What Makes A Truly Good Fisherman

[Mmike]

What do you feel makes a truly good fisherman.....

What is it that inhibits others from being consistently successful. (notice I said consistent)

Is it a lack of quality tackle ?........Limited options as far as lures or presentations ?

Perhaps not having a complete understanding of the species and it's preferred habitat / forage ?

I have my own theory's based on my own practical experience, but I'd just love to hear what others
have to say about this......might possibly help lessen the learning curve for some

[reely]

experience and a good network of sharing info

[Gerry Zagorski]

Skill levels and equipment being equal, most of fishing success is based on conditions and location...It's about making smart choices as to where you are going to fish given conditions at a specific time. Wind, current, structure, temps and local knowledge all figure into an educated decision.

Conditions and location aside, having the right gear, knowing how to use it can improve you odds. However, if you are not in the right place at the right time it doesn't matter what your skill level is..

The choices you make as far as when and where you fish trumps everything.

I think if you were to talk to 100 captains most would tell you the most difficult decision they make every day is where to fish. You make a educated guess and if the fish are not there or the conditions are not what you expected, you adapt and move on.

[Fin Reaper]

Most of the truly great fishermen that I have seen exhibit the same 3 traits...
They are approximately 8 years old.
Have never fished or rarely fished
They use a rental rod
:D

[CadiShackFishing]

Sometimes it just comes down to pure luck no matter how prepared you are. :D

[FISHGERE]

Gerry and caddyshack said it all. Maybe a shot and a few beers to take the edge off.

[Hunter 2]

Everything Gerry said and A log book.

Also fish with as many of the best captains out there and gain some knowledge every trip. Ask questions

[Walleyed]

I personally believe the primary thing that prevents "enthusiastic" fishermen (like me) from being truly good fishermen is time on the water. At best, I can get out in the salty stuff maybe twice a month from May through November, the other months, maybe 1 once a month.

Makes it difficult to build up the experience and skill set required to "make your luck" trying figure out the where and when to fish.

That being said, I do like to catch fish, but I'm ok with a boat ride and a cold adult beverage some days too.

[Joey Dah Fish]

I think it's all about how much you care about being a good fisherman. Once you truly dedicate yourself to it you will make it happen. You then surround yourself with other knowledgeable fisherman watch and learn. Ask questions to those willing to share. Pay attention and put your time in. Everyone that is good is passionate about it. Lastly you need to be lucky. The best advice I could give to someone is to target one species at a time, learn the presentation, the bite, the structure the live at a particular time of season and so forth. Don't bounce around to different types of fish every day you get out you will learn more and more. Don't be ridged be flexible and open to new ideas. Case in point for fluke up in Raritan bay I use Bucktails tipped with spearing and fluke belly works great. Go ocean bound out of Shark River or Manasquan I used the same and was pestered with dogs, sea robins and shorts. While others were catching keepers with gulp and bellies. So it's important to listen to the Capts and locals willing to share their knowledge. Good luck and tight lines. FYI I'm still an ok fisherman but I'm pretty lucky

[Gerry Zagorski]

One more thing to add besides location and that is intensity.

Me personally, I'm not very intense.... Most times I'm just happy to be out and that's enough for me. Sometimes it's just a few hours to get out and decompress while other times it's to take some newbies out to get them into our great sport.

However time and time again, it's usually the person with the most intensity who catches the fish. They get to the boat early, have all the different baits to cover all the bases, will stay out later, will move or change what they are doing to get fish and are always at the rail feeling for a strike or working the bait or lure.

[Watreiler]

Great post. Pretty awesome to read through responses. I agree with most responses, but one I would add is confidence.
I do mot consider myself a great fisherman, but I have buddies who are and one thing they all have is confidence.

[Detour66]

Good Fisherman... Experience...Equipment.... Patience.... Feel...Luck !!

Good Capt... Experience.. Intell... Equipment ....Intuition !!

[SHAMROCK EDDIE]

Just my opinion!
1) Leaves cell phone in car
2) Doesn't follow the fleet
3) Doesn't need anyone's Intel
4) Cleans fish off back of boat so not to be seen.
5) Doesn't need to be social media superstar

[Dclark2]

Not doing anything my OLDER brother Billy does.

[bassnblues]

Same things it takes to be good at anything; love, dedication and the ability to analyze situations and learn.

[shrimpman steve]

Time on the water.

[Dino]

attention to detail with tackle, tides.. the ability to fish on weekdays away from the boat traffic.... hours logged on the water fishing correctly... all these things

[billsonthewater]

not listening to your younger brother who lies! my next life I will choose my
fishing partners much better. p.s. he is much older den me!!

[bulletbob]

The best fishermen typically have time to spend fishing, and money to spend on the best gear, bait, boats etc... Most of us would be very very good fishermen retired with a big income, and a Contender 39 LS waiting at the dock .

[Capt Sal]

First you have to be on the meat! Paying attention to all details and proper equipment right down to the knot you tie.Uquipment failure is not an option. Be diversified. I bet Joey has one tackle box for black fish one for fluke and so on.You can own all the bucktails in the world but you need the proper rod and you have to know how to use them.

Read the posts about striper fishing. Some guys catch most of the time and some fair and some hardly ever.Why is this. Experience, log book,proper equipment and a sixth sense. I learn something new every trip. I am in Florida now and i am learnig every trip from Mahi to black drum to trout and sheepsheaqd. Just because i have a 100 ton Masters Lic. means nothing. New ball game for. Same as some of you guys starting out striper fishing. A good mentor is priceless. I have always said that even if you own your own boat and are new to it pay for a charter. As in mentor:)

[FishnChips]

well said shamrock eddie!

[ChumDumpster]

Time on the water for sure first and foremost. The more you get out the more you see and learn. Secondly I do as much research and reading I can on the species I'm targeting. I take my boat out and fish about 4 to 5 days a week and have become very successful due to dedication. Tackle and gear play a decent part but aren't necessarily a deal breaker. Obviously with the right gear and rigs you're more likely to successfully land fish, has nothing to do with finding them though! And I've noticed cheaper gear breaks frequently if you actually use it a lot. Learn how to use a good fish finder and it changes your world, understanding tides and winds and moon phases as well. And for the record, getting Intel from guys who are actually putting in the work to find the fish does not make you a good fisherman, my sister can land 30 pound stripers all day if I tell her exact coordinates and to troll mojos. Oh, and read Gerry's articles!