What's The Biggest Mistake an Angler Can Make?

[Skolmann]

-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  ).

-Not sharing the sport with your children.

[barrell]

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.

[Capt Craig]

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.

[ped579]

 

[Hotrod]

Great Topic!!

[seanr8w]

 

[gottog]

Biggest mistake?  NEVER think you have the fish you're after figured out.   

[brian81382]

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.

[Hotrod]

Listening to Your VHF and chasing down locations where People say they are catching fish   and Listening to the VHF at all

[mchizhik]

moving north

[ped579]

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.

[brian81382]

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.

[SUMMERWIND]

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.

[rossg]

Anchoring from the stern

Great way to sink your boat, and wind up in the water

Ross
The Lady J

[ped579]

Listening to his wife...

[Drew806]

Locking your keys in the trunk with the doors locked and windows up after stopping for bait... Not that its happened to me.   

[kezsr]

Drew,sounds like that happened today

[Drew806]

Couple of weeks ago lol.

[bugmannj]

Forgetting to put the drain plug back in, won't go into what happened next!

[hook]

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