If you ever went fishing with your dad or grandpa than you probably got a lecture about needing to stay quiet or else you’ll scare off the fish. Unfortunately, I’m here to tell you they were right…
Truth be told, I never really bought it. There’s untold gallons of water between me and the fish, how is having a conversation going to spook them when they deal with boats and ducks and whatever else happens on this lake that makes a lot more noise than me asking when I can eat my sandwich or if I should reel in and cast again because I thought I was picked clean.
Stuff pops up online all the time saying something like “How old were you when you realized making noise doesn’t scare the fish, your dad just wanted you to shut up for an hour?” and almost without fail it goes viral with people in the comments saying “I knew he was lying!”
Granted, you can’t be mad at your dad or grandpa for saying this. Everyone wants to take their kid or grandkid fishing but everyone also wants to kick back and listen to the birds and the gentle sound of water lapping at the shoreline without being interrupted by whatever ridiculous question a child could come up with (and I know I sure came up with a lot of insane things.)
Maybe they really were just saying it to get some peace and quiet, but unfortunately for us and perhaps luckily for them, it appears they were right and we were wrong.
Just take a look at this video posted by Field & Stream of an angler named Tut ice-fishing for panfish.
He’s got a camera showing a few nice sized ones eyeing up his jig, but right before one of them strikes, he sneezes. Not one of those controllable ones either, but a full on nostril cleanser, and wouldn’t you know but the fish instantly scatter. A nice catch ruined by a poorly timed achoo.
I guess that settles it, fish can hear you and are easily scared away if you make too much noise. Now, I’m still sure it has a lot to do with vibration, and there’s a difference between a loud, chair rattling sneeze and a couple of whispers back and forth, but make sure your old man doesn’t get a hold of this video or you’ll never hear the end of it. And on that note, here’s tip for all you bank anglers… make a few casts from 10-20 yards off the bank, those ones hugging it can spook easy. Once you clear the shallowest parts you can walk up to the edge and work deeper.
I don’t know about you, but I’m pumped to get back on the water this Spring. Be sure to head over to Tackle Warehouse and grab whatever you need to replenish the tacklebox. If you need some help picking out baits, reels, or anything else, stay tuned for the Spring and Summer editions of Wes’ “Best Of” and “How To” series. Here’s the Best Bass Baits for January and February, along with the best Budget-Friendly Reels, Chatterbait Trailers, and Jerkbait Fishing 101. There’s a lot of great information in those that I can’t recommend enough.
My goal is to go fishing a lot this year and I hope you all do as well. The world would be a better place if we all spent more time outside and there’s no easier way than heading to the local state park and throwing out a few lines.
