Biggest Mistake Anglers Make When Using Artificial Lures
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on February 19, 2021
Even if you’re in the right spot…
Using the right bait…
At the right time…
You could still not catch fish.
How is that possible, you ask?
It’s because of one simple mistake that makes all your hard work go down the drain.
See what that mistake is and how to avoid it in the video below.
Biggest Artificial Lure Mistake [VIDEO]
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The biggest mistake anglers make is not getting their lure into the strike zone.
Even if your lure is just a foot away from where the fish wants it, that could make them pass up on your lure…
Causing you to come home with a beautiful picture of the sunset, talking about how it’s just nice to be out on the water (even though you’re hurting deep inside).
So here’s the big question: how do you avoid this mistake?
By taking into consideration the current.
Let’s say you’re fishing a dock piling.
If the current is coming toward you and you place your lure perfectly at the base of the piling — you already lost.
By the time the lure sinks down into the strike zone at the bottom, it’s already way past the piling.
But if you take into consideration the fact that the current will be taking your lure as soon as it hits the water, and you toss it past the piling, then by the time it gets to the piling it will be near the bottom right in front of the fishes hungry mouths.
Conclusion
Most anglers don’t actually get their lure into the strike zone.
To give yourself the best shot at catching fish, you need to take the current into consideration and cast your lure past where you actually want it to go.
Have any questions about catching fish with artificial lures?
Or know of any other common mistakes?
Let me know down in the comments.
And if you know someone who wants to catch more fish with artificials, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Judging by his moves, that boy has been hooked before! He probably did not expect you to de-board, lol. I could imagine his thoughts: ” Oh you did not just get out of that boat”.. That was fun to watch!
Haha seasoned veteran for sure!
Nice fish Tony.
Thanks Allan!
Tony,
What is the best move if I’m fishing a chokepoint and would have to paddle over the fish in order to fish the current correctly? Do I cast with the current instead of into it? Do I paddle over the fish and then just turn around and cast into the current? Do I paddle past the fish and fish somewhere past the chokepoint for 15-20+ minutes and then come back and fish the current correctly?
Thoughts? Thanks!
Hey Michael!
It’s best to always cast first, no matter what the current is doing.If anything cast at an angle to the current. I would much rather cast and work the area first before cutting through just to fish it the “textbook” way. Thats one thing about fishing, is that it’s not always text book!
Wow! I agree. So fun to watch! As a new to kayak fishing member, what pants and boots were you wearing? I noticed the water was fairly shallow. I have some NRS Zephyr Pants and Wet Shoes. But, I don’t plan on getting out in cold water here in Bluffton/HHI, SC, while it has been as cold as it has lately. I expect this level of clothing to be more suitable for early Spring/late Autumn water temps. I’d like guidance to clothing videos for insider members or some tips. Thanks Salt String Nation!
Thank you for the great feedback! I just wear lightweight colombia pants that have the zip away lower leg sections. For boots, I had on Xtra Tuff boots on this trip but slid them off before getting in the water. We don’t really need much heavy duty cold weather gear down here in Florida, I just layer up and have to start taking off layers as the day goes on.
This video seems a bit contrived. The thing about getting the fish’s attention on the 2nd or 3rd cast is just another unsubstantiated speculation that fishermen are known for, but for which there is little or no reason to believe. I have had many opportunities to watch fish react to a cast lure, and almost always it is the first cast that elicits a strike reaction. Once a fish has seen a lure but has not been induced to strike it, the chances of it striking it on the next cast or so are greatlydiminished. Plus, the second or third cast is almost never exactly in the same place as the firs, so a strike on the other casts are much more likely due to the lure being presented at a different place.
As for the video catching the snook — one that has been shown here previously — it looks as if it contradicts the beginning concep of the presentation. That snook seems to have been hooked by casting under the dock and retrieving the lure AGAINST the current, not with it. The wakes from the pilings show that the current were moving away and to the left of the camera.
