The short answer is no. Nobody is guaranteed to catch something on a fishing trip or a deep-sea charter. That goes for the most experienced fishers. It is also a common question that people who are new to fishing ask. The honest answer is that it is not difficult to catch something, but many factors go into making a successful fishing trip. Below we talk about those factors, so your fishing adventure is positive and hopefully full of trophy fish.
Our Honest Answer: If it were that easy, we would call it “Catching Fish!” Not “Fishing!”
Factors That Determine What You Catch!
Many factors go into making a successful fishing trip, and some of them are far outside of our control. An excellent example of that is the weather. Fish are heavily impacted by the weather, as is your fishing adventure. What else?
- The time of year – if you are fishing for a specific type of fish, then the time of year plays a part. Fish migrate, and many of the big predatory fish follow the smaller baitfish. If your target is not around, then you will not catch them. Fishing is best with an open agenda. Take a couple of poles rigged for a variety of fish and fishing styles. If you are not having good luck with one type of fish, switch to a different target or location.
- The condition of your equipment. Many big fish getaway because of equipment failure. If you are fishing with a charter, they may provide you with top of the line gear that is well-maintained and setup for what is in season. If you are bringing your equipment, make sure that it is the correct type of gear and that it is in prime condition for fishing. Catching ocean fish takes a little skill and always quality gear.
- Bait Selection – Rigging and bait selection are big. If you don’t have the right lure, jig, or bait, you might never see a fish. What is more frustrating when this happens is the big fish you do see. They swim right up to your hook or lure and then just meander away. A good fishing captain will make sure this never happens.
Great Captain with Experience-Guaranteed to Put You Above Fish
Experience is golden when it comes to fishing, and a good captain and crew will always put you above the fish. That fact is about 1/2 knowledge of the local area, and 1/2 to do with quality technology, such as depth finders, sonar, radar, etc. Good captains know the local waters, even the deep waters for deep-sea fishing, and they know the fish. What that means is they know which fish are in the area, when they are there, and what they eat. The short of it is that a good captain helps you catch a lot of fish without ever touching your fishing rod.
What Fish Are in Season-Charters Have to Follow Regulations
We touched on this a little bit with the factors that impact fishing. It is also essential that charter boats follow the fishing regulations. While some fish may migrate, others stay put, and fishing regulations often determine when you can fish for one type of fish over another. That has a lot to do with conversation as fish are usually not legal to fish during mating season. Size limits and quantity of catch also play into what you can fish for and when.
The Angler’s Ability to Accept Guidance – All Fishers Need to be Ready to Try Something New
Even the most seasoned angler needs to be ready to change up their game plan. There is a lot that goes into catching fish, and even more so if you are trying to catch a specific type of fish. The food system changes weekly, if not daily, for some species of fish. What that means is what worked yesterday may not work at all today. Be ready to change tactics is essential, and your captain will give you solid advice as to how to rig the poles and how to fish. Also, the circumstances – environment, weather, location – also change quickly, and as they do, so do the criteria for catching fish.
While nobody is guaranteed to catch fish, it is pretty difficult not to catch something. If you come prepared for catching ocean fish and are willing to adapt to fishing, you most likely will not only catch fish but have a smashing good day catching a lot of fish.