The Biggest Mistake Anglers Make When Fishing Structure
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Weekly Newsletter: 2-7-21

Most big fish are caught on the bottom near structure.
But here’s the problem: most people don’t get their baits on the bottom near structure.
In this video, we’ve got world-record-holder Capt. Peter Deeks showing you the biggest mistake that most anglers make that takes their baits out of the strike zone and causes them to miss out on fish.
So if you’ve ever been in the right spot, at the right time, using the right bait, but didn’t catch fish, this could be why.
See how to fix this mistake in the video below.
Structure Fishing Mistake [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
Click here to see the full mini-course (Insiders only)
Let’s say you’re fishing a dock that you know has fish under it.
You’re rigged up with a shrimp with an egg sinker on your line, and you make a perfect cast an inch in front of the dock piling.
You close your bail to get ready for the strike and POW — there it is, you’ve already made this crucial mistake.
When you’re fishing structure, you need to let enough line out so your bait has room to get down to the bottom.
If you close up the bail before letting your bait sink down, when it does hit the bottom, it’s going to end up short of the structure and out of the strike zone.
So even if there are hungry fish at the bottom of those pilings, you probably won’t catch them (or as many of them as you could) because your bait won’t get in the strike zone.
Conclusion
Next time you’re fishing structure and you make that perfect cast to it, let your bait sink down a bit before closing the bail.
This will get your bait in the strike zone and help you catch more fish.
If you’re in the Insider Club, you can check out Capt. Peter Deeks’ full mini-course about fishing inshore structure here.
And if you want access to this mini-course, all of our other mini-courses, our best fishing tips, and discounts to our online tackle store, then join us in the Insider Club!
Click here to join us in the Insider Club.
Related articles:
Related categories:

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 ever 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).

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).
Never thought about it that way but does make perfect sence thank you and for all you do
Love the website keep on spreading the love of fishing like me!
Yo that’s insane. I do this sometimes and I really don’t realise the difference. I know my spots and some days I’m spot on and some days nothing. This really explains it. Thank you.
Have you done any videos on converting loran to gps?
Right On. I learned this years ago Bass Fishing. I used alot of Jigs and pigs. Just flip them against the pylons and hang on!!!
thats a cool vid and it shows lots of edvice. i am a freshwater angler and i fish from docs so mianly i am in deep water adn this helps.
Spot on! I fish a lot of deep docks along the St Johns River. The big fish are just behind the front pilings. I put the weight in front of the piling and the bait drifts leader length away behind the piling. Thump!
I like to leave the bail open until I feel the bait hit the bottom.
What a great video guys. I am guilty of doing that.
Great piece, I’ll have to watch the other videos. Makes perfect sense now
Guys, I have tried google maps numerous times but when I zoom in it’s blurry. Suggestions? Is it my monitor? Love all the info Thanks JOD