Whatever I write on this topic, there will be those who will question, dispute, reject and possibly ridicule what I have to suggest. Mainly because there are some who genuinely do know better, others who think they know better and then there are those who just don’t take kindly to advice.
I will try to steer a cautious path and concentrate on the basics that will hopefully increase your odds of catching fish.
The best time to go fishing is when the fish are biting!
No, I am not trying to be clever, but hope to make a point that should never escape us. We have to find out what the ideal conditions are under which fish will go on the bite and plan our trips to the sea accordingly. The most successful anglers and professional fishermen are those who have such an intimate knowledge of local weather and water conditions that they instinctively know when and where to go for the best chances to catch fish.
The average angler does not like to ‘work’ hard for his fish. Most of us like to sit and wait and only rush off when we hear or read of good catches.
Simply put, you cannot catch fish if your line is not in the water.
Now that we know we have to make an effort to succeed we have to also identify what are the best times to go fishing.
All other things being equal, though, the best time to fish is early in the morning. Fish normally feed at dawn through to mid-morning, slack off during the middle of the day and come on the bite again towards evening.
The period from about 09:00 to 15:00 is mostly an unproductive time.
Feeding habits
There are many factors which influence fish and their feeding habits. Rock, surf, river and estuary fish are mainly influenced by the rise and fall of the tide. At low-tide there is little feeding activity, but when the tide starts to push, fish start to look for food.
From low to full-tide is a period of about six hours and the best time to try is from an hour after low-tide to about one hour before the tide is full. At high or full-tide there is a period of about half an hour when the water is immobile before it starts to turn and recede with a strong backwash. Once you feel this pull on your line you can pack up and go home.
Rock and surf fish are sensitive to a falling tide and move with the receding tide to avoid being left behind in the shallow water.
It is an accepted routine to collect your bait at low tide, fish the incoming or pushing tide and go home for lunch when the tide is full or falling.
Effect of seasons
Feeding times, when the fish bite, often vary with the time of the year.
In summer fish tend to bite best in the early morning and late afternoon. As winter approaches fish come up to feed later in the morning and by the time winter is upon us, you can catch them in the middle of the day.
In summer fish start to bite about an hour before dawn and while it is still dark they will be high in the water. As the sun rises and it gets lighter they will go down deeper, but will continue to bite on an overcast day and occasionally bite right through a rainy day.
The best tactic to adopt is firstly to plan your fishing during the ideal times and conditions. Secondly, it is certainly best to fish in short spells rather than try all day in the hope that your fortunes will change. Normally, if you don’t get a bite within an hour or so there is something wrong or there are no fish around your spot.
If you tried unsuccessfully in the morning then, it is best to pack up and return again towards the evening.
There are many reasons other than tides, time and seasons why you may not be catching fish. Weather is one that has the greatest effect of all the ele-ments on the sea.
For the time being, stick to the basics and improve your chances of catching fish.
Article: Pieter Naudé
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Fishing is better when the sun rises.
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