Fishing Tips to Catch Lots of Fish

Live Bait

Rig live bait on a hook and fish it below a float. Some of the most common types of live bait are leeches, minnows and night crawlers. To maximize the number of fish you catch, use small baits. While even the smallest fish will hit an inch-long leech or minnow, or a small chunk of night crawler, so, too, will a big fish. But if you use a large piece of live bait, small fish have trouble eating it.

Light Line

While it takes light line to fish with small baits, light line is also less visible under the water. As a result, fish are less likely to see the line and get spooked. Additionally, light line is more limp than heavy line, so lures and baits behave more naturally under the water.

The Right Species

Target fish that travel in large schools. Examples include crappies, perch and sunfish. In each case, once you find a school, you may be able to catch fish on nearly every cast for an extended period of time. On the other hand, species such as muskies and northern pike tend to be more solitary, so catching one does not necessarily signal the presence of any more.

The Spawn

Most fish species move to the shallows when they spawn. Some species such as bass, crappies and sunfish simply fan out over hard-bottom, near-shore areas when the water temperature is between about 62 and 72 degrees. Male fish at this time guard their nests fiercely and will hit just about any bait or lure thrown their way. This bite tends to be best in the afternoon, after the shallows have had a chance to warm in the morning.