Sight fishing is one of the most exciting and rewarding activities for anglers. When sight-fishing, you first see the fish and then try to tempt it to eat your lure. Sounds easy, right? Well, most of the times, it's not. If done incorrectly, sight fishing can be extremely frustrating. To avoid stress and catch more fish, there are a few guidelines you should follow. Let’s see the best tips for improving your sight fishing game.
Be careful where you look
When choosing your best fishing spot always look for areas that are protected by the elements, but still offer some sunlight. When sight fishing you should also keep the sun in front of you: never cast your shadow on the fish, they can sense danger and will run off the bed. Remember not to stay too close to the fish: you should be able to see it, but the farther you’ll be from it, the more chances you’ll have to get your catch.
Bring a good pair of polarized sunglasses with you
Is there a better tool than your eyes when you’re sight fishing? No, there isn’t. To make the best use of your vision, polarized sunglasses are a must-have accessory. They tend to be more expensive than regular eyewear, but it’s a solid investment and, if treated properly, they’ll last you for many fishing trips along the years.
Polarized sunglasses will cut out glare, enhancing your vision and increasing visual comfort. The best models have a wrap-around design, that will prevent sunlight to enter from the sides and bother you when you’re fishing.
Study the fish carefully
Every angler should be able to determine the “catchability” of a fish, which is an art that can be learned through experience. In general, if the fish does not leave the bed when it sees you, you’ll have way more chances.
Seasoned fishermen agree in saying that you should look and study the fish carefully; for instance, if the fish doesn’t bite your bait, but comes close to it, you’re still doing something right. If a fish show interest it’s always a positive sign: you can insist on it or come back later, using a slightly different approach.
Pick the right lure
Everyone has their favorite, and generally speaking, you can use almost anything: there’s no lure that can’t catch bedding fish. However, some lures work better than others. The color isn’t that important, as long as you can see your bait. Some good choices are Strike King, Rage Tail Lizard, Bleeding Bait tube, Rage Tail Craw.
Another good advice is to keep it light and avoid heavy baits, as the weight can cause the lure to snag easier. Keep experimenting with your baits and take notes, both when you’re successful and when you go home empty-handed.
Be patient
Patience is crucial when sight fishing; sometimes it will take a while to get a fish to eat. Anglers may get impatient and make too many casts in a short period of time; but the truth is, if the fish sees a lure coming and going frequently, it will be less likely to eat it.
Be patient, and if you notice that what you’re doing isn’t working, keep changing your lure until you find the right solution.
Be quiet
This won’t surprise you: it’s no secret that you need to be as quiet as possible and reduce body movements to the minimum, if you want to catch more fish. Bass in particular, have their eyes on top of their head and they are aware of anything that is happening above them.
The best way to get a fish to eat your bait is to make the cast without them realizing that you’re there. So, turn off your electronics any time you go fishing and avoid chatting, if you fish with other people.
Conclusions
Sight fishing will test your nerves and patience and you’ll have a small margin for error. There’s no perfect formula for sight-fishing. This practice is mostly done in shallow waters, but anglers do it in both freshwater and saltwater; therefore, each scenario is different. By following these simple advises you’ll be able to improve your fishing game, regardless of where you fish.