8 tips on how to catch more fish
People often tell us they love fishing but hardly ever catch anything. They want to know how they can catch more fish, so they can bring home dinner.
Although we do catch fish a lot of the time, is not by accident! Sometimes luck is on our side, however we believe the planning we do is what makes the difference. So if you want to catch more fish, we recommend you follow these eight tips before you go fishing:
1. Check the wind direction
Ideally, you want the wind behind you, as this helps with casting distance, improves accuracy, and keeps your bait where it needs to be for longer. That said, some anglers do look for onshore winds because they can push bait fish closer to land, which may attract larger predator fish and create good fishing opportunities in the right conditions.
Overall, choosing a location that works with the wind will improve your chances of success while making your experience far more comfortable.
Click the icon below Windy Mobile Application
2. Choose a fishing location based on wind direction
Choosing the right fishing location is essential for improving your chances of catching fish, and it begins with planning before you leave home.
Check the wind direction, consider how much time you have to travel and pick a location where the wind works in your favour to make fishing easier, more comfortable and that is close enough to travel to in the time available.
Will you fish off a beach or lake, or off rocks, or are you keen to fish off a jetty? Your fishinlocation will determine the fishing gear you need to take and clothing requirements i.e. boots if rock fishing. Your location will also shape your target species i.e. certain fish frequent jetties or rocky areas but aren’t found as often on flat sandy beaches.
You can refer to the South Australia Fishing Sister Interactive Fishing Map for great fishing spot ideas and also use Google Maps to show you how to get there. Maps and apps can help you identify suitable spots like beaches, jetties, or rocky areas, but they should only be used as a guide since conditions can change.
We always have a Plan B in case our preferred location is unfishable due to seaweed or unexpected strong winds.
Click the icon below for Goole Maps
3. Check the tides and best fishing times for that day
Tide movement is an important factor when planning a fishing session. Fish are generally more active during the last couple of hours of a rising or falling tide, so fishing just before or after high or low tide can improve your chances of success.
There are several fishing apps available that show tide information and allow you to set your location. They also include details like moon phases, which can influence fish activity—stronger tides around full and new moons often lead to better fishing conditions. We currently use the Fishing Times app.
Sunrise and sunset are also reliable times to fish, regardless of what the apps suggest. In addition, species like Australian salmon can appear at any time of day, even when activity levels are predicted to be low.
The Fishing Times app helps by displaying tides, peak feeding periods (major and minor times), and overall daily conditions. It shows when high tide occurs, includes moon phase and sunrise/sunset data, and gives a simple rating of how good the day might be for fishing. While it’s a helpful planning tool, it should be used as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Click the icon above for the Fishing Times mobile application
4. Decide which fish species to target
When you have decided on a location, you need to identify the best fish species to target. Read online fishing reports as they will tell you what is being caught in the area. Chatting with the local tackle store staff is another good way of finding out what people have been catching. Whatever fish have been active are the ones you should target!
Click the icon below for the Fishing SA mobile application
5. Take the right rigs and bait for your target species
Once you know the species of fish you will target, match your tackle and bait to them. Research the rig set up and hooks that best suit your target fish. You can buy rigs pre-made or make them up yourself. We take plenty of spares in case a feisty fish breaks one or we lose one to submerged rocks. We always take rigs for common species even if we are not targeting them, just in case! We also take a range of lures in case you can see a school of fish, or if the fish just don’t seem to be hungry. The flashing movement of a lure might just tempt them to bite.
Research the bait that your target species like before you go and make sure you have at least one option per species. Cockles, Pilchard, and Squid are great staples, and we keep a stock of these in our freezer bagged up ready for our next trip. Buy your Pilchards salted, or salt fresh ones yourself as this helps keep them on the hook longer. We also salt our Cockles and you can and gents are another reliable bait and last for weeks in the fridge.
6. Take lots of burley
Using burley through-out your fishing session is essential as its strong smell attracts fish to your fishing spot. We usually attach a mesh burley bag filled with fish offal to a rod holder, and position it right on the water line. When preparing our fish to eat, we bag and freeze the fish offal so all we need to do is defrost it the night before we go fishing.
When fishing for Garfish, Whiting, Mullet and Australian Herring we use burley springs above our sinkers, and fill them with a mix of breadcrumbs and tuna oil, or similar store-bought burley. We also use this burley mix in our feeder floats.
When Salmon fishing we push the top halves of our salted pilchards into our springs as their oily, strong-smelling flesh works wonders in attracting Salmon. Throwing handfuls of crushed shells into the water is another way to create a strong smell to bring fish closer to your rig.
7. Look for the best spot to fish
If you are surf fishing, look for gutters (trough) that run along the beach as fish often feed in the deeper water between the breaking waves. When fishing for Squid off a jetty, and fish where the quid ink stains are on the jetty and fish under a light if its dark as the lights attract the Squid. For Whiting, target sandy areas among the weeds and broken bottom surfaces!
8. Stay comfortable and be prepared
Staying comfortable and well prepared is an important part of having an enjoyable and successful fishing trip. Wearing the right clothing for the conditions, such raincoats and warm layers in cold weather or sun protection on hot days. This helps you stay focused and relaxed instead and able to fish for longer periods instead of being distracted by discomfort.
Also, bringing essentials like food, water, and a light weight chair can make long fishing sessions much more pleasant, especially if you’re waiting for fish to come through.
When you’re comfortable, you’re more patient, alert, and able to enjoy the experience, which ultimately improves both your chances of catching fish and your overall day on the water.
Final Say
In summary, catching more fish comes down to planning and making informed decisions before and during your trip. By considering factors like wind direction, tides, and peak fishing times, choosing the right location, and targeting specific species with suitable rigs, bait, and burley, you can greatly improve your chances of success.
Taking the time to assess your fishing location on arrival and staying flexible with backup options also helps you adapt to changing conditions. Finally, being comfortable and prepared ensures you can relax, stay focused, and enjoy the experience. While these tips don’t guarantee a catch every time, they will significantly increase your chances and make your time on the water far more rewarding.
So follow these eight tips before you head off for your next land-based fishing session. These tips will increase your chances of fishing success and also make the day more enjoyable. Happy fishing!