Contrived presentations like this can be a turn-off to your audience…Keep it real.
It’s just so hard to just someone’s intent. Tony hasn’t let me down, so I’ll trust he wants to be honest here. It seems to me every time I’ve been out with a guide I’ve heard them say” there is gonna be a fish right there” and they have someone cast until it’s caught or they say watch this cast knowing they will get the fish the second time.
Thank you for the great feedback and kind words Jeff! That last thing I’m going to do (or really something I’m never going to do) is share misinformation. I’m here to help others catch fish, I’m not here for likes and subscribers.
Sorry you feel that way Randy. Thank you for the feedback!
Jesus Randy you can be a real pill about the free content bud. Pop a fresh tampon in and relax.
Juan your response is hilarious! LOL
This is the most entertaining video that I remember watching (apart from watching Luke’s dog trying to play with fish). And that’s no matter what the merits are of the question of which way the current is moving.
In this particular area the current wasn’t actually doing anything. That fish was holding in a calm area under the dock against the trees. Casting accuracy was more critical here than positioning with the current. Casting into the current is just a standard rule of thumb when fishing artificial lures. Sometimes you have to change it up, especially if there is no current or if the wind is stronger than the current. Or even just a change of angle when making a cast can trigger a strike,
If there was no current, why did you include it in your video presentation about how to cast upstream?
I’ve got a question about fishing with the current. When the current is moving pretty good, you have to retrieve seems very fast in order to get your swim bait, paddle tails to have the action on the lure, a long cast is back to you in no time. Should I avoid the fast current, or use a different bait. Making the perfect cast is rewarding by itself, if you hook up it’s a bonus.
Hey Dennis!
If the current is strong you may want to increase the weight of your hook or jig head to help get your lure down faster and also so you can have more control of it. In addition, a thinner line will help you work a lure better in heavy current so the resistance of the line is less of a factor (thin braid vs. heavy braid or mono). Another option is to let your lure go down with the flow of the current, and just give it a few pops every now and then. This is usually effective with soft plastics rigged without weight and/or hard plastic suspending lures.
Tony, that was epic. I love how you stayed calm and just kept your focus. What is the fishing line used? Did you have to change after all those touches with the dock?
Hey Jeff!
I was using 10lb power pro. When you feel the line start to rub it’s best to loosen the drag or even just open the nail to take tension off the line. Any added pressure would have snapped the line easily. I did cut about 20ft of line off after just to be safe.
Nice snook – how deep was the area ? 👍 way to jump in and catching the snook
Thanks Pablo! It was around 1.5 to 2ft deep.
Good info that I often overlook Tony….Nice job landing that snook!
Thanks Cory!
Loved that fight. Beast mode!
Thank you for the great feedback Dennis!
Tony I’ve watched that video I don’t know how many times. What a awesome heart pounding fight AWESOME Man !!! 🎣💪
Thanks Stan!!
Great video, Tony. I fish from a kayak, so I love your videos. Love the monster snook.
Thank you for the awesome feedback Dana!
OK Tony-You are in your Kayak and hook a monster snook which takes you all over the place including around the dock pilings. You jump out of the yak and follow the fish until you finally wear it out.
My question is: What are you wearing on your feet?? How do you know that there is not debris, or rocks, or oyster shells, or glass under or around the dock?
Great Fish
DW
All I had on were socks haha. I had boots on but took them off or they would have filled with water and got sucked into the mud. Probably wasn’t the best ideas but the water was pretty clear and I wanted to land that fish!
Always killing it Tony! Thanks for the tip. What type of Hobie are you yaking?
Thanks Craig!
I am using the 2020 Outback.
Great Video & Tips! That wasn’t that Snooks first “Rodeo”! He knew how to wrap around those pilings like a Pro!! 😉
Thank you for the awesome feedback Bob!
Unfortunately for the snook it wasn’t my first rodeo either haha. I’ve been broken off way too many times in that situation!
Thanks for tip Tony
My pleasure Lee!