Fishing Is Like A Book – Fishing Tips From Steve Utley
Fishing is like reading a book. The difference is this is a living book. Like a book, you start out by looking at the cover. Only, when you are fishing the cover is the weather conditions. You look at the wind, sun, tide, humidity, and the temperature of both the air and the water. With this knowledge, you can make the decision about how you will be fishing – by boat, kayak, or wading, using light tackle or fly. Then you can choose where you want to fish and what you are going to fish for.
Knowing where to cast once you are on the water can make all the difference in the world. Early on, be quiet and pay attention to any activity around you. Especially notice any schools of mullet or shrimp that are jumping around. Sometimes they are just playing around, but often times this can be a sign that larger game fish are chasing them. Casting in that direction is often a good place to start. Underneath the surface of the water you may also see smaller crabs that are being chased by predators.
Birds are another great fishing indicator, especially when they are feeding. My favorites to follow are the blue heron, pelicans and gulls. All of this wildlife activity is useful if you know how to read it. Not only can it help to find fish but also give clues as to what they are feeding on.
In addition to wildlife activity, what is beneath the surface matters a lot as well. Look for different structure where you are fishing, like drains. In between islands and sand bars there will be gaps where water flows through. These are high-traffic areas for bait fish, so there are usually predators nearby. I like to sit near the sides of these areas and cast into them, even more so when there is a lot of tidal movement.
Once I am settled into an area, I generally start off with a topwater to check things out. This will draw some aggressive strikes pretty quickly if there are any game fish in the area. Once the fish are found try switching to a soft plastic fishing lure, possibly weedless depending on your situation. This will help you get that big fish. A few casts in each area of the drain should be enough to scope it out before moving on.
My lure of choice is a Brown Lure Devil Eye or Sea Devil. There are tons of colors to choose from, and we each have our own favorite. My favorite is Little Pinky (pink with silver hologram). It has been a proven color for me in clear to muddy water for over a year. This method of fishing works well, and I use it whether fishing for fun, with clients, or in tournaments.
Learning to read weather conditions, wildlife activity and structure will give you a definite advantage once you get out on the water. The living book is there, you just need to learn what it all means and use that to your advantage. Give it a shot and let us know how it works for you. Please be courteous on and off the water, and take more trash than you bring. Happy Fishing!