Ever shown up to a fishing trip with everything ready and come back empty-handed? Before blaming the sea, find out the most common mistakes that make anglers miss catches and how to avoid them for good.
Some days the sea looks great, the wind is helping, you brought the bait that usually works, and even so, the bucket stays empty. The temptation is to call it bad luck. But often there's a more concrete explanation, and it starts long before you set foot on the sand.
Often, the problem lies in the details that repeat session after session, without you noticing. We've gathered 5 mistakes that can cost you catches. They aren't miracle fishing tips, but they can make a real difference on your next outing.
1. Ignoring the Tide Chart
Fishing without checking how the tides behave is a pretty common mistake. Fish aren't always available in the same spot, at the same depth, or with the same willingness to feed. The tide moves the water, stirs up food, and creates windows of activity that may only last an hour or two.
The practical rule you should memorize is simple: the two hours before and after the tide change are, as a general rule, the most productive periods of the session. That's when the current creates movement, brings up food, and pushes fish closer to the feeding zones near the coast.
But not every tide calls for the same approach. There are two scenarios you should keep in mind:
- Spring tides: the range is greater, currents are stronger, and fish tend to be more active. You'll need heavier sinkers to hold the bottom, but the catches can make it worth it.
- Neap tides: the water circulates less, and fish can be more scattered. On these days, look for areas with some movement. Change spots if there are no signs of life, and lighten up your rig when the water is too calm.
At Casa Favais, we publish the tide chart for Porto and Lisbon every week on our Instagram and Facebook. It's a simple way to never leave home without this info.
2. Choosing the Wrong Rod
The best fishing rod isn't the most expensive. It's the one that suits the type of fishing you're about to do:
- Using a light Spinning rod for Surfcasting results in short casts, poorly balanced rigs, and limited ability to work with heavier sinkers.
- Bringing a heavy Surfcasting rod for a lure session targeting Sea Bass means dragging unnecessary weight for hours, with compromised sensitivity to bites.
- Using a rod with too stiff an action for Spinning can prevent the lure from working naturally, scaring off fish instead of triggering them.
Each situation has its own demands. In Surfcasting, length and power are key to reaching the troughs. In Spinning, it's the action that defines whether you can feel the bite and work the lure properly.
3. Poorly Tied Knots
This is one of the quietest mistakes in fishing. You don't see the problem until the worst possible moment: when the fish pulls, and the line breaks or the hook comes loose. And often, it wasn't the line that failed, but the knot.
A poorly tied knot can significantly reduce the line's strength. This means that even with a quality monofilament or braided line, a careless knot can break under less force than expected. There are two pretty common mistakes here:
- Tightening the knot dry: friction heats the line and weakens it before you even start fishing. Always wet the knot before tightening.
- Not testing the knot after tying it: pull firmly before casting. If it gives in your hand, it can also give with the fish.
For sea fishing, it's better to really master two or three simple knots than to attempt elaborate knots you can't control. The Palomar is a great option for connections to hooks, lures, or swivels.
4. Not Adapting Bait to the Day's Conditions
Always bringing the same bait because "it worked before" is a comfortable mistake. Conditions change, and what worked in murky water in March may be invisible or suspicious in crystal-clear water in August. There's a simple logic to follow.
Murky water or low visibility
Go for lures that produce more vibration, movement, or presence in the water. Fish will detect them more by displacement than by color alone.
Clear water
The presentation needs to be more natural. More neutral colors, slower movements, and a more discreet leader can make the difference between a bite and a fish that just swims past without reacting.
For natural bait, freshness is non-negotiable. A dry or poorly hooked bait loses effectiveness. The way you rig the bait is as important as the choice itself. It needs to stay firm, shouldn't spin unnaturally. And the hook? It shouldn't be completely covered, as this can affect the hookset.
5. Not Reading the Sea Before Casting
Arriving at the spot and casting right away is an understandable reflex, but is it hurting you? Two or three minutes observing the sea before setting up the rod can be worth more than an hour of fishing in the wrong place.
Before casting, try to spot:
- Persistent foam areas indicate that the bottom is being stirred up, with food circulating. These are zones where fish may be patrolling.
- Rip currents: zones where the water pulls back with more force after the waves, creating corridors fish use to come and go with less effort.
- Diving seabirds: a good sign of baitfish near the surface and, often, predators hunting below.
- Transitions between rough water and calmer zones are often where Sea Bass and bream position themselves to ambush prey.
Whoever rushes the cast loses the map that the sea is showing for free. And that map changes every session!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I fish better at sea?
Start with the preparation: check the tide chart, choose gear suited to the technique, check your equipment, and observe the spot before casting. That's how to catch more fish consistently.
When is the best time to fish?
The best time to fish is usually the two hours before and after the tide change. Dawn and dusk are also good periods, especially with favorable wind and swell.
How do I use the tide chart for fishing?
The chart helps you understand when the water will move the most. Look for low- and high-tide hours and plan your fishing for the periods before and after the change.
What's the best fishing rod for sea fishing?
The best fishing rod depends on the technique. For Surfcasting, you need a long and powerful rod. For Spinning, a light, sensitive, and balanced rod makes more sense.
And you, what fishing tip have you picked up over the years that you now consider essential? Share with the crew in the comments below.