Can't Catch Any Fishes in Toronto!

[npetersen]

I have had worms in the fridge for several months but they were super fresh when bought. I check on them every couple of weeks and if some are dead then get rid of the dead ones. I add a little bit of water if soil looks dry.

 

[npetersen]

Thanks for the link blair.

 

[FishingNoob]

Know your target.
Know your environment.

Both of these things require research research research.
When I first started fishing, I was using worms, leeches, plastics, cranks, you name it, ive used it. I purchased these baits based on what I think would work without any consideration of what the fish want.
I have gone to scugog, lake simcoe, rice lake, ontario,ponds and various streams/rivers and came home empty handed
I have been fishing for 5 years, and it was only last year that I began nailing fish after fish shore fishing..
You have to take the time to actually research about the gear, the behavior of fish, and the effect that weather has on them in order to be a successful fisherman.

Once you are bored of catching sunfish, do some research and you will be surprised at the simple mistakes you are making now as a beginner.

I am having that exact trouble, all I catch are sunfish or rockbass! Any tips?

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

Hello Kevan!

Don't worry one bit, I was in the same boat as you last year (well not literally a boat... nevermind ). It took me all summer to catch a small pike and a bass. Very sad. I started fishing in January this year and didn't get a fish until March.

The number one thing is spending time learning. Ask specific question on the forum, use Google a lot. Start learning about broad topics like how to fish for carp or how to fish for pike. Then narrow it down, for example: what kind of set-up do you use on weedy bottoms? That's just an example.

I spent countless hours on the forums this past year, and it's been a great journey from being a noob to still being a noob. There's so much to learn! But the fish will come along the way.

You also need to spend a lot of time on the water and at different locations. Try to go off the beaten path, check small rivers in your area, small ponds, stormwater ponds, ponds off of highways. If there's water there might be fish.

Get polarized sunglasses to help you spot fish.

Oh, and worms. If fish are there, worms work.

The problem with worms is that once the weather warms up, Gobies will always decimate them before any other fish. So the time for worms is now!

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

I am having that exact trouble, all I catch are sunfish or rockbass! Any tips?

If your'e using worms and worm-like things under a bobber, these are often most common fish in the water and will be the first to bite. So you have to get around that somehow.

You can use spoons or spinners to target larger predators like bass and pike.

Or you can use corn or bread on the bottom to target carp.

 

[rocheleauc]

I agree, stick wth worms, the worm is the most effective bait around.

this.

 

[FishingNoob]

If your'e using worms and worm-like things under a bobber, these are often most common fish in the water and will be the first to bite. So you have to get around that somehow.

You can use spoons or spinners to target larger predators like bass and pike.

Or you can use corn or bread on the bottom to target carp.

I just bought my first artificial lure last week, I am going to test them out and hopefully catch something other than rockbass and crappie. Thanks for the reply.

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

I just bought my first artificial lure last week, I am going to test them out and hopefully catch something other than rockbass and crappie. Thanks for the reply.

Let us know! And never forget the value of a worm, I have a whole plano box full of lures and I've been using a worm for the last month

 

[Phlazky]

I am having that exact trouble, all I catch are sunfish or rockbass! Any tips?

If you are looking to catch pike, bass (something that isnt sunfish or rockbass), the main thing that I found helpful is to find locations that people wouldnt normally go to.

If you go to popular places like under a bridge, or at a public dock, chances are, someone else was there before you and caught whatever was there already. The chances that another predator fish will decide to camp there in the same part of the day is significantly lower.

If you only know of popular spots, either go at dawn or dusk. When the bugs come out, there is a higher chance to catch a good fish.

The main problem with shore fishing is location honestly. If you are willing to walk a bit more and through some bushes/trees, you will be able to cover a lot more water, and spots that are under less fishing pressure.

The problem with worms is that anything will eat them. They work so well that you will catch a lot more sunfish than anything else. If you are after game fish, I would never recommend worms + they are dirty and watching a float sit there all day is as fun as watching paint dry (for me anyways), but if you are just taking your kids out and just out to catch "something", then worms are great.

P.S, dont get me wrong, I caught one of my biggest bass on a worm and float, but knowing that it was pretty much pure luck ruined the experience for me. There truly is no joy greater than catching a fish on an artificial bait.

 

[FishingNoob]

If you are looking to catch pike, bass (something that isnt sunfish or rockbass), the main thing that I found helpful is to find locations that people wouldnt normally go to.

If you go to popular places like under a bridge, or at a public dock, chances are, someone else was there before you and caught whatever was there already. The chances that another predator fish will decide to camp there in the same part of the day is significantly lower.

If you only know of popular spots, either go at dawn or dusk. When the bugs come out, there is a higher chance to catch a good fish.

The main problem with shore fishing is location honestly. If you are willing to walk a bit more and through some bushes/trees, you will be able to cover a lot more water, and spots that are under less fishing pressure.

The problem with worms is that anything will eat them. They work so well that you will catch a lot more sunfish than anything else. If you are after game fish, I would never recommend worms + they are dirty and watching a float sit there all day is as fun as watching paint dry (for me anyways), but if you are just taking your kids out and just out to catch "something", then worms are great.

P.S, dont get me wrong, I caught one of my biggest bass on a worm and float, but knowing that it was pretty much pure luck ruined the experience for me. There truly is no joy greater than catching a fish on an artificial bait.

Thanks. I know I should be doing some "leg work" but the problem for me is that I always end up gravitating towards these spots!!!! I need to lose the mentality that it is ok not to catch fish i guess. Thanks for the reply.

 

[FishingNoob]

Let us know! And never forget the value of a worm, I have a whole plano box full of lures and I've been using a worm for the last month

Will do!

 

[FishingNoob]

I have had worms in the fridge for several months but they were super fresh when bought. I check on them every couple of weeks and if some are dead then get rid of the dead ones. I add a little bit of water if soil looks dry.

Thanks.