We’ve talked many times about how loud noises and vibrations can be scaring the fish and turning off the action as quickly as flipping a light switch, but the negative impact we anglers have on our own success can be so extreme it merits revisiting time and again. Did you unknowingly spook those stripers, scare those specks, or petrify the white perch? These 10 tips for stealthy fishing will help boost your catch rate.

a fly fisherman casting in a peaceful river
Often getting away from the crowd is the best move when you're fishing—in more ways than one.

For Shoreline Fishing

  1. Preemptive Measures – If you’re fishing with less experienced anglers, before approaching the dock or shoreline have a short conversation with your friends about watching the volume level. While you may be aware of how stomping on the planks could alarm your quarry, the people you invited along may be less familiar with the finer points of fishing. So before you even cast the lines make sure everyone knows to keep the noise and vibration levels to a minimum.
  2. Get Lost – Although the available access may make it difficult, whenever possible get away from the crowd. You can depend upon yourself to play it cool but where anglers are lined up elbow to elbow, there’s a good chance someone will do something to make the human presence known to every sea creature within casting distance. Even when the crowded spot is the prime spot, you have a good chance of enjoying better action by walking away.
  3. Made in the Shade – When the sun is at an angle be careful about where you throw a shadow. Birds hunt fish, so most finned critters treat shadows from above as an indication of danger. If not, they become a heron’s meal at an early age.

Fishing From a Boat

  1. Shifting your Methods – While a modern four-stroke outboard makes virtually no noise at idle, shifting it (or any outboard) into gear creates a metal-on-metal “thunk” that can be heard both above and below the water. If you’ve ever fished from a boat you’ve probably heard it yourself. Instead of pulling up to a spot then shifting into reverse to stop the boat, shift out of gear early so you can stealthily drift into position.
  2. Speed Kills (the Bite) Too – All forms of propeller-driven propulsion create prop noise underwater, including electric motors. The level of that noise is directly related to the speed of the propeller, so in some cases an electric trolling motor running at full throttle may actually be creating more noise than some gas-powered outboards running at idle. Slow down and you’ll greatly reduce the chances of freaking out the fish.
  3. All Charged Up – Some species of fish are sensitive to electrical charges, and some boats (usually older ones) may be “leaking” an electrical charge into the water thanks to bad grounds or cruddy connections. Make sure this isn’t an issue by attaching one lead of a voltmeter to the negative terminal of your battery and the other to a bare wire going over the side and into the water. Then set the meter on DC zero to one on the tenths of a volt scale, and turn your boat’s accessories on and off while watching the meter. If it jumps over a tenth of a volt at any time, some work on the wiring is in order.
  4. Slap and Ripple – Boats with hard chines can create a lot of chine-slap and on the Florida flats, where anglers can watch spooked fish dart away, chine slap is considered a significant factor. If your boat slaps get a pair of foam pool noodles, go up to the bow, and slide one under each chine to eliminate the noise. Note: their natural buoyancy will usually hold the noodles in place between the hull and chine. But to prevent them from drifting away just in case they slide out, put each on a rope or leash secured to a cleat or rail.
fishing from a boat on a calm day
In calm, quiet conditions, doing everything you can to avoid spooking the fish is critical. Photo by Tracey F. Johns, taken aboard the Karen Ray II.

For All Anglers

  1. Alluring, or Alerting? – Some lures can actually spook fish, particularly in very still, calm water. Those with loud rattles and poppers can do more harm than good when the water’s surface is mirror-still, and casting a large or heavy lure which makes a big splash-down can have the same effect.
  2. Talking the Talk – One of the best ways we anglers discourage fish from striking is by laughing, hooting, or hollering. Sure, we all want to have fun, but the human voice carries through water amazingly well. Keep the hubbub to a minimum, bite your tongue when a fish takes a swing and a miss, and never yell between boats or across the lake.
  3. Sniffing and Whiffing – You know that fish can sniff out the stuff they like, but they can also smell things that they don’t. It’s hard to say what a fish won’t like to smell, but we do know of one scientifically proven fish-repellent: DEET. This is the active ingredient in bug repellent and fish utterly hate it. Get some on your hands then bait your hook, and you might be doing a lot more relaxing than catching.

Undoubtedly there are about 10 kajillion other things we may or may not be doing that could scare the fish, but all of the above are proven bite-killers. Use a little more caution the next time you go fishing and you’ll do a lot less spooking—and a lot more filleting.