Before we begin December's blog, everyone at L&H Boats, Inc. would like to extend to all of our customers and friends the following wishes:

May your Holidays be filled with much Happiness, Joy & Health and may your New Year be filled with beautiful moments, treasured memories, health, happiness, and all the blessings a heart can know. We value our relationship with you and look forward to serving you in the year to come.
Greetings all Anglers! Can’t catch as much as you expected, or worse, come up empty-handed? Chances are you are making some common fishing mistakes. As we all know learning happens through trial and error, but if you know about some of the most common fishing mistakes, you can avoid making them. So let’s dive into the 10 most common fishing mistakes, so that your time on the water will be safer and more successful.

1. NOT CHECKING THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Before heading out for a fishing trip, watch the fishing forecast the night before and try to gather information about the location. The condition of weather and sea change rapidly. Make the right decisions regarding fishing locations, target species, tactics and more importantly, your own safety. Continue to monitor conditions while fishing via a marine radio. Always pay attention to any wind direction shifts, note any sudden drops in temperature, watch for lightning, and keep an eye out for rough water

2. NOT HAVING A FISHING LICENSE
Not checking for updates to the fishing regulations or renewing your fishing license. These days, it's easier than ever to check current fishing regulations and renew your fishing license because it can all be done online.

3. USING OLD OR WORN FISHING LINE
Always inspect your line and leader prior to a fishing trip. Replace your line if it appears frayed, you notice any abrasions, or if it feels brittle. You know what they say, “When in doubt, change it out.”

4. FAULTY PREPARATIONS
The most common mistake of an angler is unpreparedness. Before setting out for fishing, you must develop a plan and take preparation accordingly.
What you should do is make a list of equipment you need. The best time to collect or manage equipment is just before you are set to go. So before starting the trip, double check the list to reassure that you have packed all the items you will require.

While selecting equipment, the very first thing comes first. You have to decide the size of fish you’re targeting. It will take different types of equipment for different types of fish. Suppose you want to catch big fish, then you will need longer root and stronger fishing line.

To the contrary, if you are after catching small fish, then going with a smaller rod and a weaker fishing line will be more likely. When targeting smaller fish, most anglers like to use a rod that’s 6-feet in length. And a rod of 7- to 10-feet in length is the optimum choice for bigger fish.
Wearing the right pair of shoes, choosing proper clothing, safety precautions, a decent tackle box– these are also part of the preparation.

5. USING A DULL OR RUSTY HOOK
Using a dull or rusty hook, you run the risk of your hook breaking and it will be harder to hook a fish. When saltwater fishing, give your hooks a quick freshwater rinse and allow them to dry before placing them back in your tackle box.

6. USING HOOKS THAT ARE THE WRONG SIZE
One of the most common fishing mistakes is using hooks that are the wrong size. The most important thing to remember is to match the size of the hook to the size of the bait you will be using versus to the size of the fish you plan to target.

7. NOT CHECKING YOUR SAFETY GEAR
Check your PFDs to make sure there are no broken straps, tears or rips. Make sure your first-aid kit is properly stocked, that fire extinguishers and visual distress signals have been inspected, and any sound-producing devices are in working order. Keeping your gear properly stored and inventoried on a regular schedule are important parts of fishing safety.

8. WEAK FISHING KNOTS
Believe it or not, most of the time anglers are not conscious about tying their knots. Weak or poorly tied knots are amongst the most common mistakes behind a missed catch. An old adage states, “better to be safe than sorry”. So before throwing the bait, double check to see if your knot is ok or not.

Even a top quality hook and an expensive line will not work if your knot is a poorly tied one. High breaking strength of knots assures reeling in your targeted fish.

9. FORGETTING TO CHECK THE DRAGS ON YOUR REELS
Use a spring scale or digital scale to make sure your drags are set properly. As a general rule of thumb, your drag should be set to 25% of the breaking strength of the line you are using.

10. ALLOWING TOO MUCH SLACK IN YOUR LINE
Not maintaining a connection to the line is next on the list of top fishing mistakes anglers make. Be sure to reel up any excess slack in your line so that you can feel bites and ensure a firm hookset.

11. USING A TOWEL TO HANDLE FISH
You shouldn't be using a towel to handle fish that you intend to release. Anything but bare, wet hands or a rubberized landing net has the potential to remove the protective slime coat on a fish. Damage to the slime coat can open the fish up to disease and infection.

12. STORING YOUR HOOKS ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR FISHING ROD GUIDES
This can lead to chipped or damaged rod guides. There are ceramic inserts on the interior portion of many guides. These inserts can chip or crack if subject to sharp fishing hooks. Use the hook keeper.
Before we begin December's blog, everyone at L&H Boats, Inc. would like to extend to all of our customers and friends the following wishes:

FINAL WORDS
The bitter experience of fishing can turn into happy fishing by avoiding these common fishing mistakes. Next time when you sail out for fishing; keep in mind these common mistakes. Hopefully, you will return home with a bucket full of fishes, and a memorable moment too.