out of the fishes mouth before it has a chance to close it's mouth. I also have seen people set the hook so hard that they probably have ripped lips off or ripped through the lips, since they don't have any fish on the other end. You have to know what type of fish are in the area you are fishing. Be familiar with the techniques used to catch them. Be familar with how to handle them and unhook them!
TT^
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Try not to get wrapped up in the weather and seas. Especially during fluke season. If the ocean looks snotty, go to the Highlands and fish one of the boats that fishes Raritan Bay.
As folks have said, pay attention. Also, ask questions. Not one person on here has all the answers. But, as a collective unit, we have most of the answers. A lot of us have been doing this all our lives and in my case, I still know squat........... rofla
Seriously, we will help you, just ask away.
You don't need expensive equipment. If you have the means, I guess its ok. But you can get good products for a smaller amount of money. Trust me on this one. All my stuff is Penn except for two Ugly Sticks. Not too expensive and I am happy with the equipment.
Again, use the Private Message feature if you dont want to post an open message. With the PM you can write to anyone of us in private. Or do it on an open thread. No question is stupid. That is the great thing about this site. The people on it are terrific.
Take care and welcome to our world.
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Never trust your GAS GUAGE! rgmn rgmn rgmn
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The biggest mistake an angler can make is not paying attention. t^
put in your time and make it well spent.
have fun above all...
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-Thinking you know it all.
-Not learning at least 1 new thing each time you go fishing.
-Failing to notice what others are doing when they're catching & you're not.
-Not enjoying your regardless if you're catching or not.
-Fishing in order to feed your family. With today's regulations , seasons & restrictions if you need to feed your family, go to the supermarket (an unfortunate fact of life nosmly).
-Not sharing the sport with your children.
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Depends on the specifice your asking about and the species. I strongly beive with fluke the bigest mistake is not to move imediatly if you dont catch a fish on the first drift. After threed rifts if all you catch is shorts move. The bigger fluke are usualy hanging out seperate from the shorts. I am amazed at all the guys on other sights nthat reported catching hundreds of shorts and not one keeper last year. I always find some big fish evertime I go out. Sometime its at the 6th spot I try. Sometime its at the 10th spot I try. But I will never just stay at the same spot all day catching shorts thinking that the big fish will bite eventualy if I stick it out. That way of thinking rarely works for me. A move doesnt always have to be 1/2 mile ride. Sometimes a move of only 50 yards from where the shorts are biting will put you onto big fluke.
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1- Have fun, enjoy your day
2- Before you leave the dock have a plan. Be ready with several alternative plans in case plan A does not work, go to plan B. If B is not the ticket go to plan C. Don't just wonder around you will waste too much valuable fishing time.
3- Learn something new every day no matter how small the information may seem. The little things make a difference.
4- Don't be afraid to experiment. Try new things. spots, rigs, techniques etc.
5- Above all ASK QUESTIONS! It will help you on your learning curve.
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TT^ slt
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Great Topic!! t^
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t^
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Biggest mistake? NEVER think you have the fish you're after figured out. slt
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When strapped to your pole and Mako fishing never walk to the rail to see how big the shark is. This can be a very serious mistake. ;D
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Listening to Your VHF and chasing down locations where People say they are catching fish t^ and Listening to the VHF at all t^
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moving north
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The biggest mistake is not listening to your gut feeling and staying home.
Get out and fish, you can't catch a fish by sitting in front of your computer.
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I know what you are saying about the VHF radio. I have fished with some people that listen to the VHF then change their location. You spend the whole day driving around instead of fishing. cfzd
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If you are fishing from a boat, not taking the boating seriously. Always:
-Get as much boating education as you can.
-Do a float plan let someone know where you
are going.
-Check the weather report.
-Carry a working VHF radio, don't depend on a
cell phone.
-Carry up to date flares and safety equipment
-If you fish alone always wear a life jacket.
You wouldn't believe how many drowned victims
are found with their fly's down.
-Keep you boat in good working order.
Not coming back is the biggest mistake you can make.
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Anchoring from the stern
Great way to sink your boat, and wind up in the water
Ross
The Lady J
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Listening to his wife... :-\ nosmly
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Locking your keys in the trunk with the doors locked and windows up after stopping for bait... Not that its happened to me. rgmn
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Drew,sounds like that happened today ;D
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Couple of weeks ago lol.
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Forgetting to put the drain plug back in, won't go into what happened next!
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Patients is key. Trial and error and watch what others do but remember what’s works for one angler might not work for you. I have been fishing 30 years and still make mistakes or should I say errors. Get hooked and Good Luck slt
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DRAG SETTINGS!!!!!!!!!
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What's The Biggest Mistake an Angler Can Make?
Bringing a banana.
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fcp
Not sharpening your hooks!