I Was Bad At Inshore Fishing… Until I Learned This

For years, I thought catching more fish meant buying more lures.

When that didn’t work, I bought different colors.

Then different rods.

Different reels.

I convinced myself the anglers who consistently caught fish knew about some secret lure or hidden spot that I didn’t.

Looking back, I wasn’t struggling because of my tackle.

I was struggling because I didn’t understand fish behavior.

Once I learned that, everything changed.

Featured Software

• Smart Fishing Spots – helps take the guesswork out of pre-trip planning by showing you where fish are most likely to be based on conditions. Instead of wondering where to start, you can spend more time focusing on the food, comfort, and safety factors Pat discusses in this lesson.

Why Most Anglers Struggle To Catch Fish

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make is focusing on tackle before understanding the fish.

Many anglers start by asking:

• What lure should I throw?
• What color should I use?
• What rod is best?

But that’s like walking into a hardware store and buying tools before you even know what project you’re building.

The fish determine the task.

The lure is simply the tool.

Before choosing a lure, it’s important to understand what the fish are doing, why they’re there, and what conditions they’re looking for.

Once you understand that, finding fish becomes much easier.

Fish Behavior Matters More Than Tackle

The anglers who consistently catch fish aren’t necessarily using better gear.

They simply understand fish behavior.

They know:

• Why fish are in a particular area
• Why fish move
• When fish feed
• When fish stop feeding

Instead of guessing, they’re making informed decisions based on conditions and fish movement.

Most fish behavior can be simplified into three basic needs:

1. Food
2. Comfort
3. Safety

When you find an area that provides all three, you’re much more likely to find feeding fish.

Principle #1: Fish Follow Food

One of the most important lessons in fishing is that predator fish follow their food.

When bait moves, predators often move with it.

That’s why a spot that was loaded with fish yesterday can be completely empty today.

The structure may be the same.

The tide may be similar.

But if the bait leaves, the predators often leave too.

Before making a cast, look for signs of life:

• Mullet schools
• Shrimp activity
• Nervous bait
• Diving birds
• Surface disturbances
• Stingrays and other wildlife activity

These clues often reveal far more than lure selection ever will.

If there isn’t food in the area, there’s a good chance feeding fish won’t be there either.

Principle #2: Fish Seek Comfort

Fish are constantly looking for conditions that help them conserve energy and survive.

What creates comfort changes throughout the year.

During winter, fish often move into rivers, creeks, and backwater areas where water temperatures remain more stable.

These areas allow fish to escape sudden cold fronts and quickly move shallow when conditions improve.

During summer, the opposite is often true.

Fish frequently seek cooler water with higher dissolved oxygen levels. That may mean deeper water, open bays, passes, oyster reefs, bridges, or nearby surf zones.

The fish haven’t changed.

Their needs have.

Instead of relying on yesterday’s fishing report, ask yourself:

“Where would a fish want to be today?”

That question can dramatically improve your pre-trip planning.

Principle #3: Fish Need Safety

Fish spend their lives avoiding predators.

Redfish, snook, trout, and flounder may be predators themselves, but they can also become prey for larger predators such as dolphins and sharks.

Because of that, fish often position themselves near areas that provide protection.

Examples include:

• Oyster bars
• Dock pilings
• Bridge structure
• Mangrove shorelines
• Grass edges
• Shallow water

These areas allow fish to feed while still having a place to escape if danger appears.

When an area provides food, comfort, and safety at the same time, it often becomes a high-percentage fishing location.

The Three Questions I Ask Before Every Trip

Today, before I ever tie on a lure, I ask myself three simple questions:

1. Where Is The Food?

Are there baitfish, shrimp, crabs, or other forage nearby?

2. What Do The Fish Need Today?

Are they looking for warmer water, cooler water, oxygen, current, or protection from changing conditions?

3. Where Is The Safety?

What nearby structure or habitat allows fish to feed while remaining protected from predators?

Answering these questions usually tells me far more than any lure package ever could.

Final Thoughts

Lure selection matters.

Rods matter.

Reels matter.

But they shouldn’t be the starting point.

The day I stopped asking:

“What lure should I throw?”

And started asking:

“Why are fish here?”

Was the day I became a better inshore angler.

Because at the end of the day, fish don’t care what lure you’re holding if there isn’t a reason for them to be there in the first place.