Always have a Plan A and a Plan 
B. Know your tides, your goals, and 
your methods before you leave the 
driveway. Being able to pivot based 
on the weather or activity you see 
on the sounder is the hallmark of 
a thinking angler. I’d bet even that 
"unplanned" Far North fisherman 
does a bit more prep than he lets on.
Time on the Water
This is my number one rule. There 
is no substitute for time spent 
on the stones, the beaches, the 
rivers, or the deck. Every trip is a 
lesson. You learn when you fail, 
and you learn when you succeed.
If you want to fast-track this 
process, book a charter. It’s the most 
cost-effective way to buy experience. 
A good skipper has a wealth of info 
built over years of daily sessions. If 
you listen and observe what makes 
their bin fill up, that charter fee is a 
bargain. Just do the right thing and 
leave the handheld GPS at home.
Confidence and Pivoting
Confidence isn’t about being brash; 
it’s about knowing your craft well 
enough to know when to change. 
If you’re confident the fish are 
there but you’re only landing "rats," 
a confident angler has the guts 
to alter the method—more berley 
or bigger baits, rather than just 
driving the boat like a bus from 
spot to spot. Confidence is knowing 
when to wait out a tide because 
history tells you, "It will happen!"
Know Your Limitations
Whether it’s your gear, your boat, 
the weather, or even the "time-
away" allowed by your partner, 
know your limits. A good angler 
never blames their tools.
The internet is full of people 
bagging brands, lures, or weather 
forecasters. These people usually 
"The problem today isn't 
a lack of information; it’s 
having too much. You must 
find your trusted sources."
lack "balance." Products do break and 
fish have powerful jaws. If you put a 
chemically sharpened hook through 
bone and apply massive pressure, 
something might give. Understanding 
the physics of your gear prevents 
the "one that got away" whinging.
Gear vs. Connection
A "good" angler isn't always the "flashy" 
one with the most expensive kit. They 
are the ones who know their gear inside 
and out. They hose down the mid-range 
stuff and meticulously clean the high-
end gear because they respect its value.
The real secret is the connection 
between you and the fish: the tackle. 
High-end rods and reels are simply 
"levers and winches" for comfort, 
but your knots, drag settings, and 
your hooks are what catch the fish. A 
good angler has supreme confidence 
in their knots and uses hooks that 
are fresh and blemish-free.
To reach the next level, focus on 
the fundamentals. Keep your eyes 
open, your ears tuned to the right 
people, and your line in the water 
as often as possible. Tightlines!
Jeremy’s number one rule to 
remember, there is no substitute 
for time spent on the water fishing.  
Every trip is a lesson; you learn when 
you fail and when you succeed.
 /FISHINGINGODZONE  49

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