When it comes to figuring out the best times of day to fish, a few factors have to be taken into consideration. Different variables present various challenges that will determine your chances of success when fishing.
The time of year is one of the most important deciding factors when it comes to determining the best times of day to fish. Fish behave differently in each season. There is a better opportunity to catch fish during certain times of day in one season versus another. For example, fish are not as active during winter because of the colder temperatures. While you are capable of fishing during winter months, it is not practical. Therefore, you should wait until spring comes around.
Spring is considered, by many, to be the best season for fishing. This is due to the increased activity of fish spawning and looking for food after being dormant during the winter. The best time of day to fish during spring increases throughout the day. During the early morning, the water is cold and the fish are not as active. In the afternoon, the chance to catch fish increases from the sun being overhead and creating warmer water. The evening is the best time to fish during spring because the water has had the chance to warm up, and the fish will be at their most active. Unlike spring, the best time to fish differs slightly during the summer.
Fishing becomes difficult during the summer since fish do their best to stay away from the surface of the water due to the increased heat. The early morning presents an okay opportunity for fishing because the water will be at a decent temperature. During the midday, however, the water will have become too warm, and the fish will swim deeper to cool off. The evening is the perfect time for fishing during the summer. The water will be cooling off, and the fish will begin to return to the surface. Just as in the spring, the best time to fish increases throughout the day during fall.
Many would argue that fall is just as good a time for fishing as spring. Moderate temperatures, coupled with the fact that fish are preparing for the upcoming winter months, means an increased activity from fish at the surface of and throughout the water. The early morning means cooler water, so the fish will be less active, but in the afternoon, the water will become warmer making the chance to fish better. By evening, the time to fish is perfect because the water has had time to heat up from the midday sun.
There are also a few other aspects to keep in mind when deciding the best time to fish. Pay attention to the weather. Cloudy days are great for fishing because clouds block out the sun which keeps the water from getting too warm. Rain can be either good or bad. Light rain will wash bugs into the water which will attract fish. Heavy rain will reduce visibility, breathing, and the ability for fish to hunt causing them to avoid the area. Wind pushes smaller fish to the shore, so use this to your advantage to catch big game fish that follow. Also, pay attention to tides, and attempt to fish one hour before and after high and low tides. Tides create the movement of the water that causes a feeding frenzy attracting more fish. Finding the right time to fish is easy when you know what to look for. Remember these tips, and use them during your next excursion to improve your success with catches.
Fishing is a sport with an overwhelming selection of available gear. Anglers have succeeded with everything from bamboo poles and simple lines, to fish-finding technology and expensive rods. I recommend you visit Cotrout.org. They have great articles focus on trout fishing techniques that you might want to check out. If you’d like to take up fishing but are lost when determining what gear to purchase, here is a list of must-have equipment that should be in any fisherman’s collection.
Every angler needs a good tackle box. Fishing gear is bursting with hooks, lines, and every manner of extension that can tangle or stab. Your gear should be stored safely and easily organized so it is available when you need it.
Unfortunately, picking the best tackle box can become overwhelming for someone just wanting to get out on the water quickly. If you’re a beginner, focus on the typical hard-shell design with trays that fold out. These boxes are a great way to organize your lures and lines so they are easy to find and difficult to tangle.
Regardless of what style of fishing you prefer, you’ll want a set of these for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, you’ll use pliers to remove hooks from caught fish. They also serve other purposes that make them invaluable for any angler.
Quality needlenose pliers are great for helping you bait your hooks by acting as a third hand, keeping the sharp end stable while the bait is attached. Since fishing is usually done from a boat or other unstable environment, having the support of a good pair of pliers is essential for many tasks.
The most obvious use for a good knife is cleaning fish. But even if you’re catching and releasing, you owe it to yourself to have a knife on-hand. You’ll be cutting line, slicing bait, and performing many tasks that require a good cutting tool.
An ideal fishing knife should be made of stainless steel so it won’t rust. It should also fold away neatly, both for safety purposes and to promote easier storage.
While a good knife can certainly cut line, it isn’t essential. Line clippers are a great way to snip off excess line without unfolding the knife. Given that boats aren’t the most stable platforms, any opportunity to use a safer tool should be taken.
If you’d rather not spring for line clippers, fingernail clippers work just as well. Just make sure they’re the larger variety, and are made of quality materials that won’t easily rust.
Many anglers acquire a variety of hooks, then simply throw them away when they grow dull. Yet there’s no need to waste a hook just because it is no longer sharp. With a hook file, sharpening old hooks is an easy way to get more use out of the same gear.
You’re out on the water, surrounded by sharp knives and hooks, in the midst of dirt and debris. This is not only an environment prone to accidents but one in which improper care could make even the simplest cut potentially life-threatening. The added weight and space use of a first aid kit may seem wasteful but will prove absolutely invaluable if ever anyone in your group is injured.
A kit that fits in your tackle box is the best option. If that isn’t possible, choose one that is easy to carry along with the rest of your gear. It is better to have a first aid kit and not need it than it is to need it and not have one.
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