DON’T BE AFRAID TO NOT CATCH FISH

September 28, 2015 by riplipboy

Trying something different could often be the difference and the fish of a liftime like Kit Luu who rocked this big wahoo using a lure that no one else was using.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO NOT CATCH FISH

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Sept. 29, 2015

“How can I be a better fisherman?”

I get asked all the time. What’s the secret? What do I need to do? How can I catch more fish?

The obvious answer of course is, “Go fishing!”

The more the better. You won’t get better watching fishing shows at 6 a.m. sitting on your living room couch with a bear claw, cup of coffee and your bathroom slippers. Like anything else. Put in the time.

Of course, everyone wants to catch fish. I’ve been fishing all my life and probably fish more in a year than most anglers will fish in a lifetime. I’ve run a fishing operation for 20 years.

And I still have so much to learn! There is not a day on the water that I don’t learn something new.

I consider myself more than above-average-for a fishermen. Just a tetch. On a good day. And some days are better than others.

However…the fish has a brain the size of the tip of my finger. With all my fancy gadgets, hi-tech wizardry and supposedly big evolved-brain (my wife laughs!)…the fish usually get the better of me.

The day that every cast to every kind of fish…produces a strike …every time. And it happens all the time in any waters or conditions, is the day I will know I’ve mastered the art.

That’s not likely to happen.

But, that’s what makes fishing fun. There are so many variables that go into making that fish open it’s mouth. And there’s a completely different art to getting the fish to the boat once he’s on the hook too!

It’s actually the guy who tells me he’s “hardcore” and acts like he knows everything that gets me the most nervous. They are usually in for the biggest let-down if the fishing isn’t up-to-par. And also the biggest subsequent meltdown and tantrum-thrower as well.

Obviously, it’s never HIS fault. Plenty of blame. It’s the bad captain. The bad outfitter. Bad boat. Bad moon. Bad bait. Never just “bad luck.”

Look. Everyone wants to catch fish. That’s the whole point. That’s why we go on these vacations. To catch fish.

But, if you want to get better…if you want to take it to the next level…if you really want to be the guy they say, “Man, that dude (or gal) is the hot stick…”

Step outside the box.

Sure, you can do what everyone else is doing. And you’ll catch fish. And you might get better at however it is everyone else is catching fish. But, to get really better, take a chance.

Catch a fish or two. Then do something different. If the bite is wide open is a perfect time to try something different.

If everyone is using bait…heck…anyone can catch fish on a live bait. Try switching to iron. Or a a rubber swim bait. Or a top-water popper. Something that no one else is using. Or that you have never tried before.

You would be surprised how often the guy trying something different gets the biggest fish. Ask guys who throw iron!

Go to lighter tackle. Or, walk on the wild side and whip out a flyrod or really hit the edge and use fresh water gear like a bass rod, spinning rod, flipping stick or noodle rod.

Or ask your captain or guide to fish for a fish species that no one else is catching. What’s the worse that can happen?

You may NOT get it right the first time. But, you have to take the chance.

Don’t be afraid of NOT catching a fish.

Whatever you’re doing might not work. Throwing iron or a lure for the first time, might feel awkward and dangit, you hate those time-wasting backlashes. You might feel weird being the only one not hooting or hollering like the other amigos who are bent on fish. They might look at you like you’re a kook.

But resist the temptation. Keep at it. If something isn’t working, tie on something else.

If everyone is fishing the surface, go deep. If everyone is deep, try something on top. Work that water column. Different fish feed at different depths! Everyone using blue and white lures? Drop down the pink lure for grins and giggles.

I had a friend who was a dynamite rock guitarist. He played with Sammy Hagar and some big stars at Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas. He was quite the star down here.

But, he told me he never got better until he tried a little country…a little jazz…learned some blues…dabbled in finger-playing on an acoustic guitar.

He said it was hard at first sounding like a cherry newbie. But, it made him a better guitarist and a better musician. It gave him new perspectives and appreciation. It also got him more gigs because he was now more versatile.

Fishing can be like that too.

Don’t be afraid of the sour notes. Don’t be afraid to not get bent. Don’t be afraid to grab something different out’ve your tackle box and open up all kinds of new possibilities.

You’ll get better. Guarantee it.

That’s my story!

_______________

Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico www.tailhunter-international.com. They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is riplipboy@tailhunter-international.com or drop by the restaurant to say hi!

______________

Jonathan Roldan’s

Tailhunter International

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Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

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That's My Story

Tailhunter International, La Paz, Baja Sur