By Mike Frisch
Even though I have been fishing for fifty-plus years, each fishing season I hope is better than the one(s) that came before it. In order for that to happen, there are some areas of my “fishing game” that need my attention if I am going to be a better and more successful angler than in the past. Here is a look at ways anglers can improve their fishing skills.
Sonar skills
One part of fishing that is constantly changing is the technological revolution occurring when it comes to sonar. Sonar units and their capabilities get better every fishing season and to be the best angler possible, it’s essential that an angler evolve with sonar. I try to get in the boat every year with anglers who are better with sonar than I am. I then watch and try to learn from my observations and put those observed skills to use on my own.
In absence of learning from being in the boat with another angler, we can also develop skill at modern sonar use by watching the various YouTube videos that are available to anglers as well. Watching and learning and then trying to put those lessons to use in our own boat is another way to develop skill with modern technologies.
Regardless of where the knowledge comes from, staying abreast in the latest technologies regarding sonar use and then putting them to use in your boat is one important way to be better at finding fish. Being a better fish finder as an angler means more fish around your bait which hopefully leads to more fish in the boat!
Casting accuracy
As a multi-species angler who loves bass fishing, I have developed skills at flipping and pitching my baits to effectively present them to fish. During the long winters we experience in the Midwest, however, my skills often deteriorate. For that reason, I keep a couple of my favorite flipping and pitching rods in the house during winter and occasionally take them out and practice. I have found that a few minutes a day a couple days a week spent flipping and pitching a jig with a bent over hook at a coffee cup or two helps keep my casting accuracy sharp and helps me be ready for the coming season.
New equipment
Using the latest in fishing gear is another way to be a better angler. For example, when skipping and pitching jigs or Texas rigged baits for bass, having rods and reels designed for those techniques often helps an angler “be good” at those presentations. For example, Lew’s has a new reel on the market called a Custom Pro with a Paramag ITB braking system. The name is not important, but what is important is that the cast control on this reel is top notch. I had a chance to sample it last fall and can say this reel cast baits a great distance, while still enabling maximum cast control. I will be fishing with several of these new reels this season because maximum casting distance while being able to control where my bait ultimately lands should keep me around more fish and lead to more bites!
Afterall, getting more bites is one way to have a better fishing season than the last! Enjoy your time on the water and remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure.
Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series on Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and FanDuel Sports. Visit fishingthemidwest.com to see TV schedules and all things Fishing the Midwest!
Photo – Here’s an angler landing a chunky largemouth bass. Honing fishing skills as described in this blog can help anglers land more fish regardless the fish species sought.
