7 Reasons Why You May Not Be Catching Fish

While it’s true that “a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work,” coming home from a fishing trip empty-handed can leave you wondering, “Why am I not catching any fish?”

Sometimes it’s just a bad day. But other times, there may be a way to increase your chances of having a successful fishing excursion. Here are the top seven reasons why you may not be catching fish.

1. Fishing the Wrong Areas

The most common mistake made by anglers of all skill levels is spending too much time fishing the wrong spots. There is an old angling commandment called the 90/10 rule. This rule essentially states that 90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water. Therefore, if you are not catching any fish, you should probably find a new fishing spot.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you’ve been fishing for 30-45 minutes and haven’t caught anything, move to a different location. Once you find that “10 percent” of the water where the fish have chosen to congregate, you can settle in and watch your luck change.

Highly portable fishing rigs, like handlines, are great for quickly moving from place to place. Handlines are also small and portable enough for you to get to secluded spots that are too difficult for other anglers to reach.

2. Under-Preparing

You need to be sure your gear is a good fit for when you’re fishing, where you’re fishing, what you’re fishing for, and how you’re fishing.

Different species of fish react better to some rigs, lures, and bait than others. If you're fishing from a boat or with your car nearby, you can bring a large tackle box and experiment to see what works best.

But, if you're fishing on a backpacking trip or at a more remote fishing spot, you'll want to carry a more curated selection of bait and tackle for the species you're targeting. Charts like this one can help you choose a couple of setups for whatever fish you're looking to catch.

We're big fans of minimalist fishing, but no matter how light you're going, bring at least two different kinds of rigs, lures, and bait types so you can adjust for different environments, weather conditions, and times of day.

SHOP: Fishing Gear

3. Fishing with the Wrong Lures or Bait

Part of the joy of fishing is traveling to new and unfamiliar lakes, streams, and other waterways. If you’re visiting a new fishing spot, take the time to politely ask other anglers what’s been working for them. Before taking to the internet, take their advice. Conversely, if you’re fishing in a body of water with frequent fishing activity, including one you visit often, it’s important to realize that what worked last month, last week, or yesterday may not work today.

Aquatic life in an over-fished body of water may become more cautious and more challenging to catch. While fish may not be “learning” in the traditional sense, research shows that certain fish have evolved to avoid being caught. This adaptation, albeit likely short-lived, can make them wary of anything that doesn’t seem natural or they recognize as a potential threat.

When you’re fishing in a popular area, here are some best practices:

• Use Lighter Line and Stealthier Presentations: Lighter line and smaller lures help make the setup less visible and intimidating to cautious fish.
• Try Finesse Techniques & Rigs: Slower, more subtle movements—like drop shotting or using soft plastics—often work well.
• Switch Up Lure Types: If you’re not getting any bites, consider switching your lure. Many anglers will switch their lure every 20 minutes to see what’s working best.

Understanding fish pressure is critical for anglers who fish in popular spots and want to increase their success with smarter, low-impact techniques.

4. Using the Wrong Colors

It’s surprising how impactful the color of your lure can be on the success of your fishing trip. Not only do fish have specific color “preferences” and use chromatic cues to make visual-based decisions, but the depth at which your fishing changes what colors can be seen clearly. For instance, red (<15 ft.), orange(< 25 ft.), and yellow (< 45 ft.) lures are excellent for fishing in shallow waters. Conversely, green (< 75 ft.) and blue (< 200 ft.) are better for deeper water.

Further, a growing body of research indicates that a lure's “motion,” “flicker,” and “brightness” can be critical to catching a fish’s attention. Make sure you have at least three flies/lure options when heading out on the water.

5. Fishing at the Wrong Time of Day

It's helpful to plan your fishing trips around the time of year, as the best time of day to fish depends on the season. To make the most of your time out on the water, follow these seasonal best practices:

• Spring: Afternoon and early evening
• Summer: Early and mid-morning
• Winter: Late afternoon and early evening
• Autumn: Afternoon and early evening

6. Not Considering Water Temperature

All freshwater fish are cold-blooded, which means the temperature of their environment impacts them. Their behavior, such as their activity level and eating habits, will change depending on the water temperature.

Each species of fish prefers different temperatures. However, aquatic life generally doesn’t like extreme temperatures. Therefore, it's helpful to consider the water temperature as it pertains to your target fish.

• Bluegill and Sunfish: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
• Carp: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
• Catfish: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
• Crappie: 68-72°F (20-22°C)
• Largemouth Bass: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
• Northern Pike: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
• Salmon: 50-60°F (10-15°C)
• Smallmouth Bass: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
• Trout: 50-60°F (10-15°C)
• Walleye: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
• Yellow Perch: 60-70°F (15-21°C)

If the fish aren’t biting, it may be because the water is too cold or too hot for them to behave as they usually would. If this is the case, try to slow down your presentation and cast directly on them. This technique will allow the fish to grab the lure without exerting too much energy.

7. You’re Too Loud

Fishing is much like hunting in the sense that your target can be scared off if they see you or hear you. Spooked fish can be almost impossible to catch. Fish can sense movement, vibrations, and noises. If you do spook the fish, your best bet is to move on to another spot. To avoid doing so, especially when fishing from a boat, be sure to:

1. Slow Down: You can significantly reduce engine noise by simply slowing down.
2. Avoid Chine Slap: Position your boat appropriately with waves, and consider adding weight to the bow to avoid the slapping sound that fish flee from.
3. Close Hatches Softly: Slamming hatches sound like gunshots underwater, so shut them as softly as possible.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why you may not be catching fish—some you can control and others you can’t. However, understanding some best practices can help you avoid getting skunked on your fishing trip.

At Daggerfish, we’re focused on creating new ways to help you connect with the wilderness. In our workshop in Pennsylvania, we craft gear and equipment from natural materials designed to enhance your experience of the outdoors. If you’re looking for more ways to explore backcountry fishing, check out our handline fishing reels and gear.