Becoming a Better Angler

Listening is an easy skill in theory, but hard in practice. In your fishing circle, think about who does the talking. The introvert often has the advantage here—they aren’t busy filling the air with their own voice.

In an age where we are bombarded by "influencers" and wholesalers promising instant success, effective listening is about filtering the turds from the gold. Take a leaf out of a charter skipper’s book. Every skipper I’ve spoken to says the same thing: women are often the best anglers on the boat. Why? Because they listen to the advice given, whereas the blokes often assume they already know it all. The skipper spends more time on the water than anyone; ignore their advice at your own peril.

The problem today isn't a lack of information; it’s having too much. You must find your trusted sources. While the best intel often comes from an angler who was just there, remember that for bottom fishing, every day is different.

Adopt a "weather forecast" attitude. Don’t just trust one source. Speak to several people, look at various reports, and take a "medium" approach to what you hear. If three different people tell you the fish are deep, they’re probably deep. If only one says it, take it with a grain of sea salt.

There’s a famous fisherman from the Far North who makes a living filming the chaos of having no plan. It’s entertaining to watch, but it’s a frustrating way to fish. Planning gives you peace of mind and, more importantly, safety.

Always have a Plan A and a Plan B. Know your tides, your goals, and your methods before you leave the driveway. Being able to pivot based on the weather or activity you see on the sounder is the hallmark of a thinking angler. I’d bet even that "unplanned" Far North fisherman does a bit more prep than he lets on.

Confidence isn’t about being brash; it’s about knowing your craft well enough to know when to change. If you’re confident the fish are there but you’re only landing "rats," a confident angler has the guts to alter the method—maybe more berley or bigger baits—rather than just driving the boat like a bus from spot to spot. Confidence is knowing when to wait out a tide because history tells you “It will happen!"

Whether it’s your gear, your boat, the weather, or even the "time-away" allowed by your partner, know your limits. A good angler never blames their tools.

The internet is full of people bagging brands, lures, or weather forecasters. These people usually lack "balance." Products break and fish have powerful jaws. If you put a chemically sharpened hook through bone and apply massive pressure, something might give. Understanding the physics of your gear prevents the "one that got away" whinging.

A "good" angler isn't always the "flashy" one with the most expensive kit. They are the ones who know their gear inside and out. They hose down the mid-range stuff and meticulously clean the high-end gear because they respect its value.

The real secret is the connection between you and the fish: the tackle. High-end rods and reels are "levers and winches" for comfort, but your knots, your drag settings, and your hooks are what catch the fish. A good angler has supreme confidence in their knots and uses hooks that are fresh and blemish-free.

To reach the next level, focus on the fundamentals. Keep your eyes open, your ears tuned to the right people, and your line in the water as often as possible.

Tightlines!