Always check the weather in the area where you are fishing. It sounds basic but is often overlooked. You could avoid a wasted trip or – worse yet – getting caught in a storm by simply looking at the forecast.
Check the tide charts – not just the weather. A moving tide is when the fish are active, and you want to be out there. Tides play a big factor in catching fish.
Check your water temperature. Fish are slower in warm waters, and water temperature will determine the lures and tackle you want to use, even where fish are likely to congregate – to seek or avoid extreme temperatures, hot or cold.
Adjust your fishing location, time, tackle, and water features to the tide. Low Tides provide a different style of fishing than high tides, and incoming tides offer different fishing opportunities than outgoing tides.
While there are no guarantees, an experienced fisherman can significantly increase the odds of catching certain fish species. Location, time of day, time of year, tackle, and bait (including live bait type) help determine that. In addition, braid, leader size, reel size, hook size, and rod size are all factors in catching certain kinds of fish.
Proper knots – and – tying the leader to braid are factors in catching fish. Knot-tying is a complex and nuanced topic – so best to reach out to the Captain himself, but suffice it to say, what you can successfully catch will be aided or subverted by using the right or wrong knot!
You want to use live bait versus artificial bait.
If you use too heavy a tackle (line and hook) fish can see it.
The time of day you fish can determine which fish are biting in your area.
Additionally, the season (or time of year) will impact which fish are biting.