Fishing goes beyond just dropping a line in the water, it involves understanding the habits and patterns of fish. Mark Farag is a fishing fan in general and also a podcast producer at The Science of Fishing. He is of the view that understanding the reasoning fish do can easily change a day of annoying experience into a successful one.
In this article, Mark discusses in detail the synonyms of fish behavior and how an understanding of the same can benefit anglers in enhancing their catches. The first thing which Mark tries to explain in the outset of the article is that fish behavior and their environment is intrinsically involve and mutually exclusive.
Mark explains that the behavior of fish is determined by the environment: temperature, light, oxygen levels and water conditions define the geographical area fish locate themselves and how they feed. What he actually means is that fish are delicate which can survive only in the right conditions and are receptive to the slightest alteration.
desire to have a more in-depth understanding of these, check out Mark’s podcast, The Science of Fishing, on Spotify fishing podcast or Apple Podcasts for tips and other information used.
The Importance of Feeding Habits.
Fish tend to be opportunistic feeders in which they eat whatever is available or the most energetically efficient. This makes Mark to emphasize on when and what fish eat during the different seasons and times of the day.
“During dawn and dusk, there is a surge of activity for a lot of fish species as these are the times they are most active and tend to be feeding. The level of overcast during this time allows them to feel more safe to come out of hiding,” states Mark.
Another important one is making sure that your lure imitates what a fish is usually feeding on. For example, if the fish are eating minnows and small insects, the size and movement of your lure has to be as close to that as possible. “The closer your bait looks to the real thing, the better your chances,” adds Mark. For visual demonstrations, find the fishing demonstration on Mark’s YouTube channel, The Science of Fishing where he goes over this in full detail.
Mark stresses that fish behavior changes with the season. In the spring, fish become active as they come out of hibernation. It’s usually a good time to go after species like bass, as they become active during the spawning season.
In the summer, catching fish can be frustrating because most of them don’t see deeper waters as a safe heaven. “If the daytime heat is too much to bear, try early mornings or evenings” he suggests. Winter with its chilly winds, is another good season with many type of species actively feeding in order to withstand the harsh cold weather that follows.
You can also learn how to fish throughout the year by f0llowing Mark on Instagram at @scienceoffishing.
Fishing techniques for catching fish that are considered predatory.
Ambush is the defense mechanism for predatory fish such as pike, bass, or even trout. So, according to Mark, knowing how they hunt will help you determine which one to use when and how to pull it out.
Mark also suggests tossing your bait near to the logs where the fish are most active, or the weeds for good measure as the predatory fish tend to take cover. “Using lures to mimic injured or fleeing prey works well because predatory fish are attracted to movement, and therefore can’t resist taking the bait” he says.
For more cues when choosing a lure and how to cast the bait, check out Mark’s short videos on fishing podcast on Tiktok.
The Role of Time and Water Quality
Bad astronomy or bad weather combined with dirty water tend to always put fish in hiding. At times, particularly in dark, cloudy conditions, fish are more likely to be caught as they feel more protected from the cover.
Notice the wind patterns as well,” Mark states. “Wind can guide bait fish to a certain place, and predator fish will come there as well. It is quite effective to cast on the windward side of a lake or pond.
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Patience and Observation Are Key
Mark thinks that, every angler should work on honing the skill of observation. “You should look at the surface of the water, notice the birds, and every little thing,” he says. When birds are seen diving intimately to the water, it could be a sign that there are bait fish around, meaning larger fish are in the vicinity too.
Fishing is not simply a game of chance; it is rather a game of tact, and each trip is a lesson in patience. The success of a fisherman depends largely on how much time he spends learning about a fish and its behavior.
Final Thoughts from Mark Farag
Grasping of a fish’s mannerisms is not rocket science, it is simply one’s affinity to nature and the attention to detail he is capable of. It is the words of Mark Farag, “the better you understand fishes and their lifestyle the more rewarding fishing will be for you”.
“Fishing is as much knowledge as it is skill,” Mark concludes. “Enhance your knowledge, and your catch will surely grow in numbers.”
To learn more, be sure to check out Mark’s post and follow his adventure on social networks.
